Mahindra Scorpio N Overview:

Mahindra Scorpio today has earned its place among the symbols of Indian motoring alongside the Maruti 800, Toyota Innova, Tata Indica and several other vehicles. Not only is it turning 20 years old this year, but it has also maintained a significant amount of popularity throughout its existence.

Its iconic status can be attributed to several factors, including its appearance, how it operates, its place in the industry, and the connotations people associate with it.

The new Scorpio N, the SUV’s third generation after two decades, is also its biggest paradigm shift, trying to scale up in every way to the point that it now claims even to have its sights set on the Toyota Fortuner.

This shift occurred because the new Scorpio N is the SUV’s third generation. Is it still the recognizable and beloved icon we have come to know, or has it morphed into something different?

Mahindra Scorpio N Variants

You can choose between diesel variants of the Scorpio N, both manual and automatic, with 4×4. While this configuration has been available on earlier iterations of the vehicle, Mahindra claims that this is the most advanced version it has produced. It is known as the 4Xplor, combining the strong mechanical 4×4 system with a series of terrain modes that can be accessed using a rotary dial. The mechanical 4×4 system includes a low-range gearbox, brake-locking, and mechanical-locking differentials.

The 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N petrol comes in 4 models with a manual transmission. Prices range from Rs. 11.99 lakh to Rs. 18.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Automatic information is available on the three most expensive models for an extra Rs. 1.96 lakh, which is a lot for an automatic transmission. The three automatic versions range from Rs. 15.45 lakh to Rs. 20.95 lakh.

There is also a 6-seat version of the top trim level. It has captain seats in the second row and costs Rs. 20,000 more than the top-of-the-line Z8 7-seater variant.

Mahindra Scorpio N Exterior Design

The brand-new front quarter of a 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N

The tall, characteristic ladder frame shape has been preserved, but the edges have been rounded off.

The most revealing aspect is how it appears. This vehicle is a tall, high-riding SUV with a long bonnet and a characteristic two-box design; the name “Scorpio” comes to mind immediately when describing it. However, after then, it begins to stray from the formula noticeably. It has a more rounded and fluid appearance overall, with more understated and subtly blended elements, as opposed to being brash and in your face.

The bulky plastic wrapping previously wrapped around the vehicle has been stripped away, leaving only a thin black strip around the vehicle’s perimeter. In addition, the character lines are now baked directly into the vehicle’s bodywork. Lines such as the swollen wheel arches and the kink above the rear wheel (also present in the XUV700) are a lot more prominent now, thanks in part to a chrome strip running above it curves up into some other scorpion sting design feature in the rearmost window.

This is one of the most distinguishing features of this vehicle. Large roof rails have been reinstated, but the pronounced bend in the roof that runs from the front to the back has been much reduced.

The style of the 18-inch chrome-lined wheels is just the perfect amount of athletic and rough. The vehicle’s 255/60 tires look substantial despite being purposely separated from the wheel arches above them. I like these wheels.

New front end for the 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N

Brand new Mahindra grille and emblem, as well as LED headlamps and sting daytime running lights integrated into the front bumper.

However, the most noticeable change can be found in the back, which appears quite lifeless and devoid of personality compared to the previous version. Mahindra may have the same opinion, considering that the brochure doesn’t include a single shot of the vehicle, and other advertising materials also give it very little attention.

The most recent iteration of the tall,’ stacked’ tail lamps appear to take not-so-subtle inspiration from Volvo’s SUVs. In general, the exterior design of the Scorpio N is more mature; you might even argue that it’s more luxurious. However, as a consequence, some of the older Scorpios’ distinguishing characteristics have also been lost.

However, it appears to be larger than it is, which is a desirable trait in an SUV and especially desirable in a ladder-frame SUV like the Scorpio, the attraction of which is largely based on a massive and chunky road presence. It is 97 millimeters wider (1,917 millimeters) and 206 millimeters longer (4,662 millimeters) than the original car.

The wheelbase is 70 millimeters larger (2,750 millimeters). The Height is now 1,870 millimeters, 125 millimeters less than before. If you look at it on paper, the 187 mm of ground clearance might not sound like a lot, but once you experience what it can do off-road, any concerns you might have will go away.

Mahindra Scorpio N Interior Design

The cabin, as well as the spaciousness and comfort of the 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N

The renovation of the inside is much simpler to value because, in addition to the contemporary design, a discernible improvement in quality has also been implemented. Plastics are no longer jagged at the edges, and except for one or two isolated and highly concealed examples, the fit and finish are tight. The chocolate brown color is an excellent combination of looking luxurious while still being stain-resistant, and it matches the synthetic leather and the plastic trim impeccably.

The center console’s black piano and brushed silver trim give it an upscale appearance, while the massive door grips manage to look both rough and refined. Gone is the old car’s switchgear, which had a plain and uninteresting appearance.

In its place, you get finely machined and well-damped buttons, along with more than a few items copied from the XUV700, the steering wheel being the most significant item borrowed from the XUV700.

Analog dials are brand new for the 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N.

Clear but uninspiring analog dials are on either side of a 7.0-inch color MID screen with a lot of detail.

It’s great that the design isn’t as dramatic as the XUV700s; it features simpler lines, and an upright dashboard like other ladder-frame SUVs do, and that’s perfect for the Scorpio because it better reflects the vehicle’s rugged personality. In addition, the A-pillars feature grab handles, which significantly help ascending into the elevated cabin.

There is not a dual-screen set-up like the one found in the XUV; rather, there is a standard hooded instrument binnacle with clean, albeit unremarkable-looking analog dials and a 7.0-inch color screen packed with helpful information. The touchscreen has a viewing area of 8.0 inches and is equipped with two rotary knobs and a row of useful shortcut buttons below it. There is sufficient storage, spacious door pockets, a bay holding the wireless phone charger, and two large cupholders.

All-new front seats for the 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N

Front seats are power-operated for the driver and are tall, well-cushioned chairs that provide excellent vision.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that the updated model has preserved the driving posture and commanding perspective that distinguishes the Scorpio N from monocoque SUVs in the same price range (and that owners like).

Still, it is interesting that it has been more relaxed. You will no longer have the impression that the steering is perpendicular to the dashboard, nor will you feel the need to sit perfectly erect to fit the design of the SUV. Even with the lumbar support adjusted to its minimum position, the front seats have a substantial amount of padding, although the support is slightly excessive.

The middle row of the brand new 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N

The center row is elevated and has plenty of space, yet it is seated upright. Captain’s chair option available.

You can have captain’s seats or a bench in the middle row; however, the former option will provide you with more comfort. Aside from the fact that they can be adjusted to an inclined position, another benefit of these seats is that they facilitate easier access to the third row.

This can be accomplished by folding and tumbling the seats or simply walking between them. The bench seat is divided into two halves, with the smaller one on the curbside being the only one that can be folded forward; only the seat on the right can be folded.

In either scenario, using the side step and climbing into the back is simple and uncomplicated. The center row provides ample space for knees and heads and has adequate breadth for three people to sit comfortably on the bench. In the center console, you will find two USB-C ports in addition to a pair of air conditioning vents with blower control.

New third row for the 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N model year

Kids should be the only passengers in the third row of the Scorpio N.

Previously, the seats in the third row faced outward to the side of the vehicle. Now, however, they face forward instead. Although this eliminates the ability to approach and exit the vehicle through the side-hinged tailgate, the resulting seating posture is safer and more conventionally upscale, keeping with what one would expect from an SUV priced at this level. Of course, you are seated very knees up in this position, and while there is ample space for your head and shoulders, the space for your knees is insufficient for adults.

It is made much worse because there is little room for your feet (particularly on the bench’s second row), and the second row cannot be slid or inclined to create additional space. In addition, there are no air conditioning vents in this area, nor are there any cupholders or outlets for charging electronic devices.

Regarding the trunk, Mahindra has not provided a capacity estimate; however, there is very little space with all rows in their upright positions, and at best, you can fit a couple of tiny soft bags in there. Although there is significantly more space available due to the absence of a split in the last row and its ability to fold instead and tumble forward, the seats in that row still take up a significant amount of space when folded.

Features & Safety

The Scorpio N has received a significant update to its feature set, the most notable of which is the addition of a touchscreen. The AdrenoX software debuted on the XUV700, and the 8-inch unit employs the same software. This results in a clean and easy-to-use user interface structured around shortcut tiles for the primary functions, such as media, navigation, the telephone, and applications.

The screen is smooth and snappy, but on our pre-production test cars, we did note a few minor glitches, such as menus taking a bit longer to load in some instances. Other than that, the screen is excellent.

• Brand new 8-inch touchscreen for the 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N: The Scorpio N’s touchscreen, which measures 8 inches, is smooth, responsive, and simple to operate.
• Display of the very new Mahindra Scorpio N camera:The front and rear camera displays have a low resolution and are choppy.
• Engine Specifications & Performance: The 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine delivers 203 horsepower and 380 Newton meters of torque in our tested automatic configurations.
• Trackside view of a new 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N:Both vehicles are equipped with six-speed torque-converter automatic transmissions, which, once more, are an excellent match for the laid-back character of this large and powerful vehicle.
• N track rear quarter for the 2022 model year:The powerful mid-range that was present in earlier models of the Scorpio has been removed.
• Ride quality and maneuverability of the 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N:The brand-new suspension consists of twin wishbones at the front and a five-link set-up at the rear.
• New cornering technology for the front of the 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N: Even while traveling at high speeds, the steering is light and surprisingly quick (it now has an electrically assisted unit), and it has been carefully adjusted to provide the appropriate amount of feedback and assurance.
• Off-roading capabilities brought to the front of a new 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N:The same excellent off-road capability as before, but with customizable settings for even more convenience.
• The front SRS airbags are now on the Mahindra Scorpio n (for driver and passengers).
• The Mahindra Scorpio n incorporates the latest active safety measures, including the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Speed Alert, to keep the vehicle stable at high speeds and prevent passive safety rollover elements already mentioned.
• The car also has halogen headlights and fog lights to help people see better at night and in bad weather.

Good Things & Bad Things About Car:

Pros:

Dimensions: The following are the true proportions of it: Length (4.662 mt), Width (1.917 mt), & Height (1.87 mt).

Suspension: The Mahindra is capable of producing extremely comfortable SUVs was demonstrated initially by the Mahindra XUV700 and then again with the Mahindra Scorpio N.

Technology:It incorporates four distinct off-road driving modes, each of which may be toggled between with the press of a button. In addition to that, LED headlights have a phenomenal level of performance.

Engine: There are two distinct engine choices available for it: diesel and gasoline. Automatic transmissions are standard on each of these engines, which means that they provide a great deal of power and make them quite easy to operate.

Safety – The new Scorpio N comes with six airbags, a front and rear camera, electronic stability control; hill hold assist, hill descent control, roll-over prevention, and even a driver fatigue monitoring system.

Cons:

Lack of Utility Space – The door pads are guaranteed high construction quality; nonetheless, they can only hold water bottles of one-liter capacity and, at best, a few tiny items such as a slim magazine.

Lack of Boot Space – Inadequate Trunk Space Due to the Raise of the Third Row The new Scorpio N has inadequate trunk space due to the raising of the third row. One can, at most, fit a tiny purse or two handbags into the trunk of a car.

Lack Of Essential Features –There is no seat ventilation available within the vehicle’s cabin. You should not sit in the back because even the front seats do not receive airflow.

Rear Seats Space – The new Scorpio N does not come with a particularly spacious backseat. If a passenger is taller than 5 feet 4 inches, they will likely have difficulty fitting in the third row.

Touchscreen Lag – It takes some time to get used to the touch response, which is not particularly crisp.

Mahindra Scorpio N Competitors

The Mahindra 2022 Scorpio N (New) faces stiff competition from automobiles such as the Hyundai Alcazar, the MG Hector, the Mahindra XUV 700, the Tata Safari, the Isuzu D-Max, the Tata Harrier, the MG Hector Plus, the Skoda Kushaq, the Honda City Hybrid, and the Force Gurkha.

One thing that sets the Scorpio apart from other models is the fact that it does not have any direct competitors. At this price point, there is no other vehicle that is available that has a body-on-frame construction with four-wheel drive. The old Safari has been withdrawn, and the new Safari is only a Safari in the name; as a result, the Scorpio is in an excellent position to continue to dominate the market niche it pioneered 20 years ago and preserve its leading position there. Even in this scenario, the chances are stacked in favor of Mahindra.

Conclusion

In a twist of fate, Mahindra has only disclosed the costs for the manual versions of the variants, even though we have only driven the automatic versions. The introductory starting price of Rs 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) is certainly appealing, and even though it creeps up to Rs 19.49 lakh for the top-spec Z8 L diesel manual, it is safe to assume that the automatics will add at least Rs 1.5 lakh, and if you want 4WD, another lakh more.

The price range for the Z8 L diesel manual starts at Rs 11.99 lakh and goes all the way up to Rs 19.49 lakh. This indicates that the Scorpio is officially a car that costs more than 20 lakhs of rupees, which has several repercussions.

New rear quarter view of a 2022 Mahindra Scorpio N.

Costs for the manual variations range from Rs 11.99 million to Rs 19.49 million; the prices for the automatic are not yet available.

The move upscale has brought with it the expected suite of features and creature comforts, and there’s not much you could argue was missing from the package regarding the features and amenities included. The revised appearance is, of course, subjective, yet, there is a discernible shift toward a cleaner and more premium look while still maintaining the huge road presence that buyers anticipate. On the other hand, the most significant improvements have been done within the cabin and beneath the surface.

Regarding the fit, finish, and general quality of the materials, the cabin could give SUVs from a category above a run for their money. At the same time, the suspension, handling, and overall dynamic package feel like it has been given a much more sophisticated upgrade.

Is the sign of the Scorpion still accurate? Well, this is undoubtedly the most significant step Mahindra has taken with its cherished sub-brand. Consequently, the end product is a superior all-rounder with significant enhancements.

The Scorpio has no direct competitors, which distinguishes it from other models. There is no other body-on-frame, four-wheel-drive vehicle available at this price point. Now that the old Safari has been discontinued and the new Safari is merely a Safari in name, the Scorpio is well positioned to maintain its leadership position in the market niche it established 20 years ago. The odds are in Mahindra’s favor for this one as well.

Image Source: “auto.mahindra.com”