Don't let the Scout become a status symbol; why $60k misses the point of the Revival

[cyure]

At $60,000 I would like to imagine a bass version, would include the majority of everything we’ve seen maybe some lower end materials on the seats and dash, but the screen in UX would be the same heated/ventilated seats might be removed, but hopefully a heated steering wheel would remain. I would like to imagine the biggest differences would be street tires or more simple terrains, steel roof, a few less power outlets, and no air compressor in the frunk

I’ve said this before. I really think the word “base” leads to a connotation that it’s somehow stripped down or won’t be nicely appointed. I have bought several “base” BMWs. Never once did I feel oh this car doesn’t have any features.

Also, they keep saying $20k less than the competition. I think of Rivian as a direct competitor. What does a “base” Rivian have. Maybe this is just me, but I would expect it to have those kind of features. Not the feature of “a base inexpensive car”.

These are $60k cars.

Hopefully that all makes sense.

Oh and P.S. when I was in Chicago last week I heard people asking SM staff what they are going to start at and again the are consistent. They all said $60. So nothing has changed.

 

[RodorW]

My son’s $23,000 Venue came standard with heated seats. I can’t believe at $60 that wouldn’t be standard.

It really just depends, at the end of the day something’s have to get cut for savings on the lower end, my car retailed at $33k (22 Bolt EUV) it can easily get up to 300 miles range but EPA estimates 246, but for that price point you don’t get; heated seats or steering wheel, pouches on the back of the front seat, center folded out armrest and cupholders in the rear seats, connected GPS. It does have a GPS button that will connect you to OnStar to get turned by and turn directions that will appear in the gauge cluster but as far as using the gauge cluster directions, those are your only options. Chevrolet does have an aftermarket app that the car can install that gives it a GPS, but it does not connect to the gauge cluster turn by turn directions nor does Apple CarPlay or android auto. And for the Bolt EUV at that price, it also has the lower end speakers, a solid roof, and cloth seats. Chevrolet are also bringing the Bolt back on the ultium platform, with a projected starting price of $28K but if it’s like the previous generations for that price point, you will lose a lot of convenience options not necessarily tech options

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

Honestly we don’t know anything for sure. My great grandmother said if the question starts with “what if” you can’t worry about it. So I’m continuing with faith and patience and waiting until they release actual facts.

This is true. Thanks.

 

[RodorW]

I’ve said this before. I really think the word “base” leads to a connotation that it’s somehow stripped down or won’t be nicely appointed. I have bought several “base” BMWs. Never once did I feel oh this car doesn’t have any features.

Also, they keep saying $20k less than the competition. I think of Rivian as a direct competitor. What does a “base” Rivian have. Maybe this is just me, but I would expect it to have those kind of features. Not the feature of “a base inexpensive car”.

These are $60k cars.

Hopefully that all makes sense.

Oh and P.S. when I was in Chicago last week I heard people asking SM staff what they are going to start at and again the are consistent. They all said $60. So nothing has changed.

I agree with you. In my mind until it is stated otherwise by scout I like to imagine that they will be very similar to Rivian where package or trim levels will probably be more orientation towards certain use cases, camping and off-roading VS. Grocery getting or worksites. At least as of right now I can’t imagine a base model being stripped out of features and options. I like to think the options that will add costs will be things like your roof and suspension type then accessories roof, rack, lights, and extra storage

 

[RodorW]

I do think it’s also important to remember we don’t know how scouts customization, trim level levels, or packages will work. Again, I hope they go more of the Rivian route however, if you come from a legacy manufacturer like Ford or Chevrolet, when you build and price your own, there are tons of options and features that have a lot of give and take for things you may or may not want. If you go to build and price your own Rivian it’s a lot less give-and-take and more about what you would like to have

 

[J Alynn]

At $60,000 I would like to imagine a bass version, would include the majority of everything we’ve seen maybe some lower end materials on the seats and dash, but the screen in UX would be the same heated/ventilated seats might be removed, but hopefully a heated steering wheel would remain. I would like to imagine the biggest differences would be street tires or more simple terrains, steel roof, a few less power outlets, and no air compressor in the frunk

That genuinely sounds reasonable and is in the realm of what I’ve been thinking about as well

 

[J Alynn]

My son’s $23,000 Venue came standard with heated seats. I can’t believe at $60 that wouldn’t be standard.

Should but many (not all) southerners don’t need it. Just like traditional 4-wheel drive -I SAID NOT ALL. Please don’t attack me

 

[J Alynn]

I’ve said this before. I really think the word “base” leads to a connotation that it’s somehow stripped down or won’t be nicely appointed. I have bought several “base” BMWs. Never once did I feel oh this car doesn’t have any features.

Also, they keep saying $20k less than the competition. I think of Rivian as a direct competitor. What does a “base” Rivian have. Maybe this is just me, but I would expect it to have those kind of features. Not the feature of “a base inexpensive car”.

These are $60k cars.

Hopefully that all makes sense.

Oh and P.S. when I was in Chicago last week I heard people asking SM staff what they are going to start at and again the are consistent. They all said $60. So nothing has changed.

As a tie in-I think those of us who had scouts back in the day see them and think of that as base but in that time period they were still reasonably equipped for what they were. So yes-base will likely include some niceties-just depends on where the start and stop points land. Jamie has noted various seat materials so I’m sure leather will be upgraded but hopefully the base materials will still be creatively integrated and the split seat finish will exist at all trial tier levels

 

[cyure]

Should but many (not all) southerners don’t need it. Just like traditional 4-wheel drive -I SAID NOT ALL. Please don’t attack me

Hey we bought our Wrangler while living in California. I thought to myself, why do we need this. We don’t off road. Well now in Illinois I’m thankful every winter that we have it!

 

[robothero]

Bottom Line: 60k is absolutely where I’d expect the lower tier of this vehicle to end up.

 

[tomgillotti]

Bottom Line: 60k is absolutely where I’d expect the lower tier of this vehicle to end up.

I hear you. Honestly, looking at the way the market has been for the last four years, it is hard not to expect that number.

But I want to clarify one thing about the "lower tier." I know we aren't talking about a "bad" vehicle here; we are talking about the Entry-Level Trim—the base model. And that touches on the exact psychological trap I’m worried about: Price Anchoring.

Since 2020, the industry has successfully conditioned us to believe that $60,000 is a "normal" starting line for a quality vehicle. We have been so beaten down by inflation and dealer markups that we’ve started to view a $60k price tag for a base model as "reasonable," simply because it’s predictable.

But we have to remember: Just five years ago, $60,000 was the price of a fully-loaded luxury car.

If we simply accept that the starting point for a utility vehicle is now $60k, we are validating a massive shift in the market. We are effectively telling manufacturers, "We don't expect you to innovate on cost anymore; we'll just pay the new premium." The "new reality" only becomes permanent if we stop demanding the old value.

 

[Mousehunter]

At least with factory direct, hopefully Scout will not pull the games that Jeep has. Limited additions with such restricted availability that dealers have almost a blank check on dealer markups. Not that Ford was much better with the Raptors in the early years.

Google said the recommended price on the 392 Rubicon was about $85k, but dealers were asking a $20-40k premium (and apparently it got worse with the Final Edition).
---
Of course if Scout does want to have a limited edition for early reservations...

 

[R1TVT]

We've all been conditioned to believe that $40K hits the mark. This is psychological warfare and I won't stand for it.
We all know Scout will never add a new variant in the future. This will be their sole opportunity to dominate world markets.
Scout has a chance to defy all logic and reason - now is the time Scout.
Bottom line - and hear me out - Scout base price should be $30K!!!
You're welcome

 

[tomgillotti]

At least with factory direct, hopefully Scout will not pull the games that Jeep has. Limited additions with such restricted availability that dealers have almost a blank check on dealer markups. Not that Ford was much better with the Raptors in the early years.

Google said the recommended price on the 392 Rubicon was about $85k, but dealers were asking a $20-40k premium (and apparently it got worse with the Final Edition).
---
Of course if Scout does want to have a limited edition for early reservations...

I worked in sales at a dealership back in college, so I’ve seen the "Market Adjustment" game firsthand. It was the Corvette Z06 back then.

It’s a broken system (dealerships), and I’m glad the industry is slowly moving toward Direct-to-Consumer models to kill it. That said, while DTC stops the dealer from scalping us, it doesn’t stop the factory from doing it. We saw this with the Hummer EV "Edition 1" and Tesla’s "Foundation Series," where the manufacturer just baked a massive premium into the first batch of vehicles—effectively doing the scalping themselves.

I’m relieved to skip fighting a finance manager over nitrogen tires, but paying a heavy "early adopter tax" seems to be the reality now, whether you buy from a dealer or the factory.