Mahindra Thar Roxx

The Indian Rubicon, Mahindra Thar, stands out as the best off-road vehicle with its rugged design, iconic appearance, robust performance, and genuine adventure-friendly features and this SUV impresses with its off-road capabilities making it a versatile and reliable choice for those seeking an adventurous driving experience.

I've been thoroughly impressed by the Mahindra Thar Roxx's evolution in India, especially with the recent Star Edition launch that amps up its appeal for urban adventurers. This 5-door beast measures 4428mm long with a 2850mm wheelbase, offering a spacious cabin for five, 447-644 litre boot, and 226mm ground clearance perfect for our pothole-ridden roads. Power comes from a refined 2.0L turbo-petrol making up to 177PS/380Nm or the punchy 2.2L mHawk diesel with 175PS/370-400Nm, both paired to smooth 6-speed manuals or torque-converter autos in RWD or 4WD setups—delivering 12.4-15.2 kmpl ARAI efficiency. Off-road creds shine with low-range transfer case, locking diffs, and 650mm wading depth, while on-road, the light EPS steering and stable 120km/h highway poise make it family-friendly. Safety is top-notch with a 5-star BNCAP rating, 35+ features including 6 airbags, Level-2 ADAS, ESP, and 360-camera. The Star Edition's blacked-out styling, Harman Kardon audio, panoramic sunroof, and ventilated seats position it premium at around Rs 13-23 lakh ex-showroom, blending rugged Mahindra DNA with daily usability—no petrol manual or 4x4 here, focusing on comfort. Real-world tests show 8.9kmpl city/13.6kmpl highway for petrol AT, proving it's tougher and more versatile than ever.

I've been driving the Mahindra Thar Roxx across India's diverse roads, from Mumbai's chaotic traffic to Rajasthan's dusty trails, and the latest update is the Star Edition launched in January 2026, starting at ₹16.85 lakh for the diesel manual RWD, going up to ₹18.35 lakh for the diesel auto and ₹17.85 lakh for the petrol auto. This variant amps up the style with blacked-out exteriors, alloys, and upholstery, while packing a 26.03 cm HD touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a matching digital cluster, Adrenox connected tech with Alexa, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, wireless charging, and a Harman Kardon 9-speaker system. Power comes from the refined 2.0L turbo-petrol delivering 177 PS and 380 Nm or the punchy 2.2L diesel with up to 175 PS and 400 Nm, both RWD-focused for city ease over hardcore 4x4, mated to smooth 6-speed autos or manuals. Real-world mileage hovers at 8.9-13.6 kmpl for petrol AT in urban-highway runs, with the diesel edging better at 15.2 kmpl ARAI. Safety shines with 6 airbags, ESP, 360-camera, and TPMS, making it family-ready in its 4428 mm frame with 644L boot. It's the perfect blend of Thar toughness and daily luxury, though suspension feels bouncy on smooth tar at stock pressures—drop to 30 PSI for magic.

I've been thoroughly impressed by the Mahindra Thar Roxx since its launch, and now with the 2026 Star Edition hitting Indian roads around January, it elevates the package even further for urban adventurers like me. This 5-door beast measures 4428mm long with a 2850mm wheelbase, seating five comfortably and offering 447 litres of boot space that expands nicely with 60:40 split-folding rear seats. Power comes from a punchy 2.0-litre turbo-petrol making up to 174bhp and 380Nm or the refined 2.2-litre mHawk diesel with 172bhp and 370Nm, both paired to smooth 6-speed automatics in the Star trim—petrol-only AT here, RWD-focused for daily usability, though 4x4 diesel variants remain off-road kings with 226mm ground clearance. Ride quality has improved dramatically over the 3-door Thar thanks to the new 4th-gen body-on-frame chassis and lighter EPS steering, feeling more Scorpio-N civilized on highways while tackling slush and rocks effortlessly. Interiors brim with premium touches like the massive panoramic sunroof, 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio, ventilated seats, and Level 2 ADAS with 6 airbags standard. Real-world mileage hovers at 8-13kmpl for petrol AT in city-highway mix, and the blacked-out Star aesthetics make it a head-turner without compromising the rugged Thar DNA I crave for family getaways. At its pricing, it's a value-packed daily driver that doesn't quit on trails.

I've been driving the Mahindra Thar Roxx across India's diverse terrains, from Mumbai's chaotic streets to Rajasthan's dunes, and it continues to impress as the ultimate 5-door off-roader in 2026. The latest Star Edition, launched early this year with prices starting at Rs 16.85 lakh for the diesel manual RWD, amps up the style with blacked-out exteriors, alloys, and upholstery, paired with a 26.03 cm HD touchscreen, digital cluster, and Adrenox connectivity featuring Alexa and 83 features—all in RWD for urban versatility. Powertrains remain punchy: the 2.0L turbo-petrol mStallion delivers up to 174 bhp and 380 Nm in the AT, hitting 12.4 kmpl ARAI with real-world city figures around 8.9 kmpl and highways at 13.6 kmpl, while the 2.2L mHawk diesel offers 172 bhp/370 Nm in top 4x4 AT variants for 15.2 kmpl ARAI. At 4428 mm long with a 2850 mm wheelbase, 226 mm ground clearance, and 447-644 litre boot, it's family-practical yet conquers 650 mm wading depth and 41-degree approach angles. Safety shines with a 5-star BNCAP, Level-2 ADAS, 6 airbags, and 35+ features, making it my go-to for rugged adventures without daily compromises—recent GST cuts even trimmed prices by up to Rs 1.56 lakh.

Mahindra is working to reduce the waiting period for the Thar Roxx, which has been as high as 18 months, to around 9-15 months by early next year. The company plans to adjust its production to meet the high demand, currently manufacturing around 9,500 units of the Thar and Thar Roxx at its Chakan facility. I believe this move will significantly improve customer satisfaction and help Mahindra maintain its lead in the SUV segment.

Mahindra Thar 5-Door Petrol AT is expected to be priced around Rs 15 lakh in India (ex-showroom). Available in Everest White, Rage Red, Aqua Marine, Galaxy Grey, and Napoli Black color options.