Mahindra has added a new variant to the Scorpio line up and this time around it is the S9 trim that finds a place between the lower spec S7 model and the top-of-the-line S11 variant. There’s no AWD or an AT option but you do get most of the luxury features of the S11 model.
The Scorpio has been one of the longest surviving name plates for the Indian automaker- 16 years to be precise and thus holds a special place in the history of cars in India. Then there is also the fact that the Scorpio has moved up a notch in terms of positioning and is now Mahindra’s competitor in the D-segment.
At one end of the scale, taking on this S9 variant are the top-of-the-line models of the Honda City, Volkswagen Vento AT/MT as well as the Skoda Rapid AT/MT. In fact, these cars, at this price range, have moved well beyond their C-segment origins but equally offer that much in terms of features. In terms of bigger sedans, you also have the entry-level Elantra S petrol.
In the next level, we have the Scorpio’s five-seat rivals in the form of the Hyundai Creta SX 1.6, Renault Duster 110PS 4X4 and the Renault Captur Mono Platine diesel. They are similar to the Scorpio in terms of pricing but are crossovers with FWD and a monocoque set up.
In terms of seven-seat models, you can also look at the Tata Safari Storme 2.2 VX 4X2 Varicor400, Tata Hexa XM 4X2 as well as Mahindra’s very own XUV500 in the W7 trim or the Marrazo in the M8 trim level.
