By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
As the work year winds down and the festive season takes over, automotive brands traditionally hand over the keys to their prized new models for journalists to live with and experience beyond the press launch and the seven-day road test. Two weeks ago, Mahindra sent me the Scorpio-N Z8 4Xplor, finished in the striking burnt orange, which I believe is officially called Red Rage. Here’s what I formulated thus far as I develop a deeper relationship with the vehicle.
First Impressions
In a market where large SUVs lean toward safe, neutral colours, the burnt orange “Red Rage” immediately felt refreshing. The Scorpio-N stands tall and imposing, yet its rounded shoulders and gentle accents give it a softened presence, making it refreshing.
Inside, the cabin surprised me. The dual-tone beige and black interior makes the space feel airy and refined, and the sunroof floods the cabin with light. Though rugged at heart, small touches like the leatherette seats, the touchscreen infotainment with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and dual-zone climate control make it feel family-friendly and more premium than expected at its price point.
The slow start
Deadline season meant the Scorpio-N sat gathering dust in the driveway for two days. Feeling guilty, I spent time inside acquainting myself with features, soaking in the quiet cabin and admiring the thoughtful layout.
Our relationship did get off to a shaky start with the stop/start system. Each time the engine shut down at a robot, the silence felt abrupt and unsettling. Restart felt more like a crawl than a kick. Worried, I stopped in at Mahindra Little Falls off Hendrik Potgieter. The technicians reassured me that the system was functioning normally and explained how the stop/start logic works in the Scorpio-N. That restored my confidence, and I’ve since become accustomed to it.
Everyday City Driving
In the past two weeks, the Scorpio-N has been our school run companion, grocery hauler, coffee stop cruiser and errand runner. It seats seven, though I haven’t needed the third row yet, but knowing it’s there brings peace of mind for future family outings.
On Johannesburg’s wet summer roads, littered with potholes, the chunky tyres and ladder-frame stability made me feel secure. For a tall SUV, it feels steady and planted on the road, with minimal side-to-side movement for a surprisingly controlled ride, and the ground clearance feels like a safety net rather than just a number on a spec sheet.
The experience so far
I haven’t ventured beyond Gauteng yet, but the combination of freeways, gravel-road comfort, and city usability makes me excited for a longer trip. The powerful diesel engine, smooth six-speed automatic, and selectable drive modes suggest that long-distance cruising will be effortless.
In just two weeks, our family has already begun building unexpected memories with the Scorpio-N, waiting outside the Gautrain station for a colleague while soaking in the calm cabin and crystal-clear sound, driving through the Kyalami racetrack to collect a package, and navigating muddy fields without stress. These are small moments, but they hint at the lifestyle the Scorpio-N can support.
The Scorpio-N 4Xplor has revealed itself slowly: rugged yet comfortable, imposing yet gentle. Not perfect, stop/start remains unnerving, but genuinely capable and surprisingly sophisticated. With more road ahead this festive season, I’m looking forward to discovering the rest of its character.
- Price: From R587 999 for the 4x4
