The sixth-generation Ford Bronco debuted back in the 2021 model year, and has received a variety of updates in the years since. Supply has finally caught up with demand for the rugged off-road SUV, however, and there are an increasingly large number of boxy utility vehicles joining it on the market amid strong consumer demand for such things. As such, the Ford Bronco is reportedly slated to receive a mid-cycle refresh in mid-2025, and then undergo a redesign in 2030, but in between then, it will be facing a brand new rival in the form of the Scout Traveler.
After Volkswagen purchased Traton, which owns Navistar, which owns Scout – the automaker announced that Scout would indeed be making a comeback roughly two years ago. The original Scout debuted in 1961 – a few years before the Ford Bronco in 1966 – but the two were direct rivals for many years until Scout ultimately closed up shop. We got a sneak peek at two models the upstart, independent entity was set to launch last year, and now, both of them – the Scout Traveler SUV and Scout Terra pickup – have officially been unveiled.
Coupled with handsome retro looks, the Scout Traveler and Terra are also surprisingly old school underneath that skin – they feature body-on-frame construction, a solid rear axle, mechanical locking differentials, and of course, all-electric power. However, Scout will also offer what it calls the “Harvester” specification that is effectively an extended range EV with a gas engine and a small fuel tank, which helps extend range from 350 miles in the regular EV to upward of 500. Specs are a bit scant at the moment, but Scout notes that in top spec, the quad motor Traveler will do 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and churn out 1,000 pound-feet of torque.
The Scout Traveler will come with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port from the factory, and utilizes an 800-volt electrical architecture that allows users to take advantage of the fastest DC chargers out there at the moment. Max payload is estimated to be around 2,000 pounds, with more than 7,000 pounds of towing capacity. With room for up to 35-inch tires, a foot of ground clearance, and roughly three feet of water fording capability, the Scout Traveler clearly has the off-road chops needed to compete with the Bronco and its rivals.
As for pricing, the Scout Traveler is expected to start out around $60,000, but there’s just one big catch – production isn’t slated to start until 2027. However, since it’ll be built entirely in South Carolina, the SUV will qualify for current tax credits – though of course, a lot can change over the next two years. Regardless, it’ll be interesting to see if other automakers follow suit and offer extended range EV variants of similar models along with traditional EV powertrains moving forward.
Comments
No cause for concern. It’s another unwanted EV.
second, speak for yourself, I was seriously looking at a mid level bronco for my next purchase, but the suv scout has me doing an about face. The style is spot on, the range extender is very intriguing and it doesn’t have abysmal fuel economy. If they can bring it in the $60k before incentives it will be a hit. Also a huge plus is direct to consumer sales so no greedy dealer mark ups. I put down $100 to be on the reservation list.
The Bronco certainly looks better and truer to the original than the Scout original. I think EV’s have yet to prove themselves with battery issues down the road. Can’t imagine the cost of battery replacement. Be interesting to see how long it will actually take to bring it to market. If they are backed/owned by VW it might be like there EV Bus. Where is that ?
Carmakers announce these future cars a couple of years in advance mostly to keep prospective buyers waiting for them instead of buying something else.