We drive Mahindra's Scorpio-N SUV: 'It beats competitors on price'
Motoring journo Melinda Ferguson took the Adventure 4x4 model out on rough roads around Clarens in the Free State.
Mahindra Scorpio-N, Instagram/@melsmacked
CapeTalks's Sara-Jayne Makwala King is joined by Melinda Ferguson for Car Talk.
This week on Car Talk, motoring journo Melinda Ferguson takes Mahindra's Scorpio-N for a test drive on some rough roads.
The SUV took the Adventure SUV award for the Indian brand at last year's South African Car of the Year Competition.
It's a brand-new take on the old Scorpio that Mahindra introduced in 2002, explains motoring journo Melinda Ferguson.
The 'new' Scorpio-N sailed across the potholed roads leading to Clarens in the Free State 'like a dream' she reports.
"It's a very good SUV if you want to go off-road; it's got plenty of off-road kit, a ladder frame chassis... It's a seven-seater if you want - I used it as a five-seater with the back seats down because of all the luggage."
Melinda Ferguson, Motoring Journalist
The Adventure 4x4 model Ferguson drove features a 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine, which delivers 128 kW and 400 Nm, paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox.
"It's not a very fast car... I felt very safe driving it and it was impressive how the Scorpio adapted to the quite awful roads into Clarens."
Melinda Ferguson, Motoring Journalist
While the Scorpio-N is much more luxurious than one would think at its competitive price, it's still pretty unpretentious, Ferguson says.
The interior features two-tone leatherette upholstery, and the tech includes good connectivity and a 12-speaker Sony sound system.
What Ferguson did not like is the limited storage space provided in the detail features.
"I thought there could be more space in the central storage bin, and there are only two cup holders in the front. For me, the storage could have been a little more generous."
Melinda Ferguson, Motoring Journalist
Pricing starts at under R500 000, with the entry-level Z4 diesel coming in at R489 999.
At the top end, the Adventure 4×4 Ferguson drove will cost you R665 999.
"I'm giving the Mahindra Scorpio-N a very good 8 out of 10; they just need more storage."
Melinda Ferguson, Motoring Journalist
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to Ferguson's review