With over eight lakh Scorpios rolling out of the factory floor, would Mahindra just draw curtains on one of its SUVs like that? So, the Scorpio Classic. Sure the Mahindra Scorpio Classic-N is the evolved descendant, and in that, a very good one, but for the thousands who loved the simplicity of the older version, the introduction of the Classic is great news.
2022 Mahindra Scorpio Classic: exterior design updates
The Scorpio, despite a cluttered facade, doesn’t lose much of its charm outside. The front gets a redesign with chunky chrome strips on the grille and even receives the new twin-peaks logo. Headlamps are still halogen units but have received a slight redesign inside the housing, while the bumpers get a new look.
Another newcomer for the Classic is the paint shade ‘Galaxy Gray’. Bonnet scoop has been retained only for cosmetic purposes and the sharply raked windshield is characteristic of a Scorpio, which helps it retain its boxy look.
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Moving over, the 17-inch alloy wheels have been restyled and there are new accents on the door as well. However, the chunky body-colored cladding and the sharp kink in the roof that helps give it a tall stance are carried over to the design.
The rear features a familiarity with the long reflectors brought back over the tail lamps. There is a ‘Classic’ badge on the side-opening tailgate, and the squared-off look with a big spoiler completes the design. Safe to say, Mahindra wanted to make sure the essence of the Scorpio wasn’t lost, and by the looks of it, they had succeeded.
2022 Mahindra Scorpio Classic: inside and what’s new
Hop in (quite literally) into the Scorpio Classic and it’s like entering a time machine. The flat and upright dashboard, high seating position, and chair-like fabric seats recall past Scorpios. New bits for the Classic include a faux-wood panel on the center console and a new 9.0-inch Android-based touchscreen with a USB hidden right under it.
The screen’s okay for the most part, but lacking in any support for Apple CarPlay or Android, you have to rely on using third-party applications that aren’t exactly intuitive.
The steering has also been revamped and gets basic controls for media and calling in addition to the usual steering column-mounted controls.
There are still some ergonomic flaws, though, like no bottle holders in the front door pockets, and the cavity to adjust the seat height is so teeny-tiny.
There is good space behind for three to sit abreast across the wide bench, and there’s foot space as well on the flat floor. However, not much in the way of legroom, and the long seat squab does intrude the under-thigh space. On the plus side, it does have a great theatre-like perspective and amazing headroom with the kinked roof. USB ports aren’t provided but you do get AC vents.
However, Scorpio’s calling lies in its third row with the jump seat layout. You can also get a seven-seater version with a bench at the back, but traditionally, the jump seats have found more buyers.
And truth: it does prove pretty practical for getting in and out compared with pretty much any third row, but in the security department it falls woefully short with no seat belts and not much in the way of impact protection. The jump seats also fold up to open up some decent storage, pretty useful amounts of it.
2022 Mahindra Scorpio Classic: Engine, gearbox and performance
Visual changes apart, where the Scorpio has improved significantly is performance and cabin refinement courtesy a new second-generation 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine. The all-aluminum 130hp motor is 55kg lighter than the earlier version and more frugal, too. But what you immediately notice, is how quiet and vibe-free it is.
Said that, once you get moving off the blocks, the snappy throttle response takes some getting used to. The car feels keen and peppy and pushes on the accelerator even in third gear. However, the Classic is appreciably slower than its ancestor, which was 10hp stronger, over a 0-100kph dash. Where the older car waxed eloquent with a rather respectable time of 11.8secs, the Classic clocks in at a rather leisurely 13secs.
It’s now very evident in the delivery of power which is far more linear and the surge in acceleration is gradual. Mahindra claims 77 percent of the 300Nm torque available right from 1,000rpm, which explains why you never feel like you’re struggling to get going. The over-takes are brisk, and the engine’s less noisy.
The Classic is available with only a 6-speed manual gearbox that’s now cable-operated, which results in fewer vibrations and better refinement. What’s impressive, too, is the gearing. Compared to the older, faster Scorpio, the Classic is just marginally slower at 20-80kph (9.48secs) and 40-100kph (12.82secs) times. The throws are shorter too, and it’s quite light to shift as well. The clutch too is light and has a good amount of consistency.
Somewhat of an irritant is the auto stop/start function. Although this will help in achieving a better economy, it puts the engine to sleep all too frequently in crawling traffic while switching off the compressor of the AC at every event. And on a hot day, you’ll feel that. For best results, keep it on at such moderate traffic conditions.
2022 Mahindra Scorpio Classic: Ride and handling
Mahindra has also returned the suspension to take into account the weight. It smoothes out a bad patch of road very easily and, oddly enough, remains a bit busy on a flat surface with its share of cracks and potholes, bouncing you around the cabin rather often as the side-to-side movement is very considerable as well.
The stiff suspension is there to counter the top-heavy feel in corners, but despite that, the Classic leans a fair bit courtesy of the tall height and narrow wheel track (distance between the centerline of the wheels).
That said, when the road gets tough it sure has an air of indestructibility thanks to the good ol’ body-on-frame chassis. Not bad, but the steering effort, especially at low speeds, has reduced, and you would not get the smooth effortless feel like on other more modern SUVs.
2022 Mahindra Scorpio Classic: Price and Verdict
The Scorpio Classic is available in two variants only – S and S11 – with prices ranging between Rs 11.99 lakh and 15.49 lakh. The top-spec price overlaps with the base trims of the bigger Scorpio-N, but the Classic plays in a completely different ballpark.
It appeals to a broad audience: those who like a tough, no-frills SUV for fleet operations; those who have a wide use of that third-row jump seat layout; and those who want something bigger and better than the Bolero. Maybe it’s become a niche today, but it still has enough going for it to have a slice of the pie.
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