Scout Unveils ‘Production-Intent’ Traveler and Terra Concepts
The next new electric-vehicle brand is almost here, as Scout Motors has unveiled its Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck concepts. The company makes no secret of the fact that the production models, currently targeted for launch in 2027, will look very much like what you see here, calling the duo “production-intent.” Indeed, very little about them looks too far-fetched for a showroom.
Related: VW, Audi, Porsche, Scout to Adopt Tesla Charging Standard
Honoring a Hard-Working History
Scout takes its name from an SUV built from 1961-80 by farm-equipment manufacturer International Harvester; it was a competitor to the contemporary Ford Bronco and Jeep CJ (the predecessor to the Wrangler). The revived Scouts honor that past with sturdy body-on-frame construction and serious off-road gear like a solid rear axle, front and rear locking differentials, more than 12 inches of ground clearance, nearly 3 feet of water-fording capability and a front anti-roll bar disconnect. Scout says both vehicles will be able to climb a 100% (or 45-degree) grade.
Stock tires will measure up to 35 inches, with the spare hanging on the tailgate of the Traveler like it does on a modern Wrangler or Bronco. In the Terra, a spare up to 33 inches can fit below the bed, and Scout will offer an in-bed mount for larger rubber. The company also plans to offer a wide variety of accessories, including auxiliary lighting, off-road bumpers with tow hooks, steps and a winch. While the Traveler’s roof and doors will not be removable like those of the Wrangler and Bronco, Scout says the optional power-retractable cloth Cabana Top is “targeted to be one of the largest roof openings of any SUV.” Alternatively, a panoramic fixed-glass roof will also be available.
The Scouts are also designed for less adventurous work. The Traveler has a claimed towing capacity of more than 7,000 pounds, while the Terra will be able to haul more than 10,000. Both have a claimed payload of nearly 2,000 pounds, and Scout says the vehicles’ front trunks will fit golf clubs, a gym bag and a small cooler.
Pure Electric and Range-Extended
Scout is being tight-lipped about powertrain details for now, but the brand does say the Traveler and Terra will have two electric motors, one on each axle, combining for nearly 1,000 pounds-feet of torque. The electrical system will be as stout as anything on the market today, built around an 800-volt architecture and capable of up to 350-kilowatt DC fast charging and bidirectional charging. Range will be up to 350 miles for the pure electric versions, but the company will also produce extended-range versions with a small gas engine onboard to charge the battery. Called Harvester in an homage to Scout’s roots, the gas engine will stretch range beyond 500 miles.
The vehicles’ onboard tech will likewise be cutting edge, with Scout promising over-the-air software updates and remote diagnostic capabilities. But the way users interact with the vehicles will be decidedly old-school, with Scout describing secondary functions as “largely controlled through a tactile experience” and promising mechanical door handles, switches and dials. Indeed, the interior photos show a row of metallic toggle switches beneath the large central infotainment screen.
More From Cars.com:
- Here Are the New Electric Vehicles Planned by 2027
- What to Know Before Purchasing an Electric Vehicle: A Buying Guide
- Electric Cars With the Longest Range
- Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
- 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Review: This Sparks Joy
Volkswagen Benefits
This focus on tactility makes perfect sense, a natural overlap between a retro brand and Scout CEO Scott Keogh’s resume. Prior to his appointment to Scout, Keogh was CEO and president of Volkswagen Group of America, a position he attained after 12 years of leadership at VW’s luxury brand Audi (Audi famously devoted a team of engineers and designers to haptics, the experience of touch).
Volkswagen’s ownership means the outlook for Scout is a lot rosier than it is for other EV startups and should make it much easier for the brand to establish its sales and service network. It will also benefit buyers in another impactful way: VW is building a new battery factory in Ontario, Canada, and Scout will build the Traveler and Terra at a new facility in South Carolina. That means it’s likely the vehicles will qualify for the full federal EV tax credit — and it seems like Scout is counting on it: The brand says both the Traveler and the Terra will be priced under $60,000; with available incentives, Scout says the Traveler will be as low as $50,000 and the Terra as low as $51,500.
Production of the new Scout EVs isn’t scheduled to start until 2027, so we have a lot of time to fill in the details. In the meantime, interested shoppers can make a reservation to order a vehicle starting now at ScoutMotors.com.
Related Video:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
