Mahindra Thar ROXX

The Mahindra Thar was THE off-roader in the country for a long time and one of the few complaints people had with the SUV was its lack of rear doors. The fix came in the form of the 5-door Thar, known as the Thar Roxx, which offers much more than just two additional doors. With a premium cabin, modern features, and improved off-road capabilities, the Thar Roxx presents itself as a blend between adventure and family needs, but can it mix them properly?

• I feel that the Thar Roxx is as tough and rugged looking as you want your SUV to be, but it also brings a sense of modernity. This combination gives the off-roader a road presence that can’t be matched.

• The top model gets 19-inch dual-tone alloys which have a sporty look. Even the lower variants come with large 18-inch wheels.

• The most stand out elements are the new 6-slat grille, and the C-shaped daytime running lamps which completely differentiate it from the 3-door model.

• But, the execution of the door handles could have been better. They look cheap and are also left unpainted.

• There are two cabin themes available with the Thar Roxx: black-white and black-brown. I like the black-brown theme more as it goes well with the off-road personality of this SUV. Sadly, that theme is only available with the 4x4 variants.

• There is no compromise in the fit and finish. Everything feels sturdy, there are soft touch materials on all touchpoints, and the quality makes you feel like you’re sitting in a premium SUV, not an off-roader.

• In terms of storage spaces, the front passengers have nothing to complain about, and get many storage options. But, the rear door pockets cannot fit 1-litre water bottles.

• The front seats are wide and offer good side support, which will be useful when taking this SUV off the road.

• Rear seats also offer good space with adequate kneeroom and headroom. Seating three is possible, but not very comfortably.

• If you pick a variant with the white cabin theme, keeping them clean will be a hassle, and will require effort.

Features

Here are some of the highlight features of the Mahindra Thar Roxx:

Which Variant Of The Thar Roxx Is The Most Value For Money?

• Pick the one-above base MX3 variant if you’re on a budget. It offers both engines along with automatic transmission options, and has basic features for everyday use. Skip to MX5 if you want additional features.

• Go for the AX5 variant if you want the most value for your money. It has a good feature package that includes the full infotainment package, and it is available with a four-wheel-drive setup. Skip to AX7L if you want the full feature set.

• Gets a 5-star crash test safety rating from Bharat NCAP. Safety kit includes 6 airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), hill hold and descent control, and rear parking sensors as standard equipment.

• Higher variants get a 360-degree camera with a blind view monitor. The camera quality is crisp and the feed is lag free.

• It also gets Level 2 ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) features like lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and autonomous emergency braking.

• The boot space you get in the Thar Roxx is more than enough. It has a flat floor, on which you can keep an entire suitcase set (small, medium, and large), and 2-3 soft bags depending on their size.

• In case you have additional luggage, the rear seats have a 60:40 split, which you can fold to keep any extra bags.

2-litre turbo-petrol

• The refinement is excellent which results in low vibrations, and there is more than enough power for quick overtakes.

• Even on the highway, getting to triple digits doesn’t take much time, and the quick acceleration will give you an exciting drive experience.

• I would recommend the automatic as it shifts gears without any noticeable jerk and delivers power smoothly.

• The fuel efficiency, however, will be a little less. In the city, you can get around 7-10kmpl and on the highways it will go up to around 13-14kmpl.

2.2-litre diesel

• I will recommend this engine if you spend more time on the highways or if you want 4x4.

• The city drives with this engine are just as effortless as with the petrol, and on the highway, you will not be left wanting for more.

• Here as well, I’d recommend the automatic over the manual as it is just more convenient and offers a smooth driving experience.

• Fuel efficiency in the city will be around 10-12kmpl, and on the highways it will be around 15-16kmpl making it better suited for those with higher usage.

• On smooth roads, the Thar Roxx provides a good ride quality, like any other car. But, as soon as I encountered cracks and potholes, passengers experience a lot of side to side movement inside the cabin. This movement is more apparent in the rear seat.

• On highways, level changes and expansion joints on flyovers result in the same, and the passengers get tossed around in the cabin.

• Anyone who has driven the 3-door Thar will definitely consider this ride quality as an upgrade. But if you’re coming from a traditional hatchback or SUV, it might take a little getting used to.

Is the Mahindra Thar Roxx right for you?

If you love adventure, off-roading, and want a car with an unbeatable road presence, but also need to keep your family happy, then the Mahindra Thar Roxx is worth considering. 

It proves to be a neat blend of ruggedness and technology, and makes you feel invincible when going off the road. The only major flaw is its ride quality, which is something you and your family will have to adjust to.

Other cars to consider instead of the Mahindra Thar Roxx

Maruti Jimny

Reasons To Consider

• Better ride comfort

• More affordable

Reasons To Ignore

• Less features

• Not as spacious

Force Gurkha 5-door

Reasons To Consider

• More space

Reasons To Ignore

• Bare minimum features

• Less powerful engine