Rivian R1T vs. VW Scout EV Truck: What We Know

Finding a capable off-road truck is challenging, even more so when you want an electric vehicle so that you don’t contribute to the greenhouse effect. Challenging doesn’t mean impossible to find, though. The Rivian R1T, for instance, checks lots of boxes, including an impressive driving range, mind-bending acceleration, and outstanding off-road performance.

This model has few real competitors at the moment, but an upcoming vehicle might threaten its position on the market. Expected to be released by 2026, the Scout EV Truck promises a good range, off-road performance, and a more-than-attractive starting price.

We don’t know much about it, but let’s see how the VW Scout EV Truck and Rivian R1T compare.

Rivian R1T vs. VW Scout EV Truck: Side-by-Side Comparison

Rivian R1T vs. VW Scout EV Truck: What’s the Difference?

Founded in 2009 as Mainstream Motors and renamed in 2011, Rivian is an American company focusing on autonomous and electric vehicles. Its lineup currently includes two off-road-ready electric vehicles — the R1S, an SUV, and an electric truck, the R1T.

Rivian built both the SUV and the truck for ultimate off-road performance, but the vehicles are equally capable on roads. The R1T was originally launched in 2022, and the automaker recently released the 2024 version.

Beyond performance, what makes the Rivian R1T stand out is the focus on green technologies, recycling, and vegan-friendly materials. This mid-range luxury vehicle is a must-have if you’re into outdoorsy stuff, but its top-range place might be threatened by the Scout EV Truck.

Like Rivian, Scout is an American brand. While owned by German automaker Volkswagen, the brand’s lineup — comprising an SUV and an electric truck — will be entirely developed and manufactured in the Scout production factory in South Carolina. Volkswagen hasn’t revealed much about this vehicle yet but the brand’s CEO declared that the brand’s goal is to compete directly with Rivian.

Will the new player be able to outclass a try-and-tested model? This in-depth comparison breaks down everything you need to know.

Performance

Rivian designed its R1T truck with off-roading in mind, so all-wheel drive is standard on all trims. Two different configurations, dual-motor and quad-motor, allow you to choose the right power for your needs.

With just two motors on board, the model outputs 533 horsepower and 610 lb-ft​ of torque. Four driving modes adjust the performance for various situations, including all-purpose, snow and slippery terrains, all terrains, or towing.

If you need more power or driving modes but don’t want to upgrade to four motors, the Dual-Motor Performance trim offers 665 horsepower, 829 lb-ft​ of torque, and an additional sport driving mode. This trim also has faster acceleration, going from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The standard Dual-Motor trim reaches 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

The Quad-Motor trim is ideal for extreme adventures. As its name suggests, this trim has four motors, each controlling its own wheel. Power goes up to 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is also faster; this car gets to 60 mph in only 3.0 seconds.

Additional driving modes include rally, drift, soft sand, and rock crawl. The rock crawl mode allows you to climb steep terrains with inclines of up to 100 percent. All trims also impress with an outstanding towing capacity of up to 11,000 pounds.

Volkswagen has kept most details regarding the Scout EV Truck under wraps, but we do know that it aims to become a direct Rivian competitor. We expect standard AWD on all trims and a dual-motor configuration.

It is too early to say anything about power and driving modes, but speculations suggest at least 300 horsepower and a rock crawl driving mode.

Range

Driving an off-road capable electric truck is only fun as long as you don’t get stranded in the middle of nowhere. This is where the operational range steps in, allowing you to plan routes and calculate charge station stops.

The Rivian R1T is designed for adventurers, but the automaker gives buyers the possibility to choose from three different battery packs. The Standard pack provides about 270 miles of range per charge. If you want to go farther, the Large and Max battery packs boost the driving range to 352 and 400 miles per charge, respectively.

Like most automakers, Rivian calculates the maximum ranges based on driving the truck in ideal conditions, but its range is shorter in real life. For instance, a Quad-Motor trim equipped with a large battery pack and 22-inch all-season street tires can deliver an actual range of 280 miles per charge.

The same trim but with 20-inch all-terrain tires only delivers 220 miles per charge. Beyond the type of tires, other factors affecting the actual range include the terrain you’re driving on and the selected driving mode.

Charge Time

The R1T’s charge times are slightly longer compared to other EV trucks, but 20 minutes of fast charging adds about 140 miles of range. It typically takes two-plus hours for a full battery charge at a fast-charging station or around nine to 16 hours at home.

We know that the VW Scout EV Truck will have a range of about 300 miles per charge. The automaker hasn’t disclosed any other specs about the truck’s battery or charge time.

Technology

The Rivian R1T has an infotainment system designed to match the vehicle’s luxury pickup truck class. A 16-inch display recessed into the contoured dashboard boasts a user-friendly interface that replaces submenus with expandable tiles that slide out of the side.

Main options, such as media, navigation, and climate controls, remain visible at all times at the bottom of the display. A secondary display doubles as a digital gauge and shows all essential driving data, such as speed, mileage, and range.

Surprisingly, Rivian’s infotainment center doesn’t include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you won’t be able to access your phone apps. To make up for it, Rivian equips its R1T truck with a 16-speaker Elevation by Meridian sound system.

It is unclear what infotainment system the Scout EV Truck will use, but if other VW EVs are any indication, we expect at least a 12-inch touchscreen and a 5.3 reconfigurable digital gauge. If nothing changes, the Scout EV Truck’s infotainment is expected to be compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the sound system might not be as impressive as Rivian’s.

Safety

All EVs have modern safety systems, and things are no different for the Rivian R1T. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assistance.

Another highlight is the Driver+ suite. Available as standard on all trims, it offers hands-free driver assistance on compatible roads.

While VW hasn’t disclosed many details about the Scout EV Truck, we expect it to match the Rivian R1T in terms of safety. The only uncertain thing is whether it will have hands-free driver assistance.

Comfort

The Rivian R1T is a comfortable truck. It has enough room for five passengers and sufficient cargo space for essentials, camping gear, or anything else you might want to haul. The bed is a bit shorter compared to trucks like the GMC Hummer EV, but at 4.5 feet, it provides the same capacity as the Ford F-150 Lightning.

You also get a frunk with a capacity of 12 cubic feet, an additional gear tunnel between the rear door and rear wheels, and plenty of cabin storage, including several cubbies and door pockets. This truck also includes a spare tire compartment under the bed, which doubles as a cooler.

The good news is that Rivian doesn’t stop here. This pickup truck includes plenty of features designed to make your life easier and adventures more fun. A nice touch is the built-in air compressor you can use to inflate and deflate tires or blow up a camping mattress. If you find yourself out at night, you can make light with the Rivian torch (that you can find inside the driver’s door).

The truck bed features two 120V AC outlets suitable for powering outdoor equipment, while six USB-C outlets are scattered across the cabin. You can also pair the truck with functional accessories such as cargo crossbars and other mounts.

The Scout EV Truck is expected to provide enough cabin space for five passengers, but we don’t know the size of its bed or the cargo capacity. It is also hard to tell whether it will include any gadgets or accessories.

Price

While Scout’s CEO hasn’t revealed a lot of information about the truck so far, he hasn’t been discreet about its starting price. Volkswagen aims to make this pickup one of the most affordable EV trucks on the market. Apparently, this vehicle won’t cost you more than $55,000 for the standard trim.

Customizations will surely drive prices up, but the Scout EV Truck is likely to remain considerably more affordable than the Rivian R1T, which has an MSRP of $73,000.

Currently, the Rivian R1T qualifies for $3,750 in federal tax incentives as long as the vehicle’s cost doesn’t exceed $80,000 (which basically means opting for a standard trim with zero to few customizations). Thanks to its affordable price, the Scout EV Truck is also likely to be qualifiable for EV tax credits.

Rivian R1T vs. VW Scout EV Truck: 5 Must-Know Facts

• The Rivian R1T is a pickup truck suitable for off-roading and adventures. Depending on the trim, it can rock crawl and climb vertical walls.
• The VW Scout EV Truck aims to become one of Rivian’s main competitors. Volkswagen plans to release a prototype in 2024, and the truck should hit the roads by 2026.
• Rivian’s R1T truck outputs up to 835 horsepower and can tow up to 11,000 pounds. The automaker offers this truck in dual-motor and quad-motor AWD configurations.
• It is unclear what motor configurations the Scout EV Truck will have, but experts are expecting at least dual-motor AWD as standard on all trims.
• The VW Scout EV Truck will likely be a lot cheaper than the Rivian R1T, meaning that it is more likely to qualify for future tax credits.

Rivian R1T vs. VW Scout EV Truck: Which One is Better?

It is difficult to compare a truck that doesn’t exist with a tried-and-tested model that can satisfy the most demanding adventurers. Considering the starting price, however, we don’t expect the Scout EV Truck to have the same performance as the Rivian R1T.

If you’re looking for a pickup truck that’s truly off-road capable, you can’t go wrong with the R1T. This vehicle offers an exceptional range, fairly fast charging, and plenty of driving modes to tackle all terrains and situations — including vertical wall climbing. Another highlight is the number of useful features and accessories that make this truck perfect for camping and survival.

It is too soon to say whether the Scout EV Truck will live up to expectations, but this vehicle is expected to be cheaper. So, if you need an off-road-ready, mid-range pickup truck and don’t want to spend a lot, waiting for the Scout EV might be worth it.