Mahindra Scorpio classic : The Mahindra Scorpio has been the quintessential model in India’s SUV landscape, especially in semi-urban and rural landscapes where it’s rugged and tough rather than blingy and trendy. When the new Scorpio-N came out, everyone believed the old Scorpio would be automatically superseded.
However, Mahindra surprised many by continuing the older version as the Scorpio Classic, by giving it a mild refresh and repositioning it as a tough alternative to the predominantly modern SUV crowd.
So there is now the Scorpio Classic, a model for those who want that old-style body-on-frame experience—an honest, reliable toughie that doesn’t pretend to be anything else. Here’s how it stands in the market in 2025.
Mahindra Scorpio classic Design: Familiar But Refreshed
At first sight, the Scorpio Classic seems coeval to its predecessor. But Mahindra has been strategic in offering just the right number of visual updates.
The updated grille, with the new Mahindra twin-peaks logo, the redesigned bumper and the now led drls that are a part of the new look fog lamp housing help in lending a tinge of character to the front.
The tall boy stance, flat bonnet and squared off proportions are still there, and that’s exactly what Scorpio fans might love about it.
It still stand out in design, especially on rugged terrains or in the country side where its is still considered as a sign of status and power.
Interior and Features
Inside, the Scorpio Classic is practical. The dashboard design is largely unchanged, but now includes a new 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB.
It is not as sophisticated as those found in rivals, but it works.
It gets a two-tone beige and black theme and the seats have been re-sculpted for more cushioning.
Middle-row comfort is now much better, although in 7- and 9-seater configurations the rear seats are best reserved for short journeys or kids.
The cabin is all about function over form — manual air conditioning controls, analog gauges and loads of hard plastics.
Having said that, if you are moving from an older SUV or are from the rural areas, the Scorpio Classic’s basic nature can only be a good thing for you.
Performance and Ride
Engine-wise, Mahindra continues to use the trusted 2.2-litre m Hawk diesel and in this iteration, the engine has been tuned to put out 132 bhp and 300 Nm of torque.
The Scorpio Classic is powered by a 2.6 L DV6 engine that churns out 109 hp and 278 Nm mated to a 6-speed manual box making it feel torquey enough to take on heavy load.
There is good driveability in the low gears particularly for city commuting and half city sort of use. Highway cruising is acceptable, but the absence of an automatic option will be a deal-breaker for some buyers.
The suspension rubbers have been slightly reworked for a more pleasant driving experience, especially at the rear. Yet the ladder-on-frame chassis is still very much a character on rough roads.
It’s not plush, but off the tarmac it is very capable, continuing to wear its old-school SUV charm on its sleeves.
Fuel Economy and Upkeeping
Considering its size and engine displacement, the Scorpio Classic also returns an average 13 – 15 kmpl under mixed driving circumstances. With Mahindra’s expansive service network, especially in tier 2 and 3 towns, the SUV is highly practical.
Parts are cheap and service is too, next to most monocoque SUVs in the class.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Tough, go-anywhere SUV DNA
Reliable m Hawk diesel engine
New look with no identity loss
Use full convenient interior
Good road manners and vigorous engines Aggressive street stance and resale value
Cons:
No automatic gearbox option
Dated interior when compared to some latest SUVs
Scarce safety and tech functionalities
Rear seats not quite so comfortable for long distances
Mahindra Scorpio classic Final Verdict
The Scorpio Classic isn’t for the urban tech-savvy buyer looking for a connected car with ADAS and plush touches though.
But for its intended market — folks who value rugged capability, easy maintenance and durability — it pushes all the right buttons.
By maintaining the basics of the Scorpio and just polishing it a bit for a modern take, Mahindra has cleverly kept a stroke of this legendary nameplate alive.
If strength and reliability and a great driving position are your priorities, the Scorpio Classic is still a serious contender.
