The first true challenger to Rivian’s R1S off-road electric family hauler has come out of the shadows. VW’s Scout will be developing its off-road electric SUV aiming squarely at Rivian R1S.
Years away, the electric Scout Traveler SUV will be the most direct Rivian R1S rival when it arrives, which is targeted to happen in 2027.
Scout said the Traveler shown is a concept that is 85% production intent. Here’s a look at how the Scout SUV stacks up against the Rivian.
The Rivian R1S is an electric three-row SUV.
The Scout Traveler is an electric two-row SUV.
The Rivian R1S costs $77,700 including an $1,800 destination charge, and it can be optioned up to about $110,000 today.
Quad-motor models returning next year will check in at about $120,000.
Scout said the Traveler will cost less than $60,000, though originally the electric SUV was said to start in the $40,000s.
Scout Traveler SUV concept
Rivian goes the distance, with between 270 and 410 miles of EPA-rated range.
Scout said the Traveler will have up to 350 miles of range.
Scout will offer a Harvester option on the Traveler, which adds a range-extender. Scout said the range-extender has no mechanical connection to the wheels, and gives the Traveler up to 500 miles of driving range with the small gas engine acting as a generator.
The Rivian R1S can be had with a 92.5- 109.4-, or 141.5-kwh (usable) battery pack.
Scout hasn’t talked battery pack sizes for the Traveler, yet.
The Rivian R1S runs a 400-volt electrical architecture and has a max charge rate of 220 kw.
Scout said the Traveler runs on a more future-ready 800-volt electrical architecture with project peak charge rate of 350 kw.
The Rivian R1S has bidirectional charging capabilities, and Scout said the Traveler will as well.
The Scouts will launch with Tesla’s NACS charge port; Rivians currently have CCS charge ports
Rivians already have Tesla Supercharger access via an adapter.
Rivian R1S can be optioned with dual-, tri-, or quad-motor powertrains with power outputs ranging from 533 hp to 1,025 hp and up to 1,198 lb-ft of torque.
Scouts will have two motors, one per axle, with up to nearly 1,000 lb-ft of torque. Scout isn’t talking hp at this time.
The Rivian R1S is quicker, by a lot.
Rivian R1S can do 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds or as little as 2.5 seconds depending on the powertrain.
Scout said the Traveler will do 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
Scout Traveler SUV and Terra pickup concepts
At 207.9 inches long the Scout Traveler is 7.1 inches longer than the Rivian R1S.
Every Rivian R1S has seating for seven passengers with two bucket seats up front, three seats on the second-row bench, and room for two in the standard third row.
The Scout Traveler is a two-row SUV with seating for either five or six passengers.
Scout Traveler buyers will choose between a pair of front bucket seats with a center console or three-person bench seat.
The Rivian R1S relies mostly on a 15.6-inch touchscreen, which is augmented by a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 6.8-inch touchscreen for the second row.
The Scout Traveler has a 16.2-inch touchscreen augmented by hard switches and dials for the climate control and auxiliary systems. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster sits in front of the driver.
The Rivian R1S went into production in 2021 and can be purchased today through Rivian.
Scout is targeting production of the Traveler in 2027 and is now taking $100 refundable deposits.
The Rivian R1S features independent suspension at both ends.
Rivian’s ride on an air suspension paired with a hydraulic kinetic anti-roll system, which replaces conventional anti-roll bars.
The Scout Traveler has a solid rear axle with independent front suspension, but Scout hasn’t divulged full engineering details yet.
The Rivian R1S is produced in Normal, Illinois.
The Scout Traveler will be produced in South Carolina.
Yes and probably.
The Rivian R1S sends power to all four wheels, can be lifted to have 15.0 inches of ground clearance, and can ford up to 43.0 inches of standing water.
The Scout Traveler will send power to all four wheels, have mechanical front lockers and front sway bar disconnect, both of which are things the Rivian lacks, will have over 12.0 inches of ground clearance, and will be able to ford nearly 36 inches of water.
The Rivian R1S has a tow rating of 7,700 pounds and is rated to carry up to 1,764 pounds of payload.
The Scout Traveler is expected to carry a tow rating of over 7,000 pounds and be rated to haul nearly 2,000 pounds of payload.
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