A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Z8L 4x4 AT AdventureDiesel6-Speed AutomaticCurrent
ZAR 699,999ex-showroom
⚡ 129 kW🔧 400 Nm⛽ 14.5 km/l
＋Add a 3rd car
Decision summary
Volkswagen Polo-Vivo vs Mahindra Scorpio-N: the short answer
Scorpio-N holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Polo-Vivo.
Polo-Vivo starts ZAR 218,099 cheaperPolo-Vivo from ZAR 271,900 · Scorpio-N from ZAR 489,999
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Maximum Power
Polo-Vivo81 kW
Scorpio-N128.6 kW @ 3500 rpm
Maximum Torque
Polo-Vivo200 Nm
Scorpio-N400 Nm
Engine Size
Polo-Vivo1000 cc
Scorpio-N2184 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Polo-Vivo22.2 km/l
Scorpio-N14.5 km/l
Ground Clearance
Polo-Vivo143 mm
Scorpio-N187 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Volkswagen Polo-Vivo
1.0 TSI GT 81kW Manual
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Polo-Vivo
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader
Scorpio-N
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Polo-Vivo
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Scorpio-N
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Model Introduced Year
2010
Not Available
Generation
Long-running locally produced hatchback
Current local listing
Facelift History
Periodic feature updates over years
Not listed by current South African source page.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
SUV
Color Note
White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red
-
Dealer Stock Note
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Drivetrain Note
4x2 configuration for the local line-up
-
Model Year
Current
Current
Production Status
published
Active
Segment
Hatchback
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1108 kg
1825-2070 kg
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
SUV
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Length
3972 mm
4662 mm
Width
1682 mm
1918 mm
Height
1462 mm
1905 mm
Wheelbase
2470 mm
2750 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
143 mm
187 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
57 l
Boot/Cargo Space
280 l
460 l
Kerb Weight
1108 kg
-
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1570 kg
-
Seating Capacity
5 seats
7 seats
Doors
5 doors
-
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Front Track Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Rear Track Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Front Suspension
Not Available
Double wishbone front suspension
Rear Suspension
Not Available
Penta Link rear suspension
MagneRide Damping
Not Available
-
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Not Available
Dual-zone fully automatic temperature control
Power Windows
Not Available
Driver anti-pinch power windows
Keyless Entry
Not Available
Not Available
Push Button Start
Not Available
Engine start stop button
Wireless Charging
Not Available
Standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Not Available
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Type
Not Available
Dual-zone fully automatic temperature control
Adaptive Dampers
Not Available
-
Fuel Consumption Combined
4,5
-
Performance Data Logger
Not Available
-
Rev Matching
Not Available
-
Skid Plates
Not Available
-
Battery Preconditioning
Not Available
-
Bed Extender
Not Available
-
Canopy Fitment
Not Available
-
Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Difflock
Not Available
-
Front Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Intelligent Battery System
Not Available
-
Load Bed Cover
Not Available
-
Load Bed Light
Not Available
-
Load Bed Steps
Not Available
-
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not Available
-
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not Available
-
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not Available
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Mudflaps
Standard/available
-
One Pedal Driving
Not Available
-
Rear Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Rear Electric Motor
Not Available
-
Regenerative Braking Levels
Not Available
-
Source Model Column
polo-vivo
-
Sport Plus Mode
Not Available
-
Sports Bar
Not Available
-
Tailgate Damper
Not Available
-
Tailgate Lock
Not Available
-
Tow Bar Type
Not Available
-
Trim Level
flagship
-
Variant Role
Flagship / premium derivative
-
Vehicle To Grid
Not Available
-
Vehicle To Load
Not Available
-
Electric Mirror Folding
-
Power-fold ORVM
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Engine
Not Officially Disclosed
2.2D mHawk CRDI
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Diesel
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1000 cc
2184 cc
Cylinders
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
81 kW
128.6 kW @ 3500 rpm
Maximum Torque
200 Nm
400 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD
Transmission
6-Speed Manual
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Zip, Zap, Zoom
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
73.1 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
180.5 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Gearbox
Manual
Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
4x2
4x4
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Mechanical locking differential and brake locking differential
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
6
6
Transmission Type
Manual
6-speed automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Manual
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
4x2
4x4
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Selectable shift-on-fly 4WD
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Selectable shift-on-fly 4WD
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Type Front
Not Available
-
Differential Type Rear
Not Available
-
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Manual
6-speed automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Mechanical locking differential and brake locking differential
Transfer Case Guard
Not Available
-
Transmission Speeds
6
6
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Claimed Mileage
22.2 km/l
14.5 km/l
City Mileage
17.9 km/l
11.8 km/l
Highway Mileage
26.2 km/l
17.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
57 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
22.2 km/l
14.5 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
45
57
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Airbags
4
Front, side and curtain airbags
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Not Available
Standard
Traction Control
Not Available
Not Available
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Hill descent control
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Hill hold control
Child Safety Lock
Child-seat support
Not Available
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Not Available
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard
AEB
Not Available
Not Available
BA
Not Available
Not Available
Brake Override System
Not Available
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Standard
Driver Airbag
Not Available
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Not Available
Hill Hold
Not Available
Hill hold control
Passenger Airbag
Not Available
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Available
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Available
Not Available
Side Airbags
Not Available
Standard
Stability Control
Not Available
Standard
TCS
Not Available
Not Available
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Not Available
Front and rear parking sensors
Rear View Camera
Standard
Front and rear camera
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Driver drowsiness detection
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Not Available
EV Mode
Not Available
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Front and rear camera
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Rear View Camera
Standard
-
Reversing Camera
Standard
-
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Seat Material
Cloth
Leatherette
Heated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Ambient Lighting
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Front Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Steering Wheel Material
Not Applicable
Leatherette wrapped steering and gear shift lever
Interior Colour Options
Black
-
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
6-way driver power seat
Fabric Seats
Cloth
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
6-way driver power seat
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Simple dashboard layout, touchscreen infotainment in higher trims
-
Interior Trim Colour
Black
-
Interior Colours
Black
-
Seat Trim
Cloth
Rich-coffee black leatherette
Rear AC Vents
-
Second row air conditioner
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Infotainment System
SYNC
8-inch touchscreen infotainment display
Apple CarPlay
Not Available
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Not Available
Wireless Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Not Available
Not Available
Number of Speakers
Not Available
Sony 3D immersive audio with 12 speakers and dual-channel subwoofer
Digital Instrument Cluster
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
USB Ports
Not Available
Not Available
Infotainment Screen Size
SYNC
8-inch touchscreen infotainment display
Infotainment Screen
SYNC
8-inch touchscreen infotainment display
Connected Services
SYNC
-
Touchscreen
SYNC
8-inch touchscreen infotainment display
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Not Available
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
-
Audio and cruise controls
Audio Controls On Steering
-
Audio and cruise controls
Audio System
-
Sony 3D immersive audio
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
LED Headlamps
Not Available
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
Not Available
Sting-like daytime running lamps
Fog Lamps
Not Available
Not Available
Roof Rails
Not Available
Silver roof rail
Exterior Colour Options
6
See OEM source page for colour availability.
Body Type
Hatchback
-
Exterior Colour Options
6
-
Headlights
Not Available
Not Available
Load Bed Liner
Not Available
-
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
Active Exhaust
Not Available
-
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Approach Angle
-
Not Available
Departure Angle
-
Not Available
Wading Depth
-
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Normal / Snow / Mud & Rut / Sand
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Mechanical locking differential and brake locking differential
Underbody Protection
Not Available
-
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Selectable shift-on-fly 4WD
Approach Angle Deg
-
-
Breakover Angle
Not Available
Not Available
Departure Angle Deg
-
-
Energy Recovery Display
Not Available
-
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Ground Clearance Max
143 mm
Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Min
143 mm
Not Applicable
Off Road Descent Control
Not Available
-
Off Road Traction Assist
Not Available
-
Crawl Control
Not Available
-
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Mud
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Normal
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Rock
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Sand
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Snow
Not Available
-
Terrain Response System
Not Available
-
Underbody Camera
Not Available
-
Wading Depth Mm
-
-
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Tyre Size
Not Available
Not Available
Front Brake Type
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Brake Type
Not Available
Not Available
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
Not Available
18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not Available
-
Handbrake Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
CO2 Emissions
132 g/km
Not Applicable
Hybrid System Type
Not Available
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
Diesel
Particulate Filter
Not Available
-
Idle CO2 Output
132
-
CO2 Emissions G Km
132
-
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Basic Warranty
3 years / 120 000 km
5 years / 150 000 km
Warranty
3 years / 120 000 km
5 years / 150 000 km
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Service Plan
Not Available
5 years / 100 000 km
Spec
Polo-Vivo
Scorpio-N
Ownership Role
South Africa market model
South Africa market model
Price Zar
363300 ZAR
699999 ZAR
Pricing Role
Active local lineup
flagship
Starting Price
363300
489999
Starting Price Zar
363300
489999
In depth: how these cars differ
This Polo-Vivo and Scorpio-N comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Polo-Vivo 35 vs Scorpio-N 69.
Efficiency index: Polo-Vivo 80 vs Scorpio-N 60.
Safety-equipment index: Polo-Vivo 59 vs Scorpio-N 90.
Practicality index: Polo-Vivo 54 vs Scorpio-N 78.
Ownership-cover index: Polo-Vivo not separately scored vs Scorpio-N not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Polo-Vivo and Scorpio-N image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Scorpio-N leads by 20 points
Scorpio-N holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Polo-Vivo.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Scorpio-N
Performance
69/100
Efficiency
60/100
Safety
90/100
Practicality
78/100
Polo-Vivo
Performance
35/100
Efficiency
80/100
Safety
59/100
Practicality
54/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMahindra Scorpio-N
leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts
vs 55 pts for Polo-Vivo
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Scorpio-N leads. However, Polo-Vivo may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
Compare
Request dealer offers
Let's discuss your next car
Share your interest so Hagalu can follow up about quotations and available discounts. The dealer confirms stock, price and terms.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
Your enquiry has reached Hagalu for follow-up. Any dealer offer will be confirmed separately by the seller.
