Mahindra Scorpio Classic: There’s something beautifully stubborn about the Mahindra Scorpio Classic. While everyone else is chasing sleek curves and urban sophistication, this SUV stands defiantly in the corner, flexing its boxy muscles and daring you to question its relevance. After spending three months with the 2025 model, priced from ₹13.77 lakh, I can confirm that sometimes being different is exactly what the market needs.
The Nostalgia Factor: When Old-School Meets Modern Needs
Mahindra realized something crucial when they launched the Scorpio N—not everyone wanted their beloved brute to evolve into a refined gentleman. The exterior of the Mahindra Scorpio has always been iconic, and it is instantly recognizable as a Scorpio. The SUV’s design was made even more popular by Rohit Shetty movies, and it lives on in the hearts of many.
The Classic isn’t just a rebranded old model; it’s a deliberate statement. The signature bonnet scoop remains, the squared-off rear stance is unmistakable, and those chrome strips on the grille add just enough bling without compromising the tough-guy image. At 4,456mm long and 1,995mm tall, this thing has serious road presence—the kind that makes other drivers instinctively move aside.
What strikes me most is how confidently outdated it looks. In an era where SUVs are trying to look like swoopy crossovers, the Scorpio Classic doubles down on its utilitarian roots. The result? A vehicle that looks like it could haul your furniture one day and tackle a mountain trail the next.
Interior: A Time Capsule with Modern Touches
Stepping inside the Scorpio Classic is like entering a time capsule. The flat and upright dashboard, high seating position, and chair-like fabric seats induce nostalgia. However, there are new additions to modernize the cabin, which include a faux-wood panel on the centre console, and a 9.0-inch Android-based touchscreen.
The high driving position is genuinely commanding—you sit up there like a truck driver, looking down at traffic with benevolent authority. The seats, while not winning any awards for sophistication, provide adequate support for long journeys. The wide rear bench accommodates three passengers comfortably, though legroom could be better.
The 9-inch touchscreen feels like a concession to modernity rather than a natural evolution. It works well enough, but the absence of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in 2025 feels inexcusable. Storage solutions are basic—no bottle holders in front doors, limited cup holders, and absolutely nothing clever about the layout.
Performance: The mHawk Engine’s Honest Character
The heart of the Scorpio Classic is its 2.2-liter mHawk diesel engine, producing 130bhp and 300Nm of torque. The Mahindra Scorpio Classic is powered by a new second-generation 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine, which delivers improved performance and cabin refinement. Paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, this powerplant has real character.
What I appreciate most is the engine’s honesty. There’s no pretense here—it’s a diesel that sounds like a diesel, pulls like a diesel, and delivers the kind of low-end grunt that makes sense in Indian conditions. The 300Nm of torque is available from just 1,000rpm, which means this SUV leaps forward once you release the clutch.
The cable-shift manual transmission feels more precise than the old setup, though it’s not exactly what you’d call slick. Real-world fuel efficiency hovers around 15kmpl, which is respectable for something this size and weight.
Practicality: The Nine-Seater Workhorse
Here’s where the Scorpio Classic truly shines. The 9-seater configuration with jump seats in the third row might not pass modern safety standards, but it’s incredibly practical for large families or commercial use. The boot space is generous when you need it, and the high loading lip, while requiring some effort, means you can actually haul serious cargo.
The suspension setup deserves special mention. On rough roads—the kind you’ll encounter in rural India—it’s remarkably absorbent. However, on flat roads, the suspension tends to be bouncy and jiggly, and even small imperfections tend to unsettle the large body-on-frame SUV. This is a vehicle tuned for broken tarmac, not smooth highways.
The Reality Check: Safety and Refinement
Let’s be honest about the Scorpio Classic’s limitations. While it hasn’t been tested by Global NCAP recently, the older Scorpio scored zero stars in 2016. The current model offers dual airbags, ABS, and basic safety features, but it’s not in the same league as modern SUVs for crash protection.
The third-row jump seats lack proper seatbelts and impact protection, making them more of a novelty than a genuine safety feature. For families with young children, this is a significant concern.
Mahindra Scorpio Classic The Verdict: Embrace the Anachronism
The Scorpio Classic isn’t trying to be the best SUV in its price range—it’s trying to be the most useful one for a specific type of buyer. If you need genuine utility, don’t mind the old-school approach, and want something that can handle whatever life throws at it, this makes perfect sense.
At ₹13.77 lakh, it’s not cheap, but it’s honest value. The Scorpio Classic excels in many other aspects, and for buyers who prioritize practicality over polish, it remains a compelling choice. Sometimes the best evolution is simply refusing to evolve at all.