New Mahindra Thar

New 5-door Mahindra Thar Roxx revealed

Meet the new Mahindra Thar Roxx, which debuts with 5 doors and a choice of petrol and diesel engines. So, will this compact Wrangler-like off-roader come to SA?

The new Mahindra Thar Roxx has been revealed in India, with this latest version of the body-on-frame SUV featuring 5 rather than 3 doors, along with a suitably lengthened wheelbase.

Measuring 4 428 mm from snout to rump, the new 5-seater Thar Roxx falls in roughly between the 5-door Suzuki Jimny and the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited in terms of exterior dimensions. Featuring a wheelbase of 2 850 mm, the newcomer measures 1 870 mm wide and stands 1 923 mm tall.

So, will we see this Roxx-badged model in South Africa? Well, though the original 3-door Thar was offered on local shores, the 2nd-gen model revealed in 2020 still hasn’t made it to Mzansi. From what we understand, plans to introduce the Thar in SA fell away as Mahindra instead prioritised meeting robust demand in its domestic market of India.

And it seems the same will apply to the new Thar Roxx – at least for now. Though Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa, didn’t rule out launching the new model at a later stage, he told Cars.co.za that his company “appreciates the interest shown from local audiences regarding Thar Roxx”, adding that the local division would “provide updates as appropriate should there be any new developments”.


 
New Mahindra Thar Roxx is a Jimny fighter that won’t come to SA, for now at least

Mahindra has unveiled its new Thar Roxx in India, and it looks every bit like a baby Jeep Wrangler that’s rearing to take on Suzuki’s popular Jimny.

However, the new five-door Thar is not on the radar for South Africa any time soon as the carmaker will initially focus on satisfying the overwhelming demand for this vehicle in its home market before any exports can commence, IOL’s local contact at Mahindra said.

The Thar Roxx is built on the company’s brand new M-Glyde platform, which promises “class leading” dynamics both on and off the road, the company claims.

For the Indian market Mahindra offers a choice of two engines: the latest 2.2-litre mHawk turbodiesel that pushes 128kW and 370Nm, and a new 2.0-litre turbopetrol that’s rated at 130kW and 380Nm.

 

2024 Mahindra Thar Roxx Review - Team-BHP​

Mahindra Thar Roxx Pros​

• Handsome styling, brute character & tough build. Has an air of desirability around it
• Far more user-friendly and upmarket than the 3-door Thar, due to its superior interiors, amenities & the 2 rear doors
• Superbly equipped. Loaded with almost every possible feature we could think of (9-speaker Harman Kardon system, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree cam, ventilated front seats…)!

• Very competent, refined and quick petrol / diesel engine range
• Butter-smooth 6-speed AT available with both engines
• Ride, handling and steering are much improved over the 3-door. Feels more Scorpio-N-like to drive than a Thar. Gets a light EPS (not heavy hydraulic steering like the 3-door Thar)

• 4x4 hardware, off-road capability & high GC. Get ready for slush, muck, deserts, jungles & the mountains!
• Practical cabin with seating for 5 and a fair amount of storage
• 447 litres of boot space is sufficient for holiday luggage
• Top-notch safety kit includes 6 airbags, Level 2 ADAS, ESP, hill descent control and more
• We feel the Thar Roxx is well-priced for the package on offer

Mahindra Thar Roxx Cons​

• While the ride quality is significantly better than the 3-door Thar, it is not as plush as say, the XUV700 & other monocoque crossovers. The 19” wheels are a contributor too. Ride quality is liveable though and we’ll give it a 7/10 rating
• Some styling elements are either too polarising or too “busy”
• Light-coloured interiors with white seats (!!!) will get dirty easily. Keep the cleaning apparatus ready
• Ingress / egress to the rear is difficult, particularly for the elderly
• No 3rd row of seats, which the Scorpio-N & XUV700 offer
• Petrol AT is thirsty due to its hefty weight, 174 BHP & torque-converter AT
• Inexplicably, 4x4 option just on the diesel. Petrol is available with RWD only. Mahindra needs to correct this ASAP
• No option of a convertible soft-top (like Thar) or removeable hard-top (like Wrangler) for those who love open-top motoring
• Some missing features such as reach-adjustable steering, keyless entry, rear window shades…
• Niggles are a given with a fresh new Mahindra model. Just ask owners of the 3-door Thar

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Full detailed review with MANY more exterior & interior photos at the link below:

 
Looks, okay. Don't like the white interior. What the expected price if it would drop in SA?
 

Mahindra Thar variants rejigged; Convertible Top discontinued - Team-BHP​

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Mahindra has reportedly made big changes to the Thar variant line-up. As per reports, the carmaker has discontinued the Convertible Top variants of the Thar along with the AX 4WD and LX (open diff) variants.

The Mahindra Thar is now available in 11 variants instead of 19
. The entry-level variant is the AX (O) RWD Hard Top 1.5L Diesel. It is priced at Rs 11.50 lakh (ex-showroom).

The LX range starts from Rs 12.99 lakh for the 1.5L Diesel version and Rs 14.25 lakh for the 2.0L Petrol version.

The entry-level 4WD variant is the LX Hard Top 2.0L Petrol, which costs Rs 15.20 lakh. Those who want a diesel can opt for the LX Hard Top 2.2L Diesel which is priced at Rs 15.95 lakh.

Automatic variants start at Rs 16.80 lakh for the LX AT 4WD Hard Top 2.0L Petrol, while the range-topping Earth Edition costs Rs 17.60 lakh (ex-showroom).

 

Mahindra Thar Roxx now with 4-channel Dolby Atmos audio - Team-BHP​


Mahindra has upgraded the sound system of the Thar Roxx. The SUV now comes with a 4-channel Dolby Atmos audio system, making it the world’s first SUV to offer this technology.

Mahindra has collaborated with Dolby Laboratories to offer an immersive audio experience in the top-spec AX7 L variant of the Thar Roxx. Dolby Atmos generates three-dimensional sound by including height channels, which adds depth and realism to the overall sensory experience.

The Thar Roxx comes with a 9-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It has support for the Gaana streaming service built into it.

Dolby Atmos is also available in the brand’s born electric range, which includes the BE 6 and XEV 9e.

Prices for the Mahindra Thar Roxx start at Rs 12.99 lakh and go up to Rs 23.09 lakh (ex-showroom).

 
Mahindra Thar would make a great Jimny rival - is it finally on the radar for South Africa?

The second-generation Mahindra Thar is a rugged yet affordable compact SUV, which has been something of a hit in its home market of India. However markets such as South Africa have missed out on it so far.

Since its introduction in 2020, the latest Thar has found more than 250,000 homes in India, and its popularity has surged further since the introduction of the five-door Roxx version in late 2024.

When the latter was launched last year, Mahindra’s head of automotive operations, Rajesh Jejurikar, told Business Today that the company had no immediate plans to export the model to markets outside of India. He said the factory would instead focus on satisfying demand in its home market.

“At this point of time, we are expecting that we are going to be pretty full with meeting domestic requirements for some point of time, so no plans on exports,” Jejurikar told the Indian publication.

However, that could be about to change. Mahindra recently increased production of the Thar in India, with capacity having increased from 6,500 units per month, in November 2024, to around 9,000 at present, Autocar reported.

This comes as rumours circulate about the Thar’s possible South African introduction later this year.

 
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