Mahindra Thar Roxx Review: 'The' SUV

The Mahindra Thar Roxx (5-door) is not just a longer Thar. It is Mahindra looking the Creta and Seltos in the eye and saying, “I can do everything you can, and I can go where you can’t.”

It attempts the impossible: marrying hardcore off-road capability with family-friendly luxury.

🚙 The “Roxx” Factor: Design & Size

It is Huge.

  • Presence: The added length and the new grille (which is divisive, but distinctly “Roxx”) give it an imposing stance that dwarfs everything else in the 20-25 Lakh segment.
  • The C-Pillar: The slanted C-Pillar design is the biggest talking point. To some, it breaks the boxy harmony; to others, it adds a unique flair.
  • Wheels: Those massive 19-inch alloys fill the arches beautifully.

🛋️ Interior: White? Really?

Mahindra went bold with White Leatherette Interiors.

  • The Look: It looks stunning and incredibly premium. Soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door pads elevate the cabin.
  • The Practicality: Enthusiast Warning: If you actually take this off-road or have kids/pets, keeping those white seats clean will be a nightmare. It’s a luxury choice, not a practical one.
  • Features: Panoramic Sunroof (sky-gazing is epic), Ventilated Seats, and a Harman Kardon sound system that thumps.

⚙️ Engineering: The GLYDE Platform

This is where the magic happens. The Roxx sits on the new M_GLYDE platform, which is lighter and stiffer.

1. Ride Quality (The Game Changer)

The 3-door Thar was bouncy. The Roxx is… settled. The longer wheelbase and re-tuned suspension mean it doesn’t pitch and bob over every pothole. It is genuinely comfortable enough to be a daily driver and a highway cruiser.

2. The Powerhouses

  • Petrol: The mStallion Turbo is a rocket. It is thirsty, but the acceleration for a vehicle this heavy is frighteningly fun.
  • Diesel: The 2.2L mHawk is the sensible, torque-loaded choice. It chugs along miles effortlessly.

3. Steering

Mahindra has moved to EPS (Electronic Power Steering). It is light in the city (one-finger u-turns possible) and weighs up decently on the highway. This alone makes the Roxx liveable in urban traffic.

⛰️ Off-Road: Still a Goat?

Yes. Despite the longer wheelbase impacting the breakover angle slightly, it is still a mountain goat.

  • 4x4 Hardware: Low range gearbox, BLD (Brake Locking Differentials), and Intelli-Turn assist (which locks the inside rear wheel to reduce turning radius) make it formidable.
  • Crawl Smart: It essentially has off-road cruise control.

🏁 Verdict

The Thar Roxx is a masterclass in product positioning.

  • The Win: It retains the emotional appeal of the Thar but removes the compromises (ride quality, rear access, boot space). It is a legitimate primary car for a family of four.
  • The Trade-off: It is still a body-on-frame SUV. It will never handle corners like a monocoque (Creta/Kushaq). Also, that white interior needs serious care.

If you want an SUV that has a soul, character, and can survive the apocalypse in air-conditioned comfort, the Roxx is in a league of its own.