[PapaBravo]

Originally Posted by GTO

- I see the Scorpio as the poor man's Fortuner. Especially in white colour and with all the goodies the new models get. Both of them have one more thing in common = ride quality that I'd never be able to live with.

- The "Scorpio" nameplate is now a powerful brand with crazy goodwill.

Absolutely true. I would go one step ahead and say the brand has reached 'Aspirational' stage especially in states like Bihar. On my numerous work trips in Bihar over the last decade, I have noticed people aspiring for Scorpio. In fact when TUV3OO was launched, my driver had commented, that this is a poor man's Scorpio. I remember getting 'badi gaadi' as Scorpio when I visited small towns & villages in Bihar as compared to Innova elsewhere in the country.

Due to its popularity & other Mahindra Vehicle like Bolero, it is easily repairable anywhere as well.

[RishavRBhardwaj]

The scorpio has managed to get into a separate segment that just a handful of cars in the country have been a part of. When I talk about HM Ambassador, you know what segment I'm referring to.

[Tgo]

Many things that make the Scorpio a success:

-Side opening rear door (ease of access for passengers)
-Side facing seat option (can pack in 4 people with some compromises)
-Robust build and ease of repair which comes with body on frame construction (even low skilled repairmen can bring it back to shape)
-Fuel efficient and reliable engines (doesn’t throw a tantrum even if fuel quality is poor)
-Wide cabin (can fit in 5 without a squeeze)
-Quick updates (longer cabin, better suspension, upgraded power, stripped variants, 4x4, automatic etc) kept the offering fresh
-Cost of ownership comparable to a segment below
-Varied engine and trim options available (M2Di, Hybrid, CRDe, S2 to S10. It did a Seltos before Kia brought in the concept)

-Discontinuation of the Xylo, Tavera, Qualis (customers were diverted to the next closest offering)


Other Observations:

It has gained a liking with lots of government departments, though the TUV3OO seems to be replacing them now-a-days.

Privately owned Scorpios are rounded up for poll duty too in small towns and Tehsils and it is by the DM’s order which is mostly non-negotiable.

Indian movies and the excessive screen time these vehicles get in them does have a role to play here.

[Shanky_1002]

Apart from all that has already been mentioned, Bollywood also has a certain influence wherein Scorpio has been extensively used by the bad guys, Cops, Politicians and their likes. A certain Mr. Shetty and his car flying antics always have had Scorpio as their preferred Macho action stunt car.

[PrasannaDhana]

Scorpio, another legend like the Safari.

Modern cars are way better in many ways, and only 70s,80s and 90s kids can truly appreciate for what they are.

While no disagreements about the Scorpio being a legend, I personally did not like that car one bit. Safari and Scorpio have always been archivals. But in history of Indian automobiles, there couldn't be a pair that can be as different as chalk n cheese.

Both the trucks came with 2.2 diesel mills, were ladder on frame construction, pretty abuse friendly and had amazing presence and road view. But thats where the similarities end.

Safari was extremely spacious, while Scorpio was cramped. It was unbelievable to me the first time I drove a Scorpio, more than a decade ago, when I realized such a big car (4.4 meters long) can severely lack in space. Even today, I find it strange to push back the Scorpio's driver seat all the way back, but still find it inadequate. The dashboard is too close to the windshield and it's too narrow.

The Safari used to ride superbly on all kinds of roads while the Scorpio can give you nice back pain with the terrible ride quality.

The Safari is not fun to drive, despite being 20 horses more powerful, while the Scorpio is lively and fun to drive.

For a solo driver, the Scorpio can be an extremely interesting car. I loved every bit of driving the Scorpio. Given a choice between safari and Scorpio, based solely on driving pleasure, I will pick the Scorpio anyday.

Why does it sell high even today? Because Indian population does not care about ride quality or sophistication.

Scorpio is a lot of real estate for the price, specially when little hatches like the sonet sell for 17 lakhs today. It can seat 7, has an excellent engine and the whole package is extremely reliable.

[noufal.ps]

When I was contemplating to buy first (new) car in 2015, I spent some time with a 4x4. Few points I can vouch for,

- Street presence was huge. I could see autos and most of the indicas giving me way without touching the horn.
- This was the most affordable 4x4 AT at that time (with a usable 4x4 too, unlike say Santa fe)
- Good cruise ability and straight line stability. Strictly good, nowhere excellent.
- Facelift at that time (2015) had good interiors.
- Abuse friendly


Add to this, I see 2009-2013 models on OLX commanding some resale value. Talks about the trust.

[maddy42]

Scorpio in the age of no instagram, had very potent influencers. Rohit Shetty must be the CEO of Mahindra, who helped fuel the sales of both the bolero and the scorpio. XUV on a long run could not beat the scorpio sales numbers.

Once upon a time the Scorpio became a hit amongst the wannabe politician, builder, broker in the bangalore area as it had the ability to move traffic from your lane. I remember my dad wanted to get this 20 years ago and i asked him to get the bolero instead.

Scorpio is a case study in marketing to say the least. They launched a product in the space when there were no SUVs other than safari, and have beaten the safari to a first round knockout within the first year of sales. Tata had the better product but failed where it mattered the most, making customers part with their moolah.

if you were in the market for a suv in 2010, there was scorpio, then a straight double of your budget for the fortuner. As GTO rightly mentioned you either could afford the fortuner or settle for the scorpio. This was a age with no creta, seltos or brezza.

The reason rural india buys a vehicle like scorpio is our roads are terrible to non existent. We get the tar on the roads maybe once in 10 years and have to deal with potholes for 1-2 years and then deal with potholes which are filled for another 5 years. Sedans will make it hard to reach any decent speed over 30. Also the commanding drivers position, give you a broad view of all the potholes and helps you choose your path. Our local MLA, who is a 5 time MLA still uses a new scorpio for his running around the rural roads and a innova when he goes between towns.

Lastly once you buy a vehicle you need service and the mahindra dealership is everywhere, thanks to the network of Mahindra Tractors, the company already knows people in rural areas who can sell vehicles. Tata can stick to their concorde, but is no match to the network of M&M.

Scorpio - Its a car which made Mahindra mainstream.

[tp_dominator]

I suppose Scorpio rides more on emotions than on its technical capabilities. In the rural areas, particularly of Chhattisgarh, if you have arrived in life, you have a Bolero. However, if you are even richer or have arrived in life for two generations now, you have a Scorpio.

The above reason plus the ability to seat 9 people in the Scorpio is what makes it pretty popular in rural areas I think. One of the Mahindra dealerships here in Pune which I am closely associated with, sells more Scorpios in a month than any other car from Mahindra's stable, not counting the goods carrying vehicles here.

[vivekgk]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Not true, or probably may be subjective. Owning a brand new 2020 model Scorpio, I can vouch for its ride quality. The latest variants (I am not sure since when onwards) is a lot more refined and stable. I haven't driven a Bolero so cannot compare as such, but I am sure Scorpio is superior to Bolero.

I'll take your word for it. As I said I didn't understand how a leaf equipped Bolero could ride better than a Scorpio. Glad to know that it isn't the case.

I assume you mean to say the top end of Scorpio sells at Safari lower end variants.

Ah, Not Quite. Let's take a look at the pricing, fresh off CarDekho.com

As mentioned by many, Mahindra needs to be commended to keeping the brand live by adding almost every other feature that are around time to time. Cruise control, TPMS, Projector head lamps, Auto wiper/head lamps, Follow/Lead me head lamps, Cornering lamps, GPS, Apple car play/Android, Arm rests at front, Alloys, Hydraulic assisted bonnet.. Not to mention 2.2L in the hood and an average of 14-16Kmpl mileage. Some of it that even the Korean brother do not have.

Now, it is not my wish to make this a Scorpio/Safari battlefield thread. However, I believe that the OP found it curious that the Scorpio is still selling so well despite modern competition, and this is just elaborating on that point.

The pricing shows that you can get a Safari XM or Hector Plus Super Diesel MT or even the Safari XMA (with the sweet 6 speed TC) for about the same money or less, as a Scorpio S11.

Most of the features you've mentioned are available on these two cars. Though I'm not sure about the Safari's Android Auto/Apple Carplay compatibility. (Easily rectified by spending about 15-20K though). More importantly, both these cars are large 7 seaters, and have much improved dynamics, better engine, rear disc brakes, Traction Control, Hill Assist, Stability Control and not to mention interiors that are a generation ahead.

This is why I'm guessing that most of the sales are coming from the bulk govt orders and low-mid variants, which share the same tough BoF build and powerful engine, but less of the frills, and has no competition currently. There are no 7 seater body on frame SUVs in the same price range as the Scorpio. The Bolero doesn't have the engine or the power, Marazzo is an MUV, and the Crysta pricing starts where the Scorpio ends.

The next proper SUV with all this features and more are only at Rs.30 Lakhs+.

I'm guessing that by proper SUV, you mean a body on frame SUV. I agree. Tata should not have let the Hexa expire. It had a proper Body on frame build, and had optional 4x4 and AT. It has left the Scorpio alone at the top of it's price range.

[low_rider]

In north India (especially Haryana and western UP), Scorpio and Fortuner are a symbol of having arrived in life. The first level of status is a Scorpio (preferable white) in the household. In the eyes of the native population, Scorpio denotes money, a certain amount of muscle power and political clout.
The next step on the ladder is Fortuner. A typical north Indian who may even have the budget of buying a big German, will most certainly buy a Fortuner just because of its image. A white Fortuner is the ultimate symbol of being Dabangg (money, muscle and political power) in north India. It doesn't matter if the owner doesn't have these, but the "impression" is more important.

[apachelongbow]

Interesting case study is the Scorpio's continued sales success. As most have rightly gathered, this car pulls the heart strings of most buyers by being perceived as 'rugged, abuse friendly, high in status/seating position, political' and by a large factor, a perceived 'respect of the authority' feeling, which they think they buy along with the car.
Please note: the above has nothing to do with the actual car, it's strengths, weaknesses, it's merely based on the above perception.
Now, why didn't the original Safari have the same cult following? Especially since it could do all what the Scorpio do, but with better road manners and greater comfort?
Tata motors extremely poor quality control. The debacle of the dicor and the poor quality/high on maintainance word of mouth pretty much ended Safari's career and in comparison the Scorpio was easy to maintain.

The drawback with the above rugged image is, Mahindra may never make a 30 Lakh Scorpio, it will never fit into the 'image' It's like the old hindi "bhai" who has to romance his granddaughter around trees even at this ripe old age, due 'image'. If he tries doing a sensible movie, or playing an age appropriate character, he will flop. Likewise a modern Scorpio which is not BOF, has ample safety features, is not top heavy will flop. The car is unfortunately caught in its own success.

Unless Mahindra does a wrangler 'inspired' number on the Scorpio like the Thar, then they well may pull the Scorpio into the 21st century. That's because the Indian public always wants an iPhone X at a oppo price, even if the said phone is only a skin deep copy. Image always matters.

[1.2TSI7DSG]

Scorpio's success is not accredited to a particular model or year but more to the continuous journey the vehicle has gone through.

I still remember the Leaf Spring rear Scorpio. In the era, where Safari was the epitome of the SUVs and Bolero/Sumo ruled the other end, the 2002 Scorpio was just for the lack of a better word- different. The Macho looks, the IFS, leaf spring rear, and the supremely reliable 2.6 turbo on a much lighter vehicle (than the safari) gave it the initial punch. Bolero's chassis meant that it was durable enough to last a good amount of abuse in Bharat and be decently luxurious for urban show-offs.



Come the era of CRDe, driven by the emissions and global competition like the Accent etc, The vehicle was quickly upgraded to have the first of the CRDe tech in the class. Where Safari Dicor 3.0 struggled with niggles etc, the New Scorpio with Rear coil springs, the Mitsubishi Pajero-like bonnet scoop (and the ugly but acceptable tall Tail-lamps) made its mark with a much quicker engine. Supported grandly by the events such as Raid de Himalayas and the adventure getaways, it started becoming a vehicle to be craved for in the hearts of India. Chassis reliability remained implacable and so did the mile-munching capability of the vehicle. As India grew, the safari became the backseat car and the Scorpio driver's car. Yes, it was horrible in the back seat but for a family outing, it was decently comfortable. All of this was supported by a relatively unknown mDi engine variant which practically required no maintenance and could be repaired at any workshop that could tinker a Bolero. Add a bull bar, Slap on bigger tyres and boom, you had a grand SUV to work with!



The craving for a better engine continued. And Mahindra & Tata both worked on the 2.2l. This is where the Scorpio left everyone to dust. The 2.2 mHawk was leagues ahead of what the price point offered. The VLX was the one that punched above its class. IIn between, Mahindra expressed the intent to enter the US market with the Scorpio Pik Up. IIRC "Welcome to the Scorpio" was introduced in this vehicle. mHawk made the Scorpio the cult it has today. In fact, most M&M vehicles stand on the mHawk Engine today. With blue vision headlamps, voice activations, cruise control, And the chequered sticker job which burnt in the heat of ABS & airbags the Vlx became the reliable vehicle of choice. Added AT made it appeal to a class that was marginally improved in the market. The black silver of this generation still remains my favourite colour on the vehicle. The first-gen had a humongous problem of the rear suspension bushes wearing out. A temp fix in 2011/12 with the Xylo like suspension mounting improved the problem but the reputation was damaged.



Aria triggered the introduction of hydroformed chassis which was stiffer than the old chassis. Storme had a similar chassis and like always the Scorpio would have a similar one. A stiffer chassis should have been the opportunity to improve the cabin as well but it was passed as Scorpio had no competition now and they did not want to impact the success of the XUV. So cabin same, macho looks became machoer, came the Scorpio 2014. Elements of the XUV like touch screen, projector lamps, LEDs etc came to the Scorpio, interiors being the only constant with minor improvements here and there. An mid-life power bump to 140 hp and a new 6 MT gearbox made the current Scorpio sustain the old numbers. With a tighter suspension and a new chassis, the power could now be harnessed even more. But for the interiors made the urban folk keep away from this vehicle



The compact SUVs have not been able to deter sales yet. The new Safari challenges to do it and the Scorpio is gearing up to defend itself.

[cool_dube]

I guess GTO nailed it by referring to the Scorpio as a "poor man's Fortuner", not to be taken in the literal sense, of course I realized this more strongly than ever while trying to decide between the Endeavour and the Fortuner last year. Many a times - during those 4-5 months of dilemma - I found myself transported about 11 years back in time, when I had a tough time deciding between the Safari and the Scorpio! If I dig into my analysis of the Scorpio at that point in time, it bears a striking similarity to that of the Fortuner, done about a few months back - cult following, reliable, lovely engine, pathetic ride, favorite with politicos/builders, etc. A lovely vehicle that would have definitely found its way into my garage had the Safari not stole my heart with that lovely ride and "Reclaim your life..." branding. Good to see the Scorpio still going strong, when Tata has arguably diluted the Safari brand.

[Rambo-RS]

In rural India especially in Punjab, it is a dream of every household to own
1. Boolt (RE Bullet)
2. Scaarpio (Mahindra Scorpio)

After getting our "boolt", we love putting Loud Exhausts in our boolt's and without a "Pataka" we feel incomplete in our lives!

For Example -

https://youtu.be/Yk8PNl05EJE

Our "Scaarpio" is incomplete without high bass audio systems, big shiny alloys and the broadest available tyres



For example -

https://youtu.be/OZ7zxs3kv90

[ADEY]

I myself am an owner of a 2019 Scorpio in S9 trim. I was previously driving a Maruti Swift, but considering my style of travelling, I was planning for a car which was big enough to carry my world with me and which can go anywhere without being worried about the road conditions and ground clearance.

Specifically I was searching for a "body on frame" and honestly in 2019 there were not too many options available in 15-20L bracket, Fortuner or Endy was way beyond my budget.

Finally after a lot of back and forth thinking I zeroed on the Scorpio in the S9 version. It took a few days to get adjusted to the driving position and the lack of creature comfort, but trust me, the car has taken me over in the last 2 years. The car definitely is not the most comfortable car in this category, but if your priority is to see how the car handles abuse,/ bad roads, then nothing can beat this vehicle. Already driven ~40K kms around eastern and southern India - mostly highway rides, I can surely say that I cannot even plan my highway drives if not on a Scorpio.