Wow so many amazing suggestions! I would like to add a couple as well to this thread:
Bring back from Grounded 1:
1) 3 X Hotkeys sets
2) Mutations Cap back to 5 and not 4. 5 felt very optimal.
New Suggestions:
1) Build stuff on bigger buggies. For example if the OX Beetle comes back as a buggy we can make a platform on its back and make a mini mobile base to take around. Of course there will need to be a build limit to it. Somewhere folks can put down a turret and a couple of crates and maybe even a workbench.
2) Mixing Station/Chemical Workbench. We can mix some base ingredients like venom, spice, mint etc and make new ingredients.
3) Buffs from Buggies. In Grounded 1 companions gave buffs to the players. Maybe Buggies could do the same.
4) Buggy Armor with armor upgrades.
5) Buggies unlock their own mutations as well. Allows buggies to have builds of their own.
Also I've seen a few mentions of folks asking enemy scaling to be based on story progression. I disagree with this. This is what added to the magic of grounded 1. The defeat at the hands of the stronger bugs and wanting to get stronger by exploring , gathering and making newer weapons, armor, getting stronger mutations, getting those milk molar upgrades and finally conquering those bugs.