In 2002 Mahindra launched its first urban SUV, the Mahindra Scorpio and it became an instant hit. Tall, brawny, and muscular, the Scorpio had all the characteristics of an SUV. In 2006, the Scorpio got a facelift with minor cosmetic and mechanical updates. 2009 marked the introduction of the 2nd generation of the Scorpio to gain an edge over the mighty Tata Safari.
2014 saw the launch of the 3rd generation Scorpio with a jazzy new face to compete with its prime rival, the Tata Safari. The side profile was more or less the same while the rear profile had a minor change with a black patch running around the taillights carrying the number plate. However, this was later removed. In 2018, the facelifted version of the Scorpio was launched which is still currently on sale but the age is visible.
Pros – Road Presence, Punchy Engine, Space
Cons – Lacks Safety Features, Dated Design
Mahindra Scorpio Exterior
At the front, the Scorpio gets a 7-slotted grille with chrome inserts similar to the one on the Jeep Compass. The facelift gets a tweaked bumper and skid plate. Minor changes have been made to the projector headlights. The fog lamps with the premium chrome bezel look stylish. The side of the car remains just about similar to the 3rd generation Scorpio with black padding around the windows. The attractive LED taillamps and an aero blade wiper command attention. The muscular 17-inch alloy wheels also give the SUV a good road presence.
Mahindra Scorpio Interior
The Scorpio is equipped with faux leather seats with dark blue fabric inserts. The touchscreen infotainment system gets Bluetooth connectivity, AUX, USB, GPS Navigation, and a reverse parking camera with Dynamic Assist. Although, it does not get Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Other features include auto window roll-up, intelligent 1-touch lane change, steering mounted audio controls and cruise controls, speed-dependent volume control, Tyre Tronics, Intellipark, Micro Hybrid Technology, rain and light sensors, and much more.
Mahindra Scorpio Space
The Mahindra Scorpio gets cubby holders in the floor console and an extra one in the center console. It also has a sunglass holder. The boot space of the Scorpio stands at 470-litres. The door pockets are incredibly small and cannot hold 0.5-litre bottles.
Mahindra Scorpio Engine Performance
The Mahindra Scorpio gets a 2.2-litre engine with the one on the S3+ making 120 BHP at 4000 RPM and 280 Nm of torque between 1800-2800 RPM. All other variants make 140 BHP at 3750 RPM and 319 Nm of torque between 1500-2800 RPM.
It goes from 0-100 km/hr in 12.59 seconds when tested on the top-of-the-line variant. The motor is extremely punchy but it does make a lot of noise at the higher RPMs. The car redlines at 5000 RPM. It pulls up well between 1500 RPM to 3500 RPM.
Mahindra Scorpio Mileage
The ARAI mileage of the Mahindra Scorpio is 15 km/l. In terms of fuel efficiency, in real-world conditions, one can expect around 11-12 km/l in the city and 13-14 km/l out on the highway.
Mahindra Scorpio Handling
The clutch of the Mahindra Scorpio feels linear. The gearbox provides slick shifts but can feel notchy at times. The feel and feedback of the steering wheel is average. The car isn’t the one to be taken on the corners.
Mahindra Scorpio Comfort
The ride quality at the rear is bouncy and is not the most comfortable. The third row is just about fine for short journeys. Mahindra could have offered some more creature comforts on the Scorpio to enhance comfort and convenience.
Mahindra Scorpio Safety
One of the drawbacks of the Mahindra Scorpio is safety. The 3rd generation of the Scorpio was crash tested and got a 0 global NCAP rating. This makes the Scorpio one of the least safe vehicles in its segment. Nevertheless, it’s offered with some standard safety features such as Dual Front Airbags, Speed Alert, Auto Door Lock, Engine Immobilizer, Panic Brake Indicator, ABS, and Emergency Calling.
Mahindra Scorpio Service
Mahindra being an Indian manufacturer has a well-established service network across India. Parts availability and after-sales services are good and not an area of concern.
Mahindra Scorpio Prices
Following are the prices (on-road Mumbai) of Mahindra Scorpio :
- S3 Plus Diesel MT : Rs. 15.35 lakhs
- S5 Diesel MT : Rs. 16.03 lakhs
- S7 Diesel MT : Rs. 18.76 lakhs
- S9 Diesel MT : Rs. 19.37 lakhs
- S11 Diesel MT : Rs. 20.88 lakhs
Mahindra Scorpio Resale Value
The Indian market has been extremely kind to Mahindra’s Scorpio and Mahindra has been very receptive to cater to the needs of the Indian market by constantly updating the Scorpio. It is extremely popular especially among enthusiasts and thus resale shouldn’t be an issue. Needless to say that the resale value also depends on the number of kilometres driven and the condition in which the vehicle is in.
Mahindra Scorpio Colours
Mahindra Scorpio is offered in the following colours :
- Pearl White
- Napoli Black
- Molten Red
- DSat Silver
- Diamond White
Mahindra Scorpio Specifications
Engine: 2.2-litre, 4-Cyl, Diesel
Power: 120 BHP @ 4000 RPM (S3+) | 140 BHP @ 3750 RPM
Torque: 280 Nm @ 1800-2800 RPM | 319 Nm @ 1500-2800 RPM
Transmission: 5-Speed MT (S3+) | 6-Speed MT
Fuel Type: Diesel
Tyre Size: 235/65/17 (Front & Rear)
Suspension: Hydraulic Double Acting, Telescopic Shock Absorber
Brakes: Ventilated Disc (Front), Drum (Rear)
Safety: 2 Airbags, ABS with EBD
Overall (LxWxH): 4456 mm X 1820 mm X 1995 mm
Wheelbase: 2680 mm
Turning Radius: 5.4-metres
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60-litres
Mahindra Scorpio Variants
Mahindra Scorpio is offered in the following variants in the diesel trim :
- S3 Plus MT
- S5 MT
- S7 MT
- S9 MT
- S11 MT
Mahindra Scorpio Rating
We gave Mahindra Scorpio a rating of 4/5.
Mahindra Scorpio Upcoming Models
Mahindra is planning to make some major changes to the 4th-generation Scorpio. It remains to be seen whether Mahindra will continue the current generation after the launch of the new generation which is expected to arrive in 2022.
Mahindra Scorpio vs Hyundai Creta
Hyundai Creta along with Kia Seltos is ruling the midsize SUV market in India right now. The Creta has a lot more safety features, a ton of connected car features, a fresh and sporty design, and the availability of diesel and petrol engine options making it a strong contender against the Mahindra Scorpio.
Mahindra Scorpio vs MG Hector
MG Hector gets 5, 6, and 7-seater seating options compared to a 7-seater version offered in the Mahindra Scorpio. Moreover, the third row in the Scorpio is average and is not well equipped for long journeys, unlike the MG Hector. Even in terms of comfort and safety features, the Scorpio has a long distance to cover even to come close to the MG Hector. The MG Hector is the better bet if comfort, equipment, and practicality are a priority.
Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari
The Tata Safari produces more power than the Mahindra Scorpio at a lesser RPM. The torque produced is also more in the case of the Safari than the Scorpio. As far as the safety features are concerned, the Scorpio isn’t equipped with features like Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hill Hold Control and Traction Control System (TC/TCS) which is present in the Safari. The Safari gets both disc brakes compared to a ventilated disc and drum offered in the Scorpio. In terms of dimensions, the Mahindra Scorpio is 205mm shorter, 74mm slimmer, and 209mm taller than the Tata Safari.
Mahindra Scorpio Image Gallery
