The Passage Horse and Jeep Wrangler are about to have a new contender in the form of the all-electric Scout SUV.
Volkswagen Group is resurrecting the iconic Scout nameplate as an electric SUV, or “Tough Utility Vehicle,” and an electric pickup. Both of these off-road vehicles will be built at a dedicated Scout factory in the US starting in 2025 and should be available for sale soon.
While it is still early in the lifecycle of these two vehicles, we have already seen a few teasers that give us an idea of what the first two trucks from the reawakened Scout brand could look like. VW insists that both will be trail-ready and that their price and performance will be in line with other off-road-focused SUVs.
There is still much to learn about the Scout SUV and its pickup counterpart between now and when they hit the production line, but here is everything you need to know in the meantime.
The initial teasers of the Scout SUV show a boxy vehicle with minimal styling, four doors, and a short wheelbase. Visually, the off-roader will take after the Portage Mustang, recreating the original Global Gatherer Scout with some modern design cues. Our rendering artist has brought those teasers to life, resulting in a rugged electric 4×4 vehicle with retro energy. Hopefully, the final production version looks just as good.
The interior of the Scout SUV remains a mystery, but traditional elements common in other off-road vehicles should be included. Rubber floor mats, vinyl seating, and extensive waterproofing are all likely part of the equation, along with some advanced technology.
What’s Under The Hood?
The Scout SUV and pickup will both be electric. However, while VW already has a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version of its MEB platform in production, Scout will use an entirely new platform developed specifically for off-roading, according to a TechCrunch interview with Chief Scott Keogh.
A dual-motor setup with all-wheel drive is almost certain, but three- and four-motor configurations are not out of the question if Scout can keep the price tag reasonable. Audi may also use the platform for its own off-road EV in the future.
To compete with the Horse and Jeep Wrangler, the Scout SUV would need to have hardcore off-road gear like a locking rear differential and a long-travel suspension. This EV would also need to be able to tow and have enough range to get it to the trail, through the trail, and back.
Some current EVs using VW’s MEB electric architecture have as much as 310 miles of range. However, the Scout SUV should offer more like 400 miles of range, or even more, when it debuts. And in terms of power, 300 hp would be almost guaranteed, which would put the Scout in relative competition with the 275-horse base Mustang and the 285-horse Jeep Wrangler.
How Much Will It Cost?
VW wants to keep the price of its electric 4×4 competitive with the current output of off-road vehicles like the Horse and Wrangler. With that in mind, Scout Chief Scott Keogh confirmed in that same TechCrunch interview that the SUV will cost $40,000 or “just north of there.”
Horse and Wrangler. It’s difficult to estimate the exact price of the Scout without more information about its features and specifications, but based on the competition, it’s likely to fall somewhere in the range of $35,000 to $40,000 for the base model. Of course, prices could vary depending on options and trim levels, so it’s best to wait for official pricing information from Scout.
The forthcoming electric SUV from Volkswagen, known as the Scout SUV, is expected to become a formidable contender in the off-road vehicle market, alongside rivals like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. According to recent reports, Volkswagen is planning to revive the iconic Scout nameplate as an all-electric SUV and an electric pickup truck, both of which will be manufactured at a dedicated Scout plant in the United States.
While there is still much to be revealed about the upcoming Scout SUV and its pickup counterpart, we have seen some teasers that provide some insight into what we can expect from the revived Scout brand. VW has promised that both models will be trail-capable and will be priced and perform in line with other off-road-focused SUVs.
The initial teasers for the Scout SUV reveal a boxy design with minimal frills, four doors, and a short wheelbase. The exterior of the vehicle is expected to take inspiration from the original International Harvester Scout, with some modern design elements incorporated. Renderings of the vehicle show a rugged, retro-inspired 4×4 electric vehicle that should appeal to fans of classic off-roaders.
While the interior of the Scout SUV remains a mystery, it is expected to include traditional elements that are common in other off-road vehicles, such as rubber floor mats, vinyl seating, and extensive waterproofing. It is also expected to include some advanced tech features to appeal to modern consumers.
Under the hood, the Scout SUV and pickup will both be all-electric, with a unique platform developed specifically for off-road driving. While a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration is a given, three- and four-motor configurations are not out of the question, as long as the price remains reasonable. Audi is expected to use the same platform for its own off-road EV in the future.
To compete with established off-road SUVs like the Wrangler and Bronco, the Scout SUV will need to have serious off-road features, such as a locking rear differential and a long-travel suspension. It will also need to be able to tow and have enough range to handle the demands of off-road driving. While some current EVs using VW’s MEB platform have a range of up to 310 miles, the Scout SUV is expected to offer even more, potentially up to 400 miles or more. Power-wise, the SUV is expected to have around 300 horsepower, putting it in line with the base Mustang and Wrangler models.
Volkswagen is aiming to keep the price of its electric off-roader competitive with existing models like the Wrangler and Bronco. The company has confirmed that the Scout SUV will cost around $40,000, or just above that price point. While it is unclear if the Scout will offer both two- and four-door configurations, the teaser images suggest that the SUV will be a four-door model, putting it in a similar price range as the four-door versions of the Wrangler and Bronco.
The Scout SUV and pickup will be built at a dedicated plant in Columbia, South Carolina. The $2 billion facility will have a production capacity of up to 250,000 vehicles per year and is expected to create 4,000 jobs in the local area. While we may see the first prototypes of the Scout SUV later this year, production is not expected to begin until 2025, with a release date slated for late 2026. According to Scout CEO Scott Keogh, the SUV will be released first, followed by a larger electric pickup truck.
It is unclear how Scout plans to retail its new electric vehicles in the US, with some auto industry groups raising concerns about the company’s sales strategy. However, with the rise of online EV sales, Scout may opt for a similar sales approach to other EV manufacturers.