Mahindra Thar Roxx

Engines, mileage, and running cost

The Thar Roxx is offered with two powertrains. The 2.0-litre mStallion turbo-petrol (1,998 cc) produces up to 177 hp and 380 Nm of torque, while the 2.2-litre mHawk turbo-diesel (2,198 cc) delivers up to 175 hp and 370 Nm. Both engines are paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque-converter automatic. ARAI-claimed mileage is 15.2 km/l for both the petrol manual and diesel manual variants — a figure that sounds optimistic given the vehicle's kerb weight of 1,800–1,950 kg and ladder-frame construction.

In real-world conditions, Autocar India and owner reviews consistently report lower figures. Diesel automatic owners report approximately 10–12 km/l in mixed driving, while the petrol automatic tends to dip into single digits in heavy city traffic. Autocar India explicitly advises buyers who prioritise fuel economy to consider alternatives, noting that the diesel is the better choice for long-distance touring if enthusiasm is kept in check. The 57-litre fuel tank provides a reasonable range buffer.

Running costs are higher than monocoque rivals of similar price, but the Thar Roxx's appeal is not built on economy. Diesel variants with 4WD attract a premium but offer the most complete off-road package. Petrol variants are rear-wheel drive only and suit urban and highway buyers who want the Thar's style without the complexity of a transfer case.

Performance and drive

Autocar India rates the Thar Roxx 8/10, specifically praising the "strong and smooth engines" and the significant improvement in refinement over the three-door Thar. The petrol automatic is described as smooth and responsive with good pick-up, making it the preferred choice for city-heavy use. The diesel, with its broader torque band, suits highway cruising and loaded driving better.

Off-road credentials are genuine: a 226 mm ground clearance, 650 mm water-wading depth, 41.7-degree approach angle, 36.1-degree departure angle, and 23.9-degree ramp-over angle give the Thar Roxx numbers that few SUVs at this price can match. The ladder-frame chassis and available 4WD (diesel only) mean it can handle terrain that would stop most monocoque crossovers. Reviewers note that the larger size and weight compared to the three-door Thar reduce agility on tight trails, but the trade-off is a far more comfortable on-road experience.

The ride is described as firm by family-car standards — noticeably stiffer than the XUV700 — but substantially better than the three-door Thar. Highway stability is good, and the body-on-frame platform contributes to a sense of solidity that buyers in this segment appreciate.

Cabin, space, and tech

The five-door body and 2,850 mm wheelbase translate into a genuinely usable rear cabin. The 447-litre boot is competitive for the segment and can accommodate a large duffel bag, a medium trolley, and several backpacks simultaneously. Five adults can travel in reasonable comfort, a significant upgrade over the cramped three-door Thar.

The interior quality has been substantially elevated. A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is paired with a matching 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and connected car features including remote AC control, vehicle tracking, and remote lock/unlock via app. Ambient lighting, a 360-degree camera, and blind-spot monitoring round out a tech package that Autocar India describes as "well above the older Thar." The publication does note that the instrument cluster's UI can be cumbersome, with slow toggling and one-way scrolling — a software-side irritant rather than a hardware flaw.

Seat material is fabric on lower trims and upgraded on higher variants. The premium interior positioning is evident in the AX5L and AX7L trims, which add features like ventilated seats and a panoramic sunroof on select variants.

Safety and ADAS

The Thar Roxx holds the distinction of being the first body-on-frame SUV in India to receive a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, scoring 31.09 out of 32 for adult occupant protection and 45.00 out of 49 for child occupant protection. This is a landmark result for a ladder-frame vehicle and directly addresses a historical criticism of the Thar nameplate.

Standard safety equipment includes 6 airbags across variants, electronic stability control, and hill-start assist. Higher trims add an ADAS suite with features including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The 360-degree camera system is particularly useful given the vehicle's large footprint in urban environments.

The combination of a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and a comprehensive ADAS package makes the Thar Roxx one of the safest body-on-frame SUVs available in India at any price point.

Variants and pricing

The Thar Roxx is offered in 21 variants across seven trim families: MX1, MX3, MX5, AX3L, AX5L, Star Edition, and AX7L. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹12.52 lakh for the entry MX1 2.0 Petrol MT 4x2 to ₹23.52 lakh for the top-spec AX7L 2.2 Diesel AT 4x4. Mahindra revised prices in July 2026 by up to 2.5 percent on select variants.

The MX series (MX1, MX3, MX5) covers the value-oriented and mid-range petrol and diesel options, while the AX series (AX3L, AX5L, AX7L) adds off-road hardware, ADAS, and premium interior features. The Star Edition is a special trim positioned between AX5L and AX7L. Petrol variants are available in MX1, MX3, and MX5 trims; diesel variants span the full range including the 4WD AX7L flagship.

How it compares

The Thar Roxx's closest rivals are the Mahindra Thar (three-door), Force Gurkha (five-door), and — at the premium end — the Jeep Wrangler. Among mainstream midsize SUVs, buyers cross-shop it against the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Skoda Kushaq, though those are monocoque crossovers with no 4WD option.

Against the Force Gurkha, the Thar Roxx wins on refinement, technology, and safety ratings while offering a more premium interior. The Gurkha is more focused as a pure off-roader. Against the Creta and Seltos, the Thar Roxx offers a unique body-on-frame character, genuine 4WD, and the 5-star NCAP rating, but concedes on fuel economy and ride comfort in urban conditions. The Thar Roxx's starting price of ₹12.52 lakh makes it one of the most accessible 4x4-capable SUVs in the Indian market.

Who should buy it

The Thar Roxx is the right choice for buyers who want the Thar's iconic styling and off-road capability but need a practical five-door body for daily family use. It suits adventure-oriented buyers who take weekend trips to hilly or rough terrain, and those who want a distinctive, rugged SUV that stands apart from the sea of monocoque crossovers. The diesel 4WD variants are the pick for serious off-roaders and long-distance tourers, while the petrol automatic suits urban buyers who want the Thar's character without the diesel's complexity.

Buyers who prioritise fuel economy, a plush ride, or seven-seat capacity should look elsewhere — the XUV700 or Scorpio-N serve those needs better within the Mahindra lineup. But for those who want a body-on-frame SUV with a 5-star safety rating, modern tech, and genuine off-road credentials under ₹24 lakh, the Thar Roxx has no direct rival.