Mahindra Thar Roxx 2026:Let me be straight with you — I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with the Mahindra Thar. The old 3-door was brilliant off-road, but as a daily driver? It was a compromise. Cramped rear seats, awkward entry, and forget about taking your parents along for a weekend drive.
Then came the Thar Roxx. Five doors, proper rear seats, and a boot that actually fits luggage. I spent a week with the diesel 4×4 automatic, driving through Gurgaon traffic and taking it off-road near the Aravallis. Here’s my unfiltered take — this isn’t just an off-road toy anymore. It’s a proper lifestyle SUV that you can actually live with every single day.
Under the Hood: Petrol & Diesel Specs That Matter
Design & Looks: The Road Presence is Real
The first time I saw the Thar Roxx in person, my reaction was — “okay, this is intimidating in a good way.” It’s wider, longer, and taller than the 3-door Thar. The seven-slot grille is still there, but it’s more squared-off and aggressive. The LED DRLs are shaped like ‘C’ letterforms, and they look fantastic at night.
Mahindra recently launched the Star Edition of the Roxx, which gets a piano black grille, 19-inch piano black alloy wheels, and a new Citrine Yellow colour . Inside, it’s all-black leatherette with suede inserts — feels properly premium. The top-spec AX7L also gets a panoramic sunroof, which is wild for an off-road vehicle.
The side profile is where you notice the biggest change — five doors. The rear doors open wide, making entry and exit so much easier. And the spare wheel is still mounted on the tailgate, because, well, it’s a Thar. It wouldn’t look right without it.
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Performance & Drive: Highway Cruiser or Off-Road Beast? Both.
I tested the diesel 4×4 automatic, and here’s the honest truth — this is the one you should buy if your budget allows. The 2.2-litre mHawk diesel produces 172 bhp and a massive 400 Nm of torque . That’s not just “enough” — it’s genuinely exciting.
On the highway, the Roxx feels planted and stable. The 6-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and responsive. There’s no lag when you floor it — the torque pushes you back into your seat. Overtaking trucks on two-lane highways becomes effortless. And the steering, while still light at low speeds, weights up nicely as you go faster.
In the city, it’s surprisingly manageable. The steering is light, the turning radius isn’t terrible, and the automatic gearbox handles stop-go traffic without complaint. Yes, it’s a big vehicle, but you get used to the dimensions quickly. The 360-degree camera on higher trims is a lifesaver in tight parking spots.
Off-road? This is still a Thar. You get a proper 4×4 system with low-range transfer case, electronic locking differentials, and impressive approach/departure angles. The water wading depth is 650 mm. I took it through some serious slush and rocky trails, and it didn’t break a sweat. The suspension absorbs bumps that would send other SUVs bouncing.
The petrol version is also available — 176 bhp and 380 Nm. It’s quicker in a straight line, but the diesel’s torque is what you want for off-roading and highway cruising. If you’re mostly city driving, the petrol might make sense. But for the full experience? Get the diesel.
Mileage & Real-World Range: It’s a Big SUV, Manage Expectations
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room — fuel efficiency. The Thar Roxx is heavy, boxy, and powerful. It’s not going to give you Baleno numbers. Here’s what I observed during my week-long test, cross-referenced with ARAI figures :
These numbers aren’t class-leading, but they’re respectable for a vehicle this size. The 57-litre fuel tank gives you a real-world range of around 650-700 km on the diesel highway cycle, which is perfectly fine for weekend getaways.
The ARAI-certified figures are 15.2 kmpl for the diesel and 12.4 kmpl for the petrol . In real-world conditions, expect slightly less, especially in city traffic. But here’s the thing — nobody buys a Thar for fuel efficiency. You buy it for the experience, the road presence, and the capability. If you’re worried about fuel costs, the diesel is the smarter choice.
Safety Features: 5-Star Rated — This is the Big News
If there’s one reason to take the Thar Roxx seriously as a family vehicle, it’s this — it scored 5 stars in Bharat NCAP crash tests . That makes it the first body-on-frame SUV in India to achieve this rating.
The numbers speak for themselves :
- Adult Occupant Protection: 31.09/32 — that’s almost a perfect score
- Child Occupant Protection: 45.00/49
- Frontal Offset Deformable Barrier Test: 15.09/16
- Side Movable Deformable Barrier Test: 16/16 — perfect score
Standard safety features across all variants include 6 airbags, ESP with multiple functions, ISOFIX child seat mounts, 3-point seatbelts for all passengers, and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) . The higher variants (AX5L and AX7L) also get Level 2 ADAS with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and a 360-degree camera .
The Star Edition, interestingly, does NOT get ADAS — Mahindra removed it to keep the price lower . So if you want all the advanced safety tech, stick with the standard AX7L.
This 5-star rating changes the conversation. Earlier, people bought the Thar despite safety concerns. Now, safety is actually a selling point. That’s a huge shift for Mahindra.
✅ Pros
- 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating — first body-on-frame SUV to achieve this
- Genuinely spacious 5-door layout with proper rear seats
- Powerful diesel engine with massive 400 Nm torque
- Smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic
- Excellent off-road capability with low-range 4×4 and locking diffs
- Panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, Harman Kardon sound system on top trims
- Commanding road presence
❌ Cons
- Fuel efficiency is average at best (12.4-15.2 kmpl ARAI)
- Body roll is noticeable in corners (it’s a ladder-frame SUV)
- Boot space is limited despite 5 doors (447 litres vs 500+ on rivals)
- Price has gone up — now ranges from ₹12.39 lakh to ₹22.25 lakh
- Petrol version is thirsty (only 12.4 kmpl claimed)
- Not as feature-rich as monocoque SUVs in the same price bracket
- Star Edition lacks 4×4 and ADAS
Comparison: Thar Roxx vs Top Rivals (2026)
The Thar Roxx competes in a unique space — it’s an off-road focused SUV that’s now practical enough for daily use. Its main rivals are the Force Gurkha (hardcore off-roader) and the Maruti Jimny (smaller, more city-friendly) . Here’s how they compare:
| Parameters | Mahindra Thar Roxx (AX7L 4WD) | Force Gurkha (5-Door) | Maruti Suzuki Jimny (Alpha MT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-Showroom Price | ₹20.85 – 22.25 Lakh | ₹15.95 Lakh | ₹12.74 – 14.79 Lakh |
| Engine | 2.2L 4-cyl Diesel (172 bhp / 400 Nm) 2.0L Petrol (176 bhp / 380 Nm) |
2.6L 4-cyl Diesel (138 bhp / 320 Nm) | 1.5L 4-cyl Petrol (105 bhp / 134 Nm) |
| Mileage (ARAI) | 15.2 kmpl (Diesel) / 12.4 kmpl (Petrol) | Not Tested (est. ~9-10 kmpl) | 16.94 kmpl |
| Transmission | 6MT / 6AT | 5MT | 5MT / 4AT |
| Drivetrain | RWD / 4WD with Low-Range | 4WD with Locking Diffs | 4WD with Low-Range |
| Safety Rating | 5-Star (Bharat NCAP) | Not Tested | Not Tested (Global NCAP 3-star expected) |
| Airbags | 6 Airbags (Standard) | 2 Airbags | 6 Airbags |
| Boot Space | 447 Litres | 500 Litres | 208 Litres |
| Water Wading Depth | 650 mm | 700 mm | 300 mm |
| Our Verdict | Best for families wanting off-road capability + daily usability + safety | Best for hardcore off-roaders on a budget | Best for city dwellers who want occasional off-road fun |
Final Verdict: Should you buy the 2026 Thar Roxx?
Here’s my honest take after a week with the Roxx — this is the Thar that Mahindra should have made years ago. The 5-door layout transforms the experience. Suddenly, you can take your parents, your kids, or your friends without hearing complaints about the back seat. The boot, while not huge (447 litres), fits weekend luggage .
The 5-star safety rating is a game-changer . Earlier, if someone asked me “is the Thar safe for my family?” I would have hesitated. Now? I can say yes with confidence. The 6 airbags, ESP, and optional ADAS make it one of the safer SUVs in the segment.
Who should buy the Thar Roxx? Adventure enthusiasts who need a family car. People who want a vehicle that can handle the city during the week and the mountains on weekends. Anyone who values road presence and isn’t obsessed with fuel efficiency. The diesel automatic 4×4 is the sweet spot — powerful, smooth, and genuinely capable.
Who should look elsewhere? If fuel efficiency is your top priority, get something else — a monocoque SUV like the Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos will give you much better mileage. If you’re a hardcore off-roader who doesn’t need rear seats and wants maximum water wading (700 mm), the Force Gurkha might be better (and cheaper) . If you’re mostly city driving and want something compact and fuel-efficient (16.94 kmpl), the Jimny is easier to park .
But for everyone else? The Thar Roxx is the real deal. It’s not perfect — the body roll is noticeable, the fuel bills add up (12.4-15.2 kmpl claimed), and the price has crept up (₹12.39L to ₹22.25L) . But it’s the first time a Thar has genuinely felt like a lifestyle vehicle you can live with every single day.
Rating: 4.4 / 5
Verdict: The off-road king grows up — 5 doors, 5 stars, zero compromises.