2. Does the Z8 Select have a 4x4 option?

Nope. Only available as RWD. If you need 4x4, you’ll have to go for a higher trim.

Cars

Mahindra Scorpio N Z8 Select Review: A Budget-Friendly Yet Feature-Rich Variant

Q: 3. How fuel-efficient is the Scorpio N petrol manual?

Not great— real-world mileage is around 7.3 km/l .

Q: 4. How does the Z8 Select compare to the diesel variant?

Diesel has better mileage and offers a 4x4 option, but the petrol is smoother and more refined.

By Ayush

Published On: March 9, 2025

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

Mahindra Scorpio N Z8 Select Review: A Budget-Friendly Yet Feature-Rich Variant