Rivian vs. Scout: Range, performance, tech, dimensions, and more

The electric vehicle market is heating up in almost every segment. The latest newcomers are two trucks sporting a nameplate that’s back from the dead: Scout. Scout Motors – now a subsidiary of Volkswagen – introduced the Scout Terra pickup truck and Scout Traveler SUV just this week. From styling to intended purpose, there are a lot of similarities. Are the trucks different enough to coexist in a still blossoming segment?

Similar aesthetics, big size differences

Side by side, the four trucks look similar, but far from the same. The Rivians both offer more ground clearance and fording depth, too. Both Rivian trucks offer about 15 inches of ground clearance and will make it through 43 inches of water, while the Scout trucks have 12 inches of ground clearance, fording 36 inches.

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The Scout trucks are both longer than their Rivian counterparts – the Traveler is around 7 inches longer than the R1S, and the Terra is over 12 inches longer than the R1T. In fact, the new Scout trucks are…well, huge. They’re also wider than the Rivian trucks. The Traveler measures 91.6 inches wide compared to the Rivian R1S at 81.8. The R1T measures 79 inches across, compared to the Terra which measures the same 91.6 inches.

For context, a Ford Raptor’s width including the mirrors is 96 inches even. We have to assume these measurements include mirrors, but either way, the Terra and Traveler will be easy to tell apart from the Rivian duo.

Scout interior layout takes a similar minimalist approach

The Scout trucks and Rivian trucks are very similar once you’re behind the wheel. Dual screens dominate the cabin, and it looks like materials in the Scout Terra and Scout Traveler will be about on par with what we already get in the R1S and R1T. Without hard measurements we can’t say for sure, but the Scout truck’s larger dimensions might pay dividends in passenger comfort and interior cargo space. Terra and Traveler get some cool switch hardware that’s absent from the button-less Rivian trucks.

Performance and range comparisons are preliminary, but Rivian has an edge

Things start getting further apart when you look at performance figures. We only have the basics when it comes to the Scout models: zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and up to 1,000 pound-feet of torque. If we’re comparing top trims, the R1T and R1S trucks sprint from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds thanks to an available 1,125 pound-feet of torque.

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The story remains the same with range, too. Though Scout Motors says a hybrid version of the truck will be able to roam 500 miles between fill-ups and charges, all-electric range hovers around 350 miles. That isn’t bad until you look at the max range on Rivian trucks, which is upwards of 400 miles.

Screens and software are similar, but not identical

Scout says the Terra and Traveler will receive their own interface – Scout Community UX. We don’t know anything more about it, and we don’t have any idea what kind of driver aids might come packaged with the two trucks. Sources are indicating that the Scout trucks might have bigger screens, but we don’t have confirmation of that. All of the trucks get a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster behind the wheel.

Related: 2025 Rivian R1S: Blistering acceleration, new batteries, and prices to match

Pricing needs to hold steady at $60,000 for the Traveler and Terra to remain dominant

One place the Scout Terra and Scout Traveler seem to surely outpace Rivian is pricing. Both are said to start under $60,000, making them significantly less expensive than the R1S or R1T. Those trucks start at $75,900 and $69,900, respectively. That said, the pair of Scouts are still three years out from scheduled start of production.

Final thoughts

There’s room in the market for all four of these electrified off-roaders. Despite some similarities, the pricing and performance capabilities alone set each truck apart from the next. How much market share Scout steals from Rivian will be very dependent on market conditions and final pricing. After all, a lot can happen in three years. Especially when you consider Scout’s parent company, Volkswagen, has seen better days. We look forward to getting hands-on time with the new Scout SUV and truck.

Related: Scout Motors breaks ground on new $2 billion plant in South Carolina