Mahindra Scorpio N

Launched in 2022, the Mahindra Scorpio N was believed to be a more modern and urban version of the legendary Scorpio Classic. With its rugged design, powerful engines, and feature-rich cabin, the Scorpio N attracted a lot of well-deserved attention. 

However, with the Scorpio nameplate, comes a lot of expectations. Does the Scorpio N deliver?

• The Scorpio N may not have the same boxy design as the Classic, but it does have a mean look.

• I find the design to be simple, which focuses on the toughness and ruggedness you want from an SUV. The result is unmatched road presence. 

• Design elements inspired from the scorpion are thoughtful: whether it's the LED daytime running lamps, the chrome insert around the rear quarter glass or even the logo.

• While the front and side profile look great, I feel the rear could’ve had a better design. 
• The overall design of this SUV is muscular and rugged, and it is further complimented by 18-inch silver alloy wheels.

Cabin Design & Quality

• Mahindra has made sure that the butch and muscular theme of the Scorpio N continues inside the cabin as well.

• The black-brown cabin theme of the Scorpio N goes well with the nature of this SUV, blending a premium feel with an outdoor vibe.

• Soft touch materials on the dashboard, subtle chrome touches, and brushed aluminium elements on the doors do justice to the upmarket look of this cabin.

• However, in terms of quality, there is room for improvement. There are scratchy plastics on the centre console and the fit and finish could have been better as there are some panel gaps around the dashboard, glovebox and centre console.

Ingress & Egress

• Being a tall SUV, getting in and out of the Scorpio N is not easy, and definitely requires some effort. Adults in the family will most definitely need the side steps.

• At the front, due to the presence of grab handles on the A-pillar, you can still get in and get out of the car with minimum effort.

• Getting in and out of the rear seats is not easy as there are no grab handles available.

Driving Position

• A 6-way power adjustable driver seat along with a tilt adjustable steering wheel makes it easy to find your correct driving position.

• Since it is a big SUV, your view from the driver seat feels like you’re sitting above everyone else. The visibility from the driver seat is great, and the height makes you feel more confident on roads.

Second Row Space

• Scorpio N’s second row (with bench seat) has enough space to easily accommodate three passengers without much shoulder overlap.

• There is ample amount of headroom and legroom, but the underthigh support could have been better.

• The bench seat could have done with better cushioning since support for the back and shoulders feels lacking. 

• In the top-spec variant, you get the option of captain seats, which offer the same space but with better overall support. If you like to be chauffeur-driven, the captain seats variant will suit you better.

Third Row Space

• As for the third row, the space is a bit disappointing. It is suitable only for children or short adults.

• The middle row does not slide, which means you get fixed knee room, and that’s less than adequate.

• Also, while the headroom is decent, you have to sit with your knees up if you are taller than 5 '6”, and that also compromises the underthigh support.

• I’m 5 ’8” and I couldn't sit comfortably in the third row. 

• Also, there are no AC vents in the third row, which means you’ll have to rely on the generosity of the second row passengers.

Storage & Charging Options

• All four doors come with 1-litre bottle holders, you get two cupholders in the front, two in the rear centre armrest (bench seat variants), storage under the centre console, an average-sized glovebox, seat back pockets with phone holders, and a sunglass holder.

• In terms of charging options, you get a wireless phone charger and two type-C ports. The second row passengers get a single type-C port and the third row passengers don’t get any charging options.

Boot Space

• With the third row up, the boot space is almost negligible, and you can only keep a few small bags here.

• But, once you fold and lift the third row, you get enough space to keep a full suitcase set (small, medium, and large), along with one or two soft bags depending on their size.

Convenience Features

• With the Scorpio N, you get features like a single-pane sunroof, a wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, auto headlamps, rain sensing wipers, and 6-way powered driver seat.

Infotainment

• It offers an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which isn’t the biggest in the price range, and the graphics are also sub par. The screen is also not bright enough, which becomes hard to read in hard sunlight. 

• But, you do get wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a Sony 12-speaker sound system.

Safety

• Scorpio N’s safety kit comprises up to 6 airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), front and rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and front and rear camera.

• The cameras, however, aren’t of the best quality. The feed is grainy, and due to the screen’s low brightness, the feed can be a little difficult to see, especially in low light conditions.

• As for the safety rating, the Scorpio N has a 5-star crash test rating from Global NCAP.

There are two engine options available with the Scorpio N: a 2.2-litre diesel engine, and a 2-litre turbo-petrol. Both engines are available with a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel-drive (4x4) is available only with the diesel engine.

City Performance

• In city driving, the diesel engine makes your life easy. There’s more than enough power and you will often be in first or second gear. 

• The acceleration is linear, and you can easily overtake other cars without needing to plan.

• The petrol unit has even more power and gives you a similar city driving experience. 

• It provides an effortless drive experience and is more refined than the diesel unit, which means less vibrations.

• Gear throws on both versions are light and the clutch pedal isn’t particularly heavy either. 

Highway Performance

• Both engines have more than enough power to give you an exciting drive experience and maintain triple digit speeds. 

• I felt Mahindra could add more insulation in the diesel models, since the engine noise gets a little loud at highway speeds. 

Automatic Transmission

• Scorpio N’s automatic transmission works brilliantly and manages to choose the right gear at the right time.

• The gear shifts are not jerky, they happen on time, and if you drive in the city a lot, then this would be a better choice for you.

Off-road Capabilities 

• The Scorpio N is not meant for hardcore off-roading. That said, it sure is very capable. You simply have to be mindful of the Scorpio’s size and take on challenges slower than you would in a car like the Thar or Jimny for example. 

• If you are an adventurous person who foresees trips in the snow or sand often, the Scorpio N will be able to handle it. Just make sure you pick the diesel 4x4 model.

Fuel Efficiency

• In my experience, the turbo-petrol variants of the Scorpio N return 9-10kmpl in the city, and around 13-14kmpl on the highway.

• Diesel variants, on the other hand, average around 13kmpl in the city, and 16-17kmpl on the highway.

• At city speeds, the ride quality is genuinely comfortable. Yes, there is a notable amount of side-to-side movement, but that’s normal for an SUV like this.

• At high speeds, you do face some vertical body movement inside the cabin, but it never gets uncomfortable. You can cruise at 100-120kmph all day long without fearing for broken patches. 

Does The Scorpio N Meet Expectations?

The Mahindra Scorpio N definitely lives up to the expectations of the nameplate, and in the case of tech, cabin, and comfort, it exceeds those expectations. It is a perfect offering for those who want road presence, off-road capability but also value premiumness and a good feature package.

Not only this, the Scorpio N will also give you a sense of power and authority, and will make sure that no tough terrain is tough enough to stop you.

Other Cars To Consider Instead Of The Mahindra Scorpio N

Tata Safari

Reason To Consider

• More features on offer

• Better, more comfortable ride quality

Reasons to Ignore

• No petrol engine option

• No rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive option

Hyundai Alcazar

Reasons To Consider

• Better equipped at a lower price

• Better chauffeur driven experience

Reasons To Ignore

• Low on space

• Not capable off the road

Mahindra XUV700

Reasons To Consider

• More modern styling

• Better equipped

• Better space

Reasons To Ignore

• Not as capable off-road