Comparison: New Mahindra Scorpio N vs Used Mahindra Scorpio N

The Scorpio nameplate is among the oldest in the Indian car market and has a cult following. Based on this success, Mahindra launched the Scorpio N in 2022 giving it more powerful engines, modern design elements and latest features, all of which propelled the Scorpio N to stardom in the Indian car market. The rise in the Scorpio N’s popularity was despite the fact that it commands a hefty price tag, and the top model can end up costing over Rs. 30 lakh in certain states. However, if you want the Scorpio N to be your next car, you don’t necessarily need to spend all that money to bring one home.

Instead of buying a new Mahindra Scorpio N, you can simply opt to buy a used Scorpio N for a lesser price while still getting a similar experience. Now some buyers might hesitate thinking that older cars don’t offer the same worry-free experience associated with a new car. However, used cars are increasingly becoming popular among car buyers due to trusted sellers in the market who carry out checks on them to ensure that everything is in pristine working condition. This helps used car buyers to avoid any unwanted surprises. So the question that then arises is whether you should opt for a new, or used Mahindra Scorpio N and to answer that, we have put together this comparison between the two.

New Mahindra Scorpio N Quick Overview

The Mahindra Scorpio N competes against many different types of SUVs. There are rivals like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos which offer similar feature options, but are smaller in size, priced lower and don’t offer the raw capabilities of an SUV that can be found on the Scorpio N. Then, there are cars like the Tata Harrier, Tata Safari and even the MG Hector. These SUVs are similarly sized as the Scorpio N and offer robust SUV capabilities to an extent. However, it is only the Scorpio N which offers a 4WD system of all the above-mentioned SUVs, making it truly capable off-road.

The Scorpio N is also offered with a turbocharged petrol engine and a diesel engine, both of which offer punchy performance. These engines are also found on the Mahindra XUV700 which sits one step above the Scorpio N, but surprisingly, they make more power in the Scorpio N. Both engines can be opted for with either a manual or an automatic transmission. However, the option of a 4WD system is limited to the diesel engine, although you can pair it with either a manual or an automatic transmission.

Mahindra also offers the Scorpio N in two seating configurations. The SUV can be configured either as a 7 seater or as a 6 seater. However, while the 7 seater configuration is offered across all variants of the SUV, the 6 seater version is limited to the top end Z8 L variant and cannot be opted for along with the 4WD system.

Key Updates of New Mahindra Scorpio N

The Mahindra Scorpio N was launched in India in the middle of 2022 and while the Scorpio name is not new to India, the Scorpio N is a completely new car. Essentially, it is the second generation Mahindra Scorpio. Mahindra has made the Scorpio N stand out with its butch yet stylish design, latest features and most importantly, the high performance levels of its powertrains. While engine performance was never an issue with the Scorpio, the Scorpio N has simply given the SUV speed gains that were previously unimaginable on body-on-frame SUVs in India. Due to such a design, not only is the Scorpio N highly robust in an off-road setting, but it also has unbelievably good road manners on tarmac.

The design of the Scorpio N can draw parallels to the older car. It’s a boxy SUV with a large front-end that looks butch. However, the edges of the Scorpio N are more rounded in places and this subtle difference means that the Scorpio N fits pleasantly in urban environments, whereas the generation model looked like it belonged in an agrarian setting. The lights too feature modern design elements compared to the standard round projectors on the older Scorpio. Mahindra designers have done a good job of taking the butch and raw appeal of the older Scorpio and transfusing it with contemporary design elements to bring the Scorpio N to life.

What really stands out about the Mahindra Scorpio N is the features package. Previously, the Scorpio was offered with all basic driving amenities, but years of no major updates meant that it no longer offered features that were desirable by urban car buyers. With the Scorpio N, Mahindra has put that issue to rest by offering features such as a sunroof, their latest Adrenox touchscreen system, Level 2 ADAS and other creature comforts that have become a requirement for urban drivers.

The Scorpio N also sets benchmarks when it comes to safety. Not only does it offer 6 airbags, ESP and other such active safety features, but it also has a 5 star crash test rating from Global NCAP. Take a look at the table below to see the price range of the different variants of the Scorpio N. It also lists which powertrain combinations can be specced with certain variants.

Used Mahindra Scorpio N Quick Overview

The Mahindra Scorpio has been a long running nameplate, having been in existence since 2002. The SUV received its first facelift in 2006, the second one in 2009 and a final update in 2014, and yet it continues to be on sale today as the Scorpio Classic. In 2022, the Mahindra Scorpio N was launched, and that is when the older Scorpio was re-branded into Scorpio Classic. It continues to be sold in select variants as there is still a demand for the SUV in the rural market.

For the purposes of this comparison, we are only going to be focusing on used units of the regular Scorpio from 2020 onwards. Furthermore, we will also take a look at Scorpio Classic units that have entered the used car market, since the name of the SUV was changed in 2022. Lastly, we will also take a look at used units of the Mahindra Scorpio N, with many units of the SUV not available in the used car market.

The Mahindra Scorpio has been available with a petrol and a diesel engine for many years, however, you will mostly find only diesel units of the original Scorpio in the used car market as hardly anyone bought a petrol Scorpio. Since 2022, when the Scorpio was rebranded to Scorpio Classic, it has only been sold with a diesel engine and a manual transmission. 

If you are on the look out for a petrol Scorpio or even an automatic one, you will have to look at used units of the Scorpio N. The SUV is available with both types of engines and transmissions, with many buyers opting for a petrol Scorpio N.

New Mahindra Scorpio N vs Used Mahindra Scorpio N: Financing Comparison

When deciding between a new Mahindra Scorpio N and a used one, there will be many differences between the two choices. A new Scorpio N will offer a factory-fresh ownership experience whereas a used Scorpio N, while still relatively new, will have its own quirks. Not just that, while any issues with used cars are sorted out by used car vendors before putting the vehicle up for sale, there is also quite a big difference in the financial planning of buying a new or used Scorpio N.

Also, when we talk about financing a new or a used car, one must keep in mind that new cars attract a lower rate of interest compared to used cars. For this comparison between financing a new or a used car, we have used the top spec variant of the Scorpio N for the car and the highest priced unit of the Scorpio N in the used car market.

In this case, the new Mahindra Scorpio N and the used Scorpio N are the same variant, that is the top end Z8 L Diesel AT 4×4 variant of the SUV. The down payment for both cars is fixed at Rs. 5 lakh and the loan tenure has been set at 5 years. Furthermore, for the new Scorpio N, the total price of the vehicle has been calculated using Mumbai as a reference for RTO taxes and registration fees. Therefore, the overall price of a new Scorpio N can differ from region to region, but the above calculations will still give you a great idea of the overall cost of the SUV.

Now we already know that used car loans attract a higher rate of interest. Specifically, for this comparison, the rate of interest for the new Scorpio N is set at 10%, and at 12.9% for the used Scorpio N. These rates can also change depending upon the financial institution and your credit history, however, these are the industry average rates for new and used car loans respectively. Despite a higher rate of interest, you can see from the table that the total loan amount payable is more than Rs 6 lakh lower for a used Scorpio N compared to that of a new Scorpio N.

The huge difference between the two is because the 2023 Scorpio N has already depreciated and lost some value in two years. Furthermore, the sudden depreciation period for this unit is over, and it will now depreciate at a slower rate over the coming years, meaning that a second hand Scorpio N will preserve its value better than a new one.

New Mahindra Scorpio N vs Used Mahindra Scorpio N: Insurance Comparison

Car insurance is another major recurring cost for car owners and it can vary based upon different factors. Car insurance rates can depend upon your claim history, the type of insurance and also the price of the vehicle. There are many different types of insurance policies available in the market. Comprehensive insurance is the most popular policy, however, it is susceptible to depreciation year after year. There is also Zero Depreciation insurance, but the premium for that is relatively higher. However, legally you are only required to have a third party insurance to be able to drive on the road.

The fact of the matter is that the type of insurance you will end up buying will be based on personal driving habits and car usage criteria. Careful drivers often tend to pick third party insurance as it has the lowest premium of all. In fact, the table below takes a look at the third party insurance premium for a new Mahindra Scorpio N and a used one. One must note that it is mandatory for new Indian cars to be sold with a minimum of three year third party insurance.  

If you opt for any other type of insurance, the premium will mostly be higher for a new Scorpio N along with the IDV or Insured Declared Value. The exact premium will differ from one broker to another, but most insurance companies charge about Rs 1 lakh for insuring a new Mahindra Scorpio N. The more add-ons you add, such as engine cover, key cover and water damage, the higher your premium will be.

In the case of a used Scorpio N, the premium will definitely be lower than that of a new one. Furthermore, if the previous owner has not made any claims on the policy, then you will also benefit from a no claim bonus which can be as high as 50% in the fifth year of ownership. Ultimately, the insurance costs for a used Scorpio N will be lower than a new one, and they will only get lower as the vehicle ages.

New Mahindra Scorpio N vs Used Mahindra Scorpio N: Which to Choose?

If you have your heart set on buying the Mahindra Scorpio N and are looking for a financially savvy deal, we suggest that you pick a used Mahindra Scorpio N. Quite simply, the upfront cost of the vehicle will be lower than a new one, you will pay less to finance one over five years, and in most scenarios, your insurance cost will be lower than that of a new Scorpio N, especially if the previous owner hasn’t made any claims on the policy. On the contrary, a new Mahindra Scorpio N will make sense for those who are looking at a long ownership period of about 10 years and aren’t hesitant about the higher price tag of buying it new.

FAQs about Mahindra Scorpio N