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i agree with many thoughts but for many of us in the northeast items like heated seats, wheels and even auto start are almost necessary with cold winter weather. When strictly a fun third vehicle a lot of things could be skipped but as a daily driver those safety items are important-especially sharing the road with texting drivers on highways like I-95. Safety ratings will necessitate but allowing them to be on or off should satisfy everyone
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I would like to see less screens in the new scout than in some new modern cars. The 2024 mustang has too much screen. A simple 10-12 inch center screen, with digital gauges would be enough. The original scout was never anything fancy, and I think this would appeal to most fans if it wasn't over-the-top. However, I understand you need to draw in new fans and customers that expect the tech. So apple carplay and android auto will be necessary. Same with navigation. Perhaps customizable ambient interior lighting. 360-degree camera (at minimum forward-facing camera for off-road, and rear-facing for parking). Drive-mode selection would be nice, as well as assisted offroad driving (similar to one-pedal in the Fords). I think the Mustang seems too much like a video game. This is a Scout, and should be made to do Scout things with modern-tech. Not over-the top graphics and 75" screens.
It’s also nice in the southeast. Having the cabin preconditioned is very nice when it’s hot. It’s also very good for your range. It’s always an EV best practice to set a timer for preconditioning especially while you’re still on the charger.
We’ve discussed similar earlier on but I think having the gauges flexible and not tied in to a set mode is a better scenario. Options are good but what if my favorite look is the off-road look but I don’t run off-road.
I like that idea better as well, having them not linked to certain modes. Mostly I just want to see that retro option.
My needs are different, but you sure echo my basic thoughts. Keep the tech to a minimum, I have that on my other vehicles, it's not what I want a Scout for. Just give me easy access to power connectors (lots of spare spots) so I can add what I want, whether it is lights, radios, winches, or whatever.
I suspect based on many conversations with those of us you mentioned (only speaking for me however) that these items would be add-ons and not included as part of a base level Scout. I recognize many Scout enthusiasts want basic and that is fine. I also understand based on many conversations on this forum that younger/lifestyle buyers still want many of these features including the tech, modern touches and an open top. In today’s market safety has to be included. Other features should be reasonable ala cart items to personalize. While as a whole, those of us on this forum are Scout fans/enthusiasts- we certainly can’t fulfill the 100,000+ sales needed (using wrangler/Bronco as comparison) to keep SM in business. It requires meeting the needs of modern buyers. Majority of buyers will buy because of EV and removable top-I suspect majority will never off-road beyond beach or gravel roads.
The problem of polaroid glasses and screens seems to be being addressed by some manufacturers. Two years ago when I was only 81 the idea of a heated steering wheel would have been anathema to me. Two years later the arthritis in my hands is thankful for it every time I get in my new Tundra which came with one. It is listed as optional, but it comes with most packages and ordering an option isn't in Toyota's rulebook. Which brings me to the old concept from ordering Scouts in the 60s, sit down with a salesperson and go over all the options, then have your Scout pop out the door in Blythewood and get delivered in say 4 weeks. Production lines and special orders don't coexist well and that forced us into accepting "packages" loaded with useful and disused options. Today's computers using AI should be able to build a system capable of assembling almost any mix of features. I hope thinking planners at SM give that some serious thought.
I still like the idea of a “custom build” approach where maybe it takes 3-4 weeks longer but you take delivery at Blythewood and run the course they implied will be part of the factory campus. I’d pay a reasonable premium to have my build be exact. As for the polarized glasses I hope it’s improving. I remember being at a gas pump and got so annoyed because the pump screen was blank. My wife asked what was goi g on-told her and she said “I can see it from inside the car”. That’s when I realized the problems with polarized and non-glare lenses in my glasses
@Harris005 mentioned this - One little detail that is easy to overlook, but I do like in our vehicles is a micro, very low lumens, light in the overhead. You don't even notice it, but while driving at night it puts a soft glow on the interior to be able to see things. This might be a little more complicated with a removable roof, but could potentially go in an overhead compartment between sun visors that houses dome lights and HomeLink buttons as well?Part 2....
Agree with @LastDayScout in that all of the add-ons should be just that. Let the Scout enthusiast be able to get into a plain jane Scout if that is all they want.
- The Scout App itself:
- Want app payment to be built into the Scout purchase. Not stuck with another 20 dollar/month subscription. If this can't be avoided at least make it $1.99/month. We love the features my wife’s Nissan app has, but unfortunately choose not to spend the extra 20 bucks each month for yet another monthly subscription fee. I honestly bet Nissan would make more money by lowering the price.
- Remote start
- Ability to see and adjust climate control items such as: rear window defrost, windshield defrost temp, heated seats, heated mirrors, heated lights, heated steering wheel, etc.
- Family members each have the app (again, can’t be a monthly subscription for each)
- Able to configure personal settings and are automatically set when driving
- Parents are able to turn off/on functions for kids. Might even say teenage driving mode can be activated and sends parents notifications of excessive braking, accelerating, speeding.
- Ability to send a "key" to anyone. If a friend wants to borrow the Scout, you don't have to hand over your smart watch wrist band. Their phone starts the Scout. No reason they couldn't save their driver settings as well for next time.
- Ability to operate the winch from outside the vehicle
- Access to Scout Store
- Preferred Vendors, Aftermarket, Original Scout Parts Suppliers - create an all in one place to shop for anything relating to Scout. Think Amazon, with your credit card and delivery information already loaded.....just have to click the "Buy Now", or "Add to Cart"
- A classifieds ad section within the Scout Community forum would be pretty nice too! A place to post Scout parts you may have that could be added to your cart as well.
- Each Scout owner has each Scout they own preloaded and linked to each purchase, creating a log of items purchased for that particular Scout
- When the "Check Engine" light comes on the App directs you to the part that needs ordered
- Any troubles that arise with the Scout itself are not pushed out as codes, but rather sent to the app, and as a push notification, with a description of what needs addressed. No more needing to go to Advance Auto to have them plug in and tell us what a code means. Seems silly with today’s technology!
- The Scout Community website forum should be a link within
. .....with the addition of push notifications being able to be turned on.
- Could see the above mentioned idea similar to the Polaris Ride Command being able to work on the phone app alone as well. Example being if someone stayed back at camp while others were out on the trails, that person back at camp can still see and hear the same things. Potentially being out of cell phone coverage, a possible base camp unit might need to be a thing.
- Ability to schedule when the Scout automatically starts warming up in the morning and after work
- Scheduled maintenance type items are pushed through the app notifications. Possible Schedule Maintenance button with preloaded (and or close by) Scout Authorized maintenance shops, making it easier to stay on top of maintenance type items.
- I would like the ability to plan out road trips from the phone app and or computer - to include rapid charger stops. As mentioned above, I prefer Google Maps, so I'm not really sure what the best solution here is. However, I see sitting at a hotel bar planning out tomorrows travels, to include rapid chargers, as a useful tool.
- Dash customization via the app
- Mentioned in a previous post that the Scout is identifiable when charging
- https://scoutmotors.community.forum/threads/dealerships-are-dying.110/post-1613
- https://scoutmotors.community.forum/threads/dealerships-are-dying.110/post-1665
- Thinking more on this could the Scout Identification be used for other third parties? I currently have a KTag and a Car Wash sticker on my windshield that allows me to pass. Is there a way to use this kind of technology, with the Scouts identification being linked to each third party. This would eliminate all those dang stickers on the windshield. Each of the accounts associated with each place is linked in the Scout App, and each of them are tied to the preferred form of payment for each (some might be work, some might be personal). More places might adapt to this form of easy pay/access like parking garages, tailgate parking, service centers, heck maybe even Amber Alerts helping to zero in a vehicle.
- Locating outside temp in a location other than touch screen to keep it from getting covered up while using Apple Car Play
- @Rustic_father mentioned "if vehicle has a 5g connection". I was thinking of something similar a while back. Can a simcard slot be added for this function? My thought at the time was we add devices like iPads on our current cell provider for like an additional $10 bucks. If so, I do agree with @Rustic_father to add this feature. The sim slot is there if someone so chooses to activate that feature.
- A few have mentioned a good stereo system. I would like to see this as well. I would love to see a partnership with JL Audio. They have amazing speakers, and are the go to for the boating world. A waterproof speaker could be a match with a soft top Scout. I've seen Bose and Polk, but don't know that I have seen JL Audio partner up with an auto manufacture.
- One little detail that is easy to overlook, but I do like in our vehicles is a micro, very low lumens, light in the overhead. You don't even notice it, but while driving at night it puts a soft glow on the interior to be able to see things. This might be a little more complicated with a removable roof, but could potentially go in an overhead compartment between sun visors that houses dome lights and HomeLink buttons as well??
- Liked @J Alynn take on a removable Bluetooth speaker option. That could be fun at the campsite, trails, or tailgating!
- Agree with HomeLink buttons to avoid cluttering visor with garage door opener.
- Agree with park mode, allowing touchscreen to become a source of entertainment to pass the time while charging
- A given, but ride comfort as well as safety feature found in modern vehicles - although please do what you are allowed to do with regards to the dang seat belt chime. Some manufactures are still able to limit this, and others make it super annoying. I don't mind getting a gentle reminder, but after a couple chimes it shouldn't need to continue.
- Agree with @ERK5000 with rear passenger HVAC comfort and control. Would add heated seats and possibly an easy mute back seat speakers button, allowing them to tune into whatever they may be listening too.
- I've mentioned it a handful of times now, but some thought put into a wiring harness that allows the Scout owner to add accessories at a later date would be nice. However, past post pushed an idea of female connectors left in the area of a future installed accessory, which can limit possible future aftermarket ideas/accessories. Could the engineers look at this differently and create an easily accessible wire harness that is run throughout the Scout that consist of power, ground and a communications wire. Each accessory is designed to tap into all three wires, and is outfitted with a small circuit board that identifies what that accessory is and what it is asking to do. With each purchase of an accessory it requires an update of the software, which then has the Scout knowing what was installed and what function is required out of that accessory when it is used. Don't know if any of that made sense.....just trying to think outside the box to keep the Scout simple, but easily upgradeable and customizable.
In the same vein but opposite, my SAAB had a feature called something like “dark mode” which blacked out everything but the speedometer. I really liked it when driving at night in the middle of nowhere. All you see was what the headlights illuminated and the speedo- max focus.
I remember that and second it. This may have been mentioned earlier on but I like that feature. Acura (probably others) also allows a night mode on screen so if using nav maps they aren’t as bright and glaring. It’s like they gray the image by 20-30 percent. That’s a nice feature as well. Not sure if still on newer Acuras but older had it for sure
I have several of those lights scattered around the front compartment of my '23 Tundra, I agree the design is such that you hardly notice them. But there is no way short of electrical tape to turn them off. There are times, limited but real, when I really need to sit in total darkness in a vehicle. It would only be shadows, but my movements would be illuminated. Maybe if SM embraced the 'red forward' concept they could be acceptable.
