For outdoor enthusiasts seeking a capable yet environmentally friendly pickup truck, two emerging options hold great promise – the Rivian R1T and Volkswagen‘s upcoming Scout EV. Rivian shocked the industry by being first to market with an electric truck delivering legitimate off-road performance without compromise. VW subsequently unveiled its own ambition to recapture America‘s imagination around adventure pickups.
How do these two battery-powered contenders stack up to vie for the hearts, minds and dollars of thrill seeking truck shoppers? Let‘s dig in and explore every detail in this Rivian vs Scout comparison.
Truck Basics – Cab, Bed and Powertrains
On the surface, both the Rivian R1T and VW Scout propose familiar pickup truck silhouettes – a 4-door cab seating 5 adults combined with a separate open cargo bed out back. Classic truck proportions adapted for electrification. But there similarities fade as these trucks differ across nearly all other specs.
Dimensional Differences
As the first pickup designed purely for EV duty, Rivian‘s engineers took advantage by pushing wheels outward and stretching the 117.1 inch wheelbase for class-leading stability and spaciousness.
By comparison, VW‘s Scout almost certainly makes some dimensional compromises to keep costs down. Industry analysts expect a wheelbase approximately 4-6 inches shorter on the Scout – still solid for a crew cab, but giving up that last ounce of wiggle room and ride comfort that Rivian baked in.
| Spec | Rivian R1T | VW Scout EV |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 117.1 in | ~112 in (expected) |
| Length | 217.1 in | ~210 in |
| Width | 79.3 in | ~78 in |
| Height | 71.5 in | 70-72 in |
Clearly Rivian aims to dominate dimensions versus VW‘s more rational restraint for high volume segment targeting.
Powertrain & Performance
Their differing performance ambitions shine through comparing Rivian‘s vs Scout‘s powertrain specs. Rivian touts a quad motor configuration with separate high-efficiency PMAC drive unit powering each wheel to enable precise torque delivery. This architecture doveails with Rivian‘s target buyer – technically inclined early adopters.
VW plays it simpler for Scout spec‘ing a more cost effective dual motor setup – one unit on each axle to retain all-wheel capabilities but giving up torque vectoring finesse and max power.Rear-drive only Scout EV variants possibly come later to further expand model range.
| Spec | Rivian R1T | VW Scout EV |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 135-180 kWh | ~60-80 kWh |
| Drive Motors | 2 or 4 | 2 |
| Power | 600-800+ hp | 300+ hp (est) |
| Torque | 820-900+ lb-ft | TBA |
| 0-60 mph | 3.0-4.5 sec | < 6 sec (est) |
| Tow Rating | 11,000 lb | ~7,500 lb |
For all its dazzling specifications, Rivian‘s quad motor overdelivers for most real world truck tasks especially considering its premium pricing. VW smartly tunes Scout EV capability "just right" for appealing mainstream volume shoppers.
Off-Road Hardware & Software
Truck marketing loves touting sport sedans matching or beating off-road icons on dirt, rocks and trails. But physics always wins dragging less suitable rigs to walking speeds far shy of their on-road glory. Electric truck designs like Rivian R1T and Scout EV reset expectations with legitimate off-road hardware baked into their adventurous missions.
Hardware Essentials
Both rigs check essentiall off-road boxes with elevated ground clearance, supple long-travel suspensions, aggressive tires, protective skid plating, strong tow hooks and generous approach/departure angles allowing them to crest and clear obstacles without grinding expensive bits.
VW keeps mum on most Scout EV specifics but its very name promises credible adventure capability. Analysts expect key measurements to lag Rivian‘s class leading metrics but far exceed ordinary pickups. Ford lent Ranger underpinnings to the original Scout which could inform this electrified revival.
|| Rivian R1T | VW Scout EV |
|-|-|-|
| Ground Clearance | 14.9 in (max) | 10-12 in (est) |
| Suspension Travel | 18 in (max) | TBA |
| Tire Size | 35 in (max) | 31-33 in |
Off-Road Software & UI
Merely measuring hardware stacking up on paper ignores how precisely power gets translated into forward progress off road. Software unlocks off-road prowess.
Rivian dedicates an entire 16 inch touchscreen to its OFFROAD driving modes unlike anything mainstream trucks offer. Detailed displays report critical ride height, wheel articulation, tilt angle and traction data to drivers in real time – affair superior to even Jeep‘s lauded Selec-Terrain.
Expect VW to also optimize Scout EV‘s stability controls and drivetrain response via AWD torque biasing across varying surfaces. At minimum it should match ourmatch systems and graphics from its existing 4Motion SUVs. Whether Rivian-style granularity arrives awaits confirmation.
Interior Experience
Today‘s trucks play double duty as luxury transportation as well, so beyond just driving capabilities, interior design also factors prominently for on-road refinement.
Ergonomics & Comfort
Thanks to its bespoke EV design, Rivian lavishes the R1T cabin withstretch-out space for every occupant. Clever packaging of its battery packs under the floor pay dividends allowing thin seats to comfortably perch riders much higher thereby improving outward vision.
Thoughtful details like heated/ventilated seats, heated steering wheeland a premium audio system tick all boxes for modern comfort. Rivian even offers vegan leather and recycled plastics responding to eco tastes.
VW will almost surely position Scout EV‘s cabin ambience a notch down from the R1T given its anticipated base pricing barely over half of the Rivian‘s premium domain. Cloth seats, vinyl floors and hard plastics dominate trucks sub-$40k so Scout likely follows suit. Ease of cleaning trumps coddling here.
Expect excellent ergonomics and standard features like automatic climate control in the Scout, but with fewer customizable bells and whistles. VW knows its bread gets buttered by value-minded volumes rather than lux features only 5% of buyers actually use.
Storage & Versatility
Both rigs tuck batteries below, freeing space for gear storage. Rivian innovates with a novel cargo "Gear Tunnel" carved between bed and cab. Scout expected to counter with folding or under seat storage options. Their gear hauling and locking solutions both aim to simplify securing dirty or high value equipment.
Connectivity & Digital Experience
Modern trucks demand advanced digital cockpits and here Rivian adopted a Tesla-like mega widescreen display dominating the minimalist dash. Scout likely sports a more mainstream 10-12 inch touchscreen based on other VW models.
Expect wireless connectivity like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, multiple USB charging ports in both rigs. Rivian‘s interface looks more gaming PC-inspired while Scout probably adopts VW‘s more business-like corporate UI aesthetic. Over the air updates keep things fresh during ownership.
While Rivian‘s enormous touchscreen looks sexier, Scout‘s interface likely proves more straightforward matching expectations of traditional truck shoppers. Form follows function.
Performance & Handling On Road
Truck duties certainly include lugging heavy loads and even towing trailers, not just strapping rooftop tents to venture off-grid. So on-road manners and measured acceleration also factor when comparing our electrified pickup contenders beyond just their rugged personas.
Acceleration & Responsiveness
Rivian‘s quad motor, 835 hp R1T plunks drivers into the seat upon full throttle acceleration. Tap the "zoom-zoom" pedal and this 5,000 lb truck thinks it‘s a Dodge Hellcat with neck-snapping torque. Even mid-level dual motor variants hustle firmly thanks to efficient EV powertrains.
Conversely, VW casts Scout EV as the volume truck for everyday adventures not unlike the playful sportiness that small hot hatches boast. So engines typically under 300 hp still deliver adequate thrust while relying on low-rev torque for relaxed cruising. Standing starts lag behind the performance variant R1Ts but smoothly flowing backroads bring smiles not gaps between cars.
Ride Quality & Composure
Clever adaptive air suspension transforms both trucks adjusting ride quality from cushy comfort to taut control at the touch of a button. Rivian‘s larger 105 kWh+ battery packs dropping the center of gravity way down further stabilizing handling. Scout expected to adopt simpler steel spring suspensions which ride slightly bouncier when lightly loaded.
Rivian also claims much sportier cornering limits thanks to Individual Torque Control metering each wheel‘s power via its quad motor design to counter body motion proactively. VW‘s simpler AWD system responds passively by comparsion to load shifts but still delivers balanced secure handling for 99% of driving scenarios.
Range, Charging & Efficiency
Battery & Range
Their diverging personalities highlight key decision making in modern truck design. Does extreme 400 mile rated range win marketshare when 250 miles satisfies 95% of daily use scenarios? Do customers prefer Rivian‘s cutting edge tech or Scout‘s back to basics affordability?
|| Rivian R1T | VW Scout EV |
|-|-|-|
| Battery Capacity | 135 / 180 kWh | 60-80 kWh (est) |
| Max Range* | 314 / 400 mi | 250-300 mi (est) |
| Volume-Range Efficiency | 2.3 mi/kWh | 3.0+ mi/kWh (est) |
(* EPA estimate)
Scout EV appears to optimize battery size around the sweet spot balancing daily usability, charging convenience and upfront costs for thrifty truck buyers.
Recharging Rate
Both rigs support 350 kW peak DC fast charging rates via CCS which adds about 140 miles of range in just 20 minutes when cooling conditions allow. Level 2 charging through more common 240V outlets typically requires 10 or more hours.
Brand Heritage
History and heritage permeate truck purchase decisions unlike other vehicles. Both Rivian and Scout draw deeply from Midwestern roots aiming to combine blue collar capability with all-American independence.
Rivian‘s Roots
RJ Scaringe founded Rivian in 2009 initially focusing on 2-seat sports cars appropriate for his MIT engineering background before pivoting towards electric adventure trucks and SUVs. Wall Street‘s appetite for Tesla-fighters enabled Rivian‘s meteoric rise to prominence before delivering its first R1T.
Early backing by Ford and Amazon signal institutional faith in Rivian‘s potential. Skunkworks culture and clean slate thinking permeate its Irvine, California development center.
Scout Brand Resurrection
Volkswagen bids to recapture United State‘s imagination around adventure trucks reviving the classic International Scout brand. Originally anchoring farm and field duty for decades before tapering off in the early 1980s, Scout SUV‘s carved out beloved status thanks to barebones dependability.
VW promises this born again Scout EV pickup channels that heritage with go-anywhere capability cloaked in retro-modern style at realistic wallet-friendly pricing. Significant US R&D and manufacturing resources support Scout‘s American-German mashup heritage.
Ownership, Operating Costs & Availability
Sourcing carbon fiber camping trailers or booking those once-in-a-lifetime heli-drops runs pricey so truck purchase budgets certainly weigh heavily adventure-minded gearheads. Beyond just MSRP, total operating costs determine long run value. Available production slots also gatekeep dreams today.
Purchase & Ownership Costs
|| Rivian R1T | VW Scout EV |
|-|-|-|
| Base MSRP | $73,000 | ~$55,000 (est) |
| Est. Insurance | $1500/yr | $1200/yr |
| Sched. Maintenance | TBD | TBD |
| Battery Warranty | 8 yrs / 175k mi | TBD |
Scout EV‘s lower entry pricing clearly appeals for cash-conscious truck shoppers. Extra range, performance and cachet found in the Rivian R1T demand quite the price premium.
Of course sight unseen specs hardly capture true operating costs over years of ownership. Real world factors like insurance, maintenance needs and battery life degradation determine overall value beyond just MSRP.
Order Books & Availability
As the first electric pickup delivering zero compromises over gas-fed competitors, Rivian won acclaim locking over 90,000 pre-orders for its R1T while struggling to accelerate production. Today the order backlog still approaches 50,000 units keeping wait lists lengthy until supply chains and factories scale up. Similar demand chased early runs of Ford‘s Mustang Mach E and Lightning truck.
Conversely VW indicated more significant US production capacity supporting Scout EV volume deliveries within its later 2026 launch year. Wider initial availability bodes well attracting conventional truck buyers even if some early adopter shine fades versus the harder to get Rivian‘s.
The Takeaway
Two emerging electric truck brands aim to capture adventure driver imagination with very divergent approaches. Established luxury innovator Rivian chases maximum performance without compromises pushing EV capabilities further than critics thought possible. The 2022 R1T delivers genuine 400 mile range and extreme off-road talent although only trickling out to anxious waitlisted buyers so far.
Classic American brand Scout returns from VW‘s electric skunkworks promising Nautilus-like sophistication rebooted to match more mainstream truck buyer priorities around value, reliability and back-to-basics capability. Wisely avoiding complex bleeding edge tech risks in favor of timeless utilitarian ethos combined with electrification‘s inherent perks.
While Rivian tempts gearhead early adopters with impressive on-paper capabilities, Scout EV hews closer towards conventional truck shopper sensibilities around balanced compromise. Assuming finalized 2026 production plans hold steady, Scout‘s approach may prove the wiser path towards democratizing EV adventure trucks to wider audiences through rational pricing and restrained feature sets.
Of course min-maxing technical specifications fails to capture true customer resonance built through compelling experiences over years of ownership. Both companies just commence writing first chapters while hungry newcomers peer hungrily at their electric truck tech recipe books. Game on!
