Mahindra recently launched the 2026 Scorpio N, introducing a handful of changes, including new rims, a larger touchscreen, a fresh driver’s display, and a 540-degree camera, while retaining the same powertrain options. It is priced from Rs 13.69 lakh to Rs 25.49 lakh (ex-showroom). Its prices are similar to those of the Thar Roxx’s, which also offers the same powertrain options. So, if you are looking for a Mahindra SUV at around Rs 25 lakh, should you choose the top-spec Mahindra Scorpio N Z8L or the Thar Roxx AX7L? We find out.
2026 Mahindra Scorpio N vs Thar Roxx: Dimensions
Scorpio N is larger and offers more boot space; Thar Roxx has better ground clearance
*786 litres of boot space is with the third row folded (with 5 seats up).
The Mahindra Scorpio N is significantly longer compared to the Thar Roxx, and it is also slightly wider. The Thar Roxx, on the other hand, has a larger wheelbase and is also taller than the Scorpio N.
The Scorpio N offers a larger boot with the third row folded. Notably, the Scorpio N is offered with either 6 or 7 seats, the former asking a premium over the latter, while the Thar Roxx is strictly a 5-seater.
2026 Mahindra Scorpio N Z8L vs Thar Roxx AX7L: Powertrain
Both Mahindra SUVs get the same powertrain options, but with slightly different tunes
*Scorpio N’s direct-injection turbo-petrol produces 203hp, 370Nm with MT, and 203hp, 380Nm with AT; diesel engine produces 175hp, 370Nm with MT, 175hp, 400Nm with AT.
^Thar Roxx’s diesel engine produces 152hp,300Nm with MT, and 175hp, 400Nm with AT.
Both top-spec Mahindra Scorpio N Z8L and Thar Roxx AX7 are offered with a choice between a 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine and a 2.2-litre diesel engine. However, these engines are offered in different states of tune, with varying power and torque outputs, and the Scorpio N's select powertrains are slightly more powerful than the Thar Roxx’s.
The Scorpio N’s petrol-AT produces 28hp more than the Thar Roxx. Notably, the Thar Roxx AX7L is not offered with a petrol-manual option. The Scorpio N’s diesel-MT produces 23hp and 40Nm more than the Thar Roxx, while with the diesel-AT both SUVs make 175hp and 400Nm.
The diesel engines on both SUVs are available with both rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) setups with both manual and automatic variants, while the petrol engines are only offered with a RWD setup.
2026 Mahindra Scorpio N Z8L vs Thar Roxx AX7L: Exterior
Thar Roxx AX7L has bigger rims, but Scorpio N Z8L offers roof rails
Top-spec trims of both SUVs are offered with all-LED lighting. The differences, however, are larger 19-inch alloy wheels on the Mahindra Thar Roxx AX7L, and roof rails on the Scorpio N Z8L. The Scorpio N has a sharkfin antenna, while the Thar Roxx’s antenna is placed on the front left fender.
The top-spec Scorpio N is offered with monotone hues only, while the Thar Roxx is available only in dual-tone shades.
2026 Mahindra Scorpio N Z8L vs Thar Roxx AX7L: Interior, features
Scorpio N Z8L offers larger infotainment, more speakers and dual-zone AC
The Scorpio N Z8L offers a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system paired with a 12-speaker Sony sound system compared to the Thar Roxx AX7L’s 10.25-inch unit with an 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The Scorpio N is also equipped with dual-zone climate control and a wireless phone charger with cooling, while the Thar Roxx gets basic single-zone automatic climate control and misses out on the cooling function for the wireless phone charger.
Everything else is identical on both SUVs, including a panoramic sunroof, a 10.25-inch driver's display, a 6-way powered driver’s seat, front seat ventilation, and a tilt-adjustable steering wheel. Both SUVs also show adventure statistics including a compass, roll and pitch and an altimeter.
2026 Mahindra Scorpio N Z8L vs Thar Roxx AX7L: Driving tech
Scorpio N Z8L comes with more terrain modes than the Thar Roxx AX7L
Drive modes on the Scorpio N are offered only with the diesel-RWD variants, while even the petrol variants of the Thar Roxx get this suite. However, the Scorpio N gets an additional ‘Sand’ terrain mode missing on the Thar Roxx. Both SUVs get a shift-on-fly 4WD system and an electronic locking differential, enhancing grip on slippery terrains.
2026 Mahindra Scorpio N Z8L vs Thar Roxx AX7L: Safety
Safety features are similar, save for a 540-degree camera on Scorpio N Z8L
*The 540-degree camera setup shows the 360-degree view along with an under-bonnet view.
Except for a 540-degree camera setup on the Scorpio N Z8L, which shows the view under the SUV’s bonnet, all other safety features are identical to both SUVs. These include 6 airbags, Level-2 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), front and rear parking sensors, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and hill start and hold assists.
2026 Mahindra Scorpio N Z8L vs Thar Roxx AX7L: Prices
The Thar Roxx comes at a lower price compared to the top-spec Scorpio N
The Mahindra Scorpio N Z8L is more expensive than the Thar Roxx AX7L in all powertrain configurations by over Rs 2 lakh. However, it is offered with an additional third row, which can accommodate more passengers. On the other hand, the Mahindra Thar Roxx is derived from a hardcore off-roader and is a good recreational vehicle while also serving urban buyers with its tech-loaded suite. However, the Scorpio N, despite being pricier, is a more practical option that packs in all the necessary off-roading tech and offers an additional third row, making it a good value-for-money SUV in its class.
Uday Singh
Viraaj Bhatnagar
