The Mahindra Thar Roxx represents a significant evolution in the storied lineage of one of India’s most iconic off-road vehicles.
Building upon the tremendous success of the second-generation Thar launched in 2020, the Thar Roxx expands the nameplate’s appeal while preserving the core DNA that made its predecessor a market sensation.
With a more sophisticated design, enhanced comfort features, and improved everyday usability, the Thar Roxx aims to bridge the gap between dedicated off-road capability and urban lifestyle aspirations.
This article explores how Mahindra has reimagined the Thar formula for a broader audience while maintaining the authentic character that fueled its cult following.
Design Evolution and Exterior Aesthetics
The Thar Roxx’s design language maintains clear visual connections to its predecessor while introducing a more refined aesthetic that broadens its appeal.
The iconic silhouette—with its upright stance, high ground clearance, and distinctive proportions—remains immediately recognizable as a Thar, preserving the model’s heritage and off-road credentials.
The front fascia retains the vertical seven-slot grille that pays homage to the original Jeep-inspired CJ series, though with contemporary detailing that includes LED lighting elements and more sophisticated surfacing.
The round headlamps, a defining characteristic of the Thar lineage, have been retained but updated with full-LED technology that enhances both visibility and visual presence.
The most significant exterior evolution appears in the Roxx’s greenhouse and roofline.
Unlike the traditional two-door configuration of previous Thars, the Roxx introduces a four-door body style with a longer wheelbase that dramatically enhances interior space and accessibility.
This fundamental architectural shift represents Mahindra’s recognition that many potential Thar customers were drawn to its design and character but deterred by the practical limitations of the two-door format.
The roofline features a more gradually sloping rear section compared to the abrupt vertical drop of the standard Thar, creating a more balanced profile while preserving adequate headroom for rear-seat passengers.
The extended rear overhang accommodates a more usable cargo area—addressing a significant limitation of the standard model.
Wheel arches remain prominently flared, housing larger alloy wheels (up to 19 inches on premium variants) with all-terrain tires that balance off-road capability with reasonable on-road manners.
Body cladding along the lower sections provides both visual distinction and practical protection during off-road excursions.
Color options expand beyond the traditional palette to include more contemporary metallic and dual-tone finishes that appeal to urban buyers, though the signature Napoli Black and Rocky Beige remain available for traditionalists.
The overall exterior execution successfully walks the fine line between rugged authenticity and modern sophistication, creating a vehicle that looks at home both on mountain trails and urban boulevards.
Interior Comfort and Technology
The interior represents the most dramatic evolution in the Thar formula, with the Roxx offering significantly enhanced comfort, space, and technology compared to its more utilitarian predecessor.
The dashboard design maintains some of the vertical orientation and robust character of the standard Thar but incorporates more sophisticated materials and detailed execution.
The centerpiece of the dashboard is a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Mahindra’s AdrenoX connected car technology.
This system provides access to navigation, vehicle telemetry, remote functions, and various entertainment options.
Adjacent to this display is a digital instrument cluster of similar size that offers customizable information layouts and off-road-specific displays like inclinometer, compass, and drivetrain status.
Seating comfort receives particular attention, with more supportive front seats that offer better long-distance comfort while maintaining the elevated position that Thar drivers appreciate.
The rear compartment—previously a significant compromise in the two-door model—now offers genuine accommodation for three adults, with dedicated air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and adequate legroom thanks to the extended wheelbase.
Materials throughout the cabin strike a balance between durability and refinement.
Premium variants feature leatherette upholstery with contrast stitching, soft-touch materials on frequently contacted surfaces, and metallic accents that elevate the perceived quality.
Lower touch points and floor areas maintain the water-resistant, easy-clean surfaces that facilitate the outdoor lifestyle associated with the Thar brand.
Practical features abound, with multiple storage compartments, bottle holders, and charging options distributed throughout the cabin.
The cargo area offers significantly improved capacity compared to the standard Thar, with a more usable shape and 60:40 split-folding rear seats that enhance versatility for carrying larger items.
Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) management receives substantial improvement in the Roxx, with additional sound insulation, revised suspension bushings, and acoustic glass contributing to a significantly quieter cabin environment.
This refinement enhances the vehicle’s long-distance touring capability without compromising the mechanical character that enthusiasts appreciate.
Powertrain and Performance
The Thar Roxx offers a choice of powertrains that balance performance with efficiency and regulatory compliance.
The petrol option is Mahindra’s 2.0-liter mStallion turbocharged four-cylinder unit, producing approximately 150-160 horsepower and 320-330 Nm of torque.
This engine provides responsive performance across the rev range, with particularly strong mid-range acceleration that facilitates both highway overtaking and off-road obstacle negotiation.
The diesel alternative is a 2.2-liter mHawk turbocharged unit delivering around 130-140 horsepower and 320-330 Nm of torque.
While offering slightly less outright power than the petrol, the diesel’s torque characteristics and inherent efficiency make it particularly well-suited to both off-road driving and long-distance touring.
Both engines can be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed torque converter automatic.
The manual offers precise shifts with reasonable throw lengths, while the automatic provides smooth operation and includes specific programming for off-road scenarios.
The automatic also features a manual mode with steering-mounted paddle shifters that allow for greater driver control when desired.
The four-wheel-drive system represents a significant upgrade from traditional part-time arrangements, with an electronic shift-on-the-fly mechanism that allows transitions between 2H, 4H, and 4L modes without stopping.
Higher variants include an electronic locking rear differential that enhances traction in extreme off-road conditions, while brake-based traction control systems help manage wheel slip in less challenging scenarios.
Performance metrics are respectable for the segment, with 0-100 km/h acceleration in the 10-12 second range depending on powertrain configuration.
More relevant to the vehicle’s character is its substantial ground clearance (around 220mm), approach angle (approximately 41 degrees), departure angle (around 36 degrees), and water wading depth (650-700mm)—figures that place it among the most capable factory off-roaders available in India.
Chassis and Driving Dynamics
The Thar Roxx is built on an evolved version of Mahindra’s third-generation body-on-frame platform, which has been extended and refined to accommodate the four-door configuration while maintaining the structural integrity essential for serious off-road use.
High-strength steel components increase torsional rigidity while optimizing weight, creating a stable foundation for both on and off-road driving scenarios.
Suspension architecture follows proven off-road principles, with independent double wishbones at the front and a multi-link solid axle arrangement at the rear.
This configuration represents a balance between off-road articulation and on-road comfort, with specific tuning that reduces the compromise inherent in vehicles with dual-purpose aspirations.
The steering system employs electric assistance calibrated to filter out excessive feedback from rough surfaces while maintaining sufficient communication for driver confidence.
Variable assistance provides lighter effort at parking speeds and more substantial weighting as velocity increases, enhancing both maneuverability and highway stability.
Braking comes from disc brakes at all four corners—an upgrade from the rear drums found on some variants of the standard Thar.
This system provides confident stopping power with good modulation, complemented by an advanced ABS system specifically calibrated for varied surface conditions including loose gravel and sand.
On-road driving dynamics show notable improvement compared to the standard Thar, with reduced body roll, more precise directional control, and superior stability at highway speeds.
While still exhibiting some of the characteristics inherent to body-on-frame designs with off-road-oriented suspension, the Roxx delivers a significantly more refined driving experience that requires fewer compromises for everyday use.
Off-road capability remains exceptional, with the four-wheel-drive system, substantial ground clearance, and favorable geometry enabling the Roxx to navigate terrain that would defeat most contemporary SUVs.
The longer wheelbase introduces some limitations in extreme articulation scenarios compared to the two-door model, but the trade-off in everyday usability represents a worthwhile compromise for most potential buyers.
Safety and Technology Features
Safety receives particular attention in the Thar Roxx, addressing one of the few areas where the standard model faced criticism.
A comprehensive suite of passive safety features includes six airbags, three-point seatbelts for all positions, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and a reinforced passenger cell designed to maintain integrity during rollovers—a critical consideration for vehicles with off-road aspirations.
Active safety systems incorporate electronic stability control with multiple terrain modes, hill descent control, hill hold assist, and tire pressure monitoring.
Higher variants include a surround-view camera system that proves valuable both for navigating tight urban spaces and positioning the vehicle precisely on challenging off-road sections.
Driver assistance features extend to adaptive cruise control on automatic transmission variants, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and traffic sign recognition—features previously unavailable in this segment of the Indian market.
These systems enhance both safety and convenience without compromising the vehicle’s core capabilities.
The aforementioned AdrenoX connected car technology enables features like geofencing, remote engine start/stop, climate pre-conditioning, vehicle location tracking, and driving behavior monitoring.
This system also facilitates over-the-air updates that can enhance functionality throughout the ownership period.
Market Positioning and Conclusion
The Mahindra Thar Roxx represents a thoughtful expansion of the Thar proposition beyond its traditional enthusiast base.
By addressing the practical limitations that deterred many potential buyers from considering the standard model, Mahindra has created a vehicle that retains authentic off-road DNA while delivering the everyday practicality expected in a primary family vehicle.
This positioning places the Thar Roxx in competition with both lifestyle-oriented SUVs like the Jeep Meridian and conventional mid-size SUVs like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.
The vehicle’s distinctive character and genuine capability provide strong differentiation in a crowded market segment increasingly dominated by car-based crossovers with limited off-road potential.
For Mahindra, the Thar Roxx represents both brand building and business growth. It leverages the tremendous equity built by the Thar nameplate while expanding its reach into a larger customer base.
This strategy allows the company to amortize development costs across a broader product range while strengthening its position in the premium SUV segment.
The true measure of the Thar Roxx’s success will be its ability to attract buyers who would never have considered the standard Thar while retaining the authentic character that made the original a phenomenon.
Early indications suggest Mahindra has found the right balance, creating a vehicle that honors its heritage while embracing the practical requirements of contemporary SUV buyers.
In an automotive landscape increasingly dominated by homogenized designs and specifications, the Thar Roxx stands as a reminder that vehicles with distinct character and genuine capability can still find substantial market appeal.
By evolving thoughtfully rather than abandoning its core values, Mahindra has ensured that the Thar legacy will continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.