Scout Motors—a fresh player in the electric vehicle market with a historic name—has just introduced two retro-inspired, off-road-ready EVs: the Scout Traveler SUV and the Scout Terra pickup.
Revealed at an event in Nashville, Tennessee, these rugged models are expected to begin deliveries in 2027.
Built for tough terrains, they come equipped with features like solid axles and locking differentials, along with advanced capabilities such as bidirectional power and the NACS charging standard. And in a nod to classic design, there’s even a version that incorporates a gas-powered range extender.
Scout Motors was launched by the Volkswagen Group in 2022 following its acquisition of the iconic Scout trademark, which originally belonged to International Motors (formerly Navistar International and earlier, International Harvester).
Named after the International Scout—a beloved 4×4 vehicle from the ’60s and ’70s—Scout Motors now operates independently of Volkswagen of America, focusing on off-road-capable electric trucks and SUVs tailored for the US market.
CEO Scott Keogh, formerly head of VW USA, envisions Scout as a standalone brand, with headquarters in Virginia.
The Scout Traveler is a compact, retro-styled SUV designed with short overhangs and a short wheelbase, perfect for going through rough terrain. Its boxy design and two-tone paint job honor the classic Scout 800 and Scout II models.
The SUV’s front fascia features a dark rectangular “mask” that integrates quad-beam LED headlights and a grille. At the rear, a similar mask design encases the spare tire carrier, which swings out to reveal a split tailgate for easy cargo access.
Beneath the hood, the Traveler offers additional storage in a large front trunk, or “frunk,” echoing the design of Ford’s F-150 Lightning.
The Terra pickup is a close sibling to the Traveler, aimed directly at competitors like the Rivian R1T. With a three-box truck silhouette and rugged design cues, it stretches 229.2 inches in length—about 10 inches longer than the R1T.
The Terra has a slightly tougher appearance, with a more pronounced hood and distinct bumper styling.
It also sports “ghost light” taillights and Scout branding on the back, with a 5.5-foot bed that’s a foot longer than Rivian’s. In homage to the Scout 80, the truck’s design includes a subtle curve where the bed meets the cab.
Inside, both the Traveler and Terra feature a large touchscreen, but with a focus on physical controls as well. Big, tactile buttons and knobs, including a volume knob shaped like a watch crown, make the dashboard practical for off-road use.
A halo of accent lighting on the dashboard complements the exterior ghost lights, and there’s a lip where passengers can stand an iPad. The vehicles also offer flexible configurations, with an option for a front bench seat instead of a center console for a more classic feel.
Built on a unique body-on-frame platform, distinct from Volkswagen’s MEB platform, these Scouts are designed for serious off-road use.
Both vehicles come with solid rear axles, front sway bars that disconnect for added flexibility, 35-inch tires, and both front and rear mechanical lockers.
They can handle up to three feet of water, deliver close to 1,000 pound-feet of torque, and sprint from 0-60 mph in around 3.5 seconds.
Towing and payload capacities are impressive: the Traveler can tow over 7,000 pounds, while the Terra can tow 10,000 pounds, with a nearly 2,000-pound payload for each.
Scout Motors is targeting a 350-mile range per charge, though specific battery details are not yet available.
The vehicles will be built with an 800-volt architecture, supporting fast charging on a DC network, and they will be equipped with the North American Charging System (NACS), originally pioneered by Tesla.
They’ll also support bidirectional charging and vehicle-to-load power through 120-volt and 240-volt outlets on the vehicle.
Production for these EVs will take place at Scout Motors’ new $2 billion factory in Blythewood, South Carolina, which is expected to produce around 200,000 vehicles annually starting in 2027.
Pricing for both models is anticipated to start below $60,000, potentially dipping as low as $50,000 with incentives, depending on availability at that time.
In a surprising reveal, Scout Motors also hinted at Harvester variants of both the Traveler and Terra. These extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) incorporate a gasoline range extender that powers a generator rather than the wheels, keeping the vehicle fully electric in operation.
With both a full tank and battery, these versions could reach up to 500 miles of range, though details on the gas engine’s placement are yet to be disclosed.
The original International Scout was a rival to the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. Today, those vehicles still dominate, with models like the Wrangler 4xe leading plug-in hybrid sales, and the Bronco recently reentering the market with off-road-focused editions.
But now they face competition not only from Scout but also from the likes of GM, Tesla, and Rivian.
Rivian is particularly noteworthy as a competitor to Scout’s reentry in the US market. Both are fresh American brands offering electric trucks and SUVs exclusively.
Notably, VW Group and Rivian have formed a $5 billion partnership involving technology sharing, hinting that Rivian’s recent advancements, such as over-the-air updates and modern zonal architecture, could benefit Scout as well.
The details of this partnership and its impact on Scout are still emerging, but it may ultimately position the brand to thrive alongside its competitors in the new electric off-road segment.