CARVERSAL

If you’ve ever spent time behind the wheel of the old Mahindra Scorpio, you’d know what that raw, mechanical SUV vibe feels like. It had its fair share of flaws, but it still had a cult-like following. Enter the Mahindra Scorpio N – a more evolved, modern, and feature-loaded version of its rugged predecessor. But before we start waxing poetic about its features, let’s pull the curtains back and talk real. No gloss, no frills, just the bare bones of what this SUV gets right – and what it doesn’t.

First Impressions: Modern Muscle with Familiar Roots

Let’s not kid ourselves – the Scorpio N doesn’t completely abandon its traditional DNA. It still looks like it hits the gym regularly. Wide stance, tall posture, beefy presence – it's got that muscular appeal that makes you look back when you walk away from it. But now, it also seems to have raided a metrosexual cousin’s wardrobe.

You get those swanky LED headlamps, sequential turn indicators, and 18-inch alloys that scream, “I’ve moved on from the village dirt road to city nightlife.” The design feels layered – like Mahindra tried hard not to make it look too premium and risk alienating its loyal Scorpio base. Yet, it’s clear this SUV wants to sit at the adults’ table now.

Pricing: Starts Decent, Ends Steep

The Scorpio N's pricing starts at ₹13.99 lakh (ex-showroom) and goes all the way to ₹24.89 lakh. That’s a massive gap. Entry-level models feel fair for what you get – proper SUV body-on-frame design, rugged driveability, and just enough tech to feel 2025-ish.

But as you climb the variant ladder, that price creep feels real. Suddenly, you're competing with cars like the Tata Safari and XUV700 – both of which throw in more polish and practicality at similar price points. You really have to want that Scorpio vibe to justify the top trims.

Engines and Performance: Diesel Still Rules

Two engines are offered – a 2.0L turbo-petrol and a 2.2L mHawk diesel. The petrol churns out 200 bhp and the diesel throws up 130 to 172 bhp, depending on the variant. But let’s cut the clutter – the diesel is where the Scorpio N feels at home. You get two torque states: 370 Nm with manual and 400 Nm with automatic. Enough grunt to haul itself and its attitude over long distances or steep inclines.

Mahindra’s 6-speed automatic is surprisingly quick and not as clunky as you'd expect from an SUV this size. Manual fans will appreciate the shift-by-cable smoothness, but city drivers will lean heavily toward the auto just for the ease.

There’s also the 4XPLOR system with 4-Low and 4-High gear ratios. Snow, mud, sand – it doesn’t blink. But fair warning: unless you're seriously venturing off-road often, that 4x4 badge is mostly psychological.

Ride and Handling: Surprisingly Civilised

You wouldn’t expect a ladder-on-frame SUV to be calm and composed on tarmac – but the Scorpio N surprises here. The suspension tuning hits a sweet spot – it’s not wallowy like the old Scorpio, nor bone-jarringly stiff. Bumps and potholes are soaked up with a relaxed shrug.

Steering is light at low speeds, gains weight as you speed up, and feels fairly connected. Not Hyundai-light, but not bus-trucks either. However, don’t expect tight cornering magic. You still feel that top-heavy body lean if you push it hard around bends.

Interior: Old Soul in a New Suit

Once inside, the cabin throws a mix of wow and why. The black and brown dual-tone finish with brushed metal inserts feels upmarket. Soft-touch panels on the dash and leather-wrapped bits elevate the ambiance. But then – some knobs feel plasticky and old-school.

The 8-inch infotainment screen and 7-inch digital cluster do their job. You get wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 12-speaker Sony system (in higher trims), and enough connectivity to keep your phone from getting bored. But the screen interface isn’t the slickest, and the layout feels like it’s trying to keep up with the XUV700’s flashiness – and slightly failing.

The second row is comfortable, especially in the captain-seat version. But the third row? Mahindra can call it "adult-friendly" all they want – it's still child-only territory. No sliding second row means no negotiation on knee room.

Features: A Mixed Bag

You do get some impressive kit. Dual-zone climate control, sunroof, Alexa-enabled voice controls, wireless charging, remote engine start, and connected car tech through the AdrenoX app.

But then, they forgot a few no-brainers – no ventilated seats, no 360-degree camera, and no auto-dimming IRVM. All stuff that’s fast becoming standard in ₹20 lakh+ cars. A missed opportunity, especially when you’re shelling out top dollar.

Boot Space and Practicality: Flip, Fold, Fiddle

With the third row up, boot space is laughable. You’re looking at two laptop bags and maybe a few groceries. Fold the second and third rows though, and you get up to 786 litres – good enough to toss in a couple of suitcases and your ego.

But unlike some rivals, the second-row seats don’t slide. That limits your flexibility when trying to negotiate legroom wars between rows. You can walk between the captain seats in the six-seater layout, which helps with third-row access, but for bench versions, the tumble-fold is your only way through.

Safety: More Than Just a Muscle Car Now

The Scorpio N gets a five-star Global NCAP rating – a huge leap from its earlier safety-lax image. Six airbags, ESC, hill-hold/descent control, TPMS, all-round disc brakes – it’s equipped to keep things in check.

That said, it still lacks ADAS features like lane keep assist, adaptive cruise, and emergency braking – which are becoming increasingly common in this segment. So while you’re safer than you ever were in a Scorpio, you're not quite on par with the tech-loaded rivals.

Mileage: Not a Deal Breaker (Surprisingly)

The diesel variants hover between 14 and 15.25 kmpl. For a 2+ ton SUV with proper 4x4 hardware, that’s not bad at all. Even the petrol variant manages around 15 kmpl under sane driving conditions – but expect that number to dip fast if you’re heavy on the throttle.

Final Word: Who Should Really Buy the Scorpio N?

The Scorpio N is not trying to be the best family SUV out there. It’s trying to be your SUV – rugged, capable, with just enough sophistication to blend in at a city mall parking lot. It’s built for someone who still wants a proper SUV feel, not just a jacked-up hatchback with chrome garnish.

It isn’t perfect. You’ll find better ergonomics, tech, and packaging in the Tata Safari or Hyundai Alcazar. But if you crave presence, real-world usability, and a bit of nostalgia dressed in premium clothes – the Scorpio N might just make sense.

Read More: Mahindra Scorpio S11 – Price, Features & Off-Road Performance!

The Out-of-the-Box Bit

What Mahindra has done here isn’t just a facelift or a refresh. It’s a reinvention of a legend – not by watering it down, but by layering it. The Scorpio N is like that rugged friend who got a desk job and started using moisturiser. Still rugged underneath, but won’t mind talking Bluetooth and cabin fragrance either.

So, yeah. The Scorpio N isn’t trying to win over every buyer. Just the ones who still like their SUVs to have some guts, some presence, and a personality that isn’t auto-tuned to trend.

FAQs

1. What colours can I find Mahindra Scorpio N in?

It comes in shades like Napoli Black, Everest White, Napoli black, Midnight black, black , depending on the variant.

2. Are ventilated seats available in Scorpio N?

No, surprisingly, even in top variants, Mahindra does not offer ventilated seats on the Scorpio N – a feature many rivals provide at this price.

3. Does the Scorpio N have automatic climate control across all variants?

No, only the higher variants come with dual-zone automatic climate control. Lower variants offer manual AC controls.

4. How’s the build quality compared to older Scorpio models?

It’s a massive step up. Panel gaps are tighter, materials feel better, and the entire car feels more refined and road-ready.

5. Can the Scorpio N receive software updates wirelessly without visiting a service center?

No OTA updates yet. Software updates need to be done at service centers, unlike some tech-forward rivals.

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