I Need a 2-Year EV Bridge Until The R2 Arrives, Here's How I Made My Choice

Welcome to the Rivian R2 debate, where practical concerns are at war with impulse control. In a discussion on Rivian forums, one soon-to-be-former gas driver put it bluntly:

“Obsessed with the R2, can’t wait until 2026 … what should I do?

New to the community here, but over the last few months I’ve become obsessed with the R2 as the right EV for me.

Here’s the problem … I’ve had my current gas car for 15 years … and I gotta get rid of it. (Only planned on keeping for 10, then pandemic happened and I stopped driving, barely used it for 4 years.)

The solution is likely a 2-year lease, but neither the R1S nor R1T make sense for my needs as a single guy in the suburbs. Both due to the size and cost.

So if you were in my situation, what other EV would you go after? I was originally on the IONIQ 5 but fell out of love with it. Mach-E seems problematic. Maybe the Genesis GV70 or GV60? What say you?

Also … if I put money down to reserve an R2 … is that purchase only? No way to get in for a lease, right?

Thanks all.”

The responses ran the gamut from the financially prudent (“Just hold onto your old car and save”) to the borderline reckless (“Get a used Quad R1S”). One particularly sharp reply cut right through the noise:

“Dude is looking for a hold-me-over car for the next year to replace his 15-year-old vehicle before leasing a (advertised) $45k R2 … and you’re suggesting a $75k used full-size SUV to purchase?”

It’s a fair point. The Rivian R2 is shaping up to be a $45,000 to $50,000 mid-size SUV with some serious off-road chops and an electric platform that makes the Tesla Model Y look like yesterday’s tech. But it won’t arrive until at least 2026—if Rivian can hit their production targets. That leaves a tough question: What do you drive until then?

SUVs Within The $50k Budget

• The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a stylish electric SUV that starts at $41,800 for the SE Standard Range rear-wheel-drive model, offering 168 horsepower and 220 miles of range. 
• The Ford Mustang Mach-E combines iconic design with electric innovation. The base Select model with rear-wheel drive and standard range battery starts at $39,995, offering 264 horsepower and 387 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 250 miles. 
• The Kia EV6 stands out with its sleek design and impressive performance. The Light rear-wheel-drive model starts at $42,600, delivering 167 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 232 miles.

The R2 vs. The Field

For those unfamiliar, the Rivian R2 is the brand’s more compact, more affordable follow-up to the R1S. It’s meant to bring Rivian’s rugged, adventure-ready design to a price point that competes more directly with the Tesla Model Y and upcoming Lucid Gravity. But here’s the rub—while the Model Y is already on the road and the Gravity will likely debut in 2025, the R2 is at least two years out. That’s a long time to wait if your current car is held together with duct tape and good intentions.

The Lucid Gravity, while promising, is expected to start at a price well north of $75,000, and the Model X, while arguably in the same performance class—is even pricier. The R2 is theoretically positioned to be the attainable EV SUV for enthusiasts who don’t have six-figure bank accounts, but Rivian has to deliver it first.

Wait, Lease, or Throw Caution to the Wind?

This is where the enthusiast dilemma kicks in. Do you lease something like a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or a Genesis GV60 for two years and wait for the R2? Or do you listen to the more financially nihilistic voices in the discussion and buy a used Rivian R1S for $75,000, just to have a Rivian now?

The answer depends on how much you value common sense. If you truly believe the R2 will be the car for you, the smartest move is to limp your current ride along for another two years. That’s two years of savings you can put toward a higher-trim R2 when it finally arrives. But there’s always the temptation to go big. One commenter summed up the more impulsive approach perfectly:

“With the money you save by being patient you could buy an upgraded R2 rather than leasing in the meantime and having less money for R2.”

It’s an oddly rational take in a sea of irrational decisions.

The Rivian Hype Machine

Let’s be clear, Rivian has done an incredible job of making people obsess over a vehicle that hasn’t even been built yet. The R2 isn’t just a car; it’s a concept of what EV ownership could be.

It’s the promise of Rivian adventure, but at a price that doesn’t require remortgaging your house. The buzz around this thing is so strong that people are willing to make objectively bad financial decisions just to stay in the ecosystem.

But if you strip away the hype, what are you left with? A $45,000 EV that might be a game-changer—but also might face production delays, price hikes, or unforeseen compromises by the time it actually ships.

Lease or Wait?

So what should our suburbanite friend do? The most logical approach is to not buy anything right now. If the 15-year-old car still runs, drive it into the ground and keep stacking cash for an R2. If it’s on its last legs, a short-term lease on a Model Y or Genesis GV60 makes the most sense, something that retains its value and can be ditched easily when the R2 finally drops.

Buying a used R1S is the kind of decision that only makes sense if money is no object. If you can casually drop $75k on a stopgap vehicle, congratulations, you weren’t going to buy an R2 in the first place.

Choose Wisely

For the die-hard Rivian fan, the logical move is to tough it out. Save your money, reserve an R2, and drive your old car into the ground. If you absolutely must get something in the meantime, lease a Model Y or a Genesis GV60—not a used R1S. But if you’re the type who can’t resist instant gratification, well, there’s always the second-hand Rivian market.

Just don’t complain when the R2 finally drops, and you’re stuck trying to offload a depreciating R1S while staring at the car you really wanted in the first place.

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.