Mahindra Scorpio N is one of the most popular 7-seater SUVs in the country due to its rugged build-quality and powerful road presence. Both the 2.0-Litre mStallion petrol engine and 2.2-Litre mHawk diesel engine of Scorpio N are paired with either the 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission options. The petrol variants are strictly Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) cars whereas the diesel variants also offer the 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) option.
Tata Safari has been one of the most reliable 7-seater SUVs in India. Known for its advanced safety and top-notch comfort, Safari models offer a 1.5-litre Turbo-Petrol (Hyperion) and a 2.0-Litre Kryotec Diesel engine, both of which offer 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission options. In this blog, we will determine the better car between Scorpio N and Safari when it comes to fuel-efficiency.
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Mahindra Scorpio N vs Tata Safari: Key Specs
The specifications of the car can also influence its fuel-efficiency to some extent. Let’s compare the key specs of Mahindra Scorpio N vs Tata Safari before checking their claimed and real-world mileage figures. The below table provides some key insights into the specifications of both these cars:
| Specification | Mahindra Scorpio N | Tata Safari |
| Engine | 2.0-Litre mStallion petrol engine2.2-Litre mHawk diesel engine | 1.5-litre Turbo-Petrol (Hyperion) 2.0-Litre Kryotec Diesel engine |
| Displacement | Petrol: 1997 cc Diesel: 2198 cc | Petrol: 1498 cc Diesel: 1956 cc |
| Power | Petrol: 203 bhpDiesel: 175 bhp | Petrol: 168 bhpDiesel: 170 PS |
| Torque | Petrol: 370 NmDiesel: 400 Nm | Petrol: 280 NmDiesel: 350 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual transmission (MT)6-speed automatic transmission (AT) | 6-speed manual transmission (MT)6-speed automatic transmission (AT) |
| Drive layout | Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) or 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Kerb weight | 1825 kg to 2070 kg (depending upon the variant) | Petrol: 1815 kgDiesel: 1830 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | 57 litres | 50 litres |
Mahindra Scorpio N is not only more powerful than Safari, but it is also heavier. These stats might reduce its fuel efficiency and tilt the mileage war to Tata Safari’s side. However, it is too soon to predict this as the real game will begin when we compare their real-world mileage. But before that, let’s see how these cars stand against each other when it comes to ARAI claimed mileage.
Also Read: Mahindra Scorpio N Image Gallery: Interior, Exterior
Mahindra Scorpio N vs Tata Safari: ARAI Claimed Mileage Figures
ARAI is the organisation that tests the mileage of every vehicle in India. The mileage tests are conducted with minimum load and the driving conditions are also favourable. This helps them to calculate the maximum fuel-efficiency a car can deliver in ideal conditions. The below table will help you compare the ARAI claimed mileage of Mahindra Scorpio N and Tata Safari across their powertrains:
| Engine & Transmission | Fuel Type | Mahindra Scorpio N – ARAI Mileage (km/l) | Tata Safari – ARAI Mileage (km/l) |
| 2.0-litre turbo petrol/1.5-litre Turbo-GDI with 6-speed MT | Petrol | Up to 12.17 km/l | Up to 16.3 km/l |
| 2.0-litre turbo petrol/1.5-litre Turbo-GDI with 6-speed AT | Petrol | Up to 12.12 km/l | Up to 14.1 km/l |
| 2.2-litre mHawk diesel/2.0L Kryotec Turbocharged Diesel with 6-speed MT | Diesel | 15.94 km/l | Up to 16.3 km/l |
| 2.2-litre mHawk diesel/2.0L Kryotec Turbocharged Diesel with 6-Speed AT | Diesel | 15.42 km/l | Up to 14.1 km/l |
Tata Safari claims higher mileage than Scorpio N with both manual petrol and automatic petrol transmission options. The manual diesel models of Safari claim a slightly better mileage than the manual diesel models of Scorpio N.
Scorpio N claims a higher mileage than Safari when it comes to automatic diesel models. However, as these figures are quite close, especially with the diesel variants, it will be interesting to see if the claimed mileage figures translate to real-world mileage as well. The below section will highlight the differences in the real-world mileage of both these cars.
Automatic diesel powertrain is the only place where Scorpio N claims a higher mileage than Tata Safari.
Mahindra Scorpio N vs Tata Safari: Real-World Mileage
Real world mileage is always slightly lower than the claimed mileage. This happens because we do not get ideal driving conditions in the real world. Moreover, our driving style and factors such as engine type, fuel-type, design of the car, etc. also determine the overall fuel-efficiency of a vehicle.
So, let’s see how these cars compare against each other when it comes to real-world fuel-efficiency. The below table contains details about the real-world mileage of every powertrain of Mahindra Scorpio N and Tata Safari:
| Mahindra Scorpio N (2.0-litre Turbo Petrol) | Tata Safari (1.5-litre Turbo Petrol) | |
| City | Manual: 10 km/lAutomatic: 9 km/l | Manual: 10 km/lAutomatic: 9.5 km/l |
| Highway | Manual: 13 km/lAutomatic: 12 km/l | Manual: 15 km/lAutomatic: 14.5 km/l |
| Average | Manual: 10.5 km/lAutomatic: 9.5 km/l | Manual: 12 km/lAutomatic: 11 km/l |
| Tank range | ~550 | ~520 km |
| Mahindra Scorpio N(2.2-litre mHawk Diesel) | Tata Safari (2.0-litre Diesel) | |
| City | Manual: 13 km/lAutomatic: 11 km/l | Manual: 13 km/lAutomatic: 11 km/l |
| Highway | Manual: 18 km/lAutomatic: 15 km/l | Manual: 17.5 km/lAutomatic: 14.5 km/l |
| Average | Manual: 15.50 km/lAutomatic: 12.5 km/l | Manual: 14.5 km/lAutomatic: 12 km/l |
| Tank range | Up to 800 km | Up to 700 km |
The real-world mileage offered by the petrol variants of Mahindra Scorpio N is less than the real-world mileage offered by Tata Safari’s petrol variants. Scorpio N still manages to offer a longer tank range because of its higher fuel tank capacity. However, Scorpio N’s diesel variants deliver better real-world mileage than the diesel variants of Tata Safari. Also, the higher mileage of diesel variants is maintained across the powertrains of Scorpio-N. Therefore, we cannot judge a clear winner after comparing the real-world mileage of these cars.
Tata Safari petrol variants deliver higher real-world mileage than Scorpio N’s petrol variants. Scorpio N delivers higher real-world mileage than Safari with its diesel variants.
Also Explore: Tata Safari Image Gallery: Interior and Exterior
Mahindra Scorpio N vs Tata Safari: Periodic Fuel Costs
Our purpose in noting down the real-world mileage of Mahindra Scorpio N and Tata Safari was to compare their periodic fuel costs. This will help us determine which car proves to be a more pocket-friendly option or which car leads to better fuel savings in the long run.
For comparing the fuel costs fairly, we have considered that both cars are driven for 1500 km every month. The latest fuel prices of petrol (Rs. 111.18) and diesel (Rs. 97.50) are taken to calculate the monthly, yearly, and 5-yearly fuel costs. The below table contains the periodic fuel cost calculations across the powertrains of Mahindra Scorpio N and Tata Safari:
| Mahindra Scorpio N Petrol | Safari Petrol | Mahindra Scorpio N Diesel | Safari Diesel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 136 L | 121 L | 103 L | 101 L |
| Average Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 13,872 | ₹12,342 | ₹ 9,785 | ₹ 9,595 |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹ 1.66 lakh | ₹ 1.48 lakh | ₹ 1.17 lakh | ₹ 1.15 lakh |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹ 8.32 lakh | ₹ 7.41 lakh | ₹ 5.87 lakh | ₹ 5.76 lakh |
The difference isn’t huge when we compare the periodic fuel costs of Mahindra Scorpio N and Tata Safari models. The monthly fuel costs associated with the petrol variants of Scorpio N are higher than those of the petrol variants of Safari.
Yet, Scorpio N’s diesel variants prove to be more cost-efficient when we compare their periodic fuel costs with those of Safari’s diesel variants. Therefore, we cannot declare a clear mileage king after comparing the fuel costs of both cars across the powertrains.
Tata Safari is more pocket-friendly with its petrol variants, whereas Scorpio N proves to be more affordable than Safari with its diesel variants.
Mahindra Scorpio N vs Tata Safari: Price
Finally, let’s compare these cars as per their price for base and top models. The below table contains the pricing details of both these cars:
| Model | Variant (Base to Top) | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
| Mahindra Scorpio N | Z2 to Z8L | ₹ 13.69 to ₹ 25.49 lakh |
| Tata Safari | Smart to Accomplished Ultra/Stealth Edition | ₹ 13.40 to ₹ 26.91 lakh |
The price of both these cars falls in a similar range. The starting price of the Safari models is a bit lower than the price of the Scorpio N’s base model. However, its top model is priced higher than the top-spec variant of the Scorpio N. Yet, the difference between their pricing is not substantial, and therefore, it will not affect the decision of car buyers.
Also Read: Mahindra Scorpio N Mileage Comparison: Petrol vs Diesel
Summary
It is quite clear that both Mahindra Scorpio N and Tata Safari have a cult following among the car buyers. While Scorpio N is known for its ruggedness and off-roading capabilities, Tata Safari is more of an urban SUV than its predecessor.
So, for more fuel-related cost savings, you can prefer the petrol variants of Safari over Scorpio N’s petrol variants when it comes to city driving. For better mileage on the highway, you can prefer the diesel variants of Scorpio N over Tata Safari diesel models. For driving on uncertain and undulated roads, we recommend Scorpio N over Safari, especially the diesel models of Scorpio N that come with the 4WD drivetrain.
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FAQs about Mahindra Scorpio N and Tata Safari Mileage
Q. Which car is better for a comfortable and relaxed driving experience: Mahindra Scorpio N or Tata Safari?
The plush ride quality and feature-rich cabin of the Tata Safari make it a much better car than the Mahindra Scorpio N for those who seek a comfortable and relaxed driving experience.
Q. Which car delivers better mileage on the highway: Safari petrol or Scorpio N petrol?
The petrol variants of Safari deliver better mileage on the highway than the petrol variants of Scorpio N.
Q. Which car delivers a higher mileage in the city: Mahindra Scorpio N diesel or Tata Safari diesel?
The diesel variants of Mahindra Scorpio N deliver a slightly better mileage than the diesel variants of Tata Safari. This applies to both city and highway driving and to both manual and automatic models of both these cars.
Q. Which car is more suitable for uphill driving: Mahindra Scorpio N or Tata Safari?
The better torque, robust construction, and 4×4 system of the Mahindra Scorpio N make it more capable than the Tata Safari when it comes to uphill driving.
Q. Which car is more suitable for highway cruising: Tata Safari or Mahindra Scorpio N?
The advanced suspension, better aerodynamic design, and monocoque chassis of the Tata Safari make it better for highway cruising than the Mahindra Scorpio N.
