Tesla’s Cybertruck seems to be insane, however I’m nonetheless holding out for the Rivian R2

Effectively, the Cybertruck is lastly right here, and I’ve to say that I’m pleasantly shocked with how cool it seems to be. A few of these early “shot on iPhone on the road” photographs made the truck look a bit of roughly put collectively, however the first deliveries look first rate, and the truck’s capabilities look actually cool.

Nevertheless, even with the entire Cybertruck hype and its comparatively spectacular beginning worth of round $60,000, I’m going to maintain holding out for the R2 platform that Tesla’s rival Rivian is in the midst of constructing out in Georgia. Right here’s why.

The Cybertruck is cool, however it isn’t for me

There’s little doubt that the Cybertruck is cool. The factor seems to be prefer it actually jumped out of Cyberpunk 2077 and into our driveways. It definitely takes the crown as probably the most interesting-looking electrical truck that’s at present in the marketplace.

There are a ton of cool options with the Cybertruck. A beginning worth of round $60,000 is spectacular for a automobile that may face up to a Tommy Gun (why you would want this, I have no idea). It could actually go from 0-60 in underneath 3 seconds, attain 340 miles of vary, and tow as much as 11,000 kilos. It additionally has a ton of equipment like roof rails and a tent made for the mattress, so it’s a fairly spectacular tenting automobile.

However, that design simply isn’t for me. I need one thing hotter and alluring and the Cybertruck simply isn’t that — nor was that clearly the intention for it. It seems to be glossy, futuristic, and admittedly badass, however that’s not the form of design I need for my automobile. Tesla actually went to the intense with this design and I’m certain alienated lots of people with it.

Picture supply: Tesla

After pondering the design even additional, I feel I’m additionally not a fan of Tesla’s extraordinarily minimalistic interiors. As a self-described minimalist myself, I used to be shocked to return to this conclusion. Nevertheless, minimalism for me isn’t about stark white partitions, and that appears to be extra what the Cybertruck is about — a cool, glossy, and rugged inside that appears to go for minimalism for minimalism’s sake moderately than an inviting inside that feels welcoming to take a seat in.

There are many individuals who will disagree with me on that and completely love the design of the Cybertruck — in and out — and that’s advantageous! You must get pleasure from it. For me, although, I’m in search of one thing like Cyberpunk and extra Subaru.

Rivian’s R2 is the electrical automotive I’m ready for

Personally, I’m drawn extra to the design of Rivian’s R1T or R1S than the Tesla Cybertruck or the Ford F-150 Lightning. As a Subaru proprietor, I’d like to see that firm electrify the Outback however, thus far, all we’ve gotten from the automaker is the Solterra which isn’t any substitute for a Wilderness mannequin.

So, whereas we look forward to Subaru to enter the electrical off-road recreation, Rivian is a pure step for these of us who need to personal a automobile made for journey however run on electrical energy moderately than fossil fuels. Nevertheless, there’s one drawback with Rivian: they’re too costly. The bottom R1T, even with the corporate’s new cost-saving twin motor, begins at $73,000.

Lots of people, together with myself, can’t justify a automobile at that worth. Even with its new leasing program which is now live in about fourteen states, the bottom month-to-month cost on an R1T will run you $899 monthly — that’s a fully huge automotive cost for most individuals. It’s nonetheless higher than the $1400 monthly base financing will value you, however that’s nonetheless out of attain for many of us.

That’s the place the R2 is available in. Rivian has teased its subsequent platform, dubbed the R2, for a while now. Fortunately, we’d lastly get a way of what its subsequent automobile goes to seem like — and extra importantly, how a lot it can value. As beforehand reported, the corporate is expected to announce the R2 in early 2024 with a launch of the automobile in 2026. Based on that report, the automobile might are available in at a beginning worth of $40,000 and, relying on choices, high out round $60,000.

Picture supply: Rivian

After all, the R2 will be sure you lose some options of its bigger and dearer siblings, however so long as it stays off-road succesful, that is the worth vary I might put together for. Personally, my Subaru is paid off and working advantageous, so if Rivian publicizes this factor subsequent yr at that worth level, I’ve two entire years to save lots of to make sure the month-to-month cost is cheap.

If the Rivian R2 is available in at $40,000 and is off-road succesful, I’m bought. It doesn’t must compete with a Jeep Wrangle, but when it’s sufficient to get me to my campsite, that’s all I would like from it. That worth would actually be surprising, contemplating {that a} Subaru Outback Wilderness begins at round that worth proper now.

I actually hope Rivian can pull it off — in any other case, it’s Subaru for the foreseeable future and my private electrical future should wait.