2026 Mahindra Scorpio N facelift: Bigger Screen, Panoramic Sunroof and New Design

Mahindra seems to be playing a careful balancing act in 2026 pushing full throttle into the EV lane with its Electric Origin lineup while tightening bolts on its old-school internal combustion flagships. And right in the middle of that story is the Scorpio N facelift, recently caught testing under heavy camouflage near Chennai. It’s the first real peek we’ve had in months, and the updates—though subtle at first glance—signal that Mahindra is fine-tuning its bestseller for another strong run.

The SUV That Defines Mahindra’s Muscle

Let’s not forget: the Scorpio isn’t just another SUV; it’s a legacy. Since its early 2000s debut, the nameplate has been synonymous with ruggedness, rural dominance, and street presence. And in its current form, the Scorpio N has helped Mahindra maintain a 78% market share in India’s mid-size SUV segment (as of October 2025). Between the Scorpio Classic and Scorpio N, nearly half of all SUVs in this bracket—about 45%—wear the Scorpio badge.

So yeah, when a facelift comes around, it’s a big deal.

The latest test mule—spotted by auto enthusiast Subramanian V near the Vandalur Indian Oil station in Chennai—shows Mahindra’s design team at work again. Despite the camouflage wrap, you can spot telltale signs of visual tweaks: a revised front grille, new LED DRL signature, and reshaped front and rear bumpers.

Design and Exterior Tweaks

From what’s visible, Mahindra hasn’t messed with the Scorpio N’s muscular stance. The overall silhouette, proportions, and ladder-frame construction remain intact—a good thing, given how well customers associate that with durability. But subtle upgrades are expected to modernize the design and align it with Mahindra’s newer family look.

Rumor has it, the production model could roll out with larger 19-inch alloys—a step up from the current 18-inchers—to enhance road presence. The LED DRLs are expected to carry a more aggressive pattern, possibly inspired by the upcoming XUV7XO (the facelifted XUV700).

At the back, the taillamps are expected to get a smoked effect with connected LED treatment, while the bumpers may integrate new fog lamp housings and faux skid plates. Despite being under wraps, it’s clear Mahindra’s going for a sharper, premium stance rather than a radical overhaul.

Cabin Overhaul: Tech Meets Toughness

Inside, though—that’s where the real evolution is expected. The current Scorpio N, while loaded, is beginning to show its age next to tech-heavy rivals like the Tata Safari facelift and Hyundai Alcazar. Mahindra’s mid-cycle refresh seems aimed squarely at that gap.

Expect a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen replacing the current 8-inch unit, alongside a fully digital TFT instrument cluster. The brand could also introduce front and rear ventilated seats, powered driver seat with memory function, and—finally—a panoramic sunroof, something customers have been demanding since launch.

Music enthusiasts will appreciate the rumored upgrade to a Harman Kardon speaker system with Dolby Atmos, taking in-car audio to a new level. Convenience tech like an auto park feature, 360-degree camera, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are all on the cards.

Here’s a quick summary of what’s expected inside:

Feature	Current Model	Facelift (Expected)
Infotainment Display	8-inch touchscreen	12.3-inch touchscreen
Instrument Cluster	Semi-digital	Fully digital TFT
Ventilated Seats	Front only (select trims)	Front & Rear
Sunroof	Standard	Panoramic
Audio	Sony 12-speaker	Harman Kardon with Dolby Atmos
Parking Assist	Reverse camera only	Auto park + 360° camera

Powertrain and Performance

Under the hood, Mahindra’s likely to play it safe. The 2.0-litre mStallion turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre mHawk turbo-diesel engines will carry forward unchanged, paired with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

However, enthusiasts are hoping Mahindra bumps up the diesel’s output to the 450 Nm torque tune available in the XUV700. The popular 4X4 system (Shift-on-the-fly) will remain a part of the Scorpio N’s DNA, keeping it true to its off-road character.

Engine Type	Transmission	Power Output	Torque
2.0L Turbo Petrol	6MT / 6AT	~200 hp	380 Nm
2.2L Turbo Diesel	6MT / 6AT	~175–185 hp	400–450 Nm (expected)

Mahindra’s focus here is refinement and feature expansion rather than a powertrain overhaul. Don’t expect hybrids yet—those are being reserved for the company’s upcoming Born Electric (BE) range.

Launch Timeline and Expectations

While Mahindra hasn’t confirmed an exact launch date, industry insiders suggest the Scorpio N facelift could hit the market by late 2026. The brand seems to be staggering its SUV rollouts, with the XUV7XO (facelifted XUV700) expected earlier in the year, followed by the Scorpio N refresh before the festive season.

Prices should see a modest hike of around ₹1–1.5 lakh over current figures, putting the facelift’s range roughly between ₹14.5 lakh and ₹26 lakh (ex-showroom).

Variant Range	Current Price	Expected Price (Facelift)
Base Petrol (Z2)	₹13.85 lakh	₹14.5 lakh
Mid Diesel AT (Z6)	₹18.75 lakh	₹19.5 lakh
Top Diesel 4X4 (Z8L)	₹24.5 lakh	₹26 lakh

The Bigger Picture

With the electric revolution on one side and the enduring popularity of rugged SUVs on the other, Mahindra’s dual-track strategy makes perfect sense. The Scorpio N facelift isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade—it’s a strategic refresh to keep Mahindra’s ICE lineup relevant while its EVs gather momentum.

Expect it to be a sales juggernaut again, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities where the Scorpio’s reputation as a tough, go-anywhere SUV is legendary.

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