Earlier this year, I wrote about the unexpected return of the Scout automotive nameplate, which was Jeep’s biggest off-road challenger in the 1960s and 1970s before a combination of factors led to its untimely end. Volkswagen announced the revival of Scout Motors in 2022 to produce EVs inspired by the original SUV lineup; when I first previewed the revival, VW was hoping to show off prototypes as early as the summer of 2024.
After multiple delays—and amid suggestions that VW could drop its Scout plans due to tepid North American sales and a potential management shake-up—the first Scout Motors prototypes finally debuted on October 24 (fittingly, it was 44 years to the day after production of the final Scout). With these unveilings came a slew of information about the vehicle’s designs and when they’ll go into production. Given this development—plus the unexpected news of a third vehicle in the works—I decided it was time to revisit Scout Motors and look at when we’ll finally see new Scout-branded vehicles on the roads and trails again.
A Shared Technology Platform
Before my overview of the vehicles, it’s worth noting a major commonality between them. At the TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 conference in October, Rivian confirmed Scout would be using zonal EV architecture and software as part of a joint venture between Rivian and VW. The partnership between the two brands was initially announced in June, but since it wasn’t directly addressed at the reveal, questions had arisen about whether the Scout would be included.
Those questions were put to rest with the confirmation. Furthermore, a few weeks after the Scout reveal, Rivian and VW doubled down on the joint venture, which will operate independently out of California as Rivian and VW Group Technology, LLC. As part of the official launch on November 13, VW boosted its investment in Rivian from $5 billion to $5.8 billion and said the venture could add EV hardware development in the future. Although the new Scout vehicles will officially be positioned as competitors to Rivian (as well as Jeep, Ford, and others), they’ll be more like distant cousins underneath the hood.
The Traveler: A Modern SUV with Retro Style
Now it’s time to see what’s in store. To no one’s surprise, an SUV will be part of the initial Scout Motors launch. The Scout Traveler draws on the heritage of the Scout II Traveler, which was produced from 1976 to 1980, while adding the latest EV tech. Its boxy look is straight out of the 1970s, and the SUV is being promoted as a do-everything vehicle for work, daily driving, towing, camping, and more.
With so many brands in its portfolio, the VW Group could have grabbed an existing platform, added new badging, and called it a day. They didn’t, though. Scout Motors designed a completely new vehicle in-house using VW resources. Mechanically, this means a traditional body-on-frame SUV with 4WD, a solid rear axle, and both front and rear locking differentials. The platform offers over 12 inches of ground clearance and up to 35-inch tires for added off-road capability. Scout Motors claims the Traveler will have a range of 350 miles and almost 1,000 lb-ft of torque, letting it climb grades of up to 100% and go from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
The reveal confirmed the Traveler has up to six seats with an optional front-row bench. Other touted features include dual infotainment screens, a large rear cargo area with a split tailgate, a frunk, and oodles of customization options from packages to colors. Another fun note is that the new Traveler will have a 120.4-inch wheelbase, which is within 2.4 inches of the original Traveler.
VW is also aiming to make the Scout Traveler affordable—at least by EV standards. According to the official website, entry-level Traveler models will have an MSRP under $60,000 and could cost as little as $50,000 when applying local and federal incentives. For comparison, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe starts at $50,695, which will likely climb higher by the time the Traveler is released. However, the Traveler will not have the removable hardtop like its ancestor.
The Terra: Scout Goes Trucking
The Scout Motors Terra is also rooted in history, as the Scout II Terra light pickup was sold alongside the Scout II Traveler. The Terra takes this history and supersizes it. Like the Traveler, the vehicle was engineered and designed from scratch, and Scout Motors opted to stretch the wheelbase to 148.6 inches with a 5.5-foot long bed. This makes the Terra significantly larger than not just its forefather, but also current midsize pickups like the Jeep Gladiator and Rivian R1T.
Other than the bigger size, the Terra is mechanically similar to the Traveler, from the axles to the electric range. It will also incorporate the dual interior screens. One major difference is the Terra will have a much higher towing capacity; Scout Motors estimates 10,000-plus pounds versus 7,000-plus on the Traveler. The Terra’s bed will also be equipped with one 240V outlet and two 120V outlets for accessories. A feature of both vehicles is that the Rivian software will allow remote diagnostics and live over-the-air updates.
A Scout Motors Hybrid?
Although net U.S. EV sales are rising, with an 11% year-over-year increase as of the end of the third quarter, they remain a fraction of internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid sales. Not only that, but the Alliance for Automotive Innovation reports that in the first half of 2024, EVs lost U.S. market share for the first time. Although the drop was only 0.1%, that must have been alarming for a brand that was initially announced as all-electric.
Scout Motors responded with a surprise at the October 24 reveal—the Traveler and Terra will both be available in plug-in hybrid variants. There is a catch, though: it’s nothing like the normal hybrid combo of an ICE and electric motor. Instead, Scout hybrids will take the EV tech and add a gas-powered generator. This unorthodox approach will increase the total range to 500-plus miles while making the gas portion the failsafe rather than the other way around.
According to the press release from the reveal, Scout Motors chose this path because it was the best way to maintain the electric torque benefits and the vehicle’s off-road characteristics, which were developed based on the all-electric platform. I’ll be very interested to see the public response to this option and how each variant performs.
When and Where Will We See the Newest Scout Vehicles?
As things stand, Scout Motors expects to begin production on its first vehicles sometime in 2027. They’ll be built at the previously announced dedicated manufacturing plant in Blythewood, South Carolina, just outside Columbia, which remains under construction. The same day Rivian and VW Group Technology, LLC went live, Scout Motors executives held a presentation for state officials and stakeholders to update them on the $2 billion facility’s progress and confirm their long-term commitment. Incidentally, the plant is projected to create more than 4,000 jobs, giving the region a major shot in the arm. Scout Motors will also have a separate “innovation center” in Novi, Michigan, for research and development.
One downside is that it will be tough to try a Scout Motors vehicle before you buy. The Scout website says they will be sold online, with the help of a small number of exclusive showrooms, matching the sales model of EV startups like Rivian, Lucid, and Tesla. These showrooms will debut in 16 to-be-named metro areas. By 2032, they aim to expand this in-house dealership network to 100 locations across North America. Although there are plenty of advantages to buying directly from the automaker, the relative scarcity means you may have to do some traveling. Further, existing VW and Audi dealers are threatening to sue over the plan.
Nevertheless, it’s good to know things are progressing, even though the latest projections are a year behind the initial 2026 plans. Based on the prototypes and the news coming from Scout Motors, I’m optimistic the wait will be worth it. I hope you enjoyed this update, and if there are any other major announcements, I’ll be here to tell you what they mean.
