Drove the Mahindra Thar Roxx: Why I feel its a practical SUV for me

I still need to test the Thar Roxx at 100 kph and see how the car behaves as compared to what I have driven so far in my life.

BHPian CArider recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I was eagerly waiting for the Thar 5 door (Roxx) for donkey's years as I have been a big fan of Jeep style SUVs, but Rubicon was always outside the budget whereas the Thar 3 door had practical challenges for a family man.

For context, I am a young father in my early 30's and have a small family of 3. So far, I was always hesitant in buying the Thar 3 door due to limited utility and practical challenges possessed by the car.

The Thar Roxx is certainly not only an extended version of the existing Thar, but a feature rich car which has the capability to compete with C segment SUVs in the domestic market. I am amazed by the whole set of features that Mahindra has built for the new Thar.

Here's a summary of positives and negatives based on the test drives, showroom display and videos I have seen so far.

+ve's:

• NVH is superior. Car is very silent, Diesel engine feels like petrol in terms of noise.
• Styling and feel - Looks continue to maintain the originality of a Jeep and yet they have evolved over the years by being trendy and classy.
• Modern features such as LED headlamps, ADAS L2, sunroof,
• Electronic steering has made the overall driving experience much superior as compared to its previous version.
• Alloys and design looks classy. (I know this could be a controversial statement to make, but to my eyes both the C pillar design and the alloys have been pleasant).

-ve's:

• I am 5'8", but during the test drive I would feel my left knee hitting the console. Would have been great to have a telescopic steering to adjust according to comfort. Not many people have observed this issue, so probably I will get adjusted in sometime.
• Panaromic sunroof is a great design element, but its impossible to use during summers (due to heat), winters (pollution) and rainy season. This has a very limited use case in the Indian setting, but bringing alot more maintenance challenges along with it.
• A bit of body roll, which is likely to stay due to its body on frame chasis as compared to a monocorque car (wont call them SUVs).
• Display could have been better (Its a great improvement from 3 door Thar, but I would have loved to see something similar to XUV AX7L.
• It might still be a bit challenging for old age people to climb in and out of the car.
• Everyone is talking about lack of bottle holders in the top variant, but I wonder why is that a challenge? Its okay, Mahindra has fit in so many other things in the cabin at the cost of the bottle holders, but if you really need it, please feel free to add those after market.

I wish:

• The back seats could recline further to allow an even more comfortable seating experience for the rear passengers.
• A hybrid 4x4 which I could keep longer (more than 10 years as is the case with Diesel powertrains in NCR). Historically I have kept all my cars for 10++ years.

I still need to test the Thar Roxx at 100 kph and see how the car behaves as compared to what I have driven so far in my life.

In a way its unfair to compare a Thar to a Seltos or Creta or Hector or any other monocoque car as I firmly believe that those cars are made for the masses with day to day practicality in mind, but don't have the inherent features of a strong SUV. This is a SUV where in Mahindra has now added a lot more practicality to achieve a mass adoption. I still feel those who like the comfort of monocoque pseduo SUV's might not really move to Thar, but those sitting on the fence like me would definitely do.

Verdict:

I have been waiting for a more practical Thar all this long. (I fancy boxy 4X4's and would have picked up a Jimny, but it lacks city drive, that pulse and practicality for many reasons) and hence this car serves my natural choice. I would most likely be booking it in first week of January to pick up a 2025 model (also once the teething issues have come to light and necessary improvements have been made by Mahindra in their subsequent batches of production). Since I like the C pillar design, I might go for the white color, but the Deep Forest and Nebula Blue are in the fray right now. I will let some cars come on street and will then decide on which color to opt for.

Thanks

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