ICYMI, Scout is back. The old-school off-roaders known for raked-back lines and wild 70s-tastic graphics have returned. I’ve been loosely following the all-new Scout story since it started making headlines in late 2022, but I have to admit, I didn’t know all that much aside from assuming it was a Volkswagen-owned EV foil to Rivian. That’s not quite accurate, as I learned on a recent visit with the Scout Motors design team in Boston.
All photos by Tyler Stender
Pictures Don’t Do The Scout Justice
If you have yet to see the Scout Traveler (SUV) or Terra (pickup truck) in person, it’s worth making the time. These vehicles leave an impression, from the unexpected size to the kind of thoughtful automotive design that pulls you in with second- and third-level reads. For one thing, the Terra is a full-size truck within a few inches, on the wheelbase and length, of a crew cab F-150 with a 5.5-foot bed. At 229” long, the Scout Terra is a full foot longer than a Rivian R1T. With the Traveler, it reminds of a Chevy Tahoe size-wise.
No Relationship With Volkswagen USA
As for Scout Motors ownership, Volkswagen Europe is the brand’s largest investor. However, Scout and VW USA are competitors. As the folks at Scout point out, the company is all-American, and I would argue that comes through in the design. It’s a look that leaned on input from the existing die-hard Scout community, those folks who still maintain O.G. models. The current Scout design team also spent time with two of the original company designers, sketching and sharing notes. I’m not an automotive designer, but it’s hard to argue that the result is nothing short of stunning.
Lines That Scream Scout
Outside, the dash-to-axle ratio, round wheel arches, and swept-back shape scream Scout, especially on the Traveler. Thankfully, it manages to pull hard on the nostalgic heartstrings without going the retro-gimmick route. Looking at you, Chevy HHR. Eye candy like pass-through exterior lighting bodywork with recessed sections for an ambient glow guarantees the Scout will be instantly identifiable at night. With the Terra, a smoothly scalloped upper bedside feature is just one of the many subtle callbacks to Scouts of yore. “Hidden beltline” is a design term I learned on this trip and one that gives these EVs a certain Range Rover swagger.
35s, 37s, And Glorious Wheel Designs
Then there are the wheel and tire packages. 35” mud-terrain rubber on the Traveler and, ahem, 37s on the Terra. The Scout team did say those XXL tires are not likely to come through as a production piece. But as you could see, 37s do in fact fit in the wheel wells should owners feel the need. As for rims, oh my. Like much of the Scout design, inspiration comes from various industrial themes. Like the “Locomotive” wheel based on, well, a locomotive wheel. Or the “Vault” rim from the sleek Mountainside concept. It looks like a bank vault door and has been etched with GPS coordinates to the Scout plant in South Carolina.
Interior Design That Pulls You In
Whether all these fascinating flourishes will make it to the final version remains to be seen. But even if it’s 80% of the way there, buyers are in for a treat. Did we talk about the interiors yet? I’m trying to keep this brief, so instead of wordy diatribe, a quick highlight list:
Hemp wood inserts you can’t help but touch
A bubble compass integrated within the overhead console
Heritage plaid themes that avoid feeling overdone
An illuminated panoramic glass roof surround
Recycled walnut trim
AND a front bench seat!
Nearly all the interior materials have textures and tangible aspects that seemingly beg to be inspected. Physical buttons dominate (thank god), and though the Scout cabin is as clearly tied to the original as the exterior, the entire package avoids going overboard with themes.
The Range-Extender Scout
One last note. The upcoming Scout - customer deliveries are expected in 2028 - is an EV, but will also be offered with a range-extender hybrid system. Scout dubs it EREV, and the basics are a small gas-powered inline-4 engine to charge the EV battery pack. Solely operating as a generator, the ICE won’t power the wheels; it will only serve to extend the driving range between charges and fill-ups. Hopefully, it will also help with electric vehicle adoption for those with crippling range anxiety.
Scout Is Nearly Ready To Roll
With an expected starting price below $60,000, the modern Scout EVs appear poised to be something of a market disruptor. There’s more work to be done before the final product is ready for the road, but based on what I’ve seen thus far, it would appear the reborn Scout Motors is off to a strong start.
About the author: Niel Stender is an automotive journalist. See more of his work on MuckRack.