Mahindra Thar ROXX : In the diverse landscape of India’s automotive market, few vehicles evoke the same emotional response as the Mahindra Thar.
Born from military heritage and molded by Indian terrain, the Thar has transcended its utilitarian origins to become a cultural phenomenon.
The latest chapter in this storied legacy—the Thar ROXX—represents Mahindra’s boldest attempt yet to preserve the model’s iconic status while expanding its appeal beyond enthusiasts to mainstream consumers seeking both capability and everyday practicality.
Mahindra Thar ROXX From Workhorse to Lifestyle Statement
The Thar’s journey began decades ago with humble origins as India’s interpretation of the classic Jeep design. Through generations of the MM540 and MM550, these vehicles earned their reputation traversing India’s most challenging terrain, from the high-altitude passes of Ladakh to the scorching deserts of Rajasthan.
They were tools first and foremost—valued for reliability and simplicity rather than comfort or style.
The original Thar, launched in 2010, began the transition from pure utility to something more aspirational.
While still rudimentary by contemporary standards, it developed a cult following among off-road enthusiasts and those seeking a vehicle with authentic character in an increasingly homogenized market.
The second-generation Thar, unveiled in 2020, represented a quantum leap. Maintaining its distinctive silhouette and off-road prowess while introducing modern amenities, it transformed the Thar from weekend toy to viable daily driver.
Market response was unprecedented, with waiting periods stretching beyond a year as demand outstripped supply.
The Thar ROXX emerges as the next logical progression—a variant that aims to retain the model’s indomitable spirit while addressing the practical limitations that still prevented some buyers from considering a Thar as their primary vehicle.
Design: Familiar Silhouette, Refined Details
At first glance, the ROXX is unmistakably a Thar. The upright stance, circular headlamps, seven-slot grille, and boxy proportions maintain clear visual continuity with its predecessors.
Yet closer inspection reveals countless refinements that collectively elevate the design without compromising its essential character.
The front fascia features more sophisticated LED headlights integrated into a redesigned grille with subtle chrome accents.
The bumper incorporates functional air curtains that reduce turbulence around the wheel arches, improving aerodynamic efficiency while maintaining approach angles critical for off-road performance.
The most significant dimensional change is the extended wheelbase, immediately apparent in profile view. This expansion creates more balanced proportions while directly addressing one of the standard Thar’s primary limitations—interior space.
Larger rear doors improve access to the second row, while the greenhouse remains generous, preserving the panoramic visibility that defines the Thar experience.
Wheel arches maintain their pronounced flares but now house larger 19-inch alloy wheels on higher trims, available with all-terrain or highway-terrain tires depending on the buyer’s priorities. The integrated fender flares feature more sophisticated surfacing than the bolt-on appearance of earlier models.
At the rear, the side-hinged tailgate and externally mounted spare wheel remain, preserving these distinctive Thar characteristics.
However, the execution receives notable refinement, with integrated LED tail lamps and a more premium carrier for the spare wheel.
Roof options include a fixed metal roof, a removable hardtop, and a convertible soft top on select variants—flexibility that acknowledges the diverse ways owners utilize their vehicles.
Technical Specifications and Performance
The Thar ROXX offers a comprehensive technical package that balances on-road refinement with genuine off-road capability:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine Options | 2.0L mStallion Turbo Petrol / 2.2L mHawk Diesel |
| Petrol Output | 160 bhp @ 5,000 rpm, 330 Nm @ 1,500-3,000 rpm |
| Diesel Output | 150 bhp @ 3,750 rpm, 370 Nm @ 1,500-2,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed Manual / 6-speed Automatic |
| Drive System | Shift-on-fly 4×4 with low range transfer case |
| Terrain Modes | Normal, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, Sand |
| Front Suspension | Independent Double Wishbone with Stabilizer Bar |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Stabilizer Bar |
| Approach Angle | 41.2° |
| Departure Angle | 36.0° |
| Breakover Angle | 24.8° |
| Ground Clearance | 219 mm |
| Water Wading Depth | 650 mm |
| Braking System | All-wheel disc brakes with ABS |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm |
| Length | 4,390 mm |
| Width | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,905 mm |
| Turning Radius | 5.4 meters |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 57 liters |
| Cargo Space | 456 liters (expandable to 1,430 liters) |
| Seating | 5-passenger with ISOFIX child seat mounts |
| Tire Size | 255/65 R18 (Base) / 255/55 R19 (Higher variants) |
| Curb Weight | 1,775-1,885 kg (depending on variant) |
| Price Range | ₹12.49 lakh – ₹19.99 lakh (ex-showroom) |
Both powertrains receive calibration refinements for the ROXX, with emphasis on improved NVH characteristics and throttle response.
The diesel engine remains the torque champion, delivering substantial pulling power from just above idle—ideal for technical off-road sections.
The petrol variant offers smoother operation and more immediate throttle response, better suited to predominantly on-road use.
The 4×4 system features a proper two-speed transfer case with 4H and 4L modes, allowing for significant torque multiplication in challenging terrain.
The electronic locking rear differential provides additional capability when wheel articulation reaches its limits, ensuring torque reaches the wheels with traction.
Mechanical enhancements include a revised brake system with larger discs all around, addressing feedback about pedal feel and stopping power in the standard Thar.
The steering system adopts variable electric assistance, reducing effort during parking maneuvers while providing more substantial feedback at highway speeds.
Interior: The Revolutionary Transformation
If the exterior represents evolution, the interior embodies revolution. The ROXX interior bears little resemblance to the utilitarian cabin of earlier Thars, instead offering a sophisticated environment that rivals mainstream SUVs in material quality and technology.
The dashboard features a clean, horizontal design with premium soft-touch materials and contrast stitching. Practical elements like grab handles and exposed fasteners remain, but now appear as deliberate design choices rather than cost-saving measures. Ambient lighting with customizable colors enhances the cabin atmosphere at night.
The extended wheelbase translates directly to increased rear passenger space—perhaps the most significant practical improvement over the standard Thar.
Rear occupants now enjoy adequate legroom, more supportive seating, and dedicated climate control vents. The rear bench splits 60:40, allowing for flexible cargo configurations.
Front seats offer power adjustment, ventilation, and memory functions on higher trims—features unimaginable in earlier Thar generations.
The driving position combines the commanding height Thar owners expect with improved ergonomics, including a telescopic steering column that accommodates drivers of varying statures.
Technology integration centers around dual 10.25-inch displays—a fully digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen infotainment system running Mahindra’s AdrenoX platform. The latter incorporates wireless smartphone integration, connected car technology with over-the-air updates, and built-in navigation with off-road trail mapping. A 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with active noise cancellation provides unexpectedly refined sound quality.
Other notable features include a panoramic sunroof (a first for Thar), wireless charging pad, dual-zone climate control, and multiple USB-C ports throughout the cabin.
The front windshield receives acoustic lamination to reduce wind noise—a welcome improvement given the vehicle’s upright profile.
On-Road Dynamics: Civilized Without Compromise
Perhaps the most dramatic transformation in the ROXX involves its on-road behavior. While the standard Thar made significant strides compared to its predecessor, the ROXX elevates the experience to near-mainstream SUV levels of refinement.
The extended wheelbase improves straight-line stability, while revised suspension geometry reduces body roll during cornering without compromising articulation off-road. Structural reinforcements increase torsional rigidity, resulting in a more substantial feel over varying surfaces.
Noise suppression receives particular attention, with expanded insulation, acoustic glass, and active noise cancellation combining to create a significantly quieter cabin environment.
Wind noise around the upright windshield remains noticeable at highway speeds, but road and powertrain noise are well controlled.
Ride quality benefits from the longer wheelbase and retuned dampers, absorbing road imperfections more effectively than the standard model.
The transition to a multi-link rear suspension with coil springs (versus the leaf springs of early Thars) enables this improvement without sacrificing durability or load-carrying capacity.
These refinements transform the highway experience from something Thar owners previously endured to reach off-road destinations into a genuinely pleasant journey in its own right.
Off-Road Capability: Preserving the Heritage
Despite its newfound refinement, the ROXX remains true to the Thar’s off-road legacy.
The fundamental attributes critical to off-road performance—approach and departure angles, ground clearance, wheel articulation, and low-range gearing—remain intact and in some cases improved.
The terrain management system offers dedicated modes for various conditions, adjusting throttle response, transmission behavior, and traction control intervention accordingly. For purists, these electronic aids can be partially or fully disabled, allowing driver skill to take precedence.
The addition of an off-road information display in the instrument cluster provides real-time data on wheel articulation, steering angle, and vehicle tilt—valuable information when navigating technical terrain.
The 360-degree camera system includes dedicated underbody views to help place wheels precisely on obstacles.
Perhaps most importantly, the ROXX maintains the mechanical robustness that has defined the Thar nameplate.
The transfer case, differentials, and driveline components are engineered for sustained off-road use rather than occasional light-duty excursions. This authentic capability distinguishes the ROXX from crossovers that merely adopt rugged styling cues.
Key Points About the Mahindra Thar ROXX:
Significantly extended wheelbase creates more interior space without compromising off-road geometry
Maintains authentic 4×4 capability with proper low-range transfer case and locking rear differential
Premium interior materials and build quality rival mainstream SUVs
Advanced technology package including dual 10.25-inch screens and connected car features
Comprehensive safety suite with six airbags, electronic stability control, and hill descent control
Enhanced NVH characteristics transform highway driving experience
Multiple roof configurations available (fixed, removable hardtop, convertible)
Terrain management system with dedicated modes for varying conditions
Panoramic sunroof option—a first for the Thar nameplate
Maintains iconic design elements while introducing more sophisticated execution
Expanded cargo capacity with more flexible storage solutions
All-wheel disc brakes with improved pedal feel and stopping performance
Available ventilated seats and dual-zone climate control for improved comfort
AdrenoX infotainment system with wireless smartphone integration and OTA updates
Market Positioning and Target Audience
The Thar ROXX occupies a unique position in the Indian automotive landscape—neither a conventional SUV nor a dedicated off-roader, but rather a lifestyle vehicle that offers genuine capability without significant compromises in daily usability.
Priced between ₹12.49 lakh and ₹19.99 lakh (ex-showroom), it positions itself above the standard Thar while competing with mainstream compact SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and even Mahindra’s own XUV700 in higher specifications.
This positioning targets several distinct buyer profiles: adventure enthusiasts seeking a capable vehicle for weekend excursions, urban professionals desiring a distinctive alternative to conventional SUVs, and increasingly, family buyers attracted by the ROXX’s practical enhancements and safety features.
Mahindra’s strategy acknowledges that many Thar buyers are drawn to its distinctive character and cultural significance rather than specific practical attributes.
The ROXX expands this appeal by removing the compromises that previously limited the Thar’s consideration as a primary family vehicle.
The Significance Beyond Specifications
The Thar ROXX represents more than just a new variant in Mahindra’s lineup—it embodies the evolving relationship between Indian consumers and their vehicles.
Where previous generations primarily valued utilitarian function and cost efficiency, today’s buyers increasingly seek vehicles that make emotional connections and lifestyle statements while still delivering practical value.
The ROXX’s development reflects growing domestic engineering capability, with Mahindra leveraging its global technical centers in Chennai, Detroit, and Seoul to create a product that synthesizes international expertise with deep understanding of Indian conditions and preferences.
Moreover, the model demonstrates how indigenous brands can preserve distinctive heritage while incorporating contemporary expectations—a balancing act that many global manufacturers struggle to achieve.
The Thar’s evolution from specialized tool to cultural icon to lifestyle product traces a path that other Indian nameplates might follow as the market continues to mature.
Mahindra Thar ROXX Conclusion: Authentic Evolution
The Mahindra Thar ROXX succeeds in a challenging mission—expanding the Thar’s appeal without diluting its essential character.
By addressing the practical limitations that previously relegated the Thar to niche status while preserving the attributes that made it iconic, Mahindra has created a vehicle that bridges multiple market segments.
For purists concerned about the Thar’s direction, the standard model remains available, offering a more focused experience with fewer concessions to everyday practicality.
The ROXX, meanwhile, introduces the Thar’s distinctive character to a broader audience by removing the barriers that previously limited its consideration as a primary vehicle.
In an automotive landscape increasingly dominated by global platforms and convergent design, the Thar ROXX stands as a celebration of indigenous heritage—a vehicle that makes a clear statement about its origins and values.
That it now does so without demanding significant sacrifices in comfort, technology, or safety represents the fulfillment of the Thar’s promise: authentic capability without compromise.