Mahindra is an integral part of Indian automotive legend spanning generations, and it is famous for manufacturing tough SUVs that fit both on-road and off-road applications. Mahindra's best-selling models are the Mahindra Scorpio N and the Mahindra Thar.
While they share the same heritage brand name, they exist to serve specific market niches. This article is about an in-depth review of the two with emphasis laid on design, performance, interior features, safety, and lots more.
The Mahindra Thar is a retro-styled off-roader SUV that is driven by the latest generation features. With its rugged appearance and off-road capabilities, the Thar makes a great appeal to adventure lovers and those who seek a vehicle that can also negotiate bad roads. The new generation vehicle boasts new generation features, but continues to have a retro look.
The Mahindra Scorpio N is one of the newer offerings in the Mahindra brand, emphasizing providing city comfort as well as off-road capability. With a larger cabin room and newer amenities, the Scorpio N appeals to families and to buyers seeking an SUV that will do everything on city driving days and weekend vacations.
Seating Capacity: 4 (2-door) or 5 (4-door)
Upholstery: Premium fabric/leatherette options
Infotainment: 7-inch touch screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Climate Control: Manual air conditioning
Boot Space: Approximately 600 liters
Seating Capacity: 7 (3-row)
Upholstery: Premium leather upholstery
Infotainment: 8-inch touch screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Climate Control: Dual-zone automatic climate control
Boot Space: 460 liters (all seats up)
Scorpio N has a higher-end and larger cabin, which is appropriate for families. Thar is built on a leaner chassis with emphasis given to utility and off-road potential.
Thar and Scorpio N both offer common safety features to guard occupants.
Two airbags
ABS with EBD
Roll cage protection
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Hill Hold and Hill Descent Control
Dual airbags
ABS with EBD
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Traction Control System (TCS)
Rear Camera and Sensors
The vehicles are safe by default, but the Scorpio N also features parking sensors and cameras that bring so much convenience in driving around the city roads.
Choose the Mahindra Thar if:
Off-road driving ability is absolutely crucial for you.
You are looking for an urban-friendly compact SUV.
You have no budget constraints but would want a rugged vehicle.
Choose the Mahindra Scorpio N if:
You need a massive SUV for Saturday and Sunday family outings.
You need off-road functionality along with city comfort as well.
You need discretionary income and comfort features as well.
Mahindra Thar's price starts with around ₹11.50 Lakh, whereas Mahindra Scorpio's price starts with a slightly lower price tag of ₹10.24 Lakh.
The Scorpio is more spacious inside and can seat more people comfortably, and thus is ideal for family use. Thar, while smaller and ideal for off-road use.
Thar is ideal for off-road use and can take boulder roads without any difficulty. It is ideal for adventure enthusiasts. The Scorpio is ideal for city runabouts and family holidays, as it is smooth and comfortable.
Scorpio is more mileage-providing than Thar. For this reason, Scorpios are more economical vehicles to use on a daily basis.
Thar and Scorpio are both equipped with modern features, but Scorpio is equipped with superior technology along with comfort features since Scorpio is an SUV to use for family purposes.
Both the Scorpio N and Mahindra Thar offer exceptional performance according to their individual characteristics. The choice between Mahindra products depends on several factors including personal needs and budget and requirements as well as priority considerations. For all types of requirements Mahindra offers products spanning from adventure models to family-oriented versions.
READ ALSO: Mahindra Scorpio N Adventure Edition Revealed
Both Scorpio N and Thar are 4WD-based vehicles and can be excellent off-road drivers. However, the lightweight nature and compact size of the Thar make it more efficient while off-roading on rough terrain.
Yes, the spacious interior of the Scorpio N and its feature-packed sections make it a breeze to drive the vehicle around within the city. Its size can, however, be challenging to handle in tight corners.
The Thar offers a mileage of around 15.2 km/l (Petrol) and 13.0 km/l (Diesel). The Scorpio N offers around 15.42 km/l (Diesel) and 13.67 km/l (Petrol).
Up to early 2025, both models have different waiting periods by variant and geography. Better to check with local dealerships for the most recent update.