Mahindra Thar Roxx: After thrashing the new Thar Roxx through Rajasthan’s desert trails for two days, I can confirm it’s not just a mall crawler with Thar badges. The approach angle isn’t quite as extreme as its three-door sibling (what with that longer wheelbase), but it cleared obstacles that would’ve left lesser SUVs calling for rescue. The mechanical locking differential works beautifully when things get properly slippery—unlike electronic systems that engage too late to be useful. One annoying quirk though: those stock MRF Wanderer tires are highway-biased compromises that fill with mud faster than my inbox fills with spam. First mod for serious off-roaders? Proper all-terrain rubber, no question.
Mahindra Thar Roxx That Interior Isn’t Terrible Anymore Seriously
Remember when Thar interiors felt like they were assembled by someone whose previous job was making military equipment? The Roxx changes everything with soft-touch materials that don’t instantly make your elbows sore. Those leather seats (Cognac Brown in my tester) look properly premium and stayed comfortable during a 5-hour highway stint that would’ve had me calling my chiropractor in the regular Thar. The panoramic sunroof transforms the cabin vibe completely, though it turns the interior into a greenhouse during summer months. One weird oversight: rear AC vents blow with all the force of an asthmatic ant. Mahindra, c’mon—this is India! We need proper cooling back there.
Power Wars: Which Engine Actually Makes Sense?
I’ve driven both the 175hp diesel 4×4 and the 177hp petrol variants extensively, and there’s no contest—the diesel is the one to get. That 2.2-liter mHawk might sound agricultural at idle, but it delivers torque like a freight train (370Nm!) exactly where you need it for off-roading. The petrol feels sprightlier in city driving but drinks fuel like there’s no tomorrow—I managed just 7.2km/l in Bangalore traffic. The 6-speed automatic shifts smoothly enough but has this annoying habit of hunting between gears on slight inclines. The manual? Delightfully mechanical with positive engagement, though the clutch is heavier than my guilt after eating that extra gulab jamun at dinner last night.
Tech Overload: Finally Not Lagging Behind
Remember when Mahindra infotainment systems felt like they were running Windows 95? The AdrenoX suite in the Roxx finally feels modern, with a responsive 10.25-inch touchscreen that doesn’t lag when switching between screens. The Harman Kardon 9-speaker system pumps out surprisingly good audio—clear vocals and decent bass response even at higher volumes. The 360-degree camera system helps navigate tight spots, though resolution gets properly grainy at night. Wireless Android Auto connected instantly every time, unlike my colleague’s German luxury SUV that needs a prayer circle to establish connection. One genuinely useful feature: the off-road statistics display that shows real-time pitch, roll, and wheel articulation data.
Second-Row Experience: Actual Adults Can Sit Here!
The biggest practical upgrade over the standard Thar isn’t just the extra doors—it’s that second row that can accommodate real humans without requiring contortionist certification. At 5’11”, I could sit behind my own driving position with about two inches of knee room to spare. The bench is properly contoured too, not the flat park bench found in some SUVs. The slightly elevated theater-style seating gives rear passengers good visibility, reducing motion sickness on twisty roads. One complaint: thigh support could be better for longer journeys. The boots-on cargo space isn’t enormous with all seats up, but fold the 60:40 split rear bench and you’ve got enough room for a weekend camping trip or that impulsive Decathlon haul.
Variant Maze: Decoding That Confusing Lineup
Mahindra’s trim structure requires a PhD to fully comprehend. The MX1 starts at ₹12.99 lakh, while the top-spec AX7L 4×4 AT costs ₹23.49 lakh—nearly double! After studying the spec sheets longer than I studied for college exams, the sweet spot seems to be the AX5L diesel AT (₹21.49 lakh), which gets most luxury features without the eye-watering price tag of the AX7L. The base MX trims lose too many features to be worth considering unless budget is your absolute priority. One weird quirk in the lineup: only certain trims get certain transmission/engine combinations, forcing sometimes unwanted compromises.
Mahindra Thar Roxx Real-World Ownership: The Honeymoon Phase Ending
Early owners are reporting mostly positive experiences after 3-4 months with their Roxxes. Fuel efficiency settles around 12-13km/l for diesels and 9-10km/l for petrols with mixed driving. Build quality issues seem fewer than the standard Thar’s early production runs, though some owners report occasional electronic gremlins with the infotainment system. Service costs are typical Mahindra—not cheap but not bank-breaking either. The biggest owner complaint? Those fancy 18-inch alloys are apparently very susceptible to bending on bad roads, with several forum members reporting damage from relatively minor impacts. The Roxx demands a lifestyle premium over more practical SUVs, but for those wanting Thar capability without the compromises, it seems to be hitting the sweet spot that Mahindra was aiming for.