Mahindra Thar Roxx 5-Door Pros & Cons Explained

The most awaited SUV of 2024 has to be the Mahindra Thar Roxx 5-door. This go-anywhere 4x4 offering has gained immense popularity in India and is even getting eyeballs from prospective mid-size SUV buyers. If you are in the market for a Rs 12-20 lakh vehicle, should you be considering the Roxx 5-door as well? Before we move ahead to Pros & Cons of the 2024 Thar Roxx, make sure to join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel, specifically curated for all the avid petrolheads with extensive coverage of the latest news and insights from the automotive space.

Thar Roxx Pros

1. Head-Turner

There is no denying the fact that the Mahindra Thar Roxx has an immense road presence. Size matters and as compared to the 3-door version, this one has become bigger in terms of length, width and height. The overall resemblance to the smaller Thar works and, in addition, a new grille, large 19-inch wheels and quirky design angles makes this an eye magnet on the road. I particularly like the white shade and during our Kochi to Pune drive, the Roxx turned more heads than what any other car under Rs 50 lakh would have!

Competition Check : The Roxx dwarfs the Jimny in size and the Force Gurkha 4x4 5-door looks basic in comparison. It is however taller than the Roxx

2. Value based

At a starting price of Rs 12.99 lakh, the Mahindra Thar Roxx 5-door screams value for money. Even the base model gets 6 Airbags, an ESC package, Rear AC vents, all four power windows, a touch-screen with steering mounted controls, Push button start, etc. For the diesel line-up, prices start from Rs 13.99 lakh. Mahindra is clearly gunning for other mid-size SUVs and trying to eat into their market share. Heck, the petrol Roxx is even more affordable than the smaller 3-door version!

Competition Check: Regarding value for money, the Roxx fares better than the Jimny and Gurkha 5-door. It even gives other SUVs a run for their money.

3. Feature loaded

Who would have thought a 4x4 adventure-ready vehicle would come up with features like the biggest sunroof under Rs 20 lakh, a high-end Harman / Kardon audio set-up, seat ventilation, a powered driver's seat, etc.? The top version of the Thar Roxx offers all this and more! For someone spending 20 lakh (ex-showroom) for a new car, this Thar 5-door ticks the right boxes. It even gets 6 Airbags as standard and could be the safest set of wheels in the price segment. And then there are other tech plus points like Level 2 ADAS, a 360 camera, wireless charging and more!

Competition Check: The updated 2024 Gurkha 5-door needs more features. Even in top spec, the Jimny is no match for the Roxx when it comes to pampering customers.

4. Engine Options

Mahindra has upped the game regarding outright performance and reliability from engines. The Thar Roxx is no different and gets the same set of 2.0 petrol and 2.2 diesel engines from the Thar 3-door. However, these are in a higher state of tune and put out more power and higher torque. Depending on the gearbox and version you pick, the petrol Roxx can offer as much as 175 PS of power and 380 Nm of torque. The diesel engine on the other hand can deliver 175 PS of power and 370 Nm of torque. These figures are excellent for a vehicle of this segment. Pedal to metal, the Roxx is very quick for its size and is a brilliant mile muncher as well.

Competition Check: The Jimny, in comparison, offers 105 PS of power and 134 Nm of torque. The 5-door Gurkha gets an updated diesel motor but churns out just 140 PS of power and 320 Nm of torque.

5. Go-anywhere capabilities

During the Roxx's development stage, the onus was on not only to make it a practical daily car but also a great 4x4 toll. Although the option to opt for a 4x4 is limited in terms of versions, those with adventure on their mind need not think twice. The Thar Roxx, despite its size and weight, is a great vehicle off the road. It gets selectable terrain modes, CrawlSmart, Intelliturn, electric locking differential etc. The approach, departure and ramp-over angles are also excellent for a large 4x4.

Competition Check: Both the Jimny and Gurkha can give a fight to the Thar. While the Jimny is lighter and smaller, the Gurkha has a lot of age-old hardware, working snorkel and possibly better angles for hardcore off-roading. Its just that the Roxx, while driving through the same stretch, will pamper its occupants in a better way!

6. Liveable

The Thar Roxx looks purposeful, has immense road presence and is adventure ready. However, unlike the smaller Thar, it does not tire you easily. The ride has improved by leaps and bounds, NVH levels are well under control and you can drive this beast every single day to work and back without thinking twice. Driver ergonomics are very good and the Roxx seems to shed its size once on the move. This is a very important factor for those looking at getting a 4x4 home. There is good space for 4 adults and 4 suitcases too for weekend trips. Lastly, this SUV feels like a 20 lakh vehicle and not built to a price point.

Competition Check: While the Jimny is a good urban vehicle, the Gurkha 2024 needs more finesse of the Roxx.

Don't forget to check out : Roxx key features explained

Thar Roxx Cons

Price!

Yes, the entry-level versions are of great value - ample features, ego-massaging looks, and punchy engine offerings. However, the fully loaded top versions will be around 25 lakh on the road in many states, and this is high pricing for the Thar brand. The market opens up at this price with many options from various brands - even the Scorpio N and XUV700 higher variants are available in the Rs 20-25 lakh bracket.

Version Line Up

I was expecting Mahindra to offer 4x4 in lower versions of the Thar Roxx. However, this is not the case. For adventure seekers, 4x4 is available from MX5 onwards and not in the lower MX1, MX3 or AX3L variants. Do note, 4x4 is only offered with the diesel engine, not the petrol one and this is a bummer from North Indians where the 10 year rule on diesel engine is 'forcing' people to move to petrol engines.

Body Types

Although not a big deal breaker, but I had to point this out. With the Thar 3-door, Mahindra had opened up a new lifestyle statement for many. The convertible / soft top variants have been a hit with lot of consumers - head to Goa in the right season and you will tourists enjoying the Thar with the top down, for example. However with the Roxx, this option is not available. Further, when the SUV was spied several months back, we even thought it might come with a removable rear hard top (like the Wrangler) - however this isn't case.

Before ending this article, I urge you to head over to our Youtube channel to check out all the videos of the Thar Roxx. This includes two comparison videos - one with the Jimny and other with the Thar 3-door.