Scout Terra vs. Rivian R1T: How the off-road electric trucks stack up

Scouts are known as the off-road SUVs built by International-Harvester from 1961 to 1980. Now, the Volkswagen Group is reviving the Scout name as both an SUV and a pickup truck.

On Thursday, the electric Scout Terra truck debuted in production-intent concept form providing a look at the Rivian R1T’s most serious rival.

Scout said the concept is 85% of what the Terra will be when it arrives to take on the Rivian R1T. We compared the Traveler to the Rivian R1S separately, and here we examine how the specs of the Terra stack up with those of the R1T.

When and where can you buy the Scout Terra and Rivian R1T?

The Rivian R1T entered production in 2021 and is on sale today.
Production of the Scout Terra is targeted for 2027.
Scout is now taking $100 refundable deposits for the Scout Terra.
Rivian sells the R1T directly to consumers through its website.
Scout plans to sell the Terra directly to consumers through its own distribution channel.

Scout Terra pickup concept

How much do the Scout Terra and Rivian R1T cost?

The Rivian R1T starts at $71,700 including an $1,800 destination charge.
The R1T will go as high as roughly $120,000 once the quad-motor powertrain arrives, but the current top tri-motor model can go up to roughly $110,000.
The Scout Terra was originally billed as costing more than (likely by only a few thousand dollars) the $40,000 Traveler SUV, but now Scout says the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup will start at less than $60,000.

What are the ranges of the Scout Terra and Rivian R1T?

The Rivian R1T has between 270 and 420 miles of EPA-rated range, depending on the battery pack and the number of motors.
The Scout Terra will have up to 350 miles of electric range, according to the automaker.
Scout Terras will be available with a Harvester option, which will add a gas-powered range-extender generator. Scout said the generator has no mechanical connection to the drive wheels and will only power the battery.

How fast do the Scout Traveler and Rivian R1S charge?

Rivian runs a 400-volt electrical architecture with a 220-kw peak charging rate.
The Scout Terra will run a more robust 800-volt electrical architecture, and Scout projects a peak charging rate of 350 kw. It will use Tesla’s NACS connector.

How large are the Scout Terra and Rivian R1T and how many people can they hold?

The Rivian R1T has seating for five passengers with two rows of seats.
At 217.1 inches long, the Rivian R1T is 14.6 inches shorter than the Ford F-150 Lightning, placing it at the larger end of the midsize class.
The Scout Terra will offer seating for five or six passengers with two rows of seats, as front bucket seats with a center console or a three-person bench seat will be available.
The Scout Terra is 229.2 inches long and 91.6 inches wide, making a full-size truck.

Scout Traveler Terra pickup concept

What are the power outputs of the Scout Terra and Rivian R1T?

Rivian offers two-, three-, or four-motor powertrains with between 533 hp and 1,025 hp. Max torque is 1,198 lb-ft.
Scout Terras will have two electric motors, one per axle, and nearly 1,000 lb-ft of torque. Horsepower hasn’t been disclosed.

How off-road capable is the Scout Terra vs. the Rivian R1T?

The R1T features an air suspension and a trick hydraulic kinetic roll control system that replaces mechanical anti-roll bars.
Rivians feature independent front and rear suspensions.
Rivian R1Ts can be optioned with 31-inch all-terrain tires.
The Rivian R1T can be lifted on its air suspension for up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance and 43.1 inches of water fording capability.
Scout Terras will feature solid rear axles along with front and rear mechanical lockers. Disconnecting front sway bars will be offered.
Scout Terras will be available with 33- or 35-inch all-terrain tires. The 33-inch spare will fit under the bed, while trucks with the 35s will offer a bed-mounted spare.
Scout plans for more than 12.0 inches of ground clearance and nearly 36 inches of water fording capability.

Which is quicker: the Scout Terra or Rivian R1T?

The Rivian R1T will be quicker than the Scout Terra.
The Rivian R1T with quad motors can sprint from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds.
The slowest Rivian R1S dual-motor does 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, while the dual-motor Performance model does the deed in 3.4 seconds. The tri-motor model hits 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.
Scout said the Terra will sprint from 0-60 mph as little as 3.5 seconds.

How much can the Scout Terra and Rivian R1T tow and haul?

The Rivian R1T is rated to tow up to up to 11,000 pounds and haul up to 1,764 pounds of payload.
The Rivian R1T has a 4.5-foot bed.
Scout said the Traveler is projected to tow more than 10,000 pounds and haul nearly 2,000 pounds of payload.
The Scout Terra has a 5.5-foot bed.