Mahindra Scorpio

Positives: The Scorpio comes equipped with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder mHawk diesel engine with micro-hybrid tech, pumping out 130bhp and 300Nm, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The engine is very refined, with hardly any vibrations and a smooth feel most of the time, especially when navigating through cities. The cable shift technology helps make the manual transmission gear shifts feel almost effortless. A huge chunk of the 300Nm torque is available at lower speeds around 1,000rpm, making its pickup feel quite quick once you release the clutch. For the same reasons, slow-speed driving can easily be accomplished using higher gears. The Scorpio has a strong mid-range power delivery and highway cruising speeds feel quiet and carefree. Absorbs small bumps and uneven roads with ease, suspension setup feels robust and built to last. Negatives: The slight steering weight makes turning the Scorpio at slower speeds a bit of a task. The driver’s left leg has to deal with the heavy clutch pedal and the long pedal travel. There is side-to-side and constant motion when driving over rough road patches. Lacks the option of an automatic transmission and is only offered with a manual gearbox. Mahindra Scorpio Key Specifications: Fuel Type Diesel Engine 2184 cc Turbocharged Transmission Manual Mileage (User Reported) 15 kmpl Seating Capacity 7 & 9 Seat options Power 130 bhp Torque 300 Nm Read more

Positives: Gets two seating layouts: second-row captain seats with front-facing third-row seats (seven-seater) and second-row bench with side-facing third-row seats (seven-/nine-seater). Front seats are large and supportive and offer excellent visibility through the massive glass area. Gets automatic climate control with second-row air-conditioner vents, and a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen with phone mirroring. The second-row seats are large enough for three adults, well-cushioned, and offer good under-thigh support. The boxy roof design ensures ample headroom, making the cabin feel airy and spacious. There is a small cubby space below the rear air-con vents for storing small items. Access to the third-row side-facing seats via the boot is reasonably convenient, these can be folded to expand bootspace. Negatives: The cabin looks outdated, the fit and finish of the plastic needs a revamp, and it misses out on some expected features. There is no Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity through the touchscreen infotainment system. The ports for AUX and USB, and Bluetooth connectivity are difficult to access due to the dashboard design. Accessing the centre console storage space and operating the air-conditioning controls while driving is difficult. The light-coloured fabric seat upholstery tends to attract dirt and will ultimately require periodic cleaning. Needs more storage space around the cabin; even the front door pockets miss out on bottle holders. Seating two people in the third-row side-facing seats will be a tight fit and uncomfortable. Read more

Positives: The projector headlamps with LED DRLs, muscular bonnet with a hood scoop, and bold new front fascia design look aggressive. Gets the familiar towering LED taillamps, 17-inch diamond-cut alloys (silver-black finish) and muscular side cladding. It is tall and has that rugged SUV stance which is why it still appeals to buyers who appreciate that. The two-tone beige-black colours for the cabin and modern fabric upholstery make it look attractive and premium. The artificial leather-wrapped steering wheel, gloss-black accents, and faux wood inserts on the centre console enhance the cabin aura. Negatives: A major portion of the cabin looks and feels dated and the overall quality does not mirror its price tag/segment. The seat cushioning is mostly flat and does not have attractive contours. Read more

Positives: Safety is limited to features like ABS, dual airbags for the driver and passenger, rear parking sensors, and panic brake indication. Negatives: Passengers seated in the third-row side-facing seats are unsafe due to the absence of seatbelts. Read more