We left Delhi at 8:30 AM sharp in the Mahindra Scorpio N, aiming to make the most of the open highways before traffic built up. The route was straightforward – Yamuna Expressway followed by the Agra Lucknow Expressway – two of the smoothest stretches of road in North India. With just a 15-minute chai break along the way, we rolled into Lucknow at 2:30 PM. Covering the distance in roughly six hours felt relaxed rather than rushed.
I drove the 2.2-litre diesel automatic version and this powertrain suits long-distance touring well. The engine feels smooth and reasonably refined and the automatic gearbox works seamlessly in most driving conditions. On the expressway, the Scorpio N is very cruisable. It settles into a rhythm effortlessly and maintains highway speeds without feeling strained. High-speed stability is impressive considering its body-on-frame construction and the ride quality remains largely pliant over expansion joints and undulations.
As a Tata Safari Storme owner, I tend to value old-school SUV traits and the Scorpio N delivers on one of the most important ones – a commanding driving position. You sit high with a clear view of the road ahead, something that’s increasingly missing in many modern SUVs that adopt a more crossover-like seating stance. That sense of height and presence adds to the comfort on long drives.
Once we entered Lucknow’s city traffic, the Scorpio N’s easygoing nature continued in some respects. The electric power-assisted steering is well calibrated. It is feather light at low speeds, making it simple to manoeuvre through tighter lanes and parking spaces and it firms up progressively as speed builds. It adapts well and never feels inconsistent. The Sony audio system kept the cabin engaging throughout the drive, offering good clarity and depth.
However, the city roads also highlighted areas where the Scorpio N isn’t perfect. At low speeds, the suspension can feel slightly juddery and on particularly bad patches there is noticeable vertical movement. It is still much better controlled than the older Scorpio Classic but you are constantly aware that this is a ladder-frame SUV tuned with a certain firmness. Another ergonomic oversight is the seat ventilation function. Instead of a physical button, it is buried within the touchscreen climate control menu, which makes quick adjustments inconvenient while driving.
Practicality over the trip brought up two major drawbacks that Mahindra should ideally address in a future update. The first is boot space. With the third row up, luggage room is limited and even when folded, the arrangement leaves less usable space than expected for an SUV of this size. An option without the third row would make sense for buyers who do not need seven seats. The second issue is fuel tank capacity. At 57 litres, it feels slightly small for a vehicle meant for highway touring, especially when even the Scorpio Classic offers a 60-litre tank. Ideally, a 65-litre capacity would have improved range and reduced fuel stops. Over the course of the trip, we recorded around 14 km/l on the expressway and approximately 12 km/l in city conditions, which is acceptable for a diesel automatic SUV in this segment.
Lucknow itself offered a different rhythm after the steady hum of the highway. We were in town for the annual Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival, which began in 2010 as a crafts bazaar and has since evolved into a wider celebration of Awadhi culture. The event brings together art, crafts, food and cultural performances under one roof and remains open to all. Walking through the stalls and performances after a highway run felt like shifting gears from mechanical precision to cultural warmth.
No visit to Lucknow is complete without exploring its food. A stop at Tunday Kababi for the famous galouti kebabs was followed by rounds of street-side chaat that the city is known for. The flavours are layered and distinct, reflecting generations of culinary refinement. Between city outings, we also drove out to a family farm on the outskirts where sesame fields stretched across the landscape. The approach roads were uneven and dusty, and here the Scorpio N’s ground clearance and robust construction felt reassuring and appropriate.
The Delhi to Lucknow drive highlighted both the strengths and compromises of the Scorpio N. It is smooth and comfortable on highways, offers strong high-speed stability and delivers a commanding driving experience. At the same time, limited boot space, a relatively small fuel tank and slightly unsettled low-speed ride quality are aspects that potential buyers should consider. Overall, it remains a capable SUV to live with and a solid companion for long drives, especially if Mahindra addresses these practical shortcomings in future updates.
