While they don’t have everything in common, both the 2025 Ford Bronco and upcoming Scout Traveler EV were specially designed to travel through off-road terrain. Which of these midsize SUVs is right for your adventures? Read our ultimate comparison guide before you choose!
Key Takeaways
- The Bronco offers everything you need to hit the trail at high speeds!
- Inside the upcoming Traveler, you’ll enjoy 70s-themed styling and standard luxury features.
- Choose the 2025 Bronco for the best price on a rugged midsize SUV!
- Unlike the Traveler, which won’t be available for years, the Bronco is available right now.
Off-Roading Skills: 2025 Ford Bronco
With subsequent wins for its class at the Baja 1000, the brutal off-road race, the Bronco has more than earned its rugged reputation. And it also offers something big that (as far as we can tell) the Scout Traveler doesn’t: high-speed capabilities. Any SUV with four-wheel drive and locking differentials can wander pretty far into the wilderness, albeit at low speeds. The Bronco, on the other hand, offers four levels of Ford’s High-Speed Off-Road Suspension System (HOSS) to help you race through the wilderness.
We don’t know everything about the upcoming Scout Traveler EV, but the automaker has announced that it’ll come standard with trail-friendly features. These include front and rear lockers, a disconnecting front stability bar, and a solid rear axle. Two electric motors send power to all four wheels. And while there’s no doubt that the Traveler will happily roam around the wilderness, we have our doubts about whether it’ll be able to keep up with the Bronco!
Luxury Cabin: 2025 Volkswagen Scout Traveler EV
If the Scout Traveler arrives looking as good as it does in promo shots, it’ll probably be the most luxurious option. The cabin’s classy 70s styling is especially striking, featuring tan leather seating and light-colored wood trim. The Traveler will also deliver cutting-edge technology, with both a digital instrument panel and an expansive central infotainment touchscreen.
On the other hand, the Bronco offers plenty of its own luxury upgrades. Ford’s midsize SUV doesn’t come standard with leather seating, but it’s available as an option. Climbing the Bronco’s seven trim models will net you a variety of upgrades, from a premium Bose sound system to a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel!
Friendliest Price: 2025 Ford Bronco
The 2025 Ford Bronco (from $37,995) will save you thousands compared to the upcoming Scout Traveler (starting around $60,000)! Although Volkswagen is hoping for enough federal tax credits to bring the price down to about $50,000, who knows what incentives will be available years from now, when the Traveler finally arrives. But even if incentives do drive the Traveler’s price down, the Bronco will still save you the most money.
Availability: 2025 Ford Bronco
When we’re comparing capabilities and features of the Ford Bronco and Volkswagen Scout EV, it shouldn’t go unsaid that one of these SUVs has yet to even go on sale! By some estimates, the Traveler won’t be released until the 2028 model year. You can put your off-road adventures on hold for a few years, or you can drive home in a brand new Bronco today!
Choose the Best Off-Roading SUV
Whether you’re after a high-speed off-road ride or a rugged SUV that won’t make you wait, the 2025 Ford Bronco is the best overall option. Since the Bronco offers less luxurious trim models, it appeals to a wider range of budgets. On the other hand, anyone who wants a luxurious Bronco can get one, because this Ford SUV also offers your choice of upgrades. Visit us at Jarrett Scott to experience the Bronco for yourself!