The legendary Scout nameplate is making a thrilling comeback under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, heralding a new era of electric off-road vehicles. Get ready for the arrival of the all-electric Scout SUV, or Rugged Utility Vehicle (RUV), and the Scout Terra pickup truck. These exciting models are slated to roll off the production line at a dedicated US-based Scout factory starting in 2025, with market availability anticipated shortly after, likely in 2026.
While still in the early stages of development, the buzz around the reborn Scout brand is already palpable. Teaser images hint at the design direction of these pioneering electric trucks. Volkswagen is emphasizing their commitment to genuine trail-ready capability, promising performance and pricing that will align them with established off-road SUV benchmarks.
There’s a wealth of anticipation surrounding the Scout SUV and its pickup sibling as we approach their production timeline. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what we know so far about the 2026 Scout lineup.
Design Vision: Ruggedness Meets Retro Flair
Early glimpses of the Scout SUV design suggest a boxy silhouette, characterized by minimal overhangs, four doors, and a purposefully short wheelbase. Visually, the electric off-roader appears to draw inspiration from iconic vehicles like the Ford Bronco, aiming to capture the spirit of the original International Harvester Scout with a contemporary design language. A previously revealed sketch further solidifies this direction, showcasing a high beltline and robust, boxy aesthetics for both the SUV and pickup models, evoking comparisons to the Rivian R1T and the Bronco.
In a recent interview, Chris Benjamin, Scout’s Chief Design Officer, shared insights into the design philosophy guiding these vehicles. He emphasized a departure from an overly aggressive, “conquer everything” off-road persona. Instead, Benjamin highlighted the Scout brand’s focus on community and bringing people together, suggesting a design language that reflects approachability and inclusivity alongside off-road prowess.
To visualize these teasers and the brand’s design ethos, renderings have emerged depicting a rugged electric off-roader with clear retro styling cues. The hope is that the final 2026 Scout production models will stay true to this compelling vision.
The interior design of the 2026 Scout SUV remains under wraps. However, it’s widely expected to incorporate practical and durable elements commonly found in off-road vehicles. Think rubberized floor mats, resilient vinyl seating, and extensive weatherproofing, all harmoniously integrated with modern technology.
Interior Focus: Prioritizing Tactile Controls
Fortunately for enthusiasts of intuitive interfaces, the 2026 Scout is forging its own path, diverging from the trend of burying essential functions within touchscreens, a direction sometimes seen in Volkswagen vehicles. The interiors of the initial Scout models will prioritize physical, hard buttons for key controls.
“Manual is important,” affirmed Chris Benjamin in an interview with InsideEVs. “We want to ensure that everyday functionalities are easily accessible and not buried within a screen. Ease of use, functionality, and tactile feedback are paramount. The original Scout was known for its reliability, and we are committed to ensuring the new one upholds that legacy of dependable operation.”
Potential Names: A Nod to Heritage
In a proactive move in December 2023, Scout initiated a comprehensive trademarking effort, filing for an impressive 50 trademarks. Each of these filings could potentially offer clues about the names of the upcoming 2026 Scout vehicles. The extensive list includes:
- Aristocrat
- Baler
- Cultivator
- Forma
- Grade
- Harrow
- Harvester
- Rallye
- Scout 80
- Scout 800
- Scout Hauler
- Scout II
- Scout Reaper
- Scout Spirit
- Scout Terra
- Scythe
- Sno-Star
- Sportstar
- SR-2
- SSII
- Super Scout
- Swather
- Tellus
- Terra
- Terrastar
- Thresher
- Trailstar
- Travelstar
- Travelstar XL
- Traveltop
Notably, several of these trademarks pay homage to the original International Harvester Scout lineage, such as Scout 80 and Scout 800. The classic Scout II (also trademarked) offered trims like Terra, Traveler, and Super Scout. Historic names like Sportstar, Terrastar, Trailstar, and Travelstar are also included, recalling special models customized by Custom Vehicles Incorporated, located near the original Scout headquarters.
Beyond the heritage-inspired names, the list also introduces fresh possibilities. Names like Cultivator, Reaper, Spirit, Harrow, and Rallye could be strong contenders for the new 2026 Scout SUV or pickup truck.
Electric Powertrain: Built for Off-Road
The 2026 Scout SUV and pickup are confirmed to be all-electric vehicles. While Volkswagen possesses the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) platform, already utilized in dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configurations, Scout will employ a distinct platform engineered specifically for robust off-road performance, as revealed by CEO Scott Keogh in a TechCrunch interview.
A dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup is almost certain for the 2026 Scout, and configurations with three or even four motors aren’t entirely ruled out, contingent on maintaining competitive pricing. This dedicated off-road platform could potentially extend its influence to other models within the VW Group. Rumors suggest Audi is considering an electric off-roader to rival the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, potentially leveraging the Scout platform. Component sharing within the VW portfolio is anticipated.
To effectively challenge rivals like the Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, the 2026 Scout SUV will necessitate hardcore off-road equipment, such as a locking rear differential and long-travel suspension. Furthermore, this EV will need to deliver ample towing and hauling capabilities, along with sufficient range to confidently reach trails, navigate them, and return.
Current EVs based on VW’s MEB architecture can achieve ranges exceeding 310 miles. However, the 2026 Scout SUV is expected to aim for a range closer to 400 miles, or even higher, by its debut. In terms of power, a target of around 300 horsepower would position the Scout competitively against the base Bronco and Wrangler models.
“We aim to build vehicles that are exceptionally robust and highly capable,” Scout CEO Scott Keogh stated in an interview with InsideEVs. “Scout’s heritage is rooted in that ethos, so we believed it was crucial to maintain that integrity.”
Jan Spies, Scout Motors’ Head of Production, emphasized the platform’s uniqueness: “This platform is not a derivative, sibling, or offspring of any platform we’ve previously developed within the VW Group.”
Pricing Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Volkswagen intends to position the 2026 Scout electric off-roader with pricing that is competitive within the existing off-road vehicle segment, targeting models like the Bronco and Wrangler. Scout CEO Scott Keogh indicated in the TechCrunch interview that the SUV’s starting price would be around $40,000, or “just slightly above that.”
Currently, the base two-door Bronco starts at just over $36,000, while the two-door Wrangler is priced approximately three thousand dollars lower. Four-door versions of the Bronco and Wrangler are closer to the $40,000 mark. While it remains unclear if Scout will offer both two-door and four-door configurations, teaser images predominantly showcase a four-door design, suggesting a pricing strategy aligned with four-door versions of its competitors.
Production and Launch Timeline: Approaching 2026
The VW Group is investing in a dedicated Scout factory in Columbia, South Carolina, marking a significant $2 billion investment. This facility will be the production hub for the 2026 Scout SUV and pickup, with potential for future models. The factory is projected to have an annual production capacity of up to 250,000 vehicles and is expected to generate 4,000 permanent jobs in the region.
The Scout platform development is being undertaken in Austria in collaboration with Magna Steyr, a renowned automotive engineering and manufacturing partner responsible for vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Toyota Supra. VW is allocating $492 million to the development of both the SUV and pickup models, with all assembly operations taking place in the US.
We might witness the initial 2026 Scout SUV prototypes as early as next year, with expectations for prototypes to emerge in late 2024, preceding production in 2025 and a market launch anticipated in late 2026. CEO Keogh has confirmed that the SUV will precede the larger electric pickup truck, which will follow “in quick succession.”
The retail strategy for the new 2026 Scout electric off-roaders is still under development. The National Automobile Dealers Association and state associations have engaged with VW seeking clarity on the Scout brand’s retail model in the US. Given the growing trend of online EV sales, Scout might explore a direct-to-consumer approach.
Gallery: Scout Electric SUV Rendering
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