Scout Motors debuts electric Terra truck and Traveler SUV

The Scout brand lived a short but moderately successful life from the 1960s until 1980. Now, after over forty years, we see two new Scout trucks debuting: the Scout Traveler SUV and Scout Terra pickup truck. Both offer electrification and ostensible “real truck” capabilities. The original Scout pioneered the SUV segment – can the new one live up to expectations?

Volkswagen revives the Scout brand as an electrified off-roader

Scout, as a brand, died with International Harvester back in 1980. But Volkswagen – who owns the new, reanimated Scout we see today – strives to stay true to the original. The new Scout trucks are body-on-frame, solid rear axle trucks. They get some serious towing capacity, too – up to 7,000 pounds for the Traveler and 10,000 for the Terra.

With “real truck capabilities” comes a myriad of off-roady bits. Scout says the platform will offer 35-inch tires, over 12 inches of ground clearance, and a trail-ready suspension setup. Sounds pretty good, but Scout goes even further, promising front and rear lockers, a front sway bar disconnect, and the ability to ford up to “almost three feet” of water.

Torquey and offering competitive range, Scout goes head-to-head with every EV on sale today

Scout Motors claims the trucks can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds, thanks to a four-wheel drive system and nearly 1,000 pound-feet of torque. Mums the word on horsepower, but we reckon it will be a similarly ridiculous number. The press release confirms the existence of a hybridized version that relies on a gas generator, but we’re thinking it won’t be the high-performer of the crew.

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Unless, of course, you’re mostly concerned about range. Scout says the hybrid version will offer more than 500 miles of range. EV trucks will have to make do with “up to 350 miles of range,” but that is around industry standard and certainly competitive with the elephant in the room – Rivian. Their trucks – sans the Max Battery variants – get between 258 and 330 miles of range on a full charge.

The Scout Traveler and Scout Terra blend old-school style and new school technology

Knobby tires and lift kits aside, the Scout trucks look cool. Retro styling has never been hotter, and Scout leans in. Narrow, white LEDs dot the front end of the trucks, which wear a black “mask” element that pays homage to the original truck. Short overhangs in the front and rear join creative LED strips that run the width of the rear end. The Terra touts a 5.5-foot bed in the back, while the Traveler SUV instead dons a full-size spare tire.

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Inside, the two are about identical. We’re a big fan of the switchgear lining the driver’s side of the dashboard. Scout Motors says the trucks “provide a combination of tactile buttons and knobs” that should “ensure intuitive, low-effort interaction.” Ambient lighting, likely adjustable, and a sunroof are visible amenities.

A dual-screen display is visible, too, but no word on dimensions. We do know the vehicles will rely on a new UX – creatively dubbed “Scout Community UX” – and over-the-air updates.

Reserve a Scout for $100, pricing from $60,000

Production of the Scout is scheduled to begin in 2027 out of South Carolina, and you can reserve yours today. Reservation banks opened at 6:30 PM ET on October 24^th, 2024. The company’s website requires a $100 refundable deposit, and little more. Nothing new here. Notably, Scout vehicles will be sold direct to the customer, with no dealership involvement.

Both trucks will start at “under $60,000.” We’re thinking that’s probably not the torque monster the press release mostly focused on. There will no doubt be countless ways to inflate that base MSRP. For one, Scout is offering a bevy of accessories. Auxiliary lighting, off-road bumpers, winches, and side steps are mentioned by name.

Related: Scout 'Back to Work' video talks up history, work, and being first

Final thoughts on the new Scout Traveler and Scout Terra

The new Scout trucks look great – we just wish they weren’t optimistically three years away from even entering production. We’re also curious to see if that estimated $60,000 base price was in today’s money, and what that truck looks like compared to the trucks we’re being shown.

That said: the Scout trucks seem to be a much more honest interpretation of a legendary nameplate than VW’s own ID.Buzz. Also unlike the bus, they’re competitively priced and equipped, too. There’s lots of time to wait and see, and we’ll be scouting for details as they become available.

Related: VW's Scout EV brand receives $10 million to set up shop in Michigan