3-door Thar owner checks out Thar Roxx: Mahindra has another winner

Those who are okay with 4x2 are surely going to have interesting showroom conversations within the family deciding between the Mahindra Thar Roxx, Scorpio N and XUV 700.

BHPian justwheels recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Quick sneak peek of the Mahindra Thar Roxx

While I echo with most comments shared by the members, a few points that caught my attention are as below (please note I own a 3-door Thar, driven 50K km in the last 3 years, so my comparison vantage point is that):

Interiors:

1. The moment you enter the Roxx, you will feel like it is a CAR. This Thar is a car from the inside. Now that could be a good and bad thing, both. The perception built by all older generations as well as the 3 door (which in all rights was echeloned above the previous generations), is that the moment you enter, you will have a flair of solid rugged, abuse-friendly, offroad-focused interiors. Roxx has none. It is very car-like. The white plays a huge role in that perception build-up and then the sunroof.
2. All said and done, it feels very modern from the inside even when the 3 door is just 3 years old. The bigger screen, electronic brake, digital driver's screen, 360 degree camera exude class and luxury to some extent
3. A lot has been said about the white interiors. I personally feel at least Mahindra should offer a darker shade like a Tan or Brown for 4x4 versions. Taking the whites into the wilderness will be a crime.
4. For the first time, I loved the sunroof on any car. Now that could be purely because I own a 3-door Thar and the lack of a large glass area at the rear makes it feel very dingy. This one feels a lot more airy.
5. Having a door to access the rear seat is a luxury if you have experienced the same in the 3-door. While the rear doors of the Roxx have a small opening, they open wide enough (almost more than 90 degrees). This makes ingress comparatively easy. The best part is that the side step is very usable for the ingress and will make it comfortable. It is not in the leagues of any C-SUV for sure and the elderly will still have to haul themselves in.
6. Finally we have a usable boot. While I have had my share of experimentation to pack the 3 door to the full, Roxx has a generous boot, and is quite a square, so every inch is usable.

Exterior:

1. I can only say one thing, the looks will grow on you very soon. Yes, there are design quirks, but I am sure they settle in your eyes if you keep ogling long enough.
2. The grill - well there will be enough after-market versions to satisfy your visual need, so while the current one is a bit too overdone, it is not something to keep you awake in the night.

The Drive:

1. Does it float - NO, but does it keep you in the seat with comfort - YES. Again, my benchmark is 3 door Thar, so please bear with me.
2. The suspension will reveal to you in a jiffy that you are in a body-on-frame vehicle, period! But in a more calm and composed manner. Roxx swallows a lot of undulations of the road without jostling you around much. But again, it is not in leagues of the monocoques. The XUV will feel more mature handling the road. I can say, it is the sedan of the SUVs, not "THE SUV".
3. The diesel engine is butter smooth and NVH levels are well controlled.
4. The steering is light like a Hyundai. Personally, I would have liked a bit of heft (or maybe I am used to the hydraulic steering of the 3 Door). While it will make city drives and parking lot manoeuvres much easier, I wonder how would it weigh up during offroad scenarios, especially on rocks etc. A lighter steering in offroad will not be a good thing.

Overall, Roxx is a well-mannered mature car like Thar with the practicality of 5 doors. With 4X4 AT being available in only the top versions, offroad-focused people wanting ATs and those wanting to upgrade from 3-door Thar AT will find it hard to convince themselves owing to the price point. Hardcore offroaders might give it a pass.

For others who are ok with 4X2, there are surely going to be interesting showroom conversations within the family deciding between the Roxx, the Scorpio N and the XUV 700.

But, one thing is for sure, Mahindra has yet another winner and a cash cow in their stable.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.