Car Keys with Robin Leech and Jay de Marcken – July 6, 2026

Rivian is an EV maker known for building electric trucks and SUVs. In this segment, the host is discussing how Rivian handles ordering and reservations rather than using traditional dealer networks.

A reservation is a paid place in line that gives you the right to order a vehicle when it becomes available. Here, the host describes paying $100 to secure that ordering right for a Rivian.

The Rivian R2 is the second model in Rivian’s lineup, positioned below the existing R1 vehicles. It’s discussed here as a key reason people have been waiting on reservations for a long time.

The Rivian R1S is one of Rivian’s first-generation electric models and is the SUV in the R1 lineup. In the segment, it’s used to contrast with the newer R2’s different vehicle architecture.

The Rivian R1T is Rivian’s first-generation electric pickup truck. The segment pairs it with the R1S to describe the earlier R1 architecture before discussing how the R2 differs.

A body-on-frame vehicle uses a separate structural frame, with the body mounted on top. This architecture is often associated with trucks and SUVs because it can handle heavy loads and stresses well.

The Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV built for carrying lots of people and cargo, often used as a family hauler or long-distance vehicle. It’s frequently mentioned alongside other big, body-on-frame style SUVs because it prioritizes space and comfort over sportiness. In a podcast, it comes up as a benchmark for what “big SUV” practicality feels like.

The Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-size SUV commonly built on a body-on-frame architecture. It’s mentioned here as an example of the kind of construction the Rivian R1 uses.

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a traditional full-size SUV known for rugged, body-on-frame construction. In this segment, it’s used as another reference point for the Rivian R1’s architecture.

A unibody (unitized body) design integrates the body and structure into a single shell. Compared with body-on-frame, unibody construction often improves rigidity and can help packaging and handling, though it’s a different trade-off in strength and load handling.

Tesla is a major EV brand that popularized modern mass-market electric cars and a direct-to-consumer sales model. Here, it’s referenced as another EV company with retail locations where customers can experience vehicles in person.

Lucid is an EV brand best known for high-end electric sedans and a focus on efficiency and range. The speaker mentions Lucid alongside Rivian and Tesla to compare how these EV brands use physical stores/centers for customer demos.

Electric vehicles (EVs) run on one or more electric motors powered by a battery pack instead of a gasoline engine. The speaker notes that EVs often have a learning curve in how you use the vehicle’s systems and software.

Modern EVs rely heavily on software for core functions like driving modes, charging-related settings, and infotainment. The speaker is highlighting that using the vehicle’s interface and features can take time to get comfortable with.

Tesla is known for its electric powertrains and software-driven driving experience. The speaker is referring to the Tesla Model S, a full-size electric sedan with a long-range focus and strong performance variants.

Tesla’s Model Y is a compact electric crossover built around Tesla’s electric powertrain and software features. It’s typically positioned as a more practical, higher-roof alternative to the Model 3, with strong availability and a huge owner community.

The Chevrolet Bolt is an affordable, mass-market battery-electric hatchback/compact EV. It’s notable because it helped popularize EVs with relatively accessible pricing and practical daily usability.

The Lucid Air is a luxury battery-electric sedan known for its efficiency and long-range ambitions. It’s often discussed as a “premium EV” alternative to Tesla and other high-end EVs.

The Rivian R1 refers to Rivian’s earlier flagship EV lineup (commonly the R1T pickup and R1S SUV). In this segment, it’s used as the baseline owners compare against after driving the newer R2.

A “demo drive” is a structured test drive where a manufacturer or dealer lets you experience a vehicle before purchase. It’s often used to compare how different EVs feel in acceleration, steering, braking, and everyday usability.

Sport mode is a driving setting that typically changes throttle response, steering feel, and suspension behavior to make the car react more aggressively. Here, the speaker says sport mode didn’t feel very sporty, suggesting the car’s tuning prioritizes comfort over sharp performance.

Horsepower is a measure of engine (or motor) output power. In EV comparisons, higher horsepower often correlates with stronger acceleration, which is why the speaker brings it up alongside 0–60 time.

Zero to sixty time is the elapsed time it takes a car to accelerate from 0 mph to 60 mph. It’s a common benchmark for straight-line acceleration and is often used to compare EVs and performance trims.

The Chevrolet Corvette C8 is the eighth-generation Corvette, and it’s known for moving the Corvette’s engine behind the driver (mid-engine layout). That layout helps it accelerate and corner with a more balanced feel than earlier front-engine Corvettes.

An on-ramp is the acceleration lane that connects an entrance road to a freeway. It’s where drivers typically build speed to merge, so it’s a common place to judge real-world acceleration and passing ability.

A vehicle being “governed” at a speed means its electronic control system limits top speed to a set maximum—here, 80 mph. That’s why the speaker couldn’t keep up with the Corvette C8 once the Rivian demo hit its limit.

“Time slots” refers to scheduled windows when a customer is allowed to purchase or finalize an order. In this segment, the host contrasts people who already have their time slots versus those still waiting.

“Wait lines” describes the practical queue system for scarce vehicle availability, where customers are scheduled based on when they reserved. The speaker implies there’s an internal logic (“rhyme and reason”) to how the line is managed.

“Not transferable” describes a policy where your place in the purchase queue (or your reservation/order) can’t be reassigned to another person. The speaker explains the workaround would be buying the vehicle first and then selling it, because the queue position itself can’t be transferred.

Range is how far an electric vehicle can drive on a full charge under specific conditions. The episode contrasts a higher starting estimate with a lower real-world result after driving harder, showing how range varies with driving style and power use.

Consumption refers to how much energy the vehicle uses over distance. In EV discussions, higher consumption usually means you’re drawing more power (often from hard acceleration or higher speeds), which directly reduces achievable range.

Gas mileage is the fuel economy of a gasoline car, typically measured as miles per gallon (or similar units). The host compares EV range behavior to how aggressive driving can cut fuel economy in gas cars as well.

Stop lights are a driving context that encourages frequent acceleration from near-zero speed. For EV range, repeated launches can spike energy use compared with steady cruising.

“Pass and forget” describes a driving approach where you commit to an overtake quickly and decisively, then move back to your lane without lingering. In EVs, the instant torque can make the “get it done” feeling easier for some drivers.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a full-size electric luxury sedan designed to deliver a very quiet, comfortable ride. It’s often compared directly to the S-Class experience because it aims for the same kind of high-end comfort, but with an electric powertrain. The podcast mentions it in the context of ride feel and cost.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the brand’s flagship luxury sedan, known for top-tier comfort, quietness, and smooth ride quality. It’s often discussed as a reference point for how refined a car can feel, especially on long drives. In the podcast context, it’s used to compare ride comfort to another Mercedes model.

The Mercedes-Benz ML-Class is a mid-size luxury SUV that was part of Mercedes’ lineup for many years. It’s often mentioned by owners because it sits in the “comfortable, practical luxury SUV” category. In the podcast context, it’s brought up as part of someone’s history with Mercedes luxury vehicles.

Wheel size (like 21-inch wheels) affects ride comfort, steering response, and how the tire sidewall flexes. Larger wheels often pair with lower-profile tires, which can improve steering feel but may make the ride feel firmer over bumps.

A sporty suspension is tuned to reduce body roll and keep the tires more consistently planted during cornering. The speaker is questioning whether the vehicle’s suspension tuning delivers that “performance around corners” feel, especially compared with the Porsche Macan’s handling.

The Porsche Macan is a compact luxury SUV that’s engineered to feel more like a sports car than a typical family hauler. Here, the speaker specifically compares an electric Macan’s handling and ride comfort, emphasizing how it feels “tight” in corners while still being comfortable.

“40,000 mile oil service” refers to a scheduled maintenance interval where the engine oil (and usually the oil filter) is replaced based on mileage. The host uses this interval to highlight how dealership quotes can be high even for routine maintenance.

A certified used vehicle is a pre-owned car that a manufacturer (or its dealer network) inspects and backs with additional coverage or guarantees. In this segment, the host says the Audi was certified used, which affected how service benefits (like free oil changes) applied.

In the segment, coupons are used to reduce the out-the-door cost of dealership service. The host describes applying Audi-system coupons to bring the quoted service price down significantly.

A brake fluid change is maintenance where the hydraulic fluid in the brake system is replaced. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which can reduce braking performance and contribute to corrosion inside the system.

Audi is the car brand the speaker references for manufacturer guidance and dealer service practices. In this segment, they’re contrasting Audi’s recommended service interval (every two years) with their own maintenance habits and what they feel dealerships push.

Transmission fluid lubricates internal transmission components and helps transfer hydraulic pressure for gear changes. Different transmission types (automatic vs manual vs dual-clutch) have different fluid requirements and service intervals.

Labor rate is the hourly charge a dealership or shop applies to work performed. It’s a major driver of service costs because the total bill is typically labor time multiplied by the shop’s hourly rate, plus any parts and fluids.

A “service slip” is the paperwork/receipt breakdown from a service visit showing what work was performed and what each charge is for. The speaker is implying the charges were itemized in a way that made the added “special liquid” seem like a major cost driver.

“Dealer add-ons” refers to extra items or services a dealership includes in a service visit beyond the core maintenance. In the episode, the speaker suggests the price is higher because the dealer bundles in costly extras like special fluids.

“Certified pre-owned” (CPO) is a manufacturer-backed used-car program. It typically includes an inspection and warranty coverage that’s different from a regular used car, which is why the speaker asks about whether warranty service can be done at other dealerships.

In this context, “warranty” refers to the coverage that comes with a certified pre-owned Subaru and determines what repairs are paid for. The speaker is specifically asking whether warranty-covered service must be done at the selling dealership or can be done at any Subaru dealership.

An independent shop is a non-dealership repair and maintenance business that services cars from many brands. In this segment, it’s presented as an alternative to dealership oil changes as long as you can document the work.

Manufacturer’s service centers are repair facilities operated or authorized by the automaker, typically using the brand’s procedures and parts. In the segment, they’re recommended as a way to keep maintenance aligned with the carmaker’s guidelines during the warranty period.

In this context, additives are aftermarket or shop-supplied chemical products mixed into the engine oil or fuel. The host claims many additives are unnecessary “gimmicks” used to increase profit rather than provide real benefit.

An oil change is routine service for internal-combustion engines where used engine oil is drained and replaced with fresh oil. EVs don’t have engine oil in the same way, so the idea that EVs “don’t need oil changes” is generally true, though they still need other maintenance.

An electric car (EV) is powered primarily by electric motors and a battery pack rather than a gasoline engine. Because of that, EV maintenance schedules differ from gas cars—especially around engine-oil service.

A “10,000 mile service” refers to a scheduled maintenance interval where a shop performs a set of inspections and services at that mileage. The hosts are discussing how dealers may charge for scheduled services even on EVs where some items (like oil) don’t apply.

“Oil change place” refers to quick-lube style shops that advertise low-cost oil services. In this segment, it’s used to highlight that pricing and what’s actually performed can vary, and you can get overcharged if you don’t trust the shop.