Traveler

Move over, Jeep, because Volkswagen Group has a new off-road-oriented brand called Scout and it’s readying the 2028 Traveler SUV as one of two electric vehicles launching soon. Both the Traveler and the Terra pickup, the latter of which is reviewed separately, are said to be on track to start production sometime in 2027. 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. The Traveler is an attractive-looking EV SUV that sports a window line that kicks up at the rear like that of the classic Scout II, and its body-on-frame construction and mechanically locking front and rear differentials are intended to support an off-roading mission. Inside, the Traveler wears a rugged-meets-luxury design theme with cloth-and-leather upholstery lining the seats and dashboard. Prerequisite tech features include digital gauges and a large infotainment screen. Plus, there’s an optional Cabana Top roof that opens to let the outside in. An electric powertrain is standard, and Scout says a driving range of 350 miles per charge is the target, but a gasoline-powered range extender engine will also be optional and is said to increase the range to more than 500 miles.