Scout Traveler and Terra Concepts Up Close: New-Age Retro Off-Roaders
Boxy, rugged-looking off-road vehicles seem to be riding high these days in more ways than one. Spurred by the ongoing popularity (and profitability) of the Jeep Wrangler, Ford brought back the Bronco for 2021 as a brawny, retro-styled machine that owed a lot to its first-generation ancestor of the late 1960s and early ‘70s. The Rivian R1T and R1S brought a boxy look and off-road-adventure aspirations to the electric-vehicle market for 2022, and the Lexus GX and Toyota Land Cruiser both got a lot more squared off via their throwback-style 2024 redesigns. Now, we have our first up-close look at an all-new pair of new-age off-roaders with retro heritage: the Scout Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck.
Related: Scout Unveils ‘Production-Intent’ Traveler and Terra Concepts
Reviving a Brand From the Past
Scout is a new, U.S.-specific brand from Volkswagen, but you might remember the original Scouts: off-road-oriented SUVs and pickups that were manufactured by the International Harvester company from 1961-80. VW gained the rights to the Scout name and intellectual property when it acquired Navistar International (the company that was previously International Harvester) in 2021.
The new Scouts may feature a distinctive shape and throwback styling details that recall the look of the original Scouts, but they aren’t traditional gasoline-powered vehicles like the classics. The new Traveler and Terra will offer both a pure-electric powertrain and (surprise!) a range-extended EV version with a built-in gas-powered generator. In the same way that VW’s ID. Buzz electric minivan channels the spirit of the original Type 2 vans of the ‘60s and 70s, the new Scouts put a new-age spin on the look of their forebears.
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Preliminary Specs
Lots of details are yet to be revealed, but judging by the preliminary specs the company has released so far, both Scouts will be purpose-built off-roaders, built on an all-new body-on-frame platform with a solid rear axle, front and rear mechanical locking differentials, a front sway-bar disconnect and up to 35-inch tires. Scout says the platform will offer over 1 foot of ground clearance and nearly 3 feet of water-fording capability.
The EV powertrain is projected to deliver very quick acceleration — an anticipated 0-60 mph time as quick as 3.5 seconds thanks to an estimated torque output of nearly 1,000 pounds-feet. Fully electric models are anticipated to offer up to 350 miles of range, with the range-extended gas-generator versions (dubbed Harvester in a nice tip of the cap to the International Harvester name) projected to offer more than 500 miles of range. The Harvester name is debossed into the fuel-filler door located on the passenger-side front fender.
Old-School Meets New-School
We had limited one-on-one time with both of Scout’s one-off prototype vehicles at its global reveal event just outside Nashville, Tenn. (Cars.com pays for its own airfare and lodging at such manufacturer-sponsored events.) Though we couldn’t sit in them or touch them, they struck me as a thoughtfully conceived fusion of present-day design trends with heritage-inspired proportions and meticulous styling details — modern, digital vehicles with a refreshingly analog aura.
The Traveler looked to be a bit larger and wider than the current four-door Ford Bronco, with a notably more upscale look and feel inside and out. The Terra is significantly longer in wheelbase and overall length than the Traveler, similar to the relationship of the Jeep Gladiator pickup and the Wrangler SUV.
Both the Traveler and Terra are “production-intent” concepts, not blue-sky dream cars. They appear to have practical proportions, everyday-usable interiors, and lots of clever, refined details and features inside and out. A retractable work tray and shelf slides out from the passenger side of the dashboard, which also sports an undercut “cove” shelf that’s designed to hold a smartphone or tablet. An old-fashioned floating-ball compass resides in the overhead console above the windshield, and the roof itself offers the choice of a fixed glass moonroof or a large Cabana fabric sunroof. The top of the dashboard has a built-in accessory bar for cameras and the like, and the hood wears two attachment bars for tying down cargo.
The clean body shapes are highlighted by striking lighting designs front and rear, with wraparound light signatures and horizontal running lights that appear to dip underneath the leading edge of the front fenders (and the trailing edge of the rear fenders) and reappear as side marker lights. The “hidden” rear brakelights disappear into the black cove trim when they’re off and appear in a pixelated glow when the brakes are applied. A distinctive rear-quarter-window “kickup” recalls the design of the original Scout II.
The Traveler has a split liftgate arrangement with a swing-out full-size spare tire; the tire rack’s hinge is topped with a ribbed cap with an embossed Scout-script “S” on top — one of many fine-detail touches. The North American Charging Standard charge port is housed in a flip-up hinged panel nestled below the driver-side rear marker light, and its slim cove is also home to three Power Station outlets for powering external accessories and devices.
The front trunk (which is preserved on the Harvester range-extended models) includes power outlets and a built-in air compressor with an old-school analog pressure gauge. It also doubles as a tailgating spot, with a pullout seat bottom and drink cooler space. Scout says the frunk has room for golf clubs, gym bags and a cooler.
The interiors have an upscale look, with sustainable HempWood or fabric trim inserts and loads of designer-nerd details like plaid-patterned perforated leather upholstery and available natural-patina leather trim. Both vehicles look to have adult-friendly room front and rear, and both will offer the option of a bench front seat (instead of bucket seats and a console) for carrying up to six passengers. The dash has tactile buttons, knobs and switches in addition to a touchscreen. The touchscreen is designed to be “swiped” to the passenger side so the front-seat passenger (or passengers) have access, and there’s also a passenger-specific volume knob on the right-hand side of the touchscreen.
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Want a New Scout? Hope You’re Patient
Scout says that both the Traveler and Terra will start at less than $60,000 in their entry-level trims, and that available incentives could push that number down to the low $50K range. As far as off-road-oriented EVs go, the Rivian R1S SUV and R1T pickup are the Scouts’ closest rivals that are currently on sale; the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and SUV are notably larger. Things will likely change by the time these Scouts go on sale, however. The biggest downside is that the Scouts’ release dates are at least two years away, as the company plans to start initial production in 2027. According to Scout, a full line of accessories like off-road bumpers, roof racks and auxiliary lighting will be available at launch.
Two years down the road, the Jeep Recon electric SUV will almost certainly be on the market, and so should the Rivian R2, R3 and R3X EVs, which should be close in size to the Scout Traveler. If you’re willing to wait, however, Scout is already taking reservations for both the Traveler and Terra now.
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