We’ve owned 15 or so Teslas over the years, but this time the trip to Atlanta was for something different. We just took delivery of our Rivian R2.
Why a Rivian?
A lot of you will ask this first, so here’s the answer.
We’ve been EV believers since 2016, and I picked up my first Model 3 in 2018. Being an early adopter means backing the companies that hit real milestones, and Rivian is one of the most exciting ones out there right now.
There’s a practical reason too. If you’re new here, we buy a lot of cars because we work on them. We make content about them, we template them, and we build patterns and products for them. You can’t really learn a car unless you own it, and we see a big market for the R2.
So we’re not switching sides. You can support more than one EV company at the same time. We like this car, we like the company, and we like where it’s heading.
Before Delivery: Communication Needs Work
The weakest part of the process was everything that happened before pickup.
I expected something like Tesla, where the app does almost all the work. I finished all my paperwork ahead of time and thought I was set. Then, two or three days before delivery, things changed:
- I suddenly needed a notarized letter.
- I had to review my financing approval again.
- Not all of it was handled in the app.
Reaching someone was hard. I got texts from three different Rivian phone numbers before someone finally told me exactly what I needed to do.
Tip for future owners: Don’t assume the app covers everything. Watch your texts and email closely in the week before delivery, and ask early whether you’ll need any extra documents.
Arriving at the Atlanta Delivery Center
I have never seen so many Rivians in one place. The Atlanta center is bigger than I expected, and it looks like they do service in the back too.
When we walked in, nobody was around yet, so we went out and found our car ourselves. We matched the VIN to the one in the app and on our printed checklist, and there it was.
Some of the colors on the lot were beautiful. There was a new purple shade called Borealis and the classic Rivian green. We went with white. A little boring, I know, but it isn’t staying white (more on that below).
Accepting Ownership: Don’t Rush It
In the app, you find your vehicle, tap “My Rivian is here,” and then accept ownership.
Don’t accept ownership until you’re sure the car is good. Inspect it first. Once you accept, it’s yours.
The Delivery Experience Itself
Our delivery specialist in Atlanta was amazing: kind, patient, and really helpful. I won’t name her, but she made the day.
One thing I miss about early Tesla deliveries is how much of an event they were. Tesla now delivers so many cars that pickup can feel rushed. That doesn’t bother me much, but for a first-time EV owner, having someone walk you through the car makes a big difference. Rivian still does that, and it felt like a concierge experience.
It started rocky, but the Atlanta team more than made up for it.
First Impressions: Build Quality Inspection
Overall, the build quality looks really good. Here’s what we found.
✅ The Good
- Panel gaps: Tight and even all around. No issues.
- Frunk alignment: I’d seen forum posts about early builds where the hood rubs against the metal when it opens, which can wear down the paint or clear coat. That isn’t happening on ours. It sits flush and opens cleanly.
- Liftgate and charge port alignment: Some earlier builds were noticeably off here. Ours is flush and even.
⚠️ The Minor Issues
- Paint nibs: A couple of small bits of debris are trapped under the paint. As a detail shop we can sand and correct these ourselves, but not everyone has a shop.
- Rear fascia color mismatch: This was the biggest one. The white on the rear fascia (the bumper area) looks almost yellow next to the rest of the body. It’s not alarming, but it’s noticeable.
Tip: Even if an issue doesn’t bother you, ask the delivery specialist to add it to your delivery notes. That leaves a record if you want it fixed or replaced later.
Interior & Tech
We have the black interior, and it feels premium. The shape is different from what I’m used to after driving the Model Y and Model Y L, so there’s some adjusting to do.
A few quick notes:
- The UI is great. I like it a lot.
- Autonomy+ is Rivian’s driver-assist suite.
- The steering wheel controls will take some getting used to.
- An app launcher bar gives you quick access to everything.
- Keys: We set up the key fob, my phone, and my watch, and they all worked.
- Floor mats, air pump, flashlight, and key fob come included with the Launch Edition.
- Some states provide a mobile charging connector. Georgia does not. Ask your delivery specialist about it.
R2 vs. Tesla Model Y L: First Look
We brought our Model Y L, Tesla’s stretched 6-seater Model Y that’s about 6–7 inches longer and comes with captain’s chairs, so we parked them side by side.
They’re close in height, but the R2 sits a bit higher and feels taller inside. A full comparison video is coming, because the big question we keep hearing is:
“Should I get a Model Y, a Model Y L, or an R2?”
With both in our shop and both in daily use, we’ll share honest, side-by-side impressions as we go. Stay tuned on our YouTube channel for more on this.
What’s Next: Wrap It!
This R2 is getting wrapped. What color should it be? Let us know in the comments of the YouTube video.
Final Thoughts
- Pre-delivery communication: Needs improvement. Expect surprise paperwork and messages from several numbers. R2 deliveries are still pretty early in the game though, so there’s some grace to give.
- Delivery day: Excellent, thanks to the Atlanta team.
- Build quality: Very good for an early build. A few paint nibs and a mismatched rear fascia to note.
- Overall: Excited. The hype feels similar to when I first got my Tesla in 2018. Rivian is working hard to give Tesla some competition, and it’s great to have more EVs on the scene.
If you’re picking up an R2 in the Atlanta area, we’d recommend that delivery center in Defoor. Kudos to the team there.
