The wait is officially over. Volkswagen Group’s revival of the Scout brand has finally unveiled production-intent concept versions of its two flagship EV models. We are in Nashville, Tennessee, where Scout Motors shared details of its first SUV, the Traveler, and its all-electric pickup truck, the Terra. If Scout can hit its targets, these new EVs will also be quite reasonably priced.
The first EV model is the Traveler SUV. This EV is expected to deliver over 7,000 pounds of towing and a payload capacity of nearly 2,000 pounds. It is also expected to deliver up to 350 miles of all-electric range, but even more, if you add a range extender (more on that in a bit). As you can see from the image above, the Traveler’s rear features a split tailgate for easy access to cargo and “protection from the elements when opened.”
The second Scout EV model to debut today is the Terra pickup truck. It will offer the same range and payload as the Traveler but is expected to be able to tow up to 10,000 pounds. The Terra will also feature a 5.5-foot pickup bed equipped with two 120V and one 240V power outlets.
The Traveler SUV will start at a retail MSRP below $60,000, and its entry-level trim could arrive priced as low as $50,000, including “available incentives” – assuming that includes the full $7,500 federal tax credit since these EVs will be built entirely in the US.
The Terra truck is expected to hit the market with a starting retail price under $60k as well, and its entry-level option could be as low as $51,500 with available incentives. We will need to wait a while to learn exactly what those trims entail and what incentives are available at the time, but even at full price, these Scout EVs are relatively affordable compared to their competitors.
Pre-orders for the Scout Traveler and Terra are now open, and you can secure a reservation on the company’s website. However, targeted production of these EVs is not expected to begin in South Carolina until 2027.
$50+K to start. Maybe there’s a market for it, but how the hell is anyone affording vehicles these days? Even if you stretch the payments out 72 months, you’re at $700+ a month. Add insurance, charging, etc. you are easily over $1000 a month.
New vehicles have always been far too expensive for a lot of people. Expecting even the lower middle class to buy new is misguided. I’m 44. I think I’ve know people who bought new, 3 times. I’ve never bought a new car in my life.
I always recommend getting a lightly used car, preferably one that came off lease. It will still have all the warranty, be fairly up to date on safety / features, and be half the price or less of a new car.
The only reason I have ever condoned buying a new car, is if it’s at the end year and they are clearing inventory, or if it’s new old stock. If you find a 2023 model car on the lot in January of 2024 the amount of discounts to get that car off lot will be insane. I got a car that was retailing at $45k+ earlier in the year for just under $30k. They were trying to clear inventory, because the next day they were getting their shipment in of the next year’s model.
I’ve only ever bought one car new and that’s exactly how it happened for me. Shopping in December, dealer had just one of that model year left. It was very well loaded but I had come to them saying I was only looking for something mid range. I’m the end I paid the mid range price I was hoping for but with a lot of extra bells and whistles. There’s a lot to be said for timing and patience in the car world.
Of course that was pre pandemic and everything now is getting squeezed. I’m not sure the same rules apply.
They certainly do, I got mine last year. Once the supply chain sorted itself out it went back to normal.
Used EVs are looking like not as good a deal as used ICE vehicles due to the battery replacement costs.
The standard battery warranty now is 10years and 100,000miles, with >80% of battery life.
Battery replacement is less of an issue than fear of battery replacement, when buying used EVs.
The car I’m driving is 25 years old
Then it’s well out of the warranty period also. And longterm maintenance costs are much more on ICEs than EVs. You’ll save more over time, even with the larger one time cost on your second battery.
Maybe leases?
I have to assume incumbent automakers have already internally ceded the mass market to BYD and only want to sell luxury cars in the US.