Buying a car today is more confusing than ever. For years, the Indian car buyer has been forced to make a heart-versus-head decision that felt like a permanent compromise. If you wanted the rugged, go-anywhere spirit of a mountain goat, you bought the 3-door Thar—and then spent the rest of your life apologizing to your parents for making them climb into the back seat like acrobats. If you wanted luxury and family comfort, you bought a soft-roader that looked like an SUV but cried at the sight of a muddy trail.
At first glance, the Mahindra Thar Roxx looks like the ultimate “glitch in the matrix”—a vehicle that promises to be a hardcore off-roader, a premium family cruiser, and a high-tech gadget hub all at once. But is it really the unicorn we’ve been waiting for, or is it trying to wear too many hats?
If you’re planning to buy this car, here’s what you must know: the Thar Roxx isn’t just a Thar with two extra doors slapped on. It is a fundamental re-engineering of the legendary 4×4 platform. Having personally tested and analyzed over 100 vehicles in the last 12 years—from the bone-jarring mechanical grit of the original MM540 to the sophisticated, silent thrust of modern flagship EVs—I can tell you that the Mahindra Thar Roxx review: An SUV that does it all? is a story of a brand finally listening to the “family man with an adventurous soul.”
But here’s the catch—when you try to make a rugged off-roader behave like a luxury sedan, you often end up with a vehicle that does neither perfectly. Does the Thar Roxx maintain its legendary “macho” DNA while pampering you with a panoramic sunroof and ventilated seats? This is where things get interesting. Let’s dive into Part 1 of our expert analysis.
H2: Quick Overview: The Birth of the Roxx
The Mahindra Thar Roxx is essentially the 5-door version of the Thar, but that description is an understatement. Built on the new M_Glyde platform, it features a longer wheelbase, a more sophisticated suspension setup, and a cabin that feels worlds apart from its 3-door sibling.
Mahindra didn’t just aim for the off-road enthusiast this time; they took aim squarely at the mid-size SUV kings like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. They want you to believe that you can have your adventure and your luxury too. Launched with both RWD (Rear Wheel Drive) and 4×4 options, it caters to everyone from the urban mall-hopper to the trans-Himalayan explorer.
H2: Exterior Design Analysis: A Presence That Commands Respect
The Thar Roxx is a massive vehicle. It doesn’t just occupy a lane; it dominates it. Mahindra has done a brilliant job of evolving the design without losing the iconic silhouette that people love.
H3: The New Face of Adventure
The first thing you notice is the new 6-slot grille. It’s body-colored and features a double-stacked design that differentiates it from the 3-door Thar.
- C-Shaped LED DRLs: The circular headlamps now feature high-intensity LED projectors and distinct C-shaped DRLs that give it a “high-tech” stare.
- The Stance: It sits on massive 19-inch diamond-cut alloys in the top-end trims. One small insight: the wheel arches are flared so aggressively that the car looks wider than it actually is, adding to that “boss” road presence.
H3: The 5-Door Integration
Adding doors to a 3-door icon is a design nightmare. Mahindra opted for a “stealth” rear door handle integrated into the C-pillar, similar to what we’ve seen on the Swift or the old Safari.
- The Roofline: The Thar Roxx features a metal hardtop as standard, which is painted in a contrast black. It looks premium and solves the leaking/noise issues associated with soft tops.
- The Rear: The LED taillamps have a new internal signature, and the spare wheel remains proudly mounted on the tailgate—because a Thar without a rear-mounted spare is just a box.
H2: Interior Design & Comfort: The “White” Revolution
Step inside, and the “Roxx” name makes sense. The interior is a massive jump in quality. However, there is a polarizing choice here: the “Ivory” white interior theme.
H3: Premium Cabin Feel
Mahindra has used soft-touch materials across the dashboard with real stitching. It feels expensive.
- The Screens: You are greeted by twin 10.25-inch screens—one for the infotainment and one for the digital driver’s display. The resolution is crisp, and the Adrenox system is faster than ever.
- The Sunroof: For the first time in a Thar, you get a massive panoramic sunroof (Mahindra calls it the ‘Skyroof’). It completely changes the vibe of the cabin, making it feel airy and spacious.
H3: Seat Comfort and Ergonomics
- Front Seats: They are large, supportive, and in the top trims, they are ventilated. This is a godsend for Indian summers.
- Rear Seat Comfort: This is the deal-breaker. Unlike the 3-door Thar where you had to be a gymnast to get in, the Roxx offers wide-opening rear doors. The legroom is fantastic, and the seats offer a “couch-like” feel.
- The Middle Passenger: Because the transmission tunnel is relatively flat, three people can actually sit in the back for short city hops.
H2: Engine Specifications & Performance: The Power of Choice
Under the hood, the Thar Roxx is a beast. It shares its engines with the Scorpio-N and XUV700, meaning it has power in abundance.
H3: Technical Specifications Table
| Feature | 2.0L mStallion (Petrol) | 2.2L mHawk (Diesel) |
| Max Power | Up to 177 PS | Up to 175 PS |
| Max Torque | 380 Nm | 370 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-MT / 6-AT | 6-MT / 6-AT |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD / 4×4 |
| 0-100 km/h | ~10 Seconds | ~11 Seconds |
H3: Real-World Performance
The diesel mHawk is the heart of the Thar Roxx. It is incredibly refined. At idle, you can barely hear the engine inside the cabin.
- The Torque Surge: In the diesel AT, the torque comes in early. Overtaking on highways is a breeze; you don’t need to plan your moves. You just tap the throttle, and the 6-speed Aisin torque converter drops a gear and lunges forward.
- The Petrol Punch: The mStallion petrol is for those who want “silent speed.” It is thirsty, but the way it gathers pace is addictive. It feels more like a sports car engine trapped in an SUV body.
H2: Mileage and Fuel Efficiency: The Heavy Price of Power
If you are looking for 20 km/l, look elsewhere. The Thar Roxx is a heavy, ladder-frame SUV with the aerodynamics of a brick.
- Diesel MT/AT: In the city, expect around 10-12 km/l. On the highway, if you cruise at 90-100 km/h, you can squeeze out 14-15 km/l.
- Petrol AT: This is the heartbreaker. In heavy city traffic, the mileage can drop to 7-8 km/l. On highways, it struggles to cross 11 km/l.
But here’s the catch—if you’re buying a 2-tonne SUV with 175 horses, you aren’t exactly looking for a budget commuter. You are paying for the “Go Anywhere” capability.
H2: Features & Technology: More Than Just a Rugged Box
Mahindra has loaded the Roxx with features that were unthinkable in a Thar just three years ago.
- Harman Kardon Sound System: The 9-speaker system (including a subwoofer) is specifically tuned for the cabin. It sounds punchy and handles heavy bass with ease.
- 360-Degree Camera: This is vital. The Thar Roxx has huge blind spots, and the high-resolution camera makes parking in tight spots or navigating narrow trails much easier.
- Level 2 ADAS: It gets 10 ADAS features including Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Assist. While some enthusiasts might find it intrusive on an off-roader, it adds a much-needed safety net for highway cruising.
H2: Ride Quality & Real-World Driving: The WATT’s Linkage Magic
How do you make a 2-tonne brick on wheels glide over the Moon-like craters of Indian roads? This is where the Mahindra Thar Roxx review: An SUV that does it all? takes a sophisticated turn. Unlike the 3-door Thar, which can be quite “bouncy” and tiring over long journeys, the Roxx is a completely different beast under the skin.
- Penta-Link Suspension with WATT’s Linkage: Mahindra has equipped the rear axle of the Roxx with a WATT’s linkage system. In simple English, this mechanism limits the lateral (side-to-side) movement of the rear axle. When you hit a pothole at 80 km/h, the car doesn’t wiggle; it stays composed.
- FDD (Frequency Dependent Damping): The shock absorbers are smart. They can tell the difference between a sharp rut and a long highway undulation. At high speeds, the suspension stiffens up for stability, but at low speeds, it softens to “waft” over broken patches.
- The Steering Revolution: Gone is the heavy hydraulic steering that required a gym membership to operate. The Roxx uses a new Electric Power Steering (EPS) that is incredibly light in the city but gains a reassuring weight on the highway.
But here’s the catch—at the end of the day, it is still a “Body-on-Frame” SUV. While it’s the most comfortable ladder-frame vehicle in its class, it won’t feel as “car-like” as a Hyundai Creta. There is still a hint of that characteristic SUV shimmy over sharp bumps.
H2: Off-Road Prowess: Democratizing the Dirt
The Thar nameplate carries a heavy burden of expectation. If it can’t climb a mountain, it’s not a Thar. Fortunately, the Roxx is arguably more capable than the 3-door version thanks to some clever “Smart” tech.
- 4XPLOR System: The 4×4 variants come with electronic locking differentials and terrain modes (Snow, Sand, Mud).
- CrawlSmart: This is essentially “Off-road Cruise Control.” You can set a speed between 2.5 km/h and 30 km/h, take your feet off the pedals, and let the car manage the torque and braking. You just focus on the steering.
- IntelliTurn: This is a mind-blowing feature for tight trails. To reduce the turning radius, the car brakes the inner rear wheel, helping the SUV “pivot” around a corner. It turns a 2-tonne SUV into a nimble mountain goat.
- Water Wading: With a massive 650mm depth capacity, you can literally drive through small rivers (or the typical Gurgaon floods) without a second thought.
H2: Safety Features: The 5-Star Fortress
In November 2024, the Thar Roxx sent shockwaves through the industry by securing a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. It isn’t just a tough-looking car; it’s a genuinely safe one.
- The Score: It scored a massive 45 out of 49 for Child Occupant Protection and was praised for its structural integrity during the frontal and side-pole impact tests.
- Standard Safety: 6 Airbags, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), and 3-point seatbelts for all five passengers are standard across the range.
- Level 2 ADAS: The radar-camera fusion system works surprisingly well on Indian highways. The Adaptive Cruise Control makes long-distance touring significantly less taxing.
H2: Price & Variants: The 2026 Snapshot
The Thar Roxx is available in a staggering 18 variants. Whether you want a basic RWD commuter or a fully-loaded 4×4 beast, there’s a Roxx for you.
Mahindra Thar Roxx Price Table (Ex-Showroom)
| Variant Range | Engine/Drivetrain | Price (Approx.) |
| MX1 to MX5 (Base) | Petrol/Diesel RWD | ₹ 12.39 – 16.99 Lakh |
| AX3L to AX7L (Mid) | Diesel RWD / 4×4 | ₹ 16.99 – 20.49 Lakh |
| AX7L (Top-Spec) | Diesel 4×4 AT | ₹ 22.82 Lakh |
H2: Competitor Comparison: The Battle of the Titans
| Feature | Mahindra Thar Roxx | Hyundai Creta | Maruti Suzuki Jimny |
| Chassis | Ladder Frame (Rugged) | Monocoque (Urban) | Ladder Frame (Light) |
| Power | 175 PS (Class Lead) | 160 PS | 105 PS |
| Ground Clearance | 226 mm | 190 mm | 210 mm |
| Off-Road Tech | CrawlSmart/IntelliTurn | Traction Modes Only | Manual 4×4 |
H2: Pros and Cons: The Unfiltered Truth
Pros:
- Street Cred: Unbeatable road presence; people simply move out of your way.
- Refinement: The mHawk diesel is whisper-quiet at cruising speeds.
- Features: Panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, and Harman Kardon sound in a 4×4!
- Safety: A proven 5-star B-NCAP rating for peace of mind.
Cons:
- White Interior: The ivory leatherette is a nightmare to keep clean in a rugged SUV.
- Ride Quality: While improved, it still feels a bit “busy” compared to a Creta.
- Fuel Efficiency: It is a thirsty beast, especially the petrol automatic.
H2: Who should buy this vehicle?
You should buy the Mahindra Thar Roxx if you want one car that can do the office commute from Monday to Friday, and take you to the middle of nowhere on Sunday. It is for the person who wants the “Thar Lifestyle” but has a family that refuses to compromise on legroom, AC, or a sunroof.
H2: Who should avoid it?
Avoid the Thar Roxx if your driving is 100% urban and you never plan to leave the tarmac. A monocoque SUV like the XUV700 or Creta will offer a smoother ride and better fuel economy. Also, if you are very vertically challenged, the “climb” into the cabin (even with sidesteps) can become a daily chore.
H2: Expert Verdict: The New King of the Road?
The Mahindra Thar Roxx review: An SUV that does it all? ends with a resounding “Mostly, Yes.”
Mahindra hasn’t just built a better Thar; they’ve built a vehicle that makes you question why you’d buy a sedan or a soft-roader. It has the soul of a warrior and the manners of a gentleman. It isn’t perfect—the white interior is a brave choice for a dusty country, and the fuel bills will be significant—but in terms of character, capability, and sheer “smile-per-mile” factor, the Thar Roxx is currently in a league of its own. It is, quite simply, the most complete Indian SUV ever made.
H2: FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Q1: Is the 4×4 available in Petrol?
No, currently the 4×4 hardware is exclusively paired with the 2.2L mHawk Diesel engine. The Petrol version is RWD only.
Q2: How is the boot space compared to the 3-door Thar?
It is a massive upgrade. The Roxx offers 447 litres of boot space, which is enough for a family’s weekend luggage—something the 3-door Thar simply couldn’t do.
Q3: Does it fit in standard basement parkings?
With a height of nearly 1.9 meters, you need to be careful. Most modern malls are fine, but some older apartment basements might be a tight squeeze.
Q4: Is the ADAS suitable for Indian traffic?
Yes, Mahindra has tuned the system to be less “panicky” than some luxury brands. However, you can toggle the sensitivity through the infotainment screen.
Q5: Can I get a soft-top version?
No, the Thar Roxx is available exclusively with a Metal Hard Top to ensure better structural rigidity and cabin insulation.