Jose Castillo – RivianTrackr

Jose Castillo Founder and Editor

Rivian Rivian R2 Rivian R1T Rivian R1S

Jose Castillo is the founder and editor of RivianTrackr, an independent publication he started to cover Rivian from an owner's point of view. He has followed the company since early in its consumer history and has owned and leased several Rivians over the years, including multiple R1T and R1S vehicles. Today he drives an R1S and an R2 in Florida and uses Universal Hands-Free for his daily driving.

Most of his coverage comes from firsthand access rather than press releases. He was at the R2 First Drive in Park City for hands-on time with the production R2 and RivianOS 2.0, and he reported from SXSW when Rivian revealed the full R2 lineup. He has spoken directly with Rivian leaders like Wassym Bensaid and James Philbin about where the company is taking its software and autonomy work.

Before RivianTrackr, Jose worked at Apple as a software developer, which is part of why he follows Rivian's software and autonomy side as closely as he does. He has also helped more than 400 people order their own Rivians through the site. The whole thing stays independent, written by an owner for other owners.

The Sunday Drive, Rivian Week in Review, May 25 to May 31, 2026

R2 ordering opens June 9th with Performance Launch Edition pricing locked in at $57,990, Performance range beats the Tesla Model Y Performance, Wassym hits the Decoder podcast, and Forest Edge interior makes a limited time return for R1.

Rivian
May 31, 2026

What’s Coming in Rivian’s 2026.15.30 Hotfix

A new Rivian software update is in testing and rolling out soon. Version 2026.15.30 is a hotfix aimed almost entirely at Rivian Assistant, with cleaner calling and messaging, smarter climate and navigation, quieter chimes, and a language-based availability change that finally opens the assistant up to owners in Quebec. Coming to both Gen 1 and Gen 2 R1T and R1S.

Software
May 30, 2026

R2 Performance EPA Range Beats the Tesla Model Y Performance

The EPA posted official R2 Performance numbers, and on 21-inch wheels it matches the Model Y Performance on efficiency while beating it on range, 330 miles to 306. The 20-inch all-terrain config gives some of that back for the rugged look.

Battery & Charging, Rivian R2
May 29, 2026

Rivian’s AI Push Is Picking a Fight With Its Own Mission

Rivian is becoming an AI company on top of being an EV company, and the environmental cost of that shift is the question nobody at the company is really asking yet.

Editorial
May 29, 2026

Vehicle Trade-In Sales Tax by State (2026 Guide)

Most states only tax the difference when you trade a car in. Four tax you on the full price no matter what your trade is worth. Here's how all 50 states plus DC handle it.

Editorial
May 28, 2026

Forest Edge Interior Returns for Rivian R1, Limited Time

Forest Edge is back for R1, but only as a $9,000 Dual R1 package that bundles the interior with 22" Sport Dark wheels, the Darkout Package, and Sound + Vision. It hasn't been orderable since around 2022, and it's limited time, so the green and wood crowd shouldn't sit on it.

Rivian R1S, Rivian R1T
May 28, 2026

Rivian Software Chief Wassym Bensaid Talks VW Deal and RV Tech on Decoder

Rivian software chief Wassym Bensaid went on Decoder, and it's the clearest look yet at the VW deal, why Rivian's software culture is the real asset, and what RV Tech means for every future EV from Audi to Scout.

Software
May 28, 2026

Rivian R2 Ordering Opens June 9th With Performance Launch Edition at $57,990

R2 ordering is officially open as of June 9th, starting with the Performance Launch Edition only at $57,990. You're getting 656 hp, semi-active suspension, around 330 miles of range, and the full Launch Package, with current R1 owners getting priority and first deliveries targeted for 2-6 weeks from the date.

Rivian R2
May 27, 2026

Should You Buy or Lease the Rivian R2 Launch Edition

Leasing is confirmed for the R2 Launch Edition from day one, which is new territory for Rivian, and if you're trying to figure out how to pay for yours, I'd lean lease. Not for the money, but because R2 is a brand-new platform arriving right before LiDAR lands in late 2026, and that's hardware you can't add to an early build later. Here's the case for leasing, the case for buying, and why I'm personally doing the opposite of what I'd tell you to.

Rivian R2
May 27, 2026

What the Next-Generation Rivian R1 Could Bring in 2027

The 2027 model year R1 is probably going to be a light refresh while Rivian keeps its head down on R2, so I'm looking past it to the next-generation R1 expected around summer 2027. Here's my full wishlist, from captain's chairs and the R2 LiDAR system to 800V, vehicle to home charging, and a battery that stops thermal limiting the second things heat up.

Editorial
May 26, 2026