Overview
MAHINDRA invested numerous time and vitality testing its Scorpio four-wheel drive in Australia, so it’s in all probability no shock the Indian-made wagon feels proper at residence on rugged bush trails.
However the degree of competence displayed in difficult situations may shock even probably the most loyal of Toyota and Nissan homeowners, particularly whenever you cease to think about the asking value of a new Mahindra is lower than a second-hand Prado.
How a lot? Attempt $41,990 driveaway, or $44,990 as-tested driveaway.
At 4662mm, the Scorpio is about 30cm shorter in size than a LandCruiser Prado, however is sort of 5cm wider (1917mm) which supplies it a barely extra spacious really feel throughout the cab. Top is listed at 1857mm.
Ergonomics are typically properly thought out providing good visibility and the seating moderately supportive, although we did miss the fitment of steering wheel attain adjustment.
Additional again, the Scorpio’s third-row seating looks like one thing of an afterthought, and whereas they are often eliminated, have a behavior of impinging on cargo house when not in use, sitting above the cargo space ground quite than folding into it. The seats are a superb measurement for youngsters, however not adults, however with out full-length airbag protection again there, it’s in all probability a moot level.
Mahindra lists cargo house at 460 litres in four-seat mode, which feels to us smaller than it appears to be like. By the use of distinction, the Prado has 620 litres in the identical configuration. In seven-seat mode, nonetheless, the Scorpio has no boot house to talk of. The cargo space is accessed by a side-hinged door which wants a agency hand to maintain in place for those who’re parked on the incorrect angle.
As a body-on-frame providing, and one that’s barely smaller than the common Aussie ‘fourbie’, the Mahindra Scorpio vies in opposition to a stack of largely ute-based rivals.
These embody the Ford Everest (from $58,290 +ORC), GWM Tank 300 (from $46,990 d/a), Isuzu MU-X (from $54,900 +ORC), LDV D90 (from $46,832 d/a), Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (from $49,940 +ORC), and Toyota Fortuner (from $53,775 +ORC) and LandCruiser Prado (from $62,830 +ORC).
Like these fashions, it affords a selectable dual-range four-wheel drive system and a rear locking differential, 500mm water fording depth and 227mm of floor clearance. Off-road geometry figures are listed at 27.2º method, 23.3º ramp-over and 21.3º departure. Towing capability is listed at 2500kg (braked).
The high-grade Z8L variant on take a look at didn’t miss a lot when it got here to creature comforts, both. Commonplace inclusions run to keyless entry and begin, entrance and rear digicam and parking sensors, a six-way powered driver’s seat, wi-fi cellphone charger, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a 12-speaker Sony-sourced audio system.
We additionally discovered 18-inch alloy wheels (with full-size underslung spare), second-row Captain’s chairs, dual-zone local weather, LED headlights, tyre strain monitoring, sunroof, auto lights and wipers, a first-aid equipment, twin USB retailers, and a 7.0-inch digital instrument panel between the analogue dials.
It’s value noting, nonetheless, that there is no such thing as a in-built satellite tv for pc navigation and no DAB+ digital radio reception.
4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, auto maintain, hill-start and descent are commonplace alongside a complement of airbags, stability and traction management.
Nevertheless – and it’s a BIG nonetheless, there is no such thing as a autonomous emergency braking (entrance or rear), blind-spot monitoring, ahead collision warning, lane departure warning, lane hold help, or rear cross-traffic alert.
Service intervals are pegged at 12 months/10,000km (whichever comes first) with service pricing capped for the primary 5 years. The Scorpio will value $2358 to service over that timeframe and is backed by a seven-year/150,000km guarantee.
Mahindra presently has round 50 dealerships nationwide.
Driving Impressions
Whereas the odd combine of kit inclusions and omissions is sure to discourage some, the Scorpio’s talents each on- and off-road are sure to impress – particularly when you think about the car is offered from as little as $42K drive-away.
The Scorpio is powered by Mahindra’s ubiquitous 2.2-litre mHawk four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine hooked as much as an Aisin-sourced six-speed automated transmission. Output figures are listed at 129kW/400Nm and gas consumption 7.2 litres per 100km (mixed). On take a look at, we averaged round 8.7L/100km.
Which, though respectable, just isn’t sufficient to offer the type of vary Aussie patrons count on. The Mahindra Scorpio is fitted with a small 57-litre gas tank which means, at greatest, 650km of driving is feasible between fills. If you happen to’re heading Outback, you’ll must sling a jerry can or two alongside for the experience.
You may additionally want to hold further AdBlue, because the Scorpio’s tank holds simply 20 litres.
The Scorpio develops respectable grunt from low within the rev vary, which is terrific off-road, offering loads of climbing energy when paired with low-range gearing. Like many diesel choices, the engine does run out of puff round mid-tach, however the transmission is mostly good sufficient to compensate, which means we solely needed to override selections often when tackling difficult terrain.
Tipping the size at simply 2100kg, the Scorpio feels lighter on its toes than many of the rivals listed above, which helps with experience consolation significantly.
The Watts Hyperlink rear suspension association and frequency dependent dampers hold the rear-end neatly in verify whereas additionally serving to to kind traction throughout the axle. Up entrance, the double wishbone association and coil-over kind spring/damper absorb all however the largest craters whereas serving to the steering keep true to course.
Mahindra’s energy steering system is fairly mild for the applying and simple to twirl in tight spots. Nevertheless, some may discover it devoid of really feel, particularly when leaping from an Amarok/Ranger or HiLux, for instance.
The four-mode 4Xplor four-wheel drive system supplies Regular, Grass/Snow, Mud/Ruts and Sand brake-controlled settings. We used the Mud/Ruts mode extensively at our take a look at location west of Melbourne and located the traction providing spectacular on free, shaly floor. The forward-facing digicam is helpful right here, too.
The Eaton-sourced rear differential locks as required, which is a terrific function whenever you’re in any other case occupied, say when climbing a steep grade. Although in some cases you’ll be able to really feel and listen to it have interaction and disengage.
The 4Xplor system could be flicked between two- and four-high at speeds as much as 80km/h.
On gravel roads and poorly sealed surfaces, the suspension can really feel just a little busy. However we did discover the car simple to regulate with potholes and bumps absorbed with out fuss.
Physique management is superb contemplating the body-on-frame set-up – and the quantity of suspension journey provided – and laborious cornering is feasible when required, which ought to show helpful in emergency avoidance conditions.
What impressed most with the Mahindra Scorpio – moreover its mountain goat-like off-road talents – is the extent of construct high quality provided. After appreciable time on difficult tracks and trails the physique fell quiet upon returning to sealed roads with no squeaks or rattles to talk of. It impressed us an excellent deal, however we’re nonetheless just a little on the fence…
You see, pretty much as good and as succesful because the Scorpio is we simply can’t get previous the shortage of security know-how provided in a brand-new automobile. Anybody contemplating the car actually should weigh these omissions in opposition to the listing value and also will want to think about the vary and packaging limitations talked about as properly, particularly if the car is for use off the crushed observe.
That mentioned – and very similar to the GWM Tank 300 reviewed beforehand – the Mahindra Scoprio affords new patrons one thing they merely couldn’t get earlier than: a brand new four-wheel drive for the worth of a used one.
And to numerous patrons, that’s sure to make this mannequin one thing of a win.
