Jump LinksThe Original Scout Is A Big InspirationWhen Can You Buy One?Another day, another electric vehicle startup. It feels like everyone is getting in on the lucrative market for off-roading adventure vehicles, so it's no surprise that when Volkswagen had the chance to revive the Scout nameplate, it did so quickly. The company plans to release two new vehicles by 2028, and the Traveler, its full-size SUV, is set to be the volume seller.Like almost every other brand of its type, Scout says it wants to promote 'adventure and community,' so once you look past all the marketing, what does that actually mean? And is the Scout Traveler just another disposable startup EV or a real competitor to cars like the Ford Bronco and Rivian R1S? Let's find out.We have used a variety of reputable sources to provide the latest information we know about the Scout Traveler. We have also predicted details based on previous models and current trends. Some details may differ from the final production vehicle. What Is The Scout Traveler? Scout MotorsSimply put, it's Volkswagen's way of competing with the likes of the revived Ford Bronco and the Toyota 4Runner through a new electric-only spin off. This new Scout SUV leverages the nostalgia trend by using retro styling and a recognizable name that we'll look a bit further into later on. It's one of two vehicles that the company is releasing as its debut models, the other being a pickup truck called the Terra.Our first indication of a new electric brand was in 2021, when MotorTrend reported that Volkswagen was looking to revive the nameplate, and we got our first sneak preview of the cars in 2024. Since then, both were shown off at CES 2025, but we haven't heard much since.Volkswagen's electric vehicle revolution hasn't quite taken the world by storm, so it's no surprise that they're going with a separate brand to launch this car. We're expecting the Traveler to use a lot of software quirks from Rivian, a startup that Volkswagen has collaborated with on software in the past. This gives the SUV a head start in the EV space. The Original Scout Is A Big Inspiration Bring a TrailerYou can see exactly where the inspiration for the design comes from. The Scout was first released as a line of SUVs by International Motors in 1961 to compete with the Chevy Blazer and Jeep. It's one of those two-door SUVs from half a century ago that predicted what we would be driving now - raised hatchbacks that can handle both town driving and light trails. Powered by anything from a 2.5L inline-four to a 5.6L V8, it was extremely popular until its discontinuation in 1980. You've Seen This Design Before Scout Traveler side profileScout Motors is undoubtedly appealing to the nostalgic audience, just like its rivals. The roof line and black front end give it a boxy 1960s shape, which is exactly what they're going for. To increase the adventure aesthetic, there's a spare tire on the back and an option to have a large panoramic sunroof to let the outside in. It's no surprise that this SUV comes with knobbly tires and has a front and rear skid plate, both of which are especially handy off-road.Both the Terra and the Traveler will have a frunk to give you extra storage options, and if you want to carry more friends, a front bench seat is available. Up front, the interior is clearly inspired by the 60s as well, with wooden trim, proper buttons and seats that have multiple designs on them. Two large displays offer similar functionality to other electric vehicles, with one reserved for driver information and the other for infotainment.Luckily, there's a row of physical switches and controls under the screen and storage bins flanked all around the cabin, too. As it's a VW brand, expect some parts sharing from other cars to lower costs and software to hopefully be a little better than what we currently have in electric VAG models. What Powers The Scout Motors Traveler? Scout MotorsWe have no doubt that the Scout Traveler will come as an electric vehicle, with the company banking on the rise of electric power to continue in the adventure SUV segment. It'll come standard with AWD, but there is talk of a range-extender option to increase range to over 500 miles compared to 350 for the pure-electric powertrain. Scout Motors says the Traveler will have close to 1,000 lb-ft of torque, so expect a launch of around three seconds to 60 mph.Scout also mentions that the Traveler won't share a platform with any other Volkswagen vehicle and is expected to utilize a ladder frame chassis to increase rigidity and off-road ability. Battery sizes may be up to 130 kWh on battery-only vehicles, but down to 70 kWh on range-extended Harvester models. Over a foot of ground clearance is expected, and the Traveler may be able to climb 100% gradients.Both the Traveler and its Terra sibling have payload capacities of 2000 lbs, but the SUV will have slightly less towing capacity at 7,000 lbs (the Terra has 10,000 lbs maximum). There's a solid rear axle and front and rear locking differentials for maximum capability off-road, and a disconnecting front sway bar allows for maximum articulation. Expect drive modes and accessories to get the most out of this truck's trail-hunting specs. There's A Lot Of Competition Here 2026-ford-bronco-badlands-wildtrak-4Both gas cars and electric upstarts occupy the segment here, but there are three main competitors to the upcoming Scout Traveler SUV. The first is, of course, the Rivian R1S, which is a fully-electric full-size SUV that echoes a very similar message to the one Scout has used for its advertising. Adventure is at the forefront of both brands' missions, and they both feature electric powertrains and features designed to help you on the trail.In terms of gas counterparts, the closest two models are the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, which both also use nostalgia as a selling point. They're off-road-tuned, and even though they may not have the instant torque or outright speed of the Traveler, they represent a proven formula that's bound to be slightly cheaper. The US loves off-roading SUVs that may never touch the mountains but have all the features in case of any harsh weather.You don't only have to go for an off-road biased vehicle, though, as there are options like the Lexus GX and Volvo EX90 to choose from. Yes, they'll have many options catered towards a luxury adventure, but it's not quite all they're built for. There's no word on pricing for the Scout Traveler, and that'll change a lot about where it sits in the market and who its rivals are, but it's expected starting price is around $60,000. Why Is The Scout Motors Traveler Important? Scout MotorsWe're seeing a lot of brands and vehicles pop up recently, so it's always worth a look at how a fresh perspective can change the landscape of the segment it's in. Rivian showed that electric adventure vehicles can be a real threat to the big players in the game, so the Scout now has an easier time finding customers and early adopters. With the EV network rapidly expanding in the US, adventure vehicles like this are much easier to own, especially if you don't live in a city.It could also be a chance for Volkswagen to reset its image in the US and how its electric vehciles are perceived. Some of its early software and reliability in this segment aren't what we'd expect from a company as big as VW, so with a fresh start, it can show that it was just a bad spell in its history. With Rivian's support, it can be a real competitor. When Can You Buy One? Scout MotorsUnfortunately, we don't know exactly when you can buy one or how much it'll cost. The R1S starts at just under $80k, so expect the Scout to undercut it slightly as it's a new brand with less of a track record, possibly around $60k-$70k. Scout also mentions that a 2027 release for the 2028 model year is expected, but delays are always possible with a startup.With 75% of reservations for the two vehicles going towards the Traveler SUV, it's the one that they're focused on being released first. There are even rumors of the pickup truck being delayed towards the next decade to make way for the SUV's development now.Sources: Scout Motors, Car & Driver