So, Mahindra’s been selling the Scorpio N for a while now—about two years, actually. And it’s been a hit, offering a mix of petrol and diesel options, manual and automatic, and even a proper 4×4 setup. But now, they’ve thrown in a new variant—the Z8 Select. The idea? Keep the essentials, cut a few frills, and bring the price down. So, does it still feel premium, or is it just a stripped-down version? Let’s break it down.
Table of Contents
Exterior: Butch and Commanding
First impressions? It still looks every bit like a Scorpio N. That aggressive, upright stance is untouched.
- The wheels? 17-inch alloys—good enough for most.
- The lights? LED headlights and DRLs—so still premium-looking.
- The paint? Midnight Black is a new option, but this review unit’s the classic Napoli Black.
- The design? Still muscular, still intimidating, and still very much a Scorpio at heart.
No real complaints here—it’s got presence, and that’s what people love about it.
Interior: Premium, But Some Trade-Offs
Hop inside, and the cabin still feels nice and premium. But, obviously, Mahindra had to make some cuts to hit that lower price.
What You Get:
- Dual-tone brown-and-black dashboard—still looks classy.
- Comfy, well-cushioned seats with decent support (though lumbar support might feel a bit excessive for some).
- A sunroof, touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, six airbags, and ESC—so all the essentials are there.
What’s Missing?
- No push-button start.
- No automatic climate control.
- No power-folding mirrors.
- No TPMS, auto headlamps, or rain-sensing wipers.
- Only comes with a bench seat in the second row—no captain seat option.
- Third row? Yeah, it’s there, but it’s best left for kids.
- Boot space? Pretty limited when all three rows are up.
Check out It’s predecessor The OG Scorpio Classic
Engine & Performance: Strong But Thirsty
Alright, let’s talk power. This one’s the petrol manual, which means it’s got Mahindra’s 2.0L mStallion turbo-petrol engine under the hood.
Performance Specs:
- 200 hp, 370 Nm of torque—so it’s got punch.
- Paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
- 0-100 km/h in under 11 seconds—not bad for an SUV this size.
- Mid-range performance is strong—overtakes are easy.
- Surprisingly easy to drive, thanks to light steering and a soft clutch.
Downsides?
- Fuel efficiency: Not great. Real-world mileage hovers around 7.3 km/l, which is thirsty.
- Manual gearbox: Feels a bit notchy—takes effort to slot gears.
Ride & Handling: Improved, But Still a Scorpio
For a ladder-frame SUV, the ride quality is way better than the old Scorpio, but let’s not pretend it’s a luxury SUV.
- Steering? Light and precise—makes city driving easier.
- High-speed stability? Solid. Body roll is controlled well.
- Ride quality? Way smoother than the old one, but yeah, still some bumpiness on bad roads.
Price: The Sweet Spot?
The Scorpio N Z8 Select petrol manual costs ₹17.9 lakh (ex-showroom). That’s ₹1.65 lakh cheaper than the Z8.
What You Lose for the Price Drop:
- No auto climate control.
- No push-button start.
- No TPMS, auto headlamps, or wipers.
- No 4×4 option.
Still, considering you keep LED lights, alloy wheels, six airbags, a sunroof, and a touchscreen system, it still feels like a good deal.
Pros & Cons
✔ Pros:
- More affordable than Z8 by ₹1.65 lakh.
- Punchy 200 hp petrol engine.
- Gets essential features like LED lights, alloy wheels, six airbags, and ESC.
- Much better ride and handling than older Scorpios.
- Five-star Global NCAP safety rating.
✖ Cons:
- Fuel efficiency is poor (~7.3 km/l).
- Third-row space is tight.
- Manual gearbox isn’t the smoothest.
- Lacks some convenience features like push-button start and auto climate control.
FAQs
1. Is the Mahindra Scorpio N Z8 Select worth buying?
If you’re okay with losing some convenience features, absolutely. It’s a solid value-for-money variant.
2. Does the Z8 Select have a 4×4 option?
Nope. Only available as RWD. If you need 4×4, you’ll have to go for a higher trim.
3. How fuel-efficient is the Scorpio N petrol manual?
Not great—real-world mileage is around 7.3 km/l.
4. How does the Z8 Select compare to the diesel variant?
Diesel has better mileage and offers a 4×4 option, but the petrol is smoother and more refined.
5. What features are missing in the Z8 Select?
No push-button start, no auto climate control, no TPMS, no auto headlamps, and no 4×4.
Final Verdict: A Smart Buy for Budget-Conscious SUV Lovers
The Scorpio N Z8 Select is a sweet spot in the lineup. It keeps the rugged charm, powerful engine, and key safety features while cutting the right corners to make it more affordable. Yeah, it’s missing a few convenience features, and yeah, the fuel efficiency isn’t great, but if you want a tough, feature-packed SUV without spending big bucks, this one’s definitely worth considering.
Author- Ayush
