Meet the Scout, the newest electric vehicle brand from Volkswagen

While they’re electric vehicles at heart with up to 350 miles of all-electric range, an optional gas-powered “Harvester” range extender promises 500 miles between charges and fill-ups. But unlike so many new EVs, the two Scouts aren’t replacing the tried and true for change’s sake. Scout owners will find real knobs and buttons for infotainment and climate control, traditional exterior door handles, and even an optional three-person front bench seat. Both Scout models are based on an all-new, robust body-on-frame design not shared with other electric vehicles from Volkswagen and Audi.

When they go into production in 2027, the Terra and Traveler will be built at Scout’s new plant outside of Columbia, SC, which is currently under construction. Scout says prices will start around $60,000 before any incentives, and that consumers should be able to buy one directly from Scout starting October 24, 2024. Because they’re built in the U.S., both vehicles should qualify for federal tax incentives. Customization is also a key selling point, including off-road accessories such as front and rear skid plates, an off-road winch, auxiliary lighting and an external spare tire holder for the Traveler. We expect prices to climb well past $60,000 as buyers add these extras.

Although closer in scale to full-size SUVs and pickup trucks, the Terra and Traveler are sure to weed out some buyers from the relatively smaller ones. Rivian R1S and R1. Curiously, the timing of the introduction comes just months after VW announced plans to invest $5 billion in a joint venture with Rivian to create vehicle software that both companies will share.