Overview
Move over, Jeep, because Volkswagen Group has a new off-road-oriented brand coming: Scout. Both an electric SUV and Pickup, the latter of which is reviewed separately, are due to launch in 2026. As its name implies, Scout intends to leverage the International Harvester Scout’s history—VW has acquired the rights to the brand—and will bring it to these models. VW Group has released only a small sketch of the SUV, which reveals the model will sport a window line that kicks up at the rear like that of the classic Scout II. The SUV in the sketch also appears to have four doors, though we wouldn’t rule out a two-door Scout SUV joining the four-door version in the brand’s model line.
What’s New for 2026?
The Scout SUV is an all-new model that Volkswagen Group is designing for the American market. It’s due to ride on a new EV platform, as well, possibly one made in conjunction with Ford.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We think the Scout SUV will come in at least two trims, and possibly more. The entry-level model ought to offer the basics expected of an electric SUV while also maintaining a reasonably affordable base price of around $45,000 or less. Expect more upmarket trims to crest the $50,000 mark (and maybe beyond).
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
Given the fact VW Group is playing up the off-road angle of this new brand, we wager that the new EV SUV will come standard with all-wheel drive courtesy of two electric motors—one at each axle. How much power each makes remains unknown. That said, we think VW would be wise to offer various levels of performance for this SUV. We’d love to see an electric Scout with enough power to take on today’s Ford Bronco Raptor or Land Rover Defender V8.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
While we’re all but certain the electric motors of the Scout will draw electricity from an integrated battery pack, we have no knowledge of what sort of capacity—and in turn, driving range—it’ll offer. Nevertheless, we’ll be surprised if Scout’s SUV is rated to travel less than 300 miles on the EPA cycle.
As more information becomes available, we’ll update this story with more details about:
- Towing and Payload Capacity
- Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
- Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
- Infotainment and Connectivity
- Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
- Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
