The Mahindra Thar Roxx remedies most shortcomings of the 3-door version like congested boot space and ingress and egress characteristics for the second row passengers.
In this post, we shall take a look at the details of the pros and cons of the newly launched Mahindra Thar Roxx. It was an SUV which was extremely well anticipated for almost the entire last year. In fact, the road testing was quite rigorous and extensive across a diverse range of topographies available in India. Now that the 5-door Thar is here, people and car experts are excited in equal measure. However, the prices of the higher variants have not been announced yet. We only know that the Thar Roxx retails between Rs 12.99 lakh and Rs 20.49 lakh, ex-showroom in 4×2 trims. The prices of the 4×4 variants will be announced soon. For now, let us compare the pros and cons of the Mahindra Thar Roxx.
Pros and Mahindra Thar Roxx
- New Platform – Mahindra has introduced a new ladder-frame chassis which is much stronger than the one that underpins the Scorpio N. Hence, the off-roading capabilities, along with the safety prowess of the Thar Roxx, are greatly enhanced. Also, it contributes to the ride and handling.
- Enhanced Convenience and Safety – The main highlight of the 5-door Thar is the addition of two new doors. That has been made possible due to the extended wheelbase which has also translated into a larger boot in comparison to the 3-door version. Also, the space for the second has seen an increase. Not just that, the Thar Roxx even gets ADAS active safety features to boost overall safety.
- Added Features – Now we must understand that the Thar Roxx is not merely a stretched 3-door Thar. The Indian auto giant has ensured that it offers aesthetic alterations, as well as the addition of tons of new features to ensure that the family is catered to. Hence, things like a larger touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, ventilated seats, and a large panoramic sunroof are some key highlights to pamper the occupants.
- Powerful Engines – The Mahindra Thar Roxx gets the option of petrol and diesel mills which generate more power and torque than the 3-door counterpart. Also, the buyers can choose between manual and automatic transmissions. Therefore, everyone gets what they need.
- Hardcore Off-roading Equipment – Finally, despite being a practical iteration of the regular Thar, the Thar Roxx doesn’t compromise on its off-roading DNA. In fact, Mahindra has equipped it with tons of dedicated tech including Scorpio N-inspired suspension setup, great ground clearance, water wading capacity, approach, breakover and departure angles and more. Therefore, the owners will be able to take it to just about any terrain.
Cons of Mahindra Thar Roxx
- Quirky Design – Now while appearances are subjective, the third quarter of the Mahindra Thar Roxx has been a hot topic of debate among the potential buyers, as well as car reviewers. Mahindra has opted for a triangular quarter glass. I suspect the reason for this could be to distinguish it sufficiently from the Jeep Wrangler. While that might not be such an issue in India, we know that in international markets like Australia, Mahindra was sued by Jeep for making the Thar look too similar to the Wrangler. As a result, the Indian auto giant was never able to launch the 3-door Thar Down Under.
- No Dead Pedal – This is a common issue with Mahindra cars. In the manual versions, there is no dead pedal where the driver can rest his/her feet while the clutch operation is not needed. This is a simple point which could enhance the comfort of the drivers a lot, especially on long journeys.
- No 4×4 Petrol Trim – Arguably the biggest issue with the Mahindra Thar Roxx, at least for the time being, is the fact that the option of a 4×4 version is limited to the diesel variants alone. Perhaps the carmaker will introduce 4×4 with petrol trims later on. Considering the situation with diesel engines and how governments are coming up with new laws to minimize pollution-emitting mills, one can never be too sure about diesel cars. Hence, if you want the 4×4 configuration with a petrol engine, you can’t do it.
- Ride Comfort – Now this is a slightly nuanced aspect. Mahindra has made a lot of improvements to the overall build of the Thar to ensure comfortable ride quality for the passengers. In all honesty, it has been successful in that regard. However, in comparison to something like the Scorpio N, the ride is still not as supple. While it might be a con, since the Thar Roxx is a dedicated off-roading SUV, this is how it is supposed to be.
Our View
As is the case with every car in the world, there will always be pros and cons and the Mahindra Thar Roxx is no different. However, the buyers just need to ensure that the things they want from the SUVs are available. In any case, the Thar Roxx has improved on most shortcomings of the 3-door Thar. Also, it now offers a luxurious interior to make it a worthy family car without losing its adventurous credentials. Going forward, it remains to be seen how well the customers embrace it.
Also Read: Mahindra Thar Roxx MX1 vs MX3 – What’s The Difference?
