Designing the New Scout: Chris Benjamin on Rivian Comparisons, EVs, and the Future of Off-Roading
In this episode of MotorTrend’s The Inevitable, hosts dive deep with Chris Benjamin, Chief Design Officer at Scout Motors, to explore his remarkable journey—from growing up in Queens and Miami, to working nights at Taco Bell while designing for Mercedes, to leading the rebirth of one of America’s most iconic off-road brands.Chris reveals how the new Scout SUV and truck were designed, what he changed the moment he arrived, how Scout differs from Rivian and Jeep, what the EV vs. range-extender split looks like, and what the future holds for Scout Motors.
Expect raw career stories, hilarious behind-the-scenes moments, and real talk about design, automotive culture, EV adoption, and off-roading.
Chapters below!
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🔗 Learn more about Scout: https://www.scoutmotors.com
0:00 – Intro: Today’s guest, Scout Motors’ Chris Benjamin
1:00 – Chris’s design school origins and CCS vs. ArtCenter rivalry
3:10 – Growing up in Queens & Miami; discovering a love of cars
5:00 – Hot Wheels, Transformers, and early design inspirations
8:30 – Miami’s arts magnet programs & Chris’s early portfolio
11:00 – Long commutes, working retail, and choosing industrial design
14:00 – Scholarships, setbacks & finally reaching CCS
17:30 – Building a design community and learning to draw cars
21:00 – Getting into CCS automotive program (only 20 accepted!)
23:00 – Diversity in car design & mentoring the next generation
26:00 – First job at Mercedes: interior/exterior work in Irvine
28:00 – Working two jobs: Mercedes by day, Taco Bell by night
31:00 – The emotional turning point: Mercedes steps in to help
33:00 – Designing show cars in Sindelfingen
36:00 – From Mercedes to BMW DesignWorks & non-automotive design
38:00 – Volvo V40 exterior design & moving to Sweden
41:00 – Life abroad: Germany vs. Sweden
43:00 – Joining Chrysler/Stellantis & working under Ralph Gilles
46:00 – Leadership changes, interiors, and the Ram/Wrangler era
50:00 – Leaving Stellantis for Scout Motors
52:00 – First look at Scout: redesigning EVERYTHING
53:00 – Creating a new Scout in just 3.5 weeks
55:00 – What makes a Scout a Scout: proportions, identity, heritage
57:00 – EV vs. Range Extender: why Scout is offering both
59:00 – How range extender packaging actually works
1:02:00 – Scout vs. Rivian comparisons (and why they disagree)
1:05:00 – Exterior design language: shoulders, cladding, retro cues
1:07:00 – Interior design: big brow, tactile buttons, wide screens
1:10:00 – Off-road credibility: lockers, body-on-frame, accessories
1:12:00 – Future trims, pricing philosophy & work-truck questions
1:13:00 – What’s next: LA Auto Show plans & upcoming reveals
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