In general, the SUV market has experienced an unparalleled surge in demand recently as an increasing number of buyers choose these adaptable automobiles.
SUVs are great for lengthy road trips as well as city driving because they provide the optimum balance of performance, size, and comfort.
Recently, Mahindra introduced the eagerly awaited Thar Roxx to the nation. The price range for the SUV (ex-showroom) is between Rs 12.99 lakh and Rs 20.49 lakh.
As opposed to merely expanding the 3-door Thar into a 5-door model, the Roxx is a totally redesigned vehicle. It blends the tough essence of the original Thar with a more sensible, elegant, and roomy layout.
Recently, News18 Auto got to take a test drive of the Mahindra Thar Roxx in Kochi, Kerala, also referred to as “God’s Own Country.” For a number of reasons, Mahindra has declared very confidently that the Thar Roxx is “The SUV.” We’ll discuss our first driving experience in this post and evaluate whether it lives up to the title.
What Does the Mahindra Thar Roxx Look Like?
The Mahindra Thar Roxx’s design caught our attention right away. The Roxx has some noticeable improvements while keeping the famous Thar appearance. The classic seven-slot design has been replaced with a new double-stacked six-slot grille, which makes it stand out more.
Its tough exterior is given a modern twist by the LED projector headlights with C-shaped DRLs and the complete metal roof with a panoramic sunroof. It has a commanding presence on the road thanks to its wider track, larger wheelbase, and those 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.
The side-opening tailboard and exposed door hinges are among the iconic Thar features that it keeps, but it also adds fresh design cues like a slanted C-pillar and vertical trunk handles.
The proportions have undergone one of the biggest modifications. The wheelbase of the Roxx is 2,850 mm, 400 mm longer than that of the 3-door Thar. Better driving dynamics and a more roomy cabin are two benefits of this extended wheelbase. Additionally, the track has been enlarged to enhance balance. Furthermore, additional welding has been used to reinforce the body structure for improved safety and refinement.
The Thar Roxx’s design skilfully blends a rugged off-roading image with a modern edge. Its redesigned grille and lighting give it a unique appearance that makes it stand out from the competition and its predecessor.
What Does the Mahindra Thar Roxx Offer Inside?
The Thar Roxx’s interior has a high-end vibe as soon as you step inside. Compared to the 3-door Thar, the dashboard is a major improvement thanks to the soft-touch materials that have taken the place of the rough plastics.
Long trips will be comfortable thanks to the supportive and vented front seats. It’s a sensible option for lengthy journeys because of the spacious rear seats with movable backrests.
The Roxx also boasts an abundance of contemporary amenities, such as a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, an automatic parking brake, a digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera, and Level 2 ADAS. The Thar Roxx is a sensible option for lengthy travels because of the significantly increased luggage capacity.
Comparing the interior to the 3-door Thar, it is noticeably better. It feels well-designed, balancing comfort and usefulness. We did think the light-colored trims were a little too utilitarian for a car meant for off-roading, though.
Mahindra Thar Roxx: What Is Its Fundamental Power?
The Thar Roxx’s powertrain options under the hood include a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol and a 2.2-liter diesel engine. When we drove the gasoline-automatic version, it felt unexpectedly smooth and strong.
It is claimed that the 174 horsepower engine and 6-speed automatic gearbox can accelerate you from 0 to 60 kmph in just 5 seconds. Two drive modes are available for the petrol AT: Zoom and Zip. That being said, we felt that the “Zoom” option was a little too forceful for regular driving. Apart from this, the engine has excellent refinement and produces very little noise, even at higher speeds.
How Does the Mahindra Thar Roxx Perform When Driven?
The Thar Roxx is unique since it is the first vehicle to use Mahindra’s fourth-generation (4G) body-on-frame chassis. Compared to the 3-door Thar, which continues to employ the outdated third-generation chassis, this is a major upgrade.
Some of the problems we had with the 3-door Thar, such as its rough ride and heavy steering, which made it less practical for daily driving, are addressed by the revised chassis. Mahindra’s Roxx features a new multi-link suspension system with a Watt’s linkage to help limit body roll, as well as a stiffer and lighter ladder frame. For a smoother ride and improved body control, they have also repositioned the rear dampers and suspension mounting points to larger locations. Even yet, Mahindra’s efforts may not completely eliminate sway and bounce for the rear passengers.
The transition from the outdated hydraulic power steering system from the 3-door Thar to electric power steering is one of the best improvements we saw. The Roxx is now lot easier to steer, especially in urban areas thanks to this modification. Its big wheels and high ground clearance allow it to easily navigate uneven surfaces and potholes.
Even though the ride quality has greatly improved over the previous model, it still falls short of the luxurious comfort of cars like the XUV700 and other monocoque crossovers.
Conclusion: It’s evident that the Mahindra Thar Roxx is a game-changer after taking a test drive. It effectively fills the niche between an off-road enthusiast and a useful family car. The Thar Roxx is a flexible option for a range of requirements because to its roomy cabin that can accommodate five people and has plenty of storage.
Even while compared to the 3-door Thar, its ride quality is noticeably better, it still falls short of the luxurious luxury of monocoque crossovers like the XUV700. The light-colored trimmings may also seem unsuitable for off-road use. Remarkably, the diesel version is the only one with the 4×4 option, and the petrol version only has rear-wheel drive (RWD).
The Thar Roxx is a formidable competitor in its class, with costs that start at Rs 12.99 lakh for the base model and go up to Rs 20.49 lakh for the top variant (all prices, ex-showroom). It comes with an excellent safety package that includes hill descent control, ESP, Level 2 ADAS, and six airbags. The Thar Roxx is reasonably priced overall considering the features and capabilities it provides.