Mahindra Thar has always been a love-it-or-hate-it kind of vehicle. People loved the rugged looks, the off-road capability, and the sheer road presence. What they didn’t love? The impractical two doors, the cramped rear seats, and the bouncy ride.
Enter the Thar Roxx. Mahindra finally listened to what buyers were asking for – a five-door Thar that doesn’t force your grandparents to climb over the front seats. I spent a week with the new Roxx, driving it through city traffic, open highways, and even some light off-road trails. Here’s the honest, no-nonsense breakdown.
Design: The Thar DNA, But Bigger and Bolder
The Thar Roxx keeps the iconic boxy silhouette that made the original so popular. But everything is bigger now. It’s longer, wider, and taller than the 3-door Thar, with a longer wheelbase that translates directly into more interior space .
The front gets the signature seven-slat grille, round LED headlamps with C-shaped DRLs, and chunky bumpers. The side profile is where you notice the biggest change – two proper doors on each side, making rear seat access a breeze.
Mahindra recently launched the Thar Roxx Star Edition, a design-focused variant that adds some serious visual drama . It gets a piano black front grille and matching 19-inch piano black alloy wheels. The new Citrine Yellow paint option looks absolutely stunning – it’s bold without being obnoxious . There’s also a special “Star Edition” badge on the C-pillar to remind everyone you’re driving something exclusive .
Ground clearance is 226 mm, which is excellent for Indian roads . You won’t be grinding your underbody on speed breakers. The approach and departure angles are good enough for serious off-roading, though the RWD variants are clearly aimed at city users.
The 19-inch alloy wheels on the Star Edition fill the wheel arches nicely, and the overall stance is imposing without being cartoonish. This is a proper SUV that looks the part.
Interior & Features: Finally, A Cabin That Feels Premium
Step inside the Thar Roxx, and the first thing you’ll notice is how much more premium it feels compared to the 3-door Thar. The dashboard is wrapped in soft-touch materials, the seats are comfortable, and the layout is modern.
The Star Edition takes things further with an all-black leatherette interior with suede inserts . It looks upscale and sporty, though the all-black theme can feel a bit dark – especially on cloudy days. The standard Roxx has a lighter interior, which feels more airy .
The tech setup is impressive for a Thar. You get a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster . Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on higher variants. The 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system sounds excellent – crisp highs and decent bass .
Comfort features include ventilated front seats (a blessing in Indian summers), a sliding armrest, 60:40 split rear seats with multipoint recline, fully automatic temperature control, electric folding ORVMs, cruise control, and a panoramic sunroof .
The rear seats are genuinely usable now. Legroom is generous, and three adults can sit without fighting for space. The 60:40 split with recline function means passengers can adjust their seating position for longer journeys.
What’s missing? The Star Edition doesn’t get ADAS or an electronic parking brake – those are reserved for the top-spec AX7L . But for most buyers, the feature list is more than adequate.
Performance: Two Engines, Two Personalities
Mahindra offers two engine options on the Thar Roxx, and both are proven units from the Mahindra stable .
2.0-litre Turbo-Petrol (177 PS / 380 Nm)
This is the engine for people who want effortless highway cruising. The 380 Nm of torque kicks in early, so you don’t need to rev the engine to get moving. Overtaking is stress-free, and the engine feels refined at high speeds .
On the Star Edition, the petrol engine is only available with a 6-speed automatic transmission. No manual option here . The automatic shifts smoothly, though it can feel a bit hesitant during quick overtakes in stop-and-go traffic.
The claimed mileage for the petrol is 12.4 km/l (ARAI) . Realistically, expect 10-11 km/l in city traffic and 13-14 km/l on highways.
2.2-litre Diesel (up to 175 PS / 400 Nm)
This is the engine that Thar enthusiasts love. The torque – 400 Nm – is massive for a vehicle this size. It pulls strongly from low revs, making city driving effortless and highway cruising relaxed .
The diesel comes with both 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission options . The manual gearbox is notchy but precise – it feels mechanical and reassuring. The automatic is smooth and well-suited to the diesel’s torque characteristics.
The claimed mileage for the diesel is 15.2 km/l (ARAI) . Realistically, expect 13-14 km/l in city traffic and 16-17 km/l on highways. The diesel is the more efficient choice for high-mileage users.
Drivetrain Options
Here’s an important detail: The Thar Roxx Star Edition is rear-wheel drive (RWD) only . No 4×4 option on this special edition. If you need serious off-road capability, you’ll need to look at the standard Roxx with 4×4 (available on diesel variants) .
The 4×4 system on the standard Roxx includes selectable terrain modes (Snow, Sand, and Mud) and a brake locking differential, making it genuinely capable off-road .
Mileage & Running Costs: Honest Numbers for a Lifestyle SUV
Let’s be real – you don’t buy a Thar for fuel efficiency. But the Roxx is surprisingly economical for a vehicle of its size and capability.
Here are the official ARAI-certified figures :
- Petrol automatic: 12.4 km/l
- Diesel manual: 15.2 km/l
- Diesel automatic: 15.2 km/l
And here’s what you can expect in real-world driving :
- Petrol in city (with AC): 9-11 km/l
- Petrol on highway: 13-14 km/l
- Diesel in city (with AC): 12-14 km/l
- Diesel on highway: 16-18 km/l
The fuel tank holds 57 litres . On the diesel, a full tank gives you a highway range of over 900 km. That’s impressive for a vehicle this heavy.
Running costs are reasonable for a Mahindra. The service network is wide, and parts are not expensive. The RWD variants are slightly more fuel-efficient than the 4×4 versions because of reduced drivetrain complexity .
Safety: 5-Star Bharat NCAP – Finally, A Safe Thar
This is the biggest news for the Thar Roxx. It scored a 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP for both adult and child occupant protection . That’s a massive improvement over the 3-door Thar’s 4-star Global NCAP rating.
Standard safety equipment across all Thar Roxx variants includes :
- 6 airbags (dual front, side, and curtain) – standard on all variants
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Hill Hold Assist
- ABS with EBD
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear parking camera
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- ISOFIX child seat mounts
- Auto-dimming IRVM
- Impact-sensing auto door unlock
- E-call and SOS functionality
The Star Edition also gets a surround-view camera system, which makes parking this big SUV much easier .
What about ADAS? The top-spec AX7L variant gets Level 2 ADAS features, but the Star Edition does not . If you want adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, you’ll need to go for the AX7L.
The 5-star safety rating changes the game. Earlier, buyers who prioritized safety had to look at other options. Now the Thar Roxx is right up there with the safest SUVs in its segment.
Price Structure (Ex-showroom, Delhi)
The Thar Roxx is available in multiple variants. Here’s the complete price breakdown :
- MX1 (2.0L Petrol MT, 4×2): ₹12.39 lakh
- MX3 (2.0L Petrol MT, 4×2): ₹13.99 lakh
- MX5 (2.0L Petrol AT, 4×2): ₹15.99 lakh
- AX5L (2.0L Petrol AT, 4×2): ₹16.99 lakh
- AX7L (2.0L Petrol AT, 4×2): ₹18.99 lakh
Diesel variants:
- MX3 (2.2L Diesel MT, 4×2): ₹14.99 lakh
- MX5 (2.2L Diesel MT, 4×2): ₹16.99 lakh
- AX5L (2.2L Diesel MT, 4×2): ₹17.99 lakh
- AX5L (2.2L Diesel AT, 4×2): ₹18.99 lakh
- AX7L (2.2L Diesel AT, 4×2): ₹20.99 lakh
- AX7L (2.2L Diesel AT, 4×4): ₹22.25 lakh
Star Edition prices :
- Diesel MT: ₹16.85 lakh
- Petrol AT: ₹17.85 lakh
- Diesel AT: ₹18.35 lakh
On-road prices add about ₹1.5-2.0 lakh depending on your city’s RTO and insurance costs. The top-spec AX7L diesel automatic 4×4 will cost you around ₹26.41 lakh on-road in Delhi .
✅ Pros
- 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating – first Thar to achieve this
- Five doors make it genuinely practical for families
- Powerful diesel engine with 400 Nm of torque
- Premium interior with dual 10.25-inch screens
- 6 airbags standard across all variants
- Panoramic sunroof on higher variants
- Excellent ground clearance (226 mm) for Indian roads
- Strong road presence and iconic Thar styling
- New Star Edition adds visual drama without mechanical changes
❌ Cons
- Star Edition is RWD only – no 4×4 option
- No ADAS or electronic parking brake on Star Edition
- Petrol mileage is low (9-11 km/l in city)
- All-black interior can feel dark on cloudy days
- Prices have increased significantly over 3-door Thar
- Body roll in corners – it’s still a tall SUV
- Manual transmission not available on petrol variants
Comparison Table: Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Top Rivals
The Thar Roxx competes with other off-road-capable SUVs in the Indian market. Here’s how it stacks up against the Force Gurkha and Maruti Suzuki Jimny :
| Feature | Mahindra Thar Roxx | Force Gurkha 5-Door | Maruti Suzuki Jimny |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (ex-showroom) | ₹12.39 – ₹22.25 lakh | ₹16.75 lakh (approx) | ₹12.31 – ₹14.95 lakh |
| Engine | 2.0L Petrol / 2.2L Diesel | 2.6L Diesel | 1.5L Petrol |
| Power | 177 PS (Petrol) / 175 PS (Diesel) | 138 bhp | 103 bhp |
| Torque | 380 Nm / 400 Nm | 320 Nm | 134 Nm |
| Mileage (ARAI) | 12.4 km/l (Petrol) / 15.2 km/l (Diesel) | 9.5 km/l | 16.94 km/l |
| Safety Rating | 5-star Bharat NCAP | Not tested | Not tested |
| Airbags Standard | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Ground Clearance | 226 mm | 233 mm | 210 mm |
| Boot Space | Decent with 5 seats up | Limited | Small |
| Best For | Families wanting safety + style + practicality | Hardcore off-road enthusiasts | Lightweight off-roading + city driving |
Which one should you pick? Here’s the honest answer.
If you want a lifestyle SUV for daily use with occasional off-road adventures, the Thar Roxx is the clear winner. It offers the best balance of safety (5-star rating), practicality (five doors), features, and performance. The diesel automatic is particularly compelling for city driving.
If you’re a hardcore off-road enthusiast who needs maximum mechanical capability, the Force Gurkha is worth considering. It has a more powerful diesel engine and better off-road hardware, but it lacks the Thar’s safety rating and premium interior.
If you want a lightweight, nimble off-roader for city use, the Maruti Jimny is a great choice. It’s smaller, more fuel-efficient, and easier to park. But the engine feels underpowered compared to the Thar’s diesel, and the interior is less premium.
For most buyers who want a Thar that can actually be used as a family car, the Thar Roxx diesel automatic is the one to get. The torque is addictive, the 5-star safety rating gives peace of mind, and the five doors make it genuinely practical.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: The Mahindra Thar Roxx is available in both petrol and diesel options. Petrol: 2.0L turbo (177 PS, 380 Nm). Diesel: 2.2L (up to 175 PS, 400 Nm). No electric or hybrid version is available .
A: The Thar Roxx starts at ₹12.39 lakh for the base MX1 petrol manual and goes up to ₹22.25 lakh for the top-spec AX7L diesel automatic 4×4 (ex-showroom) . The Star Edition starts at ₹16.85 lakh .
A: Real-world mileage: Petrol gives 9-11 km/l in city and 13-14 km/l on highways. Diesel gives 12-14 km/l in city and 16-18 km/l on highways. The official ARAI figures are 12.4 km/l (petrol) and 15.2 km/l (diesel) .
A: Yes, the Thar Roxx comes with 6 airbags as standard across all variants – dual front, side, and curtain airbags .
A: The Thar Roxx has a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating for both adult and child occupant protection – the highest rating possible .
A: The Thar Roxx has a ground clearance of 226 mm, which is excellent for Indian roads and off-road driving .
A: Yes, the Thar Roxx offers a panoramic sunroof on higher variants (AX7L and Star Edition). The lower variants get a single-pane sunroof .
A: The Thar Roxx is the 5-door version of the Thar. It’s longer, wider, and taller, with a longer wheelbase. It offers more rear seat space, easier access, a more premium interior, and a 5-star safety rating. The 3-door Thar is more compact and better for serious off-roading but less practical for families .
A: Yes, the Thar Roxx is available in 4×4 on diesel variants. The Star Edition is RWD only .
A: The Star Edition is a design-focused variant with a piano black grille, piano black 19-inch alloy wheels, all-black leatherette interior with suede inserts, and a new Citrine Yellow paint option. Mechanically, it’s identical to the regular Roxx but is offered only in RWD .