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Old 30th October 2024, 16:06   #1456
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by kgt.v8 View Post
Can you share infotainment software version in your AX5L as it will help current and future owners to see which version onwards is Apple Car Play enabled?
Here is the version of infotainment system. I didn't know how to check the version. You need to repeatedly press the settings button to view this screen.

Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-hw.png
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-sw.png

Quote:
Originally Posted by ArSh View Post
Are you sure it is apple car play that is functional and not android auto? I don't have a reason to doubt your observation since you are using the functionality but considering that Mahindra has not announced carplay as a software update yet and others are not having it, I want to be double sure.
Yes, I am pretty sure it is Apple Car Play because the only phone I have connected to the car is my iPhone. And I am pretty sure it is wireless.

Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-applecarplay.png


Quote:
Originally Posted by sgm View Post
Hi @hemmmer
Is the wind noise very annoying above 100kmph ? If you get good roads where you would have generally cruised at 100-120kmhp in other cars, does driving Roxx bother you so much with wind noise ?
It's not that bothersome in my experience and one can live with it. It's just that car is so dead silent below 80, you just can't help but notice the increase in noise above 90. Please note that in whole journey, I didn't cross 120 kmph speed, so I can't vouch for anything above that. But considering the car's shape, I believe it is bound to be more noisy with speed.

Just to share my personal feeling, Thar is similar to my Royal Enfield. Both are not made for agility and speed. They are built to rule the road with confidence, cruising at comfortable speeds.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kgt.v8 View Post
Can you help with below questions which are popping in my mind
  • How was your drive experience at 90-100 kmph and car stability?
  • Did you get to test LKA (lane keep assist) and any other ADAS feature?
  • Can you please share more details on type of road (concrete roads like some highways in Madhya Pradesh, well laid tarmac) where the noise increases beyond 90 kmph?
  • Were there any crosswinds on the highways which could lead to more noise?
  • Did you feel under thigh support lacking a lot in front seats for your 300 km journey as the seat base is less?
  • How have the white seats fared in your ownership experience so far?
Feels rock solid on the road. Just a push on the pedal and in no time you touch 80 kmph. Dead silent below ~80. Yes, there is noise above 90 but you can live with it. I didn't go above 120 kmph.

Yes. I did try both Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

I found LKA more obtrusive than helpful. To be fair, we don't have perfect roads and drivers so I understand the challenge technology would face. I had to constantly change lanes due to trucks, buses, and two-wheelers driving in fastest lane and LKA didn't like that.

I did find ACC helpful in certain stretches. But sometimes it feels too defensive. I mean when there is a truck in the same lane, it reduces speed too early with a big distance still left to cover. Perhaps there is a setting to shorten this gap but I haven't been able to find any yet. Also a hint of two wheeler driving on the side is enough to kill the cruising speed.

It was around 175 km on regular 4-lane highway (max 120 kmph) and around 125 kms rural roads / undivided state highway (~80 kmph). It also included a ghat section of around 15 kms. Overwall a fun driving experience.

Crosswinds weren't strong so I wouldn't blame them for increased noise in high speed cruise. I understand when you love someone/something so much, you don't want to accept their flaws. But you can accept the flaws and still fall in love. As someone said "your imperfections are what makes you lovable".

I didn't find the under thigh support to be an issue. But I am 5'6" so this verdict will not be useful to the taller friends. My wife did complain about the seats being a little firm. She was sitting in back row for the whole journey. Though she didn't complain about the body roll (which I was expecting).

I have kids (5 & 10). And sometimes they get too excited and playful. This resulted in seats being spoiled on a few spots. But I could clean them easily afterwards so not a big issue. The marks on the roof are more worrisome. Being a fabric, you can't clean them easily (or can you?).

Dashboard showed ~14.5 kmpl mileage after the journey and I was quite satisfied with it. For context, it was AX5L diesel automatic RWD.

Last edited by hemmmer : 30th October 2024 at 16:24. Reason: fix spellings & grammer
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Old 30th October 2024, 20:40   #1457
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

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Originally Posted by CARbun View Post
Back from a trip in the THAR ROXX

Gave an average fuel economy of 11kmpl on the MID which is not bad for a petrol suv (highway runs+ city) { But I think it might be around 7-8 kmpl }

PEOPLE looking at the car as the “one car” for their garage need to be very thorough and head strong on their choice and make a decision (especially petrol owners… it drinks bro and small tank gives 270-300 range only)
This '270-300 km range, and that too in Manual Transmission’ gives me a bit of a shiver since I was planning to buy a P AT! I had settled on a combined average of 7.5 km/l, but now I'm having second thoughts
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Old 30th October 2024, 21:19   #1458
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

Recently I saw this post on X. Captured during reverse, it was highlighted as a serious flaw in design by some users.

https://x.com/shivrattandhil1/status...I-ET5_FxDFZK-Q
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Old 30th October 2024, 21:36   #1459
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

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Originally Posted by MyGoRa View Post
This '270-300 km range, and that too in Manual Transmission’ gives me a bit of a shiver since I was planning to buy a P AT! I had settled on a combined average of 7.5 km/l, but now I'm having second thoughts
Big engines rarely give good mileage in my experience. Recently did a 400km round trip in my Fortuner AT and barely got 10.5 kmpl. The tradeoff is the power on tap and absolutely effortless drive experience.

People driving at 75-80kmph to maximise mileage are an exception and not the norm (like the recent hot thread). Even my mum starts asking what's wrong if I'm going consistently 80kmph on an empty road
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Old 30th October 2024, 21:38   #1460
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If there's a good SUV coming my way, the motto is "Pack your bags, let's go road-tripping"! Took the Thar Roxx out around MH (check out some of the previous editions like the Gurkha 4x4 & Safari Facelift road-trips):
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-0.jpg

23 Things I liked about the Mahindra Thar Roxx


1. A giant leap ahead of the 3-door Thar; the two SUVs are incomparable. This is NOT a stretched 3-door Thar

2. Ultimate looks + big on style + butch presence are now matched with family-friendly practicality

3. Robust abuse-friendly build which can take abuse and bad roads alike. Has that true Mahindra DNA

4. Loaded with tons more character & personality than the same price monocoque crossovers (e.g. Creta, Grand Vitara)

5. Great 4x4 & offroad credentials – get ready for FUN

6. Extremely modification-friendly; the aftermarket will give you a plethora of options to make your Thar Roxx one-of-a-kind

7. Mahindra’s track record of safe cars makes me confident of the Thar Roxx’s crash test rating & occupant protection levels

8. Comprehensive safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, rear disc brakes & more

9. ADAS can be switched off & remains disabled, even after restarting the car! This is a boon for those who prefer to drive without nannies like automatic emergency braking

10. Simply fantastic turbo-diesel & turbo-petrol engines; both motors are impressively refined & score well on driveability. Turbo-diesel will give you reasonable fuel economy

11. Ride quality is tolerable & livable (drop your tyre pressures to 30-32 PSI), ride will be better on the lower variants with R18 rims

12. Torque-converter Automatic gearbox is well-tuned + reliable + very smooth. Focus is on driveability, not economy

13. Light steering is effortless to operate in the city. Owners will love it

14. Expressway stability at 120 km/h is satisfactory (unlike the 3-door Thar which gets unstable at the same speed)

15. Interior ambience. Plus, the cabin is loaded to the bones with features & amenities

16. Tall & commanding driving position is very addictive. With top-class visibility for the driver, I found the ergonomics to be sorted (some BHPians have complained about the center console fouling with their left leg – I had no issues)

17. Gets lots of new goodies like the digital instrument cluster, a useable dead pedal, cooled seats

18. Air-con quickly cools the cabin

19. Good 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system (but not excellent) once you set up your smartphone’s equalizer and “high quality” streaming

20. Adequate boot space for holiday luggage

21. Enormous 226 mm of ground clearance means you never have to worry about speed bumps, broken roads or even no roads

22. Can now be the 1st car of the family (unlike the 3-door Thar which was suitable only as the 2nd or 3rd car of the house)

23. I find the Thar Roxx to be well-priced for what it offers

20 Things I didn't like about the Mahindra Thar Roxx


1. Busy ride quality on anything but perfect roads – this will be the biggest dealbreaker for those moving from (or cross-shopping with) monocoque Crossovers & SUVs

2. XUV700 is a far superior package as a family-friendly machine. The XUV700’s comfort levels, ride & handling are way ahead

3. The Scorpio-N too, has many advantages over the Thar Roxx

4. Turbo-petrol engine drinks like an addict (ask me, I own a Thar Petrol AT)

5. It’s a tall body-on-frame SUV, so you can’t hustle it around corners like the monocoque crossovers (Seltos & XUV700 will run rings around it)

6. Really cannot match the outright finesse & quality of many same-price crossovers

7. I don’t agree with the R19 wheel size. Big wheels & shorter sidewalls lead to a firmer ride and are more delicate. R18 is what I’d go with for the Thar Roxx

8. Although I love the front & rear styling, the side profile is “meh” to my eyes. Especially the rear door treatment & the C-Pillar’s weird design

9. Make sure your family “test-drives” the 2nd row before you bring one home. Rear legroom is adequate (not excessive), the ride can get jumpy, there is side-to-side movement on bad roads and ingress / egress isn’t easy

10. No 3rd-row of seats like the XUV700, Scorpio-N & Safari. They come in handy, even if just for kids on family outings

11. Inexplicably, 4x4 is currently offered only on the diesel! I’m sure Mahindra will correct this in the future for Delhi-NCR folks and petrol engine lovers

12. The driver’s seat under-thigh support is poor for long journeys, and there is no adjustable lumbar support that the 3-door Thar once offered. Those with a delicate back will miss this on long road trips

13. Getting into the Thar Roxx’s rear seat isn’t for the elderly; you have to “climb” in (which is a good & bad thing)

14. Light-coloured interiors will get dirty within a fortnight of ownership! Dark-coloured cabin is currently offered just on the 4x4 variant (will surely be extended to 4x2 in due time)

15. Auto-hold braking functionality (AT variant) isn’t smooth at all. Mahindra seriously needs to tune it further

16. Some missing features such as reach-adjustable steering, keyless entry, rear window shades, adjustable lumbar support (which the 3-door Thar once got)…

17. The front door pockets can barely hold a 1-liter bottle (if you squeeze it in). Rear door pockets aren’t accommodating either

18. No option of open-top cruising like the 3-door Thar for those who love it (like me & my family). Would’ve loved to see a removable hard-top like the Jeep Wrangler

19. Niggles are a given with a fresh new Mahindra model. My Thar has had 6-7 niggles in <2 years of ownership

20. Many of you are going to endure long waiting periods for the delivery of your Thar Roxx

Among the places we visited was my sister's holiday home:
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-1.jpg

A blockbuster car + curvy roads + lake view sunset + great music + local food. What else does one need on a road-trip?
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-2.jpg

• As you know, the Thar Roxx has received over 1.76 lakh bookings within an hour of commencement and there are solid reasons for that. When you drive cars like these priced under 30 lakhs, you realise they give you style, they give you room for the family, they are loaded with amenities and have enough power on tap. Cars like the XUV700, Safari, Hycross etc., are all the car you really need, and the actual reason why the 50+ lakh car segments aren't growing. With Mahindras, you have the added bonus of robustness / toughness, which is such a boon on Indian roads.

• The 3-door Thar built the Thar's image, and the Thar Roxx is encashing that to the fullest extent. The lure of the "Thar" brand is evident by the fact that the 3-door Thar was doing over 5,000 sales a month consistently. It was previously unimaginable for any car with 2 passenger doors. Never in the history of India & frankly, won't ever happen again either.

• I was reading the posts on the Thar Roxx launch thread and have never seen any new car launch with so many BHPians saying "I want to buy it, I want to book it, I don't need it but I still want one". This SUV has an air of desirability around it. That being said, once you take a long test-drive at the showroom, you will know this SUV isn't for everyone. It has the typical body-on-frame SUV pros & cons.

• As a 3-door Thar owner, I can tell you that driving the 5-door Thar Roxx is a revelation. In terms of feel, it's more comparable to a Scorpio-N than the 3-door Thar. This is because Mahindra didn't merely elongate the 3-door Thar to make a family-friendly SUV with 4 passenger doors. This is NOT a stretched 3-door Thar & kudos to Mahindra for that. Requires commitment to invest hundreds of crores when you already have a Scorpio-N & XUV700 in the same price segment. This is a heavily reworked SUV that has more in common with the Scorpio-N than the 3-door Thar in terms of how it drives & how it feels. Other than aesthetic similarities at the front and interior parts (e.g. dashboard), there is hardly anything in common between the 3-door & 5-door Thars. They are completely different animals.

• The 2nd-gen 3-door Thar was a massive step ahead of the 1st-gen jugaad Thar in terms of user-friendliness, amenities etc., and that's why it became a runaway success. Well, the 5-door Thar takes that another 3 levels up. This car is so much more user-friendly now than even the 2nd-gen 3-door Thar.

• The XUV700, Scorpio-N & XUV300 scored the full 5 stars in the GNCAP crash tests, while the 3-door Thar impressively scored 4 stars, even without a metal roof. I have no doubt in my mind that the 5-door Thar Roxx will score 5 stars in the safety tests. Just hope its in the GNCAP as I find the BNCAP to be useless. Period.

• Really nothing like an affordable Mahindra SUV to get the world's attention. From Bombay to Pawna, from high society to rural areas, rich to poor and everyone in between....wherever you go, people are checking the Thar Roxx out. The caretaker of my sister's house in Pawna drives a Bolero; when we arrived in the Thar Roxx, his lower jaw dropped and he couldn't stop ogling at Mahindra's new SUV.

• We had a girl in an Innova slowdown on the expressway to check the 5-door Thar. We've had an Endeavour tail us for a couple of minutes to check the Roxx out. We've had villagers turning around & smiling at the Roxx. This is a car with incredibly wide appeal.

• Some cars are simply free of status. Just like the 3-door Thar, Innova, Fortuner & a few other models, the Thar Roxx will be right at home in a rich farmer's house in a remote village, as well as at a 40-crore bungalow in the posh Juhu lanes.

• Life really has its ways. The last time I came to this hotel property was in the Scorpio-N for a test drive in 2022. Somehow, this 2024 road trip plan too just fell in place effortlessly. We are coming back to the same property in the 5-door Thar Roxx, exactly 2 years since the last time I was here.

• One of the best parts about the Thar Roxx is how you can customise it. If you have the budget, please spend it passionately & personalise your Thar Roxx - customise it and make it uniquely yours. For reference & inspiration, here's how my 3-door Thar is modified - link to the thread. I love that car to bits, as much as my more expensive German sedans.

• Is there going to be cannibalisation between the 5-door Thar, Scorpio-N and XUV700? Hell yeah! Mahindra doesn't care as long as you stay within the Mahindra showroom. If you don't cannibalise yourself, someone else will gladly do it for you .

• Also keep in mind that Mahindra has smartly maintained some differentiators between its big SUVs. The XUV700 is a premium, car-like, soft & luxurious crossover. The Scorpio-N is carrying a 25-year brand legacy and has three rows of seats. The Thar is being positioned as a lifestyle SUV, carrying forward the brute off-road legacy created by the 3-door Thar. Unlike the Scorpio-N & XUV700, the Thar Roxx doesn't get a third row of seats. So, while there are a lot of similarities between Mahindra's 20-30 lakh SUVs, there are also many differences.

• Mahindra offers the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel across the Thar Roxx, Scorpio-N and XUV700 trims, albeit in different states of tune. Both engines are also paired with the same 6-speed MT and 6-speed AT transmissions. On the Thar Roxx, the petrol engine produces 160 BHP / 174 BHP, when paired with a 6-speed MT and AT gearbox, respectively. The diesel engine produces 150 BHP and 173 BHP when paired with the MT and AT transmissions. On the Scorpio-N, the petrol engine produces 200 BHP, while the diesel unit churns out 130 BHP / 172 BHP. On the XUV700, the petrol unit makes 197 BHP & the diesel engine offers 153 BHP / 182 BHP.

• 80% of Jeep Wrangler sales in the USA come from its 5-door version. In India too, we'll see similar patterns, with Mahindra predicting a 70/30 split in favour of the 5-door Thar Roxx. Approximately 10,000 Thars will be built each month, with 7,000 of them going to the 5-door version. The 3-door Thar will still have its followers due to its style (2-door sexiness is 2-door sexiness), cheaper starting price, a more fun nature, sportier and offers a convertible top, but the 3-door Thar's sales are going to be drastically affected. Even the resale value of the 3-door Thar just went out the window.

• The combination of style, practicality, features, great engine, smooth AT and sorted mechanicals is unbeatable, especially at this price point. The Thar Roxx demonstrates why Mahindra is the undisputed king of big-size body-on-frame SUVs.

• Surprisingly, Mahindra doesn't have a true direct competitor in this class of vehicle. Tata has long abandoned the body-on-frame SUV format. The Jimny is too small & underpowered, the Gurkha is backed by a weak parent, while the Fortuner is twice the price. There is some price overlap with the Innova Crysta, but it is a van.

• The Thar Roxx is a head-turner with quite a personality. This is even before an enthusiast like me starts modifying it! I like the front end of the Thar Roxx. I like the rear design too, including the naked spare wheel. However, I don't think too much of the side profile - it's rather "meh".

• I recently drove the 5-door Gurkha and with that SUV's styling, I prefer the 5-door over the 3-door. But here, in terms of the side profile and overall proportions, I like the 3-door Thar more than the 5-door Roxx (although both are great looking). One point that BHPians made is that you can get your Thar Roxx in a darker colour which makes the side profile look better and I kind of agree with that.

• The Thar Roxx stands tall and it is fun to "climb into" the vehicle. That being said, this isn't senior-citizen friendly, especially at the rear. As if in agreement, Mahindra has provided grab handles on all 4 doors.

• As you know, Mahindra has announced that Brown Interiors are coming to the Thar Roxx 4x4, and it's only a matter of time before a darker cabin is offered in the regular 4x2 variant as well. In fact, I believe at one point, Mahindra will also offer Black / Grey as an option.

• We have to realise that Mahindra knows these things better than we do. Yes, the light beige interiors will get soiled easily, yet it was a very smart move from the marketing department because, in the first look, the world got at the Thar Roxx - in reviews, pictures and videos - the light interiors made the cabin look more spacious and airy. This wouldn't have been the case if they had introduced the Thar Roxx, as an example, with black interiors. The light interiors were a marketing move and as you know, before the bookings opened on 3rd October, they'd already announced the Mocha Brown cabin.

• Mahindra has really gone all out with the interiors of the Thar Roxx & that's a big part of its appeal. For instance, the pedals get sporty aluminium covers! The interior ambience is a HUGE step up from the 3-door Thar. It's loaded with features, there's a panoramic sunroof, ADAS, ventilated seats, and a laundry list of goodies - a big contributor to the Thar Roxx's success without a doubt.

• The panoramic sunroof is big, although the placement seems to indicate it's more for rear passengers than the front occupants!! Starts more far back than usual.

• This is really attention to detail - put the turn indicators on and there's a beep...but not an annoying beep. Rather, a very soft, very low-volume, classy beep.

• Pathetic rear-door pockets can't even hold a bottle. Front-door pockets can hold just a 1-litre bottle if you squeeze it in. Mahindra really has to work on its cabin storage solutions.

• Why this step-motherly treatment to your mother? The front armrest is adjustable for length on the driver's side, but not on the passenger side.

• The sunvisor is a mix of attention to detail and the lack thereof. The good thing is it's illuminated and when you slide open the mirror cover, the light activates. The downside is that the sunvisor is way too big for this Jeep-like windscreen. As a driver, I put the sun visor down due to the bright afternoon sun, but it blocked too much of the windscreen. I had to fold it back in. In fact, the sun visor is so big that it covers approximately 1/3rd (or a little more) of the windscreen from the top!

• Despite the SUV being so loaded with features, Mahindra missed out on one useful feature. The 3-door Thar (for the initial years) got adjustable lumbar support. Mahindra should have provided that in the 5-door Thar Roxx, especially because lots of owners are going to use it as a tourer. The front seat's lower back support is average, and all those with a weak back will miss the additional support that would come from adjustable lumbar cushioning. Heck, if the 3-door Thar had it, there's no reason for the 5-door to not be equipped with it.

• There is no doubt that the driver's seat under-thigh support is poor. Won't bother you as much in the city. On long highway drives though, taller passengers will find it to be sorely lacking.

• Rear legroom is adequate and that's it (not excessive at all). The width of the bench is nice. Footroom is also just about enough, but those with big shoes will feel the vertical footroom (under the front seat) to be restrictive.

• All the doorpads have a wide top area, so rear passengers can actually use it as an armrest on the move.

• Sound quality from the Harmon Kardon system is good enough for a Mahindra OEM system, but that's it. The subwoofer brings much-needed bass. Overall sound quality is adequate, and most owners will be okay, although this is not an audio system that impresses with its SQ or outright finesse in dishing out your favourite songs. I test-drove the Tata Curvv right after & found its SQ to be far superior. In the Thar Roxx, I initially thought the audio experience to be very ordinary. Later, I tweaked the equaliser on my smartphone and started enjoying the sound quality some more. I'll give it a 6.5/10 rating overall. It's VERY important to have a good player on your phone and adjust its equaliser. In case you are streaming, then go to your YouTube Music or Spotify settings and choose the "highest quality always" setting. Then, enjoy the difference in SQ (these tips apply to all cars, but are more important in those with an ordinary audio setup).

• The 3-door Thar feels very tough, butch, and hardcore to drive. In comparison, the 5-door Thar Roxx is a family-friendly body-on-frame SUV. It's still nowhere as car-like as the XUV700, yet a family-friendly SUV nonetheless.

• 3-door Thar owners always wanted a dead pedal. The 5-door Thar not only gets a dead pedal, but it is also well-sized and at a good angle. Very practical to use in the city and on the highway in your Thar Roxx AT.

• Some old-school people like it this way = you can clearly see the bonnet while driving, unlike many other modern cars.

• The fact is, driving a body-on-frame SUV with this commanding driving position is very satisfying. People will love it. Entirely different kick versus the car-like crossovers.

• A Thar with a fast 172 BHP turbo-diesel, 174 BHP turbo-petrol, 6-speed automatic, electric seat adjustment, panoramic sunroof, sound system with sub-woofer and a planned production run of 10,000 / month. Mr. Behram Dhabhar must be rolling in laughter from the skies .

• With the new-gen turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines, Mahindra has nailed it. The lineup is way ahead of Tata which is only stuck with that old 2-litre Fiat diesel for its Harrier and Safari SUVs.

• The Thar petrol, of course, is so refined, sometimes you don't even know the engine is running. Even in this diesel, the engine is impressively refined and so darn smooth - while driving, it is vibe-free and sound levels are superbly controlled. The engine is more refined than some diesels sold in luxury cars costing 3-4 times as much (e.g. the BMW 2.0L Diesel). On the highway, even if you are revving it, engine noise never gets intrusive or too loud.

• Absolutely love the way Mahindra tunes its automatic gearboxes. The ATs are tuned for driveability, not economy. Throttle response is excellent. This is not a gearbox that upshifts unnecessarily or hesitates to downshift because of fuel economy.

• The tall seating, smooth AT, feather-light steering wheel, good low-end response, commanding visibility, and the fact no one cuts you make driving the Thar Roxx in the city such a breeze. I find it to be more fuss-free to drive than a smaller hatchback!

• Love how the gearbox doesn't freewheel, including when coming down slopes.

• You'll not even bother with manual mode in the AT. Manual mode is just there for ornamental value - you will never engage it. The single-use I see for manual shifting is in the 4x4 variant when you want to control the gear ratio at low speeds.

• Happy to update that ride quality is a massive improvement over the 3-door Thar: unhappy to report that it still has a jiggly ride at low speeds which is typical of a body-on-frame Mahindra. The suspension is always busy and on imperfect roads, it does get bumpy. You are always aware of the kind of tarmac below you. This will be the biggest deal-breaker for anyone cross-shopping the Thar Roxx with monocoque crossovers like the Creta, or someone moving up from say, a Honda City. I would recommend dropping the tyre pressures by 1-2 PSI for city use only (pump it back up for the highway).

• Let me put it another way = On anything other than perfect tarmac - the ride is busy and the suspension is busy. In comparison, the XUV700 rides so much superior. The Thar Roxx's ride quality is liveable, but it is not what I would call cushy from any angle. I'll give the suspension an overall rating of 6 out of 10. Before you buy a Thar Roxx, please ensure your family test-drives the back seat and gives you an OK.

• Surprisingly, I am driving on the expressway imperfections at speeds of 110 km/h and you sure feel all of them. Many body-on-frame SUVs & MPVs flatten the road at speeds. The 5-door Thar is not one of them. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is not a terribly bad road, yet you feel its ripples, expansion joints & imperfections even at 110 - 120 km/h.

• The lower variants of the 5-door Thar Roxx roll on R18 wheels, these will definitely ride better. I personally don't agree with the higher variant's R19 wheel size as, other than aesthetics, they offer no other advantage.

• Body roll is of course there. The Thar Roxx is a tall body-on-frame SUV, yet I'm pleased to report it's not excessive, scary or unnerving. Body roll is within acceptable limits for a tall BoF 4x4 SUV. Sure, you won't be able to attack mountain roads like you would in a Kia Seltos or even an XUV700, yet you'll be okay. Just stay sensible and keep its height & BoF structure in mind.

• Straight-line stability is satisfactory at 110-120 km/h and streets ahead of the 3-door Thar. Unlike the smaller Thar, you can comfortably cruise at 120 km/h in the 5-door Thar Roxx, it's a good highway mile muncher in that sense. The 3-door Thar gets dangerously unstable on highway dips & undulations taken at high speed - the Thar Roxx doesn't.

• What's really going to appeal to people from all walks of life - including the fairer sex - is that the Thar is very tough on the outside, and very soft on the inside (with ride quality being the sole exception). It's like a rugged tank that is easy to drive & has all the modern amenities.

• If I would buy a 5-door Thar, one of the first things I'd do is move to R18, if not R17. My 3-door Thar is running 285 tyres on R18 and that's probably the size that I'd go for.

• As with all Mahindras, being rough-road friendly is in the Thar Roxx's DNA. We took it to Pawna with rough roads, no roads, broken roads, crater-like potholes - no problem at all, she said. The car goes through them with zero fuss. That being said, it doesn't cacoon its occupants from bad roads.

• A lot of customers will be coming to the Thar Roxx from contemporary monocoque automobiles like the Honda City, Creta / Seltos, premium hatchbacks like the i20 / Polo etc. They will love the SUV's sheer presence, butch nature, tall seating, and style quotient. 50% of the sales of such models come from the looks. On the other hand, the biggest adjustments for them will be in terms of ride quality and handling. It's a steep learning curve for someone coming from a Brezza.

• ^^^ Further to the previous point, this is the kind of car that will win over a lot of customers when 'standing still' in the showroom. This is also the kind of car that will lose a lot of customers after they 'test-drive it for 10 km'.

• Among the million changes from the 3-door Thar is this crucial one = An electric power steering (instead of the 3-door Thar's hydraulic steering which just wouldn't cut it in a family car). Where the 3-door Thar's steering requires effort at parking speeds, the Thar Roxx's EPS is super light! Owners will enjoy using this steering in the city. On the highway @ 120 km/h, it firms up noticeably around the centre position, which is good as you don't want a light steering at highway speeds in a tall body-on-frame SUV.

• Especially in a car as well-loaded as this, Mahindra should have given a reach-adjustable steering wheel. As a driver with a tall, laidback driving position, I'd like to have pulled the steering a little more towards myself. Not cool, Mahindra!

• Proof that Mahindra cares about the user experience = the car remembers your ADAS preference, even after overnight parking & restart. I truly appreciate that the 'automatic emergency braking system' is off in my car. I hate how some cars automatically enable ADAS features on a restart and then, you have to jump through the different menus again to disable it. Not here to argue whether ADAS is useful or not in India...that will remain an endless 100-page thread debate. But clearly, opinions are divided & ADAS haters like me will appreciate how you have to disable it just once! In most cars, it's a royal pain to first remember that ADAS is activated, and then go through the long process of disabling ADAS features after every restart. Even in the XUV 3XO I recently drove, once you turn off ADAS features, they remain disabled.

• Modifications, modifications, modifications! The Thar Roxx is built to be modified. If the stock Thar Roxx looks so damn handsome, tasteful modifications will transform this SUV into a total head-turner. The best part about Mahindra SUVs is how customizable they are, and the level to which you can personalise your own ride. I say this again = For those unconstrained by budgets, keep 3-5 lakh rupees aside to make your Thar Roxx one of a kind. The aftermarket is going to be flooded with modifications & accessories for the Thar Roxx.

Straight-line stability @ expressway speeds is satisfactory, unlike the 3-door Thar which has terrible 120 km/h manners. Capturing this shot in front of the "Jeep" billboard isn't a coincidence:
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-3.jpg

Body roll is of course very obvious in this tall BoF SUV, yet it is within acceptable limits. Just don't do anything silly around corners and you'll be okay:
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-4.jpg

Our beautiful India:
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-5.jpg

Have been around the world, but find none as satisfying to road-trip as India. I just love our India:
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-5b.jpg

Women love the 3-door Thar & they will love the Thar Roxx even more! With its "tough on the outside, soft on the inside" package, I reckon we will be seeing many pretty girls driving this SUV. I foresee a lot of young couples buying this car:
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-5c.jpg

Both are iconic brands in their own special way. A Thar Roxx (especially a well-modified one) can comfortably share garage space with luxury cars, as is the case with the 3-door Thar too. Here is a BHPian who went to pick up a Thar in his Lamborghini!
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-8.jpg

Another stunning property we took the Thar Roxx to:
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-9.jpg

Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-10.jpg

Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-11.jpg

I always sneak in some quality Team-BHP time, even on vacations. When you love what you do, it isn't really work. It's living your passion:
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-12.jpg

Open showers are really the in-thing at all these boutique hotels. Totally love them:
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-13.jpg

Delicious farm-fresh meals:
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-14b.jpg

Only EVs roaming around the property which has a total size of 300 acres!
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-15.jpg

The theme is peace & serenity...
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-17a.jpg

...boy, did they live up to it:
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-17c.jpg

Took the Thar Roxx through village roads & found the headlights to be good enough (didn't do any highway driving at night, so will wait for ownership reviews for comments on that):
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-20241004_205516.jpg

Already planning the next road trip in a luxury electric SUV:
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-photo-021024-3-24-26-pm.jpg
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Old 30th October 2024, 22:46   #1461
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

While we all oggle at GTO's comprehensive review, I happen to encounter this post on X. Is it something anyone who have owned/will own this SUV to he concerned about?

https://x.com/ShivrattanDhil1/status...53Dp9l0-g&s=19

@GTO/Mods - did you notice anything similar?
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Old 30th October 2024, 23:51   #1462
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

Phew!!! It was a long long wait for the Thar Roxx to get launched and then again a long wait for GTO to pen this down, especially after he updated he got his hands on one.

Thank you!!!

After multiple test drives and also booking one, with a delivery date which will make me older, hopefully not wiser to cancel and buy a XUV, everyone will agree it is a very heart over head decision.

GTO's writeup iterates it ia a beautiful car if you drive it well and in its limits to fully enjoy it.
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Old 31st October 2024, 01:07   #1463
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Warwin View Post
everyone will agree it is a very heart over head decision.
I completely agree! The sheer number of Thar Roxx bookings on Team-BHP alone shows how much people love this SUV and the potential sales it can achieve.

I'm eagerly awaiting mine, with a December 2024 delivery. Ever since I first saw the Sumo 4x4 in 1998 as a child, I’ve always wanted to own a 4x4 SUV, and I would admire it every time I spotted one.

While Mahindra hasn’t made any random 5-door 4x4 SUV, the Thar Roxx comes loaded with all the features anyone could want, making it accessible for those who’ve always dreamed of owning something like this.

I’m sure there are many others whose inner child led them to book a Thar Roxx!
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Old 31st October 2024, 01:38   #1464
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
Some cars are simply free of status. Just like the 3-door Thar, Innova, Fortuner & a few other models, the Thar Roxx will be right at home in a rich farmer's house in a remote village, as well as at a 40-crore bungalow in the posh Juhu lanes.
Love this and is one of the objectives for me too! A go anywhere rugged machine relatively free from status!

The 4x4 badge maybe a bit of a status though!

My dealer did mention that almost 75% of the bookings with them are for AX7L 4x4.
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Old 31st October 2024, 08:01   #1465
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
If there's a good SUV coming my way, the motto is "Pack your bags, let's go road-tripping"!
I own a Petrol AT CT as well and I've booked the Diesel AX7L 4X4. All i want to know is, are you dumping the 3 Door CT and upgrading to the Roxx?
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Old 31st October 2024, 09:39   #1466
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

Is there anyone who has still not received their delivery schedule yet, or am i the only one. I booked a Ax5L D AT but haven’t received any email or message. The customer care is clueless and so is the dealership. Earlier they were asking me to wait till 30th October, but haven’t received any intimation yet. Booked at 11:01.
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Old 31st October 2024, 11:23   #1467
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
If there's a good SUV coming my way, the motto is "Pack your bags, let's go road-tripping"! Took the Thar Roxx out around MH
  • XUV700 is a far superior package as a family-friendly machine. The XUV700’s comfort levels, ride & handling are way ahead
I was eagerly waiting for this 2nd review, because your reviews always offer a family’s perspective to new cars and we also get to see some cool places. Great one Rush, the car looks smashing & great photography too.

And I second your opinion on the XUV700 part.

Last edited by sachin_cs : 31st October 2024 at 11:33.
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Old 31st October 2024, 12:35   #1468
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Slow View Post
Hey how about a all black interior! Are you listening to us users? @ Mahindra & Mahindra

Went and saw the car at the showroom man these white seats are bad!
Take a look at this! For a brand new showroom car this is how the seats looked

Maintaining this pure white interior is going to be a nightmare for sure!

Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-pxl_20241019_102503414.jpg
Attached Thumbnails
Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-pxl_20241019_102546626.jpg  

Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-pxl_20241019_102505945.jpg  

Mahindra Thar Roxx Review-pxl_20241019_102549129.jpg  


Last edited by Axe77 : 31st October 2024 at 15:12. Reason: Minor typo (“maintaining”)
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Old 31st October 2024, 12:43   #1469
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by man_of_steel View Post
Reversing onto a slippery steep incline. Have to see if the Roxx behaves the same in that.
Can see it in older videos as well. Mahindra would have noticed this surely in testing.
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Old 31st October 2024, 15:04   #1470
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Re: Mahindra Thar Roxx Review

Got delivery of my AX7L P AT Everest white today. Fun car to drive, though coming from a manual 7 year old car, I'm feeling a tad overwhelmed with all the features, sensors etc.

I've made peace with the fact that the white interiors will not remain squeaky clean. Need to learn to live with it.

The car is an imposing head turner. Never before had this experience on road when half of the people are ogling at the car, while the other half is giving way!
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