Mahindra Scorpio N : The morning mist had barely started lifting over the harsh terrain at the outskirts of Lonavala when I first saw it – the square looks of Mahindra’s Scorpio N making its way through the rocky trail in front of me.
Against the sweeping background of Western Ghats, that classic, boxy profile perfectly distilled what this vehicle stands for: A shameless celebration of the traditional SUV form in a world that’s increasingly crossover mad.
And after five days of living with the Mahindra’s new entrant in the utility vehicle space for seven, conquering everything from Mumbai’s rush hour to Maharashtra’s backwoods, I have come to understand a little better why that approach still strikes such a chord with Indian SUV buyers.
The nameplate Scorpio is 20 years old but this ‘N’ incarnation achieves something commendable – it maintains its rugged DNA while panning out modern conveniences families have come to expect.
Mahindra Scorpio N Design: Reflecting Classic SUV Principles
In this day and age, when “SUV” is just a body style that adds some plastic cladding and lifted ride height to a hatchback, the Scorpio N is a proper sport utility vehicle.
Upright riding posture, good amount of ground clearance which is 187mm and good road presence tells you the capability and purpose of the vehicle at first glance.
“We specifically kept the classic proportions,” said Rajesh Kumar, a Mahindra engineer I met at a promotional event in Pune.
“The big hood, the upright rear end, the flatled roof – this is all part of the Scorpio’s identity, in fact, customers call for it.
That may appear counterintuitive in today’s marketplace, but it’s -obviously—striking the right chord with consumers looking for genuine SUV character.
While test driving the car, I received dozens of admirative looks and questions from complete strangers who even approached me while I was filling it up with petrol.
Ekdum asli gaadi lagti hai,” (It looks as it is a real vehicle) remarked one admiring onlooker at a highway dhaba near Khopoli.
That feeling was echoed more than once – in a sea of cookie-cutter crossovers, the Scorpio N’s classical proportions jump out.
But the design isn’t just retro. The visual update includes modern embellishments like the LED headlamps featuring the C-shaped DRLs, new grille pattern, and flush-fitting door handles, firmly pulling the look of the SUV into the 2020s.
Higher-spec models feature 18-inch alloy wheels that fill the arches well and give a planted stance without compromising off-road ability.
What especially impressed me was how well the design works together. From the outset the vehicle does not come like it is trying too hard to keep up with the younger generation like some cars that look quite desperate to be trendy, the Scorpio N is confidently it’s own car.
The net effect is a car that feels purposeful rather than fashionable – a difference that means a great deal to its primary intended customers.
Mahindra Scorpio N Van Practicality: Seat seven with ease.
The three-row SUV space has started off to be a hot segment in India and now has everything from premium options such as the Toyota Fortuner to more affordable choices such as the Tata Safari.
The Scorpio N cleverly slots itself in among this, with real capability and space at a lower price than the former (and more presence than the latter).
In the course of testing, I borrowed a friend’s family (one with three teenagers) to measure real-life usability in all three rows.
The second-row bench (a 60:40 split) was spacious enough for adults to ride comfortably for up to a two-hour highway stretch.
The third row is a bit of a clamber to get to, but average-sized adults okay there for short trips.
“The kids somehow liked the third row better,” my friend Rahul said, surprised. “They said that it felt like their own private space — especially if they raised the seats to stadium style and had a clear view looking forward.”
With all the seats used the boot space is sacrificed – there is only room there for a couple of small bags and not much else.
Fold the third row, though, and the cargo space opens up impressively, easily accommodating the luggage for a family weekend trip.
I was able to fit an astonishing amount of camera gear and camping gear (while I reviewed the car) during my time with the vehicle.
Where the Scorpio N differs from a lot of seven-seat rivals is in the way it’s able to combine people-carrying potential with proper off-road ability.
A lot of three-row vehicles are heavy compromises with regards to capability, but with its body-on-frame construction and genuine 4×4 systems (on certain models) the Scorpio N should retain its indispensable ‘go-anywhere’ aura.
Mahindra Scorpio N Performance: Muscular and also smooth
Under the bonnet, the Scorpio N comes with either a 2.0-litre mStallion turbo-petrol that develops 198 bhp or a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel in two states of tune (130 bhp for lower trims and 172 bhp for others). I had the stronger diesel with six-speed manual transmission in my test vehicle.
And the 370 Nm of torque of the diesel had you waft along – and you could certianly feel it when you climbed the inclines of the ghats that lie between Mumbai and Pune.
Modern diesel clatter is well and truly suppressed, but the Scorpio’s engine retains sufficient natural edginess to make you feel this powertrain is somehow appropriate for an SUV of this kind.
“Kitna smooth hai!” (How smooth it is!) I’m in heaven,” said a friend more accustomed to driving older diesel SUVs, after a few minute behind the wheel.
This blend of refinement with character seems very well pitched for where the car sits in the market.
Noteworthy is the 6-speed manual gearbox, which has significantly better shifting action than Mahindra has offered in the past.
The throws are shorter and more accurate, yet the gate has a mechanical sensation that suits the vehicle.
The clutch, if not light enough to be effortless in Mumbai’s space-starved traffic, has a progressive take-up that is relatively easy to modulate even in bumper-to-bumper conditions.
For those who like their driving to have one less pedal to shift for, a six-speed automatic is offered, that I drove for just a moment on the press event.
It changes gear easily enough, though it can struggle to decide what to do if left to its own devices on hills. It’s still a good choice for city dwellers, though.
Mahindra Scorpio N On the Road: As Civilized as It Gets
Arguably the biggest leap for the Scorpio N, though, is its behaviour on the road.
Older Scorpios were notorious for their “agricultural” driving experience, something traditional SUV buyers would put up with in exchange for the ability.’
Somehow, the new model finds a way to make a substantial on-road refinement with no loss of essential character.
The frequency selective dampers do a great job of soaking up the thud and judder of Maharashtra’s horribly inconsistent roads, and the Ciaz is composed even at higher highway speeds.
Body roll is also there as you would expect from a high-riding vehicle with actual suspension travel you could take off-road, but it’s much more controlled than before.
Scorpio N is pretty good in the winding section of the old Mumbai-Pune highway and for its size and height I was surprised at the little monster.
“They’ve obviously benchmarked SUVs that are more expensive for how the suspension is tuned,” said an automotive engineer friend who rode along for part of the drive.
“The primary and secondary ride actions have a finesse you wouldn’t expect at this price point.”
The steering isn’t sports-car sharp, but it provides decent feedback and loads up pretty well above highway velocities.
The brakes bring things to a stop in a manner you can feel good about, with pedal feel that makes modulation instinctual even on a steep descent.
Mahindra Scorpio N Off-Road Challenge: The Real Thing
For while most of the SUVs in this category get an all-wheel drive system that’s been prepared for slippery roads and not much more, Scorpio N’s 4XPLOR (on top-of-the-line models) is equipped for the real deal.
The system includes 4H and 4L (for high and low range) and mechanical locking differentials, real trail hardware.
On a specially designed of-road section on a private trail near Lonavala, the Scorpio N demonstrated good articulation and traction even on tough terrain. It was a breeze crawling up steep, rocky inclines in the 4L mode with its torque multiplication.
The approach (21.3°), departure (21.6°) and breakover (17.7°) angles were more than enough for anything but the most gnarly of obstacles.
What really struck me was how easy the vehicle makes off-roading. So, too, do the clear views from the high and mighty driving position, the straightforward four-wheel drive tools and the nicely graded progression of the throttle mapping when it’s in low range, all of which take some of the terror out of driving more technical ground for the uninitiated without feeling dull for the old hands.
Mahindra Scorpio N The Cabin: Modern Convenience Meets Common Sense Design
And it doesn’t skimp on the inside either – the Scorpio N epitomizes the perfect combination of modern design and power.
The dashboard too is contemporary and a far departure from the dash design of the previous generations of the Scorpio and it features a clean layout that revolves around an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
AdrenoX connected car technology includes features such as wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, integrated navigation and over-the-air updates.
Quality of materials is much improved, with soft-touch surfaces on the dash and doors in the higher trims.
The leather seats in my test vehicle were comfortable for long drives and easy to brush off after a dusty trail – practicality that is sometimes lost on trendier SUVs.
Cabin storage solutions are as numerous as they are well thought out, from door pockets big enough to swallow a 1-liter water bottle to more than one spot to store your smartphone and a large, cooled center console that can gobble up snacks.
These specifics are big for road trips with the family and outdoor adventures in general.
Dual-zone air conditioning coped well, even in Maharashtra’s oppressive climate, chilling the cavernous cabin in no time.
Rear seat passengers finally get separate AC vents for all three rows – which are a must for passenger comfort in our country.
Mahindra Scorpio N Summary: Real SUV Values for Today’s Families
With my time with the Scorpio N at a close, I began to feel a little soul-searching brewing within my mind as to the reason why this form of SUV design perseveres when the broader industry is increasingly favouring car-like crossovers.
The solution appears to be authenticity – one gets the sense that the Scorpio N is unapologetically a real sport-ute that has accepted what works, while ironing out the coarser points that previously came with it.
For those families after true versatility, from the school run during the week to weekend adventures, the Scorpio N has a level of all round ability that rivals with more fashion-focused competitors cannot match.
The 7-seater practical yet genuine off-roader and the improved all-around package it is at its price (between about ₹13.5 lakh and ₹24 lakh ex-showroom) make a very strong case.
With an unwavering focus on remaining true to its rugged DNA while incorporating the sophistication of contemporary processes and modernity, Mahindra has bestowed the Scorpio name with the same chutzpah and desirability as it did 20 years ago when it first blazed a trail across the Indian SUV landscape.