Mahindra Thar vs Thar ROXX: Which One Should You Buy in 2026?

Similar names, similar shapes and same lineage. If you’re confused between the Thar and the Thar ROXX, we will help you choose the right SUV

5 min read

While the Mahindra Thar and Thar ROXX share similar names, similar shapes and the same lineage, that is pretty much where their similarities end. The three-door Thar stays more focused on its off-road-first design and character while the five-door Thar ROXX trades off some of that focus for a longer wheelbase, two extra doors and a usable boot. There is no immediate winner for you; it all eventually comes down to your use case, whether you are looking for a weekend off-roader or a car that also has to fit your entire family for road trips and outdoor adventures.

Both the Thar and the Thar ROXX wear the same badge, have the same body-on-frame construction and the same 4x4 off-road capabilities. But the ROXX is not just the standard Thar’s bigger brother; it is a completely separate model with its own set of trims and use cases.

Understanding the Thar Lineup

The OG Thar is a 3-door, 4-seater lifestyle SUV; pricing starts from INR 10.32lakh to INR 17.99lakh (ex-showroom). It is powered by a 2-litre turbo petrol and a 1.5-litre or 2-litre diesel engine, in both RWD and 4WD configurations, with manual and automatic gearbox options.

The Thar ROXX is, on the other hand, a 5-door, 5-seater SUV, built on a stretched platform, with pricing starting from INR 12.52lakh to INR 23.52lakh (ex-showroom) across seven variants. It shares the same engine family but receives a more powerful state of tune for top trims.

Key Differences Between Thar & Thar ROXX

The standard Thar is a 4-seater with rear seats but it’s a vehicle built to a purpose and the rear seats may not be suited to long distance travel. The Thar ROXX is a 5-seater with usable rear seats which are comfortable even for over long distances; one is purpose built while the other is more all rounded and appeals to a family with a taste for adventure. The two vehicles are fundamentally different in what they offer to their owner, even though they look like versions of the same vehicle.

Naturally, there’s a price differential between the two, but the price seldom defines the purchase when it comes to the Thar and the Thar ROXX. The deciding factor boils down to purpose and use case.

Design, Dimensions and Cabin Space

The Thar ROXX has its own visual identity, with a double-stacked, six-slot grille with LED projector headlamps and LED DRLs. The Thar also got a facelift and got some similar design elements, featuring a new dashboard and a revised grille. On the inside, is where the ROXX’s larger wheelbase gives the rear passengers more legroom than the 3-door Thar. The interior also features a revised centre console and a new steering wheel. The OG Thar’s rear seats are still usable but getting in and out through the 3-door layout takes more effort and boot space is compromised by this layout and the spare-wheel placement.

Engine & Performance

The Thar ROXX effectively has a higher state of tune on both the 2.2L mHawk diesel and the 2.0L mStallion turbo-petrol, which make more power and torque than the standard 3-door Thar, and this is a direct result of the higher trims chasing a more premium, road-biased buyer.

Off-road Capabilities

The ROXX sports the same 226mm ground clearance and 650mm water-wading depth; off-road, it is supported by Mahindra's 4XPLOR terrain management system, which consists of an electronic locking differential and an electronic brake-locking differential with Crawl Smart Assist on automatic variants. While both are completely viable off-road SUVs, the smaller dimensions of the standard Thar make it preferable for tougher trails.

Daily Usability

The Thar ROXX’s 5-door layout and longer wheelbase, combined with the softer ride, make it much easier to live within city traffic and on long highway runs. Add in the 447-litre boot space, rear AC vents and reclining rear seats, and you just realise it was built to handle families.

The 3-door Thar can be a daily driver as well, and plenty of owners use it as one, but fundamentally it's a lifestyle SUV first. Rear seat access and cargo space are two areas of compromise for a daily-use buyer.

Which SUV suits you?

Pick the Thar if you want a focused 2-door off-roader, a lower entry price, and don't need rear-seat practicality; this is a weekend adventure vehicle in its purest current form, which can still handle Indian roads like a champ.

Pick the Thar ROXX if you need 5 doors, more boot space, and a Thar that can double as a daily and family car rather while also being an amazing weekend machine.