Mahindra Thar Roxx long-term evaluation, 13,000-kilometer study for 2025

There has never been a better moment for this new long-termer to join Autocar India’s fleet. An SUV with 4×4 capabilities was much needed as the rainy season approached. However, we gave it a good road trip before we started having fun mud-slinging.

The 1,200-kilometer round-trip journey from Mumbai to Indore and back is a good starting point for our newest garage entrant. It has also produced a variety of results, including good, bad, and typical.

OurThar Roxx is a high-performance diesel automatic version with a 6-speed torque converter and a 2.2-liter mHawk engine. After this excursion, I can understand why most buyers choose this combo.

The motor is incredibly well-refined and performs effortlessly, which is why I truly appreciate it. Actually, the refining is so superb that it’s easy to mistake it for a moving gasoline engine! Triple-digit speeds are easily attained, but you have to let off the pedal frequently since it has a good amount of torque in reserve and occasionally feels too snappy. Additionally, I enjoy how light the steering is, especially when there is traffic.

Additionally, the gearbox is swift and smooth and does a great job of maintaining a relaxing atmosphere. The engine stop-start system, however, annoys me because it is slow to react and then produces a loud shudder that is difficult to ignore when it turns the engine back on. It serves as a reminder that the thar Roxx is still a tough, body-on-frame 4×4 at its core, despite its urban polish.

The panoramic roof has already left a significant effect. It is enormous and provides the cabin with a suitably airy atmosphere in addition to letting in tons of light. It’s a terrific addition, particularly if the weather is nice and you’ll be driving for extended periods of time. You have the makings of a somewhat civilized off-road vehicle when you combine it with cooled front seats that function effectively without making a lot of noise beneath your rear end.

mahindra has also done a great job with the layout of the cabin. Everything feels sturdy enough to withstand a beating and is in its proper place. Our Roxx’s white upholstery, however, will be challenging to maintain given the variety of customers and wear our long-term vehicles experience. Even while they are presently immaculate, I don’t think they will remain that way for very long, especially once the rainy season really begins. More storage room would have been nice, especially for a standard 1-liter plastic water bottle that must fit tightly even in the front door pocket.

The comfort of the ride at low speeds is one area where the Roxx still needs improvement. The Roxx wanders around a lot on uneven tarmac or through villages with rumble strips every few kilometers (and there are many between Mumbai and Indore). This is despite Mahindra’s obvious attempts to tune in some urban usefulness.

Because the firm suspension does not compress over minor defects, all of that movement is transferred to the body, causing the occupants to shake from side to side. If you’re going out with friends or family, be prepared for some complaints from the back seat because the rear passengers, in particular, take the brunt of the jostling.

Additionally, the Roxx’s boot space isn’t its strongest point. Although a couple cabin or duffel bags can fit inside, it’s small for a car of size. On our trip, we did manage to fit in a fair amount of luggage but had to do a lot of juggling. A compromise has been reached. Furthermore, even while the split rear door has a charmingly retro feel, it’s not the most useful arrangement when you’re lugging around bags in the rain.

In addition, the wipers require an upgrade because of the rain. Even at maximum speed, the blades found it difficult to keep up in a strong downpour.

On this excursion, I also observed a problem with the gasoline lid. At several gas stations, it repeatedly refused to pop open. The fuel-flap release button was pressed, but the lid would not open and had to be physically removed using a coin or key. My suspicion is that the lid mechanism jammed due to some mud and filth. During its subsequent service, it must undoubtedly be inspected. What was a bigger surprise was a glitch with the infotainment and the instrument cluster blacking out completely while driving, but thankfully, it came back to life on its own.

Over the course of the round trip, the Thar’s fuel economy was approximately 10 kpl. For a large, 4WD SUV with an automatic transmission, it isn’t disastrous, but it’s also nothing to brag about. Overall, the Thar handled the journey quite effectively. I was able to travel 600 kilometers in a single day without feeling tired, which is more than I can say for certain monocoque SUVs.

What comes next? Now that the monsoon has arrived, there are numerous off-road tracks that are simply begging to be discovered. There hasn’t been much activity on the Thar Roxx’s 4×4 hardware yet, but that will soon change in the upcoming report. Slush, mud, and possibly a hill or two. It’s time to discover the true composition of this Roxx.

What’s next? The monsoon has arrived, and with it a number of off-road routes that are just begging to be discovered. The upcoming report will witness a significant increase in activity on the Thar Roxx’s 4×4 hardware. There may be a slope or two, mud, and slush. It’s time to discover what this Roxx is truly composed of.