Comparing The Mahindra Scorpio-N And The Toyota Fortuner
When it comes to body-on-frame SUVs, the image of a big and powerful vehicle capable of tackling any terrain comes to mind. Two prominent contenders in the current SUV segment are the Mahindra Scorpio-N and the Toyota Fortuner. These spacious 7-seaters offer off-road capabilities and a premium feel, making them popular choices for buyers with a flexible budget. In this article, we compare these vehicles in terms of size, interior space, features, and overall driving experience – shedding light on their unique characteristics.
Exterior Features
The exterior styling of both SUVs is subjective and based on personal preference. However, there are noteworthy features that often go unnoticed. The Toyota Fortuner boasts LED headlamps with an excellent spread of light, ensuring visibility even on dark roads at high speeds. Similarly, the Mahindra Scorpio N comes equipped with LED headlamps that offer a good throw and spread, enhancing driving confidence.
Both SUVs feature high-quality wipers, providing effective cleaning capacity. It’s worth noting that these specific wipers are of superior quality compared to regular ones, which explains the higher price tag. Additionally, both vehicles come with 18-inch alloy wheels, although the Fortuner’s tyres are wider than the Mahindra Scorpio N.
Interior Features
The interiors of the Mahindra Scorpio N and the Toyota Fortuner reflect their individual design philosophies. The Fortuner’s interior, although considered old-school, is simple and subtle, a trademark of Toyota’s design approach. The cabin materials consist of both hard and soft-touch surfaces, with soft-touch materials in all driver touch points. The front seats are comfortable and adequately wide, although side support could be improved. Unique features of the Fortuner include ventilated seats, an electric tailgate, electric adjustment for the co-driver seat, paddle shifters, and auto-dimming IRVM.
On the other hand, the Scorpio N features a timeless design with a black and brown colour scheme and a beige roof, creating an airy ambience. The interior materials are made from hard and soft plastics, with soft-touch materials in driver touch points. The front seats offer excellent comfort, making long road trips fatigue-free. Key features of the Mahindra Scorpio N include a sunroof, a front camera and a high-quality music system with 3D surround sound.
Seating And Storage
In terms of seating, both SUVs provide ample space for passengers and storage. The second row of the Fortuner offers good width, comfortably accommodating three individuals. The knee room, headroom, and thigh support are as you’d expect from a luxury 7-seater. Similarly, the Scorpio N’s second row provides ample shoulder room, making it suitable for three passengers while also providing good knee room, headroom, and thigh support.
Moving to the third row, the Fortuner offers sufficient space for two passengers, although knee room and headroom are average, and thigh support is minimal. The Scorpio N’s third row, while offering a bit less knee room for taller passengers, offers more headroom than the Fortuner.
Driving Experience
When it comes to the driving experience, both SUVs have distinct characteristics. The Fortuner’s engine emits a raw and truck-like sound. It offers both petrol and diesel engine options, with the diesel variant providing more power and torque. The Fortuner’s ride quality is slightly stiff, resulting in noticeable jerks on rough roads, and its steering feels heavier compared to other cars.
In contrast, the Scorpio N’s engine starts silently without vibrations, providing a smooth and enjoyable drive. The Scorpio N’s ride quality is superior, absorbing bumps and maintaining stability while its light steering adds further comfort on long drives. In South Africa, the Scorpio N is only available with a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine that pushes out ample power and torque of 129 kW @ 3500 rpm and 400 Nm @ 1750-2750 rpm.
In terms of fuel efficiency, both SUVs deliver decent mileage considering their size and displacement. The petrol Fortuner offers 10-12 km/l in the city and 13-14 km/l on highways while the Mahindra Scorpio N offers between 9 and 12 km/l for urban driving and 14-16 km/l on the open road.
What’s The Verdict? Mahindra Scorpio N Or The Toyota Fortuner?
When it comes to the Toyota Fortuner, buyers are not primarily drawn to its features but rather its established reputation. Its reliability, low service costs, and impressive resale value make it a desirable option. Additionally, the Fortuner exudes a stylish and authoritative presence on the road, further enhancing its appeal.
Conversely, the Mahindra Scorpio N surpasses the Fortuner in terms of features, premium feel and engine refinement. The Scorpio N offers a quieter engine, enhanced technology, and commendable performance, rivalling that of the Fortuner. While it addresses several downsides of the Fortuner, it has also proven itself a formidable contender in the premium SUV segment.
Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on personal preferences, with buyers seeking advanced features and enhanced comfort leaning towards the Mahindra Scorpio N, while some may still opt for the Toyota Fortuner.
Toyota Fortuner image source: Wikimedia
