Mahindra Scorpio Classic Review: Still Stately?
For two decades, the Mahindra Scorpio has been a formidable SUV in the Indian market. You might not be able to discern the minute updates it has received over the years, but the most comprehensive one came last year (2022). When the new-gen Scorpio N was introduced, Mahindra decided to continue the older Scorpio for it still has a cult following amongst the masses. So in comes the update with the new Mahindra logo and a Classic in its name. You can buy the Mahindra Scorpio Classic with a starting price of 12.64 lakh ex-showroom. In this review, we will be seeing how it drives and how it is to live with.
Most of us are already familiar with the styling of the Scorpio. It offers you a commanding driving position, with its tall and boxy design. You have the familiar grille that houses the new twin peaks logo at the centre. The projector headlamps are now integrated with eyebrow-shaped elements, while the bumper gets a slight reprofile. On the side, you get a newer 17-inch alloy wheel design, and the back has the characteristic vertical tail lamps, although only the lower part is illuminated. Carrying over 180 mm of ground clearance, the Scorpio Classic still commands the respect it always did.
You have the familiar dual-tone cabin in the Scorpio Classic with the upright dashboard and classic analogue layout. It's still spacious on the inside and can seat up to seven in the three rows, with the third row offering jump seats which the Scorpio N doesn't. The layout and elements are more or less unchanged in the Classic over the previous model.
In terms of features, you get fabric seats, a multi-functional steering wheel, auto AC, powered windows and ORVMs, and a height-adjustable driver seat. As for the safety features, the Classic is equipped with two front airbags, ABS, an auto door lock, and a seat belt reminder. You also get a new nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system which isn't the one offered across the Mahindra range. It's a third-party system with 16 GB of internal storage.
With the update, the Scorpio Classic is offered with only one engine option. It's a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel of the mHawk family. Its got 130 in its name, which means this engine is also shared with the Thar and puts out 130 bhp and 300 Nm. It is available with a six-speed manual only, there's no automatic gearbox for the Scorpio Classic.
The new turbo-diesel in its BS6 avatar is much more refined and silent to drive. You'd be comfortably pottering it around town as easily as holding highway speed without breaking a sweat. It's a very smooth engine with loads of torque available lower down the rev range. Even the steering is light and consistent making it easy to manoeuvre. The ladder-on-frame chassis makes it glide over any road surface well enough. So you don't have to slow down when the roads start to disappear.
Those who own a Scorpio, they swear by it. With hassle-free ownership, a vast service network, go-anywhere capability, and robust construction make the Scorpio owners cult followers of the brand. As it can handle rough roads with ease, it's also an ideal choice for adventure enthusiasts or those who live in places where roads are seldom well-made. Reasonable maintenance costs, comfortable interiors, and adequate features make it a good value-for-money proposition.
The Mahindra Scorpio Classic comes across as a reliable and practical SUV that is still unmatched in its segment by any other. Its robust design, comfortable cabin, decent yet frugal performance, and reliability factor make it an ideal choice for those looking for a durable and adventurous SUV.
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