Mahindra Thar ROXX: The Iconic Off-Roader Gets a Family Makeover with Premium Features and a 5-Star Safety Rating

The Mahindra Thar ROXX is a fantastic SUV that takes the rugged off-roader formula of the iconic Thar and beautifully transforms it into a modern, tech-loaded, and family-friendly package. More than just a Thar with rear doors, the ROXX is a significant step up, designed to appeal to a wider audience while retaining its core off-road prowess. It blends classic boxy styling with a host of modern conveniences, creating a unique and compelling vehicle that truly stands out in the SUV market.

Bold Design and Unmistakable Road Presence

The Thar ROXX takes everything we love about the original Thar’s road presence and enhances it. The SUV is not only longer but also wider, giving it a more commanding and muscular stance. While the styling is familiar, new elements like the distinct front grille, C-shaped LED DRLs, and large 19-inch alloy wheels make it easily identifiable. The design is a perfect marriage of old-school appeal and modern function, with features like LED projector headlamps and a full-size spare alloy wheel mounted on the rear.

A Premium and Tech-Loaded Interior

Inside, the Thar ROXX cabin is a pleasant surprise. Contrasting its rugged exterior, the interior feels modern and premium, featuring soft leatherette materials on the dashboard and seats, with intricate contrast stitching. The layout is similar to the 3-door Thar, but the quality has been drastically improved, rivaling even the XUV700 in some aspects. The 5-seater configuration offers a significant amount of space, with an especially impressive rear seat that provides ample legroom, headroom, and under-thigh support. Rear passengers can even recline the seats for added comfort.

The features list is truly long. The Thar ROXX comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen running Mahindra’s AdrenoX software, which supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A premium 9-speaker Harman Kardon music system with Dolby Atmos ensures an excellent audio experience. Other standout features include a magnificent panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a powered driver’s seat, an auto day/night IRVM, and a digital instrument cluster.

Class-Leading Performance, On- and Off-Road

The Thar ROXX is available with a choice of two powerful engines: a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel. Both engines are class-leading in their performance. The petrol engine is incredibly smooth and rev-happy, offering an exciting and effortless driving experience. The diesel, on the other hand, is the more popular choice, providing strong, low-end torque that makes city driving and off-roading a breeze. Both engines are offered with smooth 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions, though the diesel is the only one to offer a 4×4 option.

The Thar ROXX also retains the original’s fantastic off-road credentials. It boasts a high ground clearance and excellent approach, ramp-over, and departure angles. New off-road tech, such as an electronically locking rear differential and the clever “Intelli-turn” system that provides a tighter turning radius in 4-low, makes it even more capable and easy to handle on challenging terrains.

The Big Compromise: Ride and Handling

Despite its many strengths, the ride comfort remains the one major compromise. On smooth highways, the ROXX is a comfortable cruiser, but as soon as it encounters broken tarmac, expansion joints, or uneven surfaces, the ride becomes bouncy and the occupants get tossed around. While the suspension setup is an improvement over the 3-door Thar and even the Scorpio-N, it still feels like an old-school SUV over bad roads. This is a critical point to consider for buyers, especially if they plan on using the car as a primary family vehicle on a daily basis.

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Safety and Practicality

The Thar ROXX is not just about looks and features; it’s also incredibly safe. It has received a remarkable 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP for both adult and child occupant safety. The base variant comes with 6 airbags and an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), while higher variants add advanced features like a 360-degree camera and Level 2 ADAS.

In terms of practicality, the Thar ROXX offers a spacious 447-litre boot, which is surprisingly more than the Hyundai Creta, providing ample space for family luggage. The cabin is also full of smart storage solutions and multiple charging options, including a 65W Type-C charger and a wireless charging pad.

Verdict: The Perfect Family Off-Roader?

The Mahindra Thar ROXX is a masterclass in blending two opposing worlds. It’s for the buyer who wants the rugged, go-anywhere prowess and iconic design of a Thar, but also needs the space, features, and comfort of a modern family SUV. While the ride quality on bad roads is a significant compromise, the rest of the package—from its 5-star safety rating and premium features to its incredible off-road capability—makes it a unique and compelling vehicle. If you can live with its bouncy ride, the Thar ROXX is a fantastic choice that no urban SUV can truly match.