Mahindra Thar vs Thar Roxx: A Deep Dive into Performance and Features Each car bears the excellence of Mahindra and the trademark ruggedness of Thar and ensures comfort in every ride.
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When you think of rugged, masculine SUVs, one car that definitely comes to mind is the Mahindra Thar. With the launch of the Thar Roxx 5-door model, there are now two boxy SUVs on the market that are perfect for off-roading, city streets, and highways. But how are they different? While there are some noticeable changes in the design language, with the Roxx getting a new six-slat grille and C-shaped LED DRLs, the main differences lie in the features and performance. Let's take a closer look at these attributes for better understanding.
Thar vs Thar Roxx: The Feature Showdown
The two models differ in some minor and major features, which are detailed in the following sections.
Body Configuration
The most fundamental distinction between these two models lies in their basic configuration:
- Mahindra Thar: 3-door, 4-seater SUV designed for adventure enthusiasts
- Mahindra Thar Roxx: 5-door, 5-seater SUV built for both adventure and family practicality
This core difference shapes everything from their target audience to daily usability. The traditional Thar maintains its iconic adventure-focused appeal, while the Roxx transforms the nameplate into a family-friendly vehicle without losing its rugged DNA.
Comfort & Technology
In the cabin, the Thar Roxx is a brand-new epoch of the Thar nameplate. Mahindra has given this off-roader a definite urban touch with soft touches, false stitching, and a two-toned dash. Even the headliner has been painted a light colour, which perhaps is not so convenient in dusty Indian conditions; however, it looks high-end.
One standout feature is a 10.25-inch Adrenox infotainment screen, which is accompanied by a 10.25-inch digital cluster. It also gets wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof, and ambient lights. The rear passengers now get AC vents, reclining seats, and a higher sitting position. Adequate side steps and pillar grab handles promote ingress and egress. The best-in-class NVH package ensures a quiet cabin.
The Thar has a very simple and utilitarian styling, and it is designed to be off-road tough. It keeps the fun details of the Mahindra but does not have the modern touch of the Roxx. The back windows cannot open, and there are no rear air conditioning outlets. However, you have the choice of converting the soft top, something you can not do with the Roxx. The retro charm of the cabin is accentuated with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit and roof-mounted speakers.
Safety Elements
Regarding safety, the Mahindra Thar and Thar Roxx have major differences. The Mahindra Thar lacks some basic features and does not have rear parking sensors for all variants, which is becoming common in modern cars. It has dual airbags, ABS, and ISOFIX child seat mounts. The current base Thar is limited in the safety department, and Mahindra is expected to update the safety suite with the facelift that will come soon.
As opposed to these, the Thar Roxx makes a huge step forward, getting a five-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP. It is also well-equipped with the standard 6-airbags, TPMS, ISOFIX mounts, and Hill Hold Assist. It also comes with a Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). This includes:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking - Vehicles
- Autonomous Emergency Braking - Pedestrian
- Autonomous Emergency Braking - Cyclist
- Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
These enhancements improve safety on highways and in the city, making the Thar Roxx one of the safest SUVs in the Indian market.
Thar vs Thar Roxx: The Performance Factor
The Mahindra Thar comes with one petrol and two diesel engine options. The 1997 cc mStallion 150 TGDi petrol engine offers a maximum power of 150.19bhp@5000rpm and maximum torque of 320Nm@1250-3000rpm. It comes with 6-speed automatic and 6-speed manual gearbox options. The 1497 cc D117 CRDe diesel engine generates 116.93bhp@3500rpm power and 300Nm@1750-2500rpm torque. It only gets the 6-speed manual gearbox. The 2184 cc mHawk 130 CRDe engine offers a power of 130.07bhp@3750rp and torque of 300Nm@1600-2800rpm. It comes with a 6-speed automatic and a 6-speed manual transmission choice. Mileage falls between 9 km/l and 15.2 km/l.
The Thar Roxx has a 1997 cc 2.0L mStallion generating a maximum power of 160bhp@5000rm to 174bhp@5000rpm and maximum torque of 330Nm@1500-3000rpm to 380Nm@1750-3000rpm. The transmission choices are 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic.
The mileage is 12.4 km/l. The 2184 cc 2.2L mHawk diesel engine generates a power of 150bhp@3750rpm and torque of 330Nm@1500-3000rpm. It also gets both a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The mileage offering is 15.2 km/l.
The Mahindra Thar Roxx and the Thar might share the same powertrains, but they offer very different driving experiences. Body roll is more noticeable in the Thar Roxx, which has a longer wheelbase. The Roxx has an exaggerated SUV personality and a good ride quality, which makes it an ideal lifestyle SUV. Conversely, the Thar is more agile and its handling is better since it has a shorter wheelbase. It is a bit more planted in rugged terrain and is obviously more at home on dirt. Both models come with the choice of rear-wheel and 4x4, manual or automatic gears.
Conclusion
The Mahindra is traditional and the perfect companion for off-road travels and solo adventurers. The Thar Roxx offers a spirited performance and is ideal for everyday drives and off-road travels. Each car bears the excellence of Mahindra and the trademark ruggedness of Thar and ensures comfort in every ride.