Mahindra recently launched the much-anticipated 5-door iteration of its popular SUV, the Thar, priced from Rs 12.99 lakh, ex-showroom, for the base-spec RWD petrol trim. While the pricing of the 4WD version hasn’t been announced yet, we recently got the opportunity to test the vehicle and find for ourselves if it truly ‘Roxx’.
The Thar Roxx is a significant leap forward for Mahindra, combining the ruggedness of a capable off-road machine with the convenience of modern driving features. Well, the first thing you notice about the Thar Roxx is that it’s not just an extended version of the Thar three-door. Why? We’ll tell you. First and foremost, the SUV is now built on the M_glyde platform, making it longer, wider, and distinct in design. Here are our first drive impressions of the SUV.
Mahindra Thar Roxx: Design
Well, in terms of design, the car does get major upgrades while carrying over the iconic rugged silhouette of the model. Up front, the new Thar Roxx features signature ring LED DRLs that immediately catch the eye. The new body-coloured, six-slat grille, adds a touch of sophistication, though opinions may vary depending on the colour. The bumper, fog lamps, and traditional boxy Thar design give it a muscular and distinctive look, with flared fenders and arches that set it apart from its predecessor. Also, the new alloy wheel design has an interesting bit. It really is inspired by ‘Thar Rocks’ and features a similar design.
Moving to the side, the additional doors and unique design elements like the slanting C-pillar make it clear this is a different beast. Furthermore, the door handles on the rear doors are now vertically-mounted. The rear is equally impressive, with LED tail lamps and a spare wheel mounted on the tailgate, rounding out its bold SUV look. Speaking of the rear side, one of the weak points in the Thar three-door was practicality and it was mostly because of almost no boot space, but that has been rectified in the Roxx. There is a lot of space, you can actually go out for those weekend drives now, without your passengers holding onto bags.
Mahindra Thar: Cabin, comfort and features
While the exterior of the Thar Roxx is enough to make you fall in love at first sight, the interior is designed to keep that love strong. As soon as you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a 10.25-inch touchscreen seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. Equipped with AdrenoX, it offers a range of connectivity features, including smartphone integration and various security functions, besides Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. If we look at the dashboard, it’s got a soft touch, so again a very good improvement in terms of quality and the lower part is plastic, hard plastic, but the quality is quite nice, so it doesn’t feel cheap, even the build quality is quite nice. Further, it gets a carbon-fibre finish on the lower centre console and the ventilated seats and a multifunction steering wheel, similar to the XUV700, ensure comfort and control.
It also features a premium Harman Kardon music setup with nine speakers, delivering impressive sound quality for this price segment—probably one of the best out there.
The highlight of the interior is the expansive sunroof, the largest in its segment. In terms of knee and legroom, the Thar Roxx offers plenty of space. We found ample room, and taller occupants will also find the back seat very comfortable. The generous headroom and adjustable seat backrest make it easy to find a comfortable seating position. As far as practical storage space is concerned, well the door pockets are pretty small at the back but beyond that there is hardly anything to fault in the back seat of the Thar rocks.
Mahindra Thar Roxx: Drive experience
As for the driving experience, you have a choice between a diesel or petrol engine. We drove the diesel variant with 4WD and an automatic transmission. The diesel engine delivers 175 hp of power and 370 Nm of torque, while the petrol version offers 177 hp and 380 Nm. The six-speed automatic transmission works smoothly, offering comfortable shifts, which suit this SUV perfectly.
The engineers have done significant work to improve the noise, vibration, and harshness levels, and it shows. The diesel engine is well-refined, with minimal clatter entering the cabin during normal city driving. However, when pushed hard, the engine does become louder. Despite this, it remains refined enough for a premium SUV. Power-wise, the Thar Roxx feels adequately powerful, handling highways and overtaking maneuvers with ease. It reaches triple-digit speeds effortlessly and maintains stability at higher speeds. So if you’re going on those expressway where you have 120 kmph speed limit, you can easily sit on that speed limit for the entire day and this SUV won’t make a fuss about it.
The ride quality is generally comfortable, thanks to the softer suspension setup. However, the overly soft suspension can result in a bouncy ride on uneven surfaces. The Thar Roxx’s off-road capabilities are enhanced by features like a technology that locks the inside wheels for tight turns, similar to a military tank. Additionally, the off-road cruise control manages braking and acceleration on challenging terrains, ensuring a smooth off-road experience. The steering, now an electric power steering system, is incredibly light, making maneuvering in tight spaces a breeze. Combined with the 360-degree camera and Level 2 ADAS, the Thar Roxx offers an impressive safety net for drivers of all skill levels. Overall, the package offers a robust and versatile SUV that’s ready for any adventure.