Scout Traveler Vs. Rivian R1S: How do they compare?

Scout finally unveiled its electric SUV and pickup truck, the Traveler and Terra, and many said they looked like Rivian trucks viewed through a retro filter, or like a mash-up of Rivian and Ford Bronco. While there is some truth to this, at least visually, they are completely different trucks in terms of size, volume and philosophy.

When Scout Traveler will hit the market in 2027, it will face direct competition from the Rivian R1S. It is worth noting that the Traveler presented at the official presentation is just a production model (officially designated by the manufacturer as a concept), which is about 85% complete.

Some things could still change three years before it goes into production. On the other hand, the R1S has been around for a few years and has recently undergone a major overhaul for 2025 model year.

Size

While Traveler And R1S At first glance they may look very similar, but in fact they have completely different proportions. The Scout is generally the longer of the two, with an overall length of 207.9 inches compared to the Rivian’s 200.8 inches, but it has a slightly shorter wheelbase at 120.4 inches. This means that although the R1S is shorter, it has more space between the axles, which should make for a roomier cabin.

The Traveler is significantly wider than the R1S, measuring 91.6 inches without mirrors. The R1S is nearly 10 inches narrower with the mirrors folded and measures 82 inches wide. By comparison, the Traveler is even wider than the GMC Hummer EV SUV or Ford Bronco Raptor, which are 86.5 inches and 86.9 inches wide, respectively.

Scout lower than Rivian (76.3 inches vs. 77.3 inches), and it also has lower ground clearance (12.1 inches vs. 14.9 inches). This is likely a standard suspension setup with steel springs. The manufacturer hasn’t said anything about how much ride height will vary depending on the available adjustable air suspension.

Power

You can get the Rivian R1S with 533 to 665 horsepower in a dual-motor configuration, 850 hp. in a three-motor version, while the upcoming four-motor variant will have a power of 1025 hp. The lowest-powered model can hit 60 mph from a standstill in 4.5 seconds, while the Dual Motor Performance model has 665 hp. this time is reduced to 3.4–3.5 seconds. The three-motor R1S drops below the 3-second mark, while the four-motor accelerates in about 2.5 seconds.

Scout didn’t mention the Traveler’s specific power output, but all versions will come with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive configuration. The manufacturer said we can expect up to almost 1,000 lb-ft of torque, and the fastest version will be able to hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

Range

Heavily redesigned Rivian R1S. equipped with new battery packs with a usable capacity of 92.5 to 141.5 kilowatt-hours. They offer a range of 270 to 410 miles, making the R1S one of the longest-range SUVs available today. Because it has a 400V electrical architecture, it can only charge at up to 220kW, but that’s still pretty fast, and Rivian claims a 10-80% charge will happen within 30-40 minutes, depending on battery pack size. batteries.

Thanks to the 800-volt on-frame platform (specifically developed for the two future Scout models), the Traveler will have a higher maximum charging power of 350 kW. 350 is also the maximum number of miles the Traveler will be able to travel on a single charge. Scout hasn’t made any claims about 10 to 80% charging times, but it should be around 20-25 minutes thanks to the higher charging power.

Scout buyers will be able to specify additional range extender (an internal combustion engine that will act as generator for replenishing the range on the go), which will increase this figure to 500 miles. Ram 1500 Ramcharger The extended-range pickup will be powered by a similar system, but will have a smaller battery than all-electric Ram 1500whereas the Scout EREV battery will be the same size.

Scout has confirmed that the Traveler will be equipped with a NACS charger, so it will be natively compatible with the Tesla Supercharger network. If you want to charge your Rivian R1S with a Tesla charger, you’ll need adapter CCS-NACS for this to happen. Both vehicles support bi-directional charging.

Towing

Scout says the Traveler’s maximum payload will be nearly 2,000 pounds, although it didn’t give a final figure, which compares to the R1S’s 1,764-pound rating. When it comes to towing, the Rivian has the edge: Its towing capacity is 7,700 pounds, 700 pounds more than the Scout.

Functions

The Rivian R1S is a three-row SUV, so it can carry more passengers than the strictly two-row Scout Traveler. It also has a built-in air compressor, which is very handy for inflating your tires after you’ve let some air out to improve traction. Rivians are also known to handle very well on pavement, and with their standard air suspension at its lowest and firmest setting, they actually corner at higher speeds than you might expect.

The Scout Traveler appears to be a more off-road oriented vehicle. It will be equipped with anti-roll bars (like those found on the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco), which provide better wheel articulation when off-road and help prevent the vehicle from swaying on two wheels when driving over a ridge at an angle. The Scout will also feature front and rear manual differential locks, like the true SUV it wants to be.

Another cool feature of Scout that also has a retro look is the front bench seat. This used to be a staple on older American trucks, but you don’t see it very often on modern models. Having three people up front makes for a unique experience, and given the extra width it has over its competitors, shoulder room shouldn’t be an issue.

We’re thrilled that Scout won’t force users to use the touch screen to access various features. Most will have dedicated physical switches conveniently located in a row below the center display. It will also feature the optional Top Cab, which features a retractable canvas roof that, when opened, will provide unlimited headroom for both rows of seats.

Price

Scout will switch to a direct sales model analogue of Tesla. This means you won’t be able to order the Scout through a regular Volkswagen dealership. The company wants to have direct control over the purchasing process and will also provide maintenance and repairs through its own dedicated service centers.

Like Tesla And Clear (and now Scout), Rivian also uses a direct sales model, bypassing the traditional dealer network model and selling vehicles directly to customers.

You’ll be able to buy a Scout Traveler with the current federal tax credit for about $50,000, which is about the same as gas-powered competitors like the Wrangler or Bronco. While the price is a little higher than the originally mentioned $40,000 Scout, it still makes these vehicles very affordable for their size.

The extended-range transmission will add a few thousand dollars to the price, but is unlikely to make the Traveler a $60,000 car.

Rivian wants $77,000 for the base R1S, which also qualifies for a $3,750 federal tax credit.. If the car is worth more than $80,000, which is the case if you want any of the more powerful, longer-range versions, you won’t qualify for the tax credit. The current top-of-the-line variant, the R1S TriMax, starts at $105,900, while the upcoming top-range four-motor will likely cost more than $120,000.