Major upgrade for cheap family SUV

Mahindra has detailed a major safety upgrade for its Scorpio large family SUV ahead of it arriving at local dealers during this summer.

The Indian carmaker has scaled back the Scorpio line-up to a single top-spec trim level now, called the Z8L+. It’s priced from $48,990 drive-away, which is a $7000 price hike over the previous entry price, though it’s $2000 more than the previous Z8L range-topper.

The biggest change with this update is the introduction of a range of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) functionality that are claimed to be “designed for Australian roads and conditions”.

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These include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control with stop and go, front vehicle start alert, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane centring, traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning and automatic high-beam.

The pre-update Scorpio went without all of the aforementioned safety features and notably received a zero-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2023 due in part to this. It’s unclear when or if Mahindra plans to retest this updated model.

Other new features in the 2026 Mahindra Scorpio Z8L+ include an electric park brake with auto hold, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, as well as ventilated front seats.

A seven-seat configuration is now standard with the six-seat configuration featuring second-row captain’s chairs seemingly getting the axe.

2026 Mahindra Scorpio price Australia

Model	Price (drive-away)
2026 Mahindra Scorpio Z8L+	$48,990

2026 Mahindra Scorpio engine and efficiency

	Scorpio Z8L+
Engine	2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power	129kW
Torque	400Nm
Transmission	Six-speed torque-converter automatic
Driven wheels	Part-time four-wheel drive with low-range and rear diff lock
Fuel consumption	7.2L/100km
CO2 emissions	190g/km
Fuel tank size	57L

2026 Mahindra Scorpio standard equipment

2026 Mahindra Scorpio Z8L+:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Full-size spare wheel
• LED headlights
• LED tail-lights
• Sequential indicators
• Chrome door handles
• Sunroof
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless phone charger
• Second-row USB-C charge ports
• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Dual-zone climate control
• Second-row air-conditioning module
• Cooled glovebox
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Rich Coffee Black synthetic leather upholstery

2026 Mahindra Scorpio safety

The Mahindra Scorpio received a zero-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2023, however it’s unclear whether the company will retest the car given it now has ADAS functionality.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Six airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keep assist
• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
• Lane centring

	Scorpio Z8L+
Length	4662mm
Width	1917mm
Height	1857mm
Wheelbase	2750mm
Braked towing capacity	2500kg
Unbraked towing capacity	750kg