2020 Mahindra Thar vs Mahindra Scorpio. Which SUV should you get?

Mahindra recently launched its much-awaited Thar which is not only a better off-roader now but can also be your only car i.e. your daily driver. However, there is another Mahindra with which the 2020 Thar’s price now clashes. It is the Scorpio which has been on sale for quite some time. Both the SUVs have similar pricing and specs. Today we compare both of them and help you decide which one should you go for.

Space

While the 2020 Thar has larger dimensions than the previous generation, it still falls short when compared to the Scorpio. The Scorpio is taller and longer than the Thar. Yes, the Thar might be wider but it is the Scorpio which has a much longer wheelbase. This helps in liberating more cabin space for the occupants. So, it is the Scorpio which has more legroom and headroom. Also, one important thing to note is that the Scorpio can seat three people on the rear bench whereas the Thar is a strict two-seater. So, if you are planning an SUV for the family, it is the Scorpio that you should go for.

Also read: Buying a pre-owned Mahindra Thar is better than buying a new one: 5 reasons

Performance

Mahindra Scorpio is only offered with a diesel engine whereas the Thar has now got all new petrol and a diesel engine which we expect to see on more models from Mahindra. Mahindra Scorpio comes with a 2.2-litre diesel engine that produces 130bhp of max power and a peak torque output of 320Nm. Whereas the 2020 Thar’s new 2.2-litre diesel engine produces 130bhp of max power and a peak torque output of 320 Nm. Yes, on paper it seems that the Scorpio is more powerful than the Thar but the Scorpio is also around 100 kgs heavier. So, a mere 8bhp won’t make difference in performance. Having said that, the Thar is also available with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 150bhp of max power and a peak torque output of 320Nm. Also, we know that the new engines of the Thar are much more refined, modern and tractable than the previous generation engine which is fitted in the Scorpio. So, if it is the performance you want then you are better off with the 2020 Thar

Automatic transmission

People are slowly moving towards automatic transmission because the cars on the roads are increasing day by day which means the traffic also increases. Automatic transmissions have greatly reduced the fatigue of the drivers which came due to continuously modulating the clutch. Whereas, the automatic transmissions come with a creep function that automatically moves the car forward slowly when the driver let go of the brake. Mahindra is offering a 6-speed automatic transmission with both the diesel and the petrol engine. This is great news for people who find driving in traffic cumbersome and wanted a Thar but didn’t get it because of its manual transmission. The automatic transmission will definitely appeal a lot more people. When compared, the Scorpio is not offered with any type of automatic transmission. So, if you want an automatic transmission, the Mahindra Thar is your default choice.

Features

Both the SUV gets LED Daytime Running Lamps, automatic climate control, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, steering mounted controls and multi-information display. Where the Scorpio gets rain-sensing wipers, automatic wipers and projector headlamps, the Thar gets Adventure Statistics display, keyless entry and BlueSense app connectivity. As we can see both the SUVs are very closely matched in terms of features. So, it really comes down to the features that you think are more beneficial for you.

Off-roading

If your main purpose for buying an SUV is off-roading then the 2020 Thar is significantly better than the Scorpio. It’s just a much more capable SUV due to having a proper 4×4 drivetrain and a low range gearbox. When compared the Scorpio is no longer offered with a 4×4 drivetrain. The Thar was build from ground up with off-roading in mind so it is obvious that it is the better option out of the two.

Price

If you are on a budget, it is the 2020 Thar that you should go for. It costs significantly less than the Scorpio. Where the Scorpio starts from Rs. 12.42 lakhs ex-showroom, the 2020 Thar starts from just Rs. 9.80 lakhs ex-showroom. So, the Thar manages to under-cut the Scorpio by 2.80 lakhs.

Both the SUVs are very good for their money. It depends on the needs of the buyer that which one should he opt for. If you are looking for a family SUV then the Scorpio is the better pick and if you want a 4×4 then you cannot go wrong with the 2020 Thar. Having said that soon there will be a new Scorpio which will also be extensively improved just like the new Thar. It will get a new design, engine and new features. It will be interesting to see what all changes do the new Scorpio comes with.

Also read: Made-in-India SUVs used by Foreign Military & Police Forces: From Tata Hexa to Mahindra Bolero Camper