Mahindra Thar ROXX : If there’s one SUV in India that shouts call of the wild, it’s the Mahindra Thar. But now, Mahindra has cranked the dial up with the launch of the new Thar ROXX edition—a radical, head-turning model that fuses off-road heritage with street-savvy style.
It’s not just for a vehicle, for it is a statement for individuals who prefer to look different and be road ready for any terrain.
It’s not a full mechanical makeover ROXX edition though, but a nice cosmetic and feature let-me-thar-you-something-more-up version of an already capable Thar.
In other words, think of it as a factory-customised avatar for lovers of personalisation who want it straight from the showroom floor.
Design: Tough Just Got Cooler
The first thing that will strike you about the Thar ROXX is its road presence—it looks in your face and there’s no shying away from that. Mahindra has gone for a stealthy black theme with matte and gloss contrasting shades.
To that, throw in custom ROXX decals, painted red tow hooks, special alloy wheels and you have a version of the Thar that seems half ready for the trail, and half for a music festival.
You will also observe the clear lens turn indicators, halogen headlamps, tinted hardtop, LED DRLs and the factory-fitted accessories such as front bumper cladding and wheel arches that set it apart from the standard Thar lot.
In other words, the ROXX special looks like it bypassed the showroom and emerged from a custom garage.
Inside: Where function meets personality
The interior of the Thar ROXX too sports the old familiar rough and tough design albeit with some new additions.
The all-black cabin receives red contrast stitching, ROXX-branded seat covers and ambient footwell lighting that gives it an aggressive street presence.
It’s not screaming luxury — and it isn’t meant to. Instead, it serves up a white-box, durable interior you can hose down after a day of fun.
The feature list has a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice commands, steering-mounted controls and as odd as roof-mounted speakers that play quite well even when the roof is off. There’s no fluff — just the right amount of tech to make it convenient.
Performance: Same Muscle, More Style
Under the bonnet, well, the Thar ROXX mechanically soldiers on with same old—a 2.0L mStallion turbo-petrol and a 2.2L mHawk diesel. Both the engines can be had with the 6-speed manual or the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearboxes.
The petrol makes 150 bhp, whereas the diesel develops 130 bhp, both are available with the 4×4 drivetrain with a low-range transfer case.
The Thar is remarkably easy whether you are going over rocks or city streets.
It’s suspension is tuned for off road work, and it shrugs off bumps and potholes like they don’t exist to us, although when you hit the blacktop the highway zip feels a bit stiff. But for adventurers and weekend warriors, it’s a small price to pay.
Safety: It’s Prepared for Chaos in the Real World
Safety has not been sacrificed in the process. The Thar ROXX also receives dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP with rollover mitigation, hill hold, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX mounts.
The construction quality feels quite solid, and with the soaring seating position, you get that commanding view of the road.
Pros:
Special Factory Custom Design
Proven off-road capabilities
Strong petrol and diesel engines
4×4 standard in ROXX variants
Heads can’t help turning and you’ll command the road.
Cons:
On the road comfort is still pretty stiff for the city
Lack of space for large families (small rear space)
Low rent interiors in some areas
No ADAS or other modern tech features
Mahindra Thar ROXX: Verdict: Personality as a Refrain
It is not for the faint-hearted or for the average commuter that the Mahindra Thar ROXX is.
It is for people who seek an entrance, but also want to stand out from the crowd, and who’d still like to be able to make a detour through the wilderness without blinking.
With its aggressive design language and all-terrain presence, the ROXX edition is Mahindra’s way of saying to buyers: you can have both attitude and capability in one package, and without breaking the bank.
Whether you are exploring the hills or just hanging out at your favourite café, the Thar ROXX doesn’t let you fade into the background.