The performance of an SUV is one of the most important factors in consumer consumption, and Mahindra did a pretty decent job sticking a 2184cc four-cylinder mHawk diesel engine with micro-hybrid tech under the Scorpio Classic’s hood. In terms of output, it puts out a total of 130 bhp at @3750 rpm and 300 Nm torque at @1600-2800 rpm.

However, it's a bit disappointing as the SUV does not offer an automatic transmission in any trim level and is stuck with a 6-speed manual gearbox. 

During our test drive, the Scorpio Classic showed okay-ish acceleration and touched the 110-115 kmph mark without any complications. On city roads and highways, the SUV returned 10 kmpl and 15.2 kmpl, respectively. 

Ride and Handling

As a flagship SUV model for Mahindra, the Scorpio Classic performs considerably well and ensures a silent and vibe-free ride experience. When we took our model on a 100 km journey from our hometown to our district (Cooch Behar), the car had an air of indistructability when the road got rough with uneven surfaces and pot holes, thanks to the body-on-frame chassis and multi-link suspension system. 

However, there is a significant amount of body roll present, and the engine feels less noisy at higher rpm. Moreover, we experienced the tendency to bounce around the cabin when exposed to constant uneven terrain.

As soon as you enter the cabin, the Scorpio Classic gives you a premium feeling thanks to its two-tone beige-black appearance, while the modern fabric upholstery with the Mahindra badging (Standard only BOSS Edition) makes you satisfied with the money spent on the car. Moreover, the artificial leather-wrapped steering wheel with gloss-black accents and faux wood inserts on the center console enhance the luxury of the cabin.

Available in both 7-seater and 9-seater layouts, the Scorpio Classic offers generous cabin and leg space even for large individuals like my friend Arnab, who’s around 5’11” and had no issues during our test drive. However, we both had our opinions on the negative spectrum with the seat cushioning as it was mostly flat, and the contours were far away from ergonomic. 

Lastly, the infotainment system on the SUV was not impressive at all. For an SUV with a starting price of 13.62 lakhs, it offers a 9-inch touchscreen with both Android and Apple CarPlay that you can connect through CarbitLink. Also, the gauge cluster happens to be semi-digital, a disappointing aspect when thinking about the price tag the SUV comes with.

The boot space on the Scorpio Classic stands at an impressive 460 liters. We could personally stuff 4 large and 1 small VIP luggage with the rear seats folded. 

The Scorpio Classic has gone under multiple facelifts in the past, but the current model has the best appeal by far in both style and appearance. The model we reviewed was the BOSS edition, and its highlights were the dark chrome details around the blacked-out front grille, fog lamp housing, headlamps with LED DRLs, rear headlamps, diamond-cut alloy wheels, and the muscular bonnet with a head scoop. Also, the carbon fiber finish (Standard only in BOSS Edition) on the ORVMs kicks it up a notch in terms of pure styling.

The Scorpio Classic offers only 5 color options, but the ever-classic black finish stands out among the crowd. The number of trims is also limited to 3 options, which are S, S11, and BOSS Edition. 

The safety of a car nowadays is as important as any other important aspect when buying a new ride, but unfortunately, the Scorpio Classic proved to be a complete disappointment considering the money you have to spend to buy one.

The SUV offers only limited safety features like ABS, dual airbags for the driver and passenger, rear parking sensors, and panic brake indication. 

The Scorpio Classic is a standout vehicle with a lot of in-house competition. The Thar Roxx and Scorpio N are the two major contenders. The Scorpio N is better in every way than the Classic variant, but the road presence. The Thar Roxx is a completely different beast altogether.

In 2025, the decision to choose the Scorpio Classic over other SUV models within the same price segment is like a duel between passionate and rational thinking. If you want to go for the name itself that offers an authority over power and presence, the Scorpio Classic will be a nice addition to your garage. 

On the other hand, if you want power, comfort, features, and, most importantly, safety, you will be glad to know that Mahindra offers all of it in the shape of the Scorpio N.