Car Keys with Robin Leech and Jay de Marcken – May 18, 2026

The Rivian SUV is discussed as a fully electric vehicle (EV) where the key ownership metric is battery range. The speaker cites real-world range dropping in winter, which highlights how temperature affects EV efficiency.

Range is how far an electric vehicle can drive on a full charge. The host notes the Rivian’s range is about 325 miles but drops to roughly 265–285 miles in winter, showing how cold weather reduces efficiency.

A plug-in hybrid is a hybrid car with a battery that you can recharge by plugging it in. It can typically drive on electricity for some distance, then uses its gas engine when the battery is depleted or when more power is needed.

A Polestar plug-in hybrid is a hybrid car that can be charged from an external power source, then driven electrically for a limited distance. It also has a gasoline engine that can take over when the battery is depleted or when longer trips make charging inconvenient.

The Rivian R1S is an all-electric SUV from Rivian, built around a large battery and electric drive for long-range daily use. In this segment it’s discussed alongside the R1T as part of a family’s electric-vehicle lineup.

The Rivian R1T is an all-electric pickup truck, using electric motors and a battery pack instead of a traditional engine. The discussion pairs it with the R1S to contrast the SUV and truck versions of Rivian’s early lineup.

Rivian R2 is an upcoming Rivian electric SUV/pickup-style vehicle positioned as a more affordable entry into the brand’s lineup. In this segment, the hosts discuss ordering it online and break down R2 trims by drivetrain and performance, including all-wheel drive and claimed range.

A configurator is an online tool that lets you choose a vehicle’s options—like trim level, drivetrain, and sometimes interior/exterior features—before placing an order. It’s essentially how the manufacturer turns your preferences into a specific build.

All-wheel drive (AWD) sends power to both the front and rear axles, improving traction and stability—especially on slippery or uneven surfaces. In this segment, AWD is tied to the R2’s higher-output trims and the stated range.

A single-motor EV uses one electric drive unit to propel the vehicle, typically powering only one axle. In the segment, the R2 “entry-level” version is described as a rear-wheel-drive single-motor setup, contrasted with AWD trims.

Two-wheel drive (2WD) means power is delivered to only one axle (either front or rear), rather than all four wheels. The segment contrasts 2WD with AWD on the Rivian R2, noting differences in claimed range and trim positioning.

Kia EV9 is an all-electric, three-row SUV aimed at families who want EV practicality. The host mentions it while comparing pricing and competitiveness against Rivian’s R2.

Autonomous driving refers to driver-assistance systems that can steer, accelerate, and/or brake with varying levels of automation. In practice, most consumer systems still require the driver to supervise, but they can reduce workload in certain conditions.

A tow package is a bundle of hardware and software provisions that make a vehicle capable of towing—typically including a hitch receiver and wiring for trailer lights, and sometimes cooling or control calibration. It’s usually offered as an option because towing capability changes the vehicle’s setup.

Horsepower is a measure of engine (or motor) power—how much work the powertrain can do. In EVs, it’s still used as a common way to compare output between models and trims.

Electric cars use electric motors instead of an internal-combustion engine, which typically gives them very fast throttle response. That makes it easier to accelerate quickly for passing or merging, which the speakers connect to safety.

“Passing ability” is the car’s capability to accelerate and complete a pass quickly enough to reduce time spent in the danger zone. Here it’s discussed as a safety feature tied to the Rivian’s quick acceleration.

Turn signals are the driver’s indicators used to communicate lane changes and merging intentions. The segment highlights how failing to use them (especially on ramps) makes it harder for other drivers to anticipate what’s coming.

“Auto signal” here refers to an automatic turn-signal behavior that activates when you merge or change lanes, even if the driver doesn’t manually signal. The idea is to improve predictability for other road users.

An aftermarket exhaust is a non-factory exhaust system installed to change sound and sometimes performance. The segment specifically calls out aftermarket setups that “pop and crackle,” creating extra noise that can attract attention.

“Pop and crackle” refers to audible exhaust backfires/afterfire sounds that some cars produce, often when decelerating or during certain throttle transitions. The host treats it as an attention-grabbing noise that can be unnecessary even without aggressive driving.

This is a customer-service metric: whether a caller can reach a human quickly rather than being stuck in automated menus. The hosts use it as evidence of Rivian’s responsiveness and personalized support.

“After sales” refers to what happens after you buy the vehicle—things like customer support, service scheduling, repairs, and ongoing assistance. In this segment, the hosts use it to describe Rivian’s support experience (including getting a live person and even “house calls”).

A commercial-vehicle program means the automaker supplies vehicles for business use rather than only private customers. Here, the hosts connect Rivian’s strategy to Amazon’s delivery needs, framing it as a reason Rivian could have more stable demand and scale.

The “100,000 commercial vehicles” figure is a scale claim about production volume for a fleet customer. In an EV context, fleet orders can strongly influence manufacturing capacity, supply chains, and long-term viability.

Miles per gallon (MPG) is a measure of how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel—how many miles it can travel per one gallon of gasoline (or gasoline-equivalent fuel in hybrids). The hosts compare MPG at different highway speeds to estimate how much range you get per tank.

Cruise control is a driver-assistance feature that holds a set speed automatically. In the episode, it’s used to keep steady highway speeds so the host can compare how fuel economy changes at different speeds.

“Crotch rockets” is a slang term for sport motorcycles—typically small, lightweight bikes designed for high acceleration and speed. The host uses it to describe the type of motorcycles they saw around a crash area.

Horsepower is a measure of engine power, and “900 horsepower” means the car’s power output is extremely high. In racing contexts, that level of power typically requires strong cooling, traction, and drivetrain durability to keep the car accelerating consistently.

Tracking devices are systems that monitor a vehicle’s location or activity over time. In this segment, they’re described as technology used to identify cars via license plates and build records of where a car has been.

“Flock cameras” are automated license-plate recognition systems used to capture plate numbers and store them in databases. The segment describes how subscriptions allow organizations to query plates and generate a history of where a car has been.

Speed cameras are automated enforcement systems that photograph or record vehicles to document speeding. They’re typically used to issue tickets based on the vehicle’s speed and location.

GPS trackers use satellite positioning to monitor a vehicle’s location and sometimes driving behavior. In the context of teen drivers, they’re often used to see where the car goes and whether it’s being driven responsibly.

A speed limiting factor is a programmed restriction that caps a vehicle’s maximum speed. Some newer cars allow parents or owners to set limits to reduce the risk of speeding by a less experienced driver.

The Ford 1998 Mustang GT is a late-90s performance version of the Mustang line, known for its V8 muscle-car character. In this discussion, it’s used as an example of a teen’s first car that parents helped manage.