The Thar Roxx's engine lineup is shared in part with the Thar 3-door but tuned to higher outputs to compensate for the additional weight of the five-door body. 

The 2.0-litre mStallion turbo petrol engine produces a notably higher figure in automatic guise (174 bhp and 380 Nm) compared to the manual (160 bhp and 330 Nm), which is an unusual inversion but reflects the torque converter's ability to manage higher drive loads more efficiently.

The petrol automatic is smooth and effortless, both in city traffic and out on the highway. The manual requires more driver engagement but is well-matched for buyers who prefer direct control. 

Strangely, Mahindra offers the petrol only in RWD configuration across all variants, so buyers who need the 4WD capability must move to the diesel lineup. This is odd, considering the 3-door Thar has always been offered with a petrol 4WD drivetrain as well.

The 2.2-litre mHawk diesel is the popular engine choice among buyers, and for good reason. In RWD manual form at 150 bhp and 330 Nm, it is a comfortable daily powertrain. 

The diesel automatic unlocks 172 bhp and 370 Nm (RWD) or 400 Nm (4WD), figures that give the Roxx significantly more muscle for highway overtaking and off-road pulling power. The torque converter automatic makes an already strong engine feel effortless, and the combination of high torque and a well-calibrated gearbox makes the diesel AT the ideal powertrain of the lineup.

On the road, the Roxx's ladder-frame underpinnings mean the driving character is distinct from monocoque SUVs. There is more body roll in corners, and the steering is more deliberate than sporty. The revised five-link rear suspension and independent front suspension setup make a significant difference over the three-door Thar, delivering better ride composure over bumps and crests, particularly at highway speeds. However, it does not inspire the level of confidence the XUV 7XO or even the Scorpio N does at triple digit speeds.

Off-road, the 4WD diesel variants are in a different class from crossover SUVs entirely. The SmartCrawl system automatically manages throttle response and braking over technical obstacles, allowing the driver to focus on steering line. IntelliTurn locks the inside rear wheel when taking tight turns in 4WD mode, reducing the turning radius to make technical trail navigation more manageable. The electronic brake-locking differential at the front and the mechanical locking rear differential together provide traction in scenarios that would stop most mainstream SUVs. 

Three terrain modes (Snow, Sand and Mud) adjust throttle, traction control and braking response to suit the surface. The 41.3-degree approach angle, 36.1-degree departure angle, 226 mm of ground clearance and 650 mm water wading depth complete an off-road specification that is class-leading at this price point.

The petrol's ARAI-claimed 12.4 km/l is honest rather than impressive, and real-world urban returns will settle down to single digit figures for most buyers. Highway driving with a restrained right foot can return 14-15 km/l. 

The diesel's 15.2 km/l ARAI figure translates to 13-15 km/l in real-world highway use and 11-13 km/l in city conditions. For high-mileage buyers, particularly those who travel regularly on the highway, the diesel's better efficiency justifies the premium over the petrol over time. 

The 57-litre tank provides a practical highway range of over 800 km in the diesel under sensible conditions.

For a lifestyle SUV that weighs well over 2 tonnes kg in diesel 4WD form, these are expected numbers, but buyers coming from a compact or midsize SUV will notice the step up in fuel costs.

For buyers who use the car in urban traffic primarily and are not interested in off-road driving, the petrol automatic is a well-priced and usable option. For those who want off-road capability, fuel efficiency on long highway runs and the most performance, the diesel 4WD automatic is the logical choice and the most popular variant in the lineup.

The Thar Roxx arrives with a properly developed, feature-rich cabin that competes with conventional SUVs in the same price range on equipment depth.

The twin 10.25-inch HD screen setup from the AX3L, combining a dedicated infotainment display and a fully digital instrument cluster, is a substantial upgrade over the MX series' single screen and analogue or semi-digital instrument arrangement. Adrenox connected car technology with built-in Alexa gives AX series buyers voice-controlled navigation, media, and vehicle status monitoring. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available from the AX5L upward; the AX3L uses wired Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. The response is quick and the display quality is sharp.

The front seats are wide and well-bolstered, supporting occupants well on long runs. The 6-way powered driver seat adjustment on the AX7L allows precise position finding, and the ventilated function is a meaningful comfort feature during Indian summers. 

The rear seat is the Roxx's most practically important interior element for buyers considering it as a family vehicle. 

The 2850 mm wheelbase delivers genuine legroom for adults of average height behind a similarly sized driver, and three adults across the rear bench is feasible for regular use rather than just occasional trips. The rear backrest also reclines, which long-distance rear-seat passengers will appreciate on highway runs.

The rear AC vents and the folding centre armrest in the rear row are standard from the MX3 variant. The absence of a third row is a deliberate decision that keeps the rear seat's quality high rather than compromising it with a cramped bench at the back. 

The panoramic sunroof on the AX7L is one of the Roxx's most celebrated feature additions. Given that the original Thar's removable roof was its signature feature, the addition of a panoramic unit on the five-door is both a practical upgrade and a symbol of how comprehensively the Roxx has been repositioned. 

The 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on the AX7L, with Dolby Atmos spatial audio processing, is a genuine standout. The sound quality in this variant is notably better than what most cars at this price offer, and it is one of the features that consistently receives positive mention in owner feedback.

Boot space at 447 litres (644 litres to the roof) is practical for a lifestyle SUV and accommodates family luggage comfortably. The 60:40 split-fold rear seat further expands load capacity significantly when required.

The limitations are variant-dependent. The base MX1 and MX3 trims are considerably less equipped. Buyers seeking premium features will need to step to the AX3L or above.

The Thar Roxx's exterior design takes the three-door Thar's visual language and translates it into a longer, more proportioned five-door body.

The front carries Mahindra's C-shaped LED DRLs, LED projector headlamps across the range including the base MX1, a wide horizontal grille, and a pronounced bonnet with a squared-off profile that maintains the Thar's confident presence. The five-door body's longer wheelbase and additional length give the Roxx a planted, substantial stance that the shorter three-door does not achieve in the same way.

From the side, the Roxx is taller and more upright than any direct rival. At 1,923 mm high, it commands attention in traffic and delivers a genuinely elevated seating position that is one of the car's underrated practical advantages. The front quarter glass, the rear fixed-glass panel beside the rear door, and the boxy greenhouse together give the Roxx a truck-like sense of presence that monocoque SUVs cannot replicate.

The 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels on the AX7L, shod with 255/60 R19 tyres, are the most visually assertive configuration in the range and fill the wide arches proportionally. The 18-inch alloys on the MX3 through AX5L are a strong fit with the 255/65 section tyres. The base MX1's 18-inch steel wheels are functionally appropriate for an off-road-oriented vehicle.

At the rear, squared-off LED tail lamps and a spare wheel mounted on the tailgate are classic Thar cues. The design is clean and recognisable without being busy. A brushed silver scuff plate below the tailgate completes the rear treatment.

The 226 mm ground clearance is the most practically relevant exterior specification for Indian buyers.

Colour options include Everest White, Stealth Black, Deep Forest Green, Nebula Blue, Burnt Sienna, Blood Red, and Mystic Copper. The Star Edition adds Citrine Yellow as an additional option with its piano black exterior elements.

The Thar Roxx's 5-star Bharat NCAP result, announced in November 2024, is the most significant single safety milestone in the model's history. The adult occupant score of 31.09/32 and child occupant score of 45/49 are competitive figures within the Bharat NCAP testing pool, and the result gives the Roxx a safety credential that its three-door sibling did not achieve under the same programme.

Six airbags, ESP with brake-locking differential, ABS with EBD, hill hold, ISOFIX, and TPMS across all six variants including the base MX1 is a strong safety foundation.

The Level 2 ADAS suite on AX3L and above variants is notably comprehensive for this price point. 

Mahindra has also stated that the ADAS system has been specifically calibrated for Indian driving conditions, addressing a complaint about ADAS systems on other Indian-market cars that generate false positives in dense traffic and on uneven road surfaces. The adaptive cruise control is a meaningful addition for highway buyers, and the automatic emergency braking adds a passive safety layer in urban environments.

The Mahindra Thar OG, launched in September 2026 as a significantly improved version of its predecessor, remains the more hardcore off-road proposition with a shorter sub-4 metre package for tighter trail manoeuvrability and a lower entry price. Unlike the Roxx, it offers a petrol 4WD powertrain option. However, it cannot match the Roxx as a family car due to its limited rear seat usability, boot space, and safety (only dual airbags standard on OG). 

For buyers with a family or a need for everyday usability, the Roxx is the more complete vehicle. For single buyers, couples or pure off-road enthusiasts willing to accept the rear-access compromise, the 3-door retains appeal and costs less.

The Force Gurkha 5-Door is the only other 5-door lifestyle off-roader in India with comparable genuine 4WD credentials. The Gurkha is more extreme in its off-road orientation, with a rigid axle rear suspension setup and a factory-fitted snorkel option that enables 700 mm water wading. It costs less than most Thar Roxx 4WD variants. 

However, it is significantly less refined on road, lacks the Roxx's feature suite entirely, and offers a much narrower dealer and service network. 

For pure off-road enthusiasts who spend significant time on trails, the Gurkha is a serious consideration. For buyers who balance on-road and off-road use, the Roxx is a more complete package.

The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is a very different product but appears on many shortlists alongside the Roxx. 

It is a four-seater, five-door SUV with solid axles, AllGrip Pro 4WD, and genuine technical off-road capability, with prices overlapping the entry-level trims of the Roxx. However, it does not match the performance, features, and comfort the Roxx offers.

Just like the Gurkha, the Jimny too is a hardcore, purpose-built SUV, but offers more features and safety.

The Mahindra Scorpio N is the Thar Roxx's platform sibling built on a different philosophy. It is longer, can seat up to seven passengers, and offers a broader range of engine and drivetrain configurations, and is a much more confident highway cruiser. Its RWD diesel in both manual and automatic forms is one of the best-value performance-per-rupee buys in the segment. 

The Scorpio N is not an off-roader in the same sense as the Roxx, as its suspension tuning favours on-road comfort and it lacks the dedicated off-road hardware of the Roxx 4WD variants. 

For family buyers who want more seating capacity and highway comfort over off-road ability, the Scorpio N is a strong alternative. For buyers who specifically want the Thar identity, the off-road hardware and the lifestyle positioning, the Roxx makes a stronger case.

The Mahindra Thar Roxx is the most successfully realised Thar to date for buyers who want the nameplate's character and capability without giving up the features and practicality that modern family life requires. 

Five doors, a tough ladder-frame chassis, genuine adult rear seat space, a 644-litre boot, six airbags and a five-star Bharat NCAP rating, and a feature list that reaches a Harman Kardon-equipped, panoramic-sunroof, ADAS-fitted top trim make the Roxx a genuinely complete offering.

For most buyers, the diesel remains the more sensible engine choice given its 4WD availability, its higher torque, and its better fuel efficiency.

The MX5 diesel manual is the value benchmark, offering a sunroof, leatherette, LED DRLs, alloy wheels, and diesel efficiency at a price well below the AX series. 

The AX3L diesel manual is the entry into the connected car system, digital cluster, full auto climate, and Level 2 ADAS. 

The AX7L is the Roxx at its most premium, and at its price, it competes with mainstream monocoque SUVs on features while retaining the body-on-frame DNA that defines the Thar line.

The petrol automatic is a reasonable choice for buyers who primarily drive in cities and are comfortable with the RWD limitation. 

For buyers looking at the Roxx as their all-rounder car, i.e. as a daily driver, for long road trips, and occasional off-road adventures, the diesel automatic makes the most sense.