As new vehicle prices climb, it's welcoming to see other, non-premium brands step up to fill the gaps with premium-feeling offerings at prices that are still manageable. The all-new Mahindra Scorpio-N takes the 7-seater recipe and gives it its own spin.
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Humans are like cars; we both have blind spots. I'll openly admit that in all my years of testing and reviewing vehicles, I had never given the Mahindra brand much airtime. It was one of those brands that always seemed to miss me. The planets would fail to align and it was only recently that I got my first taste of what this Indian firm is about with the latest Scorpio-N, a mid-size 7-seater SUV that has been touted as the tipping point for the brand, an earnest effort to break into the more premium segment.
Having sampled almost all of its rivals, it was the last to arrive in my driveway. As with any comparison, the last one reviewed has its work cut out for it; standing out from the rest takes some doing. I'm pleased to report that the Scorpio-N manages to hold up its side of the marketing pitch.
Mahindra has never made bedroom poster material, let's be honest. Their products have only ever really held an appeal because of their functionality and affordability, not a single one has been penned to look like a Pebble Beach Concours entrant. The first Scorpio (and frankly, everything else they've created) has always appeared overly boxy and slab-sided. The all-new Scorpion-N is far more attractive than its predecessor, presenting softer lines and finer details but still retains that masculine, purposeful visage that one expects from a vehicle of this ilk.
Indeed, it does share some styling traits with a few other contemporary Indian-designed vehicles and you wouldn't be wrong for drawing correlations with the Suzuki Vitara Brezza/Toyota Urban Cruiser or even the Suzuki S-Presso. It does look like someone has inflated an S-Presso to 200 PSI, I won't lie. But it's certainly not unattractive, with its large front grille, C-shaped DRL elements and high waistline.
The overall shape is a traditional 7-seater SUV and the rear features a large, wide barn door tailgate that is flanked by Volvo-esque taillights that extend high up towards the roofline. Silver bumper garnishes at the front and rear break the matte black trims that run the length of the lower section of the Scorpio-N and lend credence to its off-road abilities. You can choose from 6 different body colours, our test unit was finished in Everest White.
My initial reaction, and indeed that of all those who inspected the new Scorpio-N, was one of genuine surprise when entering the Scorpio-N. The initial perceived quality is remarkably high with gracious use of soft-touch trimmings and a sumptuous coffee and black leatherette upholstery on the seats. Raised contrasting stitching and more leatherette trimmings around the key controls further tighten the overall experience in the interior.
The only downside would be the space and the lack thereof. Only a single cupholder is offered in the centre console and a very shallow centre armrest cubby. The door cards are also very slim but do make provision for a slimline water bottle, although accessing this while seated is challenging.
Passenger space is generous enough though with ample head and leg room for first and second-row passengers. The third row of seats folds forward to produce, according to independent reports, 460 litres of cargo space. This all but disappears though when you fold down the third row to accommodate additional passengers.
The all-new Scorpion-N utilises a body-on-frame construction that helps isolate the cabin from the suspension. This is widely regarded as one of the best methods of execution for a 4x4 helping to improve wheel articulation and suspension travel. This direction helps create a comfortable experience for those driving in the Scorpio-N. Mahindra has managed to isolate engine vibrations and road feedback without compromising on stability, managing to blend the best of unibody construction and ladder frame construction methods. Both primary and secondary ride quality is impressive, even with the Scorpio-N running on 18-inch alloy wheels.
An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is located in the dashboard and while numerous reports will have you believe that it is equipped with Apple CarPlay, Mahindra has yet to be able to secure licensing for this functionality. Android users will benefit from Android Auto but Apple users will have to rely on Bluetooth connectivity. The system features a 12-speaker Sony audio system with an impressive 3D Immersive Audio program that sounds fantastic. It's not the most powerful system, but the audio recreation is impressive.
You won't want for much on the convenience front and the Scorpio-N includes systems like auto lights, auto wipers, drive-away locking, an electric driver's seat, wireless charging and dual-zone climate control.
All Scorpio-N models feature the renowned mHawk 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine. This unit produces 129 kW and 400 Nm torque, sending power primarily to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic gearbox. I revelled in the programming of the throttle and gearbox in the Scorpio-N, finding it to be one of the best I have encountered in a long while. From a standstill, the pull away is silky smooth and changes, while noticeable, are slick enough to cause little concern. You may be able to find more powerful offerings and indeed, the Scorpio-N can feel underpowered at times (under heavier loads or when executing a passing manoeuvre), but for daily use this programming is perfect. It makes the Scorpio-N a dream in congested traffic.
On 4XPLOR variants, as with our test unit, power can be sent to all four wheels with a low-range option included. A simple rotary switch in the centre console allows the driver to select their desired off-road program for the conditions at hand. This can be done on the fly and doesn't require a shift into neutral or park.
If you're hunting for the claimed fuel consumption, good luck. Mahindra, much like many of the other Indian firms shy away from publicising fuel consumption figures, why, I couldn't tell you. What I can share is a real-world example which, if we're honest, is of more use to you anyway.
I was initially a little perplexed by how frugal the Scorpio-N was in town and baffled by how heavy it was on the open road until I realized that, in a tiny font alongside the reading, was km/l - a unit that is largely unused in this day and age. Nevertheless, converting for the modern age, the Scorpio-N averaged 12 l/100km in town and then brought that down to 6.6 l/100km on the open road for a rough average of 9 l/100km on the combined cycle, with regular driving. This would yield approximately 520 km from the 57-litre fuel tank.
Mahindra is making a rather large song-and-dance about the safety of the new Scorpio-N and rightfully so. The Scorpio-N receives a full 5-star crash test rating through the new and international Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP) for adult occupants, a first for a body-on-frame construction. It also passed the pole side impact test, pedestrian protection UN127 test, and electronic stability control (ESC) assessment.
The Scorpio-N is fitted with 6 airbags, ISOFIX mountings, has EBD and EBA as well as ESP and ESC and is constructed with multiple crumple zones to complement the high-strength steel construction.
Four versions of the Mahindra Scorpio-N are available locally, two 2WD versions and two 4XPLOR 4x4 versions. All use the same engine though and spec levels differ slightly. All models are sold with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km service plan for additional peace of mind.
| Model | Price (incl. VAT) |
| Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z4 | R465 000 |
| Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 | R510 000 |
| Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 4XPLOR | R560 000 |
| Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8L 4XPLOR | R590 000 |
One is quick to draw a comparison with the Toyota Fortuner when looking for rivals that fit the bill of 7-seater SUVs, but the fact of the matter is that the Fortuner has become rather pricey, leaving the door open for the likes of the Scorpio-N to make a mark. The Scorpio-N's pricing places it in amongst rival 7-seater options like the Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace, the Mitsubishi Outlander, and the Chery Tigo 8 Pro.
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro vs Haval H6 vs Mahindra Scorpio-N: Here's our winner
The Mahindra Scorpio-N was a pleasantly surprising experience. The overall quality and execution of the vehicle are excellent and the pricing is agreeable. There were a few small aspects that detracted from the overall experience; a frustrating auto stop/start, the lack of storage, a wide and heavy rear tailgate that makes it tough to back into anywhere, and a low-resolution and laggy reverse camera, but these were all things that you can excuse when the rest of the package is so mightily impressive and the price as agreeable as it is.
Chad LückhoffWith over 18 years of motorsport commentary and a passion for 90s Japanese Sports Cars, Chad Lückhoff is happiest when surrounded by drift cars and smoking tyres. His experience as the Technical Editor of the country’s top tuning magazine means that it’s the nuts and bolts of motoring that tickles his fancy. As comfortable in front of the camera as he is behind it, he’ll take you behind the wheel with his video reviews, written recounts, and invoking photography. One of the first to join the AutoTrader fray, Chad has been living his passion at AutoTrader for over 7-years.View News & Reviews
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