RECENTLY, I tested the Mahindra Scorpio-N, with a ladder-frame chassis, tech-laden cabin, seven seats, a 4×4 system and modern exterior design.
Although it has been in the market for a while now, one needed to check its performance, especially with potholes being our daily bread- exacerbated by intermittent rain.
The exterior comes in LED head- and tail-lamps and six-bar grille. Its profile sports black plastic cladding on the lower edges of the sheet metal and around the wheel arches that house new 18-inch alloy wheels.
There’s also a rising shoulder line on the rear doors – a trait the Scorpio-N shares with its predecessors.
The moment I lifted myself and entered the Scorpio-N, one is confronted with its complete two-tone leatherette upholstery and trim panels, satin silver trim and perceived quality that punches above.
The facia is user-friendly, most ancillary controls fall easily to hand and the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system incorporates connectivity options such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, and a 12-speaker Sony sound system with built-in subwoofer are among this model’s standard niceties.
It has some ergonomic quirks, such as the stop/start button being oddly positioned between the hazard and front and rear camera switches underneath the touchscreen- unusual but eventually got used to it.
The way the 60:40 split middle row folds limits utility room to 836 litres, and with the third row folded up and stowed against the back of the middle row, what would have been generous boot space, is now just an adequate 276 litres, concerning but convenient when coming to enough leg room, though.
With Easter (holy)days beckoning, its ideal for family/ friends togetherness. Amen to that!
Fitted with mHawk 2.2-litre diesel engine (57-litre tank), it boasts sufficient grunt to get the Scorpio-N moving, especially on off road in Vaal, which is acceptable given the N’s 2 120 kg kerb weigh, hitting 100 km/h in 12.70 seconds.
The all-wheel drive system has switchable high- and low-range four-wheel drive, activated via the drive mode selector dial. There’s also downhill descent control and a rear mechanical diff lock for situations requiring more technical capability, as was the case in Vaal.
On safety aspect- the range topping Z8L specification features a driver drowsiness detection system, the status of which you can view on the central TFT display between the analogue speedometer and tachometer.
Perhaps, one should still consider this most affordable adventure SUV for traveling long distance, camping or lazying around in your hood.
It’s still worth owning one…
The Mahindra Scorpio-N, Explor retails for R479 900 at the time of review.
Verdict
Performance 1-10 (5)
Fuel 1-10 (4)
Image provided (The Scorpio-N-Explor still ideal for long hauls).
