2023 Mahindra Scorpio review: Australian first drive

Is the Scorpio a great budget alternative for buyers looking for something different in a capable 4x4? We think so, but let’s delve a bit deeper.

JUMP AHEAD

• Interior
• On-road performance
• Off-road performance
• Pricing
• VERDICT
• Full list of features
• Specs

Interior

At 4662mm in total length and 1970mm wide, the Scorpio isn’t as large as some in its competitor set, but you don’t notice it when you climb into the front or second row of seats. Both rows offer plenty of space for passengers, with more space in the second row than usual because it only accommodates two people on separate captain’s chairs.

Like most wagons in this size bracket, access to the third row for adults is awkward and the seating position is cramped, so it is best suited to children.

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Back up front and only the driver’s seat has height-adjustment, and this is electric on the Z8L model but manual in the Z8. The steering column can’t be adjusted for reach, so finding the ideal position might not be possible for some, but I found it fine for driving. The seat is very close to the door and this limits the size of the door pockets; as such, they are map pockets with no bottle holders.

The faux leather seats are supportive and comfortable and the vision through the tall windscreen is excellent, even if it’s not as good as the more upright Pik-Up. Controls are easy to reach and the touchscreen is responsive when using CarPlay functions.

Standard features in both the Scorpio Z8 and Z8L include

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On-road performance

Mahindra’s mHawk diesel engine is surprisingly quiet compared to others of its ilk. Sure, you can’t avoid that four-cylinder diesel harshness when you put your foot down, but under light load and normal driving applications this engine is quieter and more refined than many four-cylinder competitors.

Where it can’t match its competitors is output, with just 129kW and 400Nm on offer - but at 2100kg in Z8L trim, it is lighter than the others in its class.

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As a result the Scorpio gets along at a reasonable clip when you put your foot down and cruises nicely under constant throttle. The Aisin six-speed automatic transmission is flawless in the way it shifts through the gears and back again as you reduce speed or descend hills. The transmission shifter has a fore and aft manual mode accessed by tapping the shifter across to the left.

The only complaint we had with the drivetrain was a noticeable shunt or backlash when backing off and reapplying the accelerator in suburban traffic. While noticeable it wasn’t harsh, but it put a small stain on the overall refinement of the package.

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This mHawk engine is EU6 emissions compliant so it exceeds Australian requirements. To achieve this it uses AdBlue exhaust treatment with the fluid contained in a 20-litre tank. This is said to be able to last around 15,000km, which is in-line with the standard servicing interval. Of course, you can top up the tank yourself and the vehicle will give multiple warnings prior to running out of the fluid.

The electronic-assisted power steering did feel a bit vague on centre, but the Scorpio steers nicely over winding B-roads and the suspension manages the bumps well.

Off-road performance

Getting off the beaten track and you can switch the Scorpio’s transfer case from 2WD to 4WD high on the move, and it did so without hesitation. This enables driving across most terrain with relative ease. The electronic traction control is a bit slow to react compared to the systems in other vehicles, but once a difference in wheel speed is detected across the rear axle, that auto-locking diff lock activates and propels you forward.

The downhill speed control operates in high or low range and is adjustable for speed, but selecting low-range 4x4 gives much better and smoother descent control.

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The terrain on the test track wasn’t challenging enough to really test the limits of wheel travel, but enough to produce enough traction loss to really feel the rear diff lock working.

One particular piece of track where the terrain immediately ahead of the vehicle wasn’t visible over the bonnet, gave us the chance to switch on the forward-facing camera to see where to point the wheels, which is exclusive to the Z8L Scorpio.

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A ride-along in the Scorpio on a high-speed section of track with a racecar driver behind the wheel gave a great impression of how well the suspension copes in such conditions. Past experience has shown that one of the biggest compromises in lower-priced vehicles is in the suspension, but this isn’t the case in the Scorpio with its so-called Frequency Dependent Dampening (gas) shock absorbers and Watts link rear end doing an excellent job of taming the terrain.

Mahindra says it has done more than 150,000km of testing in the Australian alps and outback, and this really shows in the way the suspension performed on this quick test. Again, the Scorpio felt better here than some of its more established competitors.

Pricing

Verdict

The Scorpio isn’t just a good value-for-money package, it’s a good rig overall. Sure it’s missing some safety tech that’s essential for some, but we’re already hearing from folks who don’t want AEB or the interference of lane-keeping assistance on a 4x4 vehicle. Likewise, the fact it doesn’t have seven seats. Then there’s the paltry 57-litre fuel tank and 2500kg towing capacity limitation, but not everyone tows that much.

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Mahindra Australia says it is working with local suppliers to develop a range of touring accessories for the Scorpio including nudge and bullbars, intake snorkels, side steps and a rear bar/tyre carrier that will take the spare wheel from under the car and allow space for an auxiliary fuel tank to increase range.

Another modification tourers might look at is removing the third-row seat (just four bolts) and fabricating a false floor to create a better cargo space. As it is, the third row takes up a lot of space even when folded forward - it doesn’t fold flat into the floor.

The Scorpio does provide a great budget alternative for buyers looking for something different in a capable 4x4 vehicle, and this proposition will only get better once that range of touring accessories become available.

Scorpio Z8 features

Scorpio Z8L features

Specs: Mahindra Scorpio Z8L

Off-road specs