Images: Amal Ramdas, Mahindra

First drive impressions of the 5-door Thar

Mahindra has launched the highly anticipated Thar Roxx in India. Prices for most RWD variants are already out, and those for the 4WD versions are expected to surface in the coming weeks. To get a quick taste of the vehicle, we drove the Mahindra Thar Roxx extensively over a day. Here are all our thoughts compiled.

Design

The Thar Roxx looks better in the flesh than in any of the previous spy shots. There are 7 colour options available, out of which we drove the Tango Red. Key design highlights include LED headlamps with integrated DRLs, a new 6-slat grille ( or ‘6-pack grille’ as Mahindra fondly calls it), 19-inch alloy wheels (on range-topping variants), sloping C pillar, pillar-mounted rear door handles, and C-shaped LED tail lamps. The vehicle has an imposing stance and looks unmistakably a Thar. While the 3-door has circular rear wheel arches, the Roxx gets squircles.

The rear doors open wide, up to 90 degrees. However, the cavity is rather small and could make ingress and egress slightly difficult for people with plus-sized bodies. Unlike the 3-door that gets a fibre /fabric roof, Mahindra Thar Roxx comes with a full-metal roof.

“NONE of the body panels of the Thar Roxx will fit on the 3 door”

Dimensions

Length	4428 mm
Width	1870 mm
Height	1923 mm
Wheelbase	2850 mm
Track Width	1580 mm
Boot Capacity	447 liters/ 664 liters

Mahindra Thar Roxx dimensions

The Roxx is taller, wider and taller than the 3-door Thar. The wheelbase is up by 400 mm. The wider track helps in improving vehicle dynamics.

Interior

The cabin feels roomy and pleasant. It gets a two-tone colourway. Material quality, finish and detailing inside the cabin are excellent. The leatherette upholstery is finished in White. Many features that we had previously seen on the XUV 700 have been carried over to the Roxx.

Key features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen,9-speaker Harman Kardon audio, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charger, electronic parking brake, ventilated seats, motorised driver seat, selectable drive modes, climate control, Level 2 ADAS and a huge panoramic sunroof. The sunroof on Thar Roxx is the largest in the segment and does a good job in making the cabin pleasant and never claustrophobic.

The new touchscreen features wireless Android Auto and wired Apple Carplay. The 9-speaker Harman audio does a fantastic job. It delivers supreme sound quality and comes with a 9-band EQ, surround sound system and more. The seats are large and comfortable. Rear seats can be reclined and folded in a 60:40 fashion. Both rows get handrests as well.

Specifications

There are two engine options available at launch: 2.2L mHawk diesel and 2.0 mStallion turbo petrol. There are both manual and automatic transmissions available. We chose to drive the diesel manual (RWD). RWD is offered as standard. There are also 4WD versions available, of mid-spec variants and above.

The 2.2 diesel engine produces 172.5 bhp and 370 Nm. The manual transmission is an in-house developed 6-speed unit. 0-60kph comes in 4.8 seconds (Claimed)!

Drive Impressions

Thar Roxx is quite fun to drive. It feels like an improved version of the THAR and not a different iteration of the Scorpio! The signature ‘Thar-feeling’ is safe!

You will start appreciating the ride quality the moment you start driving it. The M Glyde platform prevents road undulations from making the occupants uncomfortable. You will feel potholes inside, they will make you bounce, but will not make you uncomfortable.

‘ As soft as you wish it to be, as stiff as you need it to be’ is how I would describe the suspension. The platform uses Frequency Dependent Damping, penta-link rear suspension with Watts linkage, and other tech which further improve ride and handling.

This being a body-on-frame chassis, would make us expect a chunk of body roll around corners. The reality, however, is different. Body roll and the chaos it brings along, have been reduced to forgivable levels! There is a nose dive when you brake, but it doesn’t last long enough to annoy the passengers. The overall ride and handling traits are almost those you would expect from a comfortable, livable off-roader.

The diesel engine seems to have gained refinement. It is calm and quite smooth to drive around. The steering (EPS) feels super-light (!) but offers a decent connection with the wheels.

Is it better than the 3-door Thar?
On every ground we expect it to, the Thar Roxx outsmarts the regular Thar. It is very comfortable inside. You will not feel claustrophobic or being in a rather uncomfortable space. There is ample room for people and luggage. Quite a practical proposition. Interestingly, you will not end up missing the 3-door’s short wheelbase and associated perks. Technologies like Intelliturn have got you covered.

Off-Road Capabilities

Mahindra Thar Roxx is quite capable on terrains. The 4WD tech on this vehicle is impressive. You get an electric locking differential (ELD), BLD, and a capable transfer case. Mahindra is the first Indian OEM to offer ELD. Below are the approach, departure and break-over angles:

Approach angle	41.7 degrees
Departure angle	36.1 degrees
Breakover angle	23.9 degrees
Wading Depth	650 mm

Thar Roxx Off-roading abilities

The ease with which this SUV tackles slush, slopes and other challenging terrains is sure to be loved. The confidence it gives you in the process is priceless. In most cases, you wouldn’t have the complaint ‘ The 3 door could have done this better’.

Water wading is interesting. However, we would not advise doing serious water wading with the Roxx, owing it its light-coloured interior and tech abundance.

**Image:** Mahindra Thar Roxx 4×4 offroading

Pros And Cons

Here are the things we like about the Roxx:

Practical boot space.
Good ride quality.
Spacious cabin.
Refined diesel engine and good cabin insulation.
Fun to drive.
Tech and features.
Excellent suspension setup

Below are the cons of the Roxx:

No reach adjustment for the steering wheel.
Restricted / difficult access to the door-mounted controls for the driver.
Door pockets could be slightly bigger.
The rear door opening could have been bigger.
White interiors could easily get dirty.

Verdict

The 5-door Roxx offers better ride quality, more features, and more creature comforts than the 3-door iteration. This can be had as a daily and can be lived with, without complaining about space or practicality. This could simply be your everyday Thar.