A Sunday Drive to Remember
I still remember my first long drive in the older three-door Thar. My cousin owned one. We went up to a muddy hilltop near Pune during the peak of the monsoon. It was wild. It was loud. Honestly, my spine hated every second of it. My family absolutely refused to get into the back seat because crawling in was an Olympic sport. Let that sink in. The older model was a great toy, but a terrible family car. That is why everyone went crazy when the Thar Roxx was announced. We wanted space. We wanted doors. Did we get what we wanted? Let us look closely.
More Doors, Less Pain
The biggest change is obvious. There are five doors now. This is real. You no longer have to tumble over the front seats to sit in the back. But wait—there is a major catch. Some people think adding two doors ruins the classic off-roader look. I disagree. The proportions look surprisingly clean. It is visually striking. The grille has a new design. Some people hate it. I think it grows on you. (Though that rear door handle placement on the C-pillar takes some getting used to).
We get a longer wheelbase. It adds real stability. Here is why this matters. On the highway, the short three-door model used to hop around like a caffeinated frog. The Thar Roxx stays planted. It feels heavy, secure, and wide. You do not feel like you are fighting the steering wheel at high speeds. It drives like a much more mature vehicle.
Inside the Cabin: A Shocking Shift
Step inside. You will be surprised. The cabin does not feel cheap anymore. No shortcuts here. Mahindra went all out with soft-touch materials on the dashboard. There is a massive digital screen. It supports wireless phone connectivity. The music system sounds incredible. (It has nine speakers, by the way). The digital cluster is sharp. It shows navigation maps directly in front of your eyes. It is helpful.
But here is the real kicker: they chose a white upholstery theme. For an off-road SUV. White seats. Let that sink in. Who decided this? If you take this vehicle into the mud, those seats will get dirty instantly. I can already hear parents screaming at their kids to take off their shoes. It looks premium, sure, but it is highly impractical for a rough-and-tough vehicle. You will spend a lot of money on dry cleaning.
The Rear Seat Experience
Is it actually comfortable? Yes. Absolutely. We tried sitting three people in the back. It works. The headroom is massive. You get rear AC vents. You get charging ports. The seat back even reclines a bit. This is a massive leap forward from the older version. Your family will actually agree to go on road trips now. No more complaints about broken backs.
The Power Under the Hood
You get engine choices. There is a petrol engine. There is a diesel engine. Both are turbocharged. They are paired with either a manual gearbox or an automatic.
We drove the automatic diesel. It felt effortless. Here is how they perform in the real world:
- The diesel engine is a torque monster. It climbs steep hills without sweating. It feels relaxed on the highway. This is the one to buy if you travel long distances.
- The petrol engine is incredibly fast. It is quiet. However, it loves to drink fuel. Your wallet will feel it. Expect single-digit fuel economy in heavy city traffic.
- The automatic gearbox is smooth. It shifts gears at the right time. You do not feel any jerky movements in bumper-to-bumper city traffic.
The Ride Quality: Did They Fix the Bounces?
Let’s be realistic. The older Thar was famous for making passengers sick on bad roads. The body roll was terrible. The Roxx uses a new suspension setup with frequency-selective dampers. Does it work? Yes, mostly.
It is much better. It glides over small potholes. You still feel the big bumps, though. Think about it this way: it is still a ladder-frame SUV. It will never ride as smoothly as a low-slung sedan. But compared to the old model? It is night and day. You can drive for five hours without needing a massage afterward. It is a massive step up.
Features You Actually Use
Mahindra packed this machine with technology. We get some serious upgrades:
- A giant panoramic sunroof. It lets in so much light. It makes the cabin feel huge and airy.
- Level 2 ADAS. It assists you on the highway. It keeps you in your lane and brakes automatically if needed. It is surprisingly well-calibrated for Indian roads.
- A 360-degree camera. This is vital. The car is huge, and parking it in tight mall basements is a nightmare without cameras.
- Electronic locking differentials. For when you want to get dirty in the wild. It is a proper 4x4.
But Wait—There is a Catch
Honestly, you probably already know this, but no car is perfect. The Thar Roxx has its quirks. The steering wheel only adjusts for height, not reach. If you are tall, finding the perfect driving position takes time. The boot space is decent, but the rear wheel arches eat into the storage area. Packing square suitcases can be a puzzle.
Then there is the waiting period. Mahindra cars are notorious for long waiting lists. You might have to wait months to get your hands on one. Is it worth the wait? If you want an SUV that can climb a mountain on Sunday and take you to a fancy office on Monday, yes. It is hard to find another car that does both things this well.
If you are thinking about buying one, go take a test drive with your family. Put them in the back seat. Drive over some speed bumps. See if they smile. That is the ultimate test for this SUV. Let me know what you think when you drive it!