Advice needed: Buy the new Scorpio-N or get a used Toyota Fortuner?

A well-maintained used Fortuner costs around Rs. 27-30L.

BHPian PetroNerd recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I’m in the market for a new or used car and am confused between the Mahindra Scorpio-n and the used Toyota Fortuner. A well maintained Fortuner is around 27-30L.

Here’s what GTO had to say on the matter:

I would personally go for the Scorpio-N. Reasons = better ride quality (Fortuner is too bumpy for my tastes), lighter steering (Fortuner too heavy at low speeds) and the Scorpio-N is a breeze to drive in the city (Fortuner requires effort).

Of course, the Fortuner is the indisputable big-daddy of the 40-50 lakh SUV segment, enjoying volumes that haven’t been seen before in that price band. It is a “can’t go wrong” SUV.

It all boils down to individual preferences. Mine are inclined toward the Scorpio-N or even better, the XUV700.

Here’s what BHPian padmarjravi had to say on the matter:

Fortuners are overpriced in the used market. And you have to worry about the year-limit based restrictions enforced by local bodies like NGTs. The 27-30L Fortuner will be at least 5 year old. Just like 10-year diesel ban in Delhi, more states can come up with bans. Fortuner’s resale value does not reflect such constraints and is inflated. Hence not a good option for a used diesel car. If buying a new one is not an option, go for the new Scorpio N. If you can afford new, it is a different story though.

Here’s what BHPian PrideRed had to say on the matter:

I hope you have experienced body on frame SUV and fits your use case. Body on frames are not everyone’s cup of tea and one should take long test drive before finalizing, unless you are used to its characteristics. Car to car Fortuner is a better product overall and clearly feels like a segment above. However the option you are looking here would be 3-5 years old, which might throw up additional tantrums. That said Scorpio being new, wont be safe either, most review here in TBHP point to wait a while before laying hands on brand new Mahindra product. If you are ok with wait times, go with Scorpio as you get brand new car else if you can get hands on a say something like 2019 very well maintained Fortuner , in case you find one.

Here’s what BHPian shankar.balan had to say on the matter:

The Fortuner and it’s second row in particular is rather bumpy and uncomfortable. But it feels so solid and indestructible that if you will primarily drive on highways and poor roads and semi urban and rural, it is a fantastic option, even though it is very expensive, even used. The Scorpio N is a very good choice, because, it also feels nearly as indestructible as the Fortuner does and weighs in at half the price. However, I decidedly do not like it’s too-light electronic power steering, vastly preferring the weightiness of a typical hydraulic power steering such as the one in my Thar. The XUV 700 is a phenomenal effort by Mahindra and they deserve full marks for it. It is really very good. All the finesse of the Koreans and Japanese and even the Germans is there in the XUV700.

You may want to consider the new Hyundai Tucson too, because it promises to be a highly accomplished vehicle. And the Jeep Compass, though a bit older now, is still a comfortable vehicle, a great handler and proven in terms of toughness too.

Here’s what BHPian One had to say on the matter:

I am of the firm belief that with the current prices, a used Fortuner of current design 16-17 onwards is expensive whereas a new Fortuner is a cheaper option. Reasons are purely number crunching without any subjectivity:

1. Buying outright for cars is just a waste of money where a car loan’s effective Rate of Interest is lower than current FD rates.

2. Taking a car loan to buy a used car is bad though with much higher rates and assumming the 10 year rule coming in nation-wide is a matter of when not if, it just doesn’t make sense to risk the 30 odd lakhs in a used Fortuner.

Whichever way I slice and dice it, the used Fortuner, irrespective of any resale value (unless the plan is to get rid of it in a couple of years) is just not worth it. Would rather buy a new one.

All the best in your search

Here’s what BHPian for_cars1 had to say on the matter:

You get everything you need in the Scorpio-N, be it 4×4 with low range, MLD/BLD, safety features, all bells and whistles including Sunroof and Frequency selective Dampers in the suspension(robust too with Double wishbone setup in the front and multilink with Watts linkage at the rear) for a much better ride.

The Scorpio-N is significantly wider and roomier compared to the Fortuner and 3 adults can comfortably sit in the second row compared to Fortuner which feels a bit cramped and narrow (in relative terms).

Also a Fortuner is a part time 4WD, so a used Fortuner can have issues if it has been abused in 4×4 mode (eg: driving in 4×4 mode on paved/tarmac roads which can cause transmission windup as the part time 4WD is supposed to be used only in off-road/slush/gravel roads in slippery conditions off the tarmac).

If its a new vehicle, then Fortuner is a better choice (but not value for money), but a new Scorpio-N is anyday better than a used Fortuner (or any other used vehicle for that matter).

Keyword: Advice needed: Buy the new Scorpio-N or get a used Toyota Fortuner?