The Mahindra Thar and Mahindra Thar ROXX share the same adventure-focused identity, but they are built for different kinds of ownership. The current three-door Thar, now sold as the Thar OG, remains the more focused lifestyle SUV. The five-door Thar ROXX adds easier rear-seat access, more passenger space and a larger boot, making it better suited to family use.
Choosing between them should therefore begin with how the SUV will spend most of its time. A buyer who mainly travels alone or with one passenger may value the Thar’s compact format and off-road focus, while someone carrying family regularly may benefit more from the ROXX’s additional doors and cabin space.
| Buying priority | Mahindra Thar | Mahindra Thar ROXX |
| Body style | 3-door | 5-door |
| Seating | 4 | 5 |
| Core strength | Focused lifestyle and off-road use | Family usability with off-road ability |
| Rear-seat access | Through the front doors | Dedicated rear doors |
| Price range | Rs. 10.32 lakh to Rs. 18.99 lakh | Rs. 12.52 lakh to Rs. 23.52 lakh |
| Better suited to | Enthusiasts and smaller households | Daily family use and longer trips |
These are current ex-showroom ranges listed by Mahindra.
When does the Mahindra Thar make more sense?
remains the more focused choice when rear-seat practicality is not a daily requirement. Its three-door layout and four-seat cabin preserve the compact, lifestyle-oriented character that made the model distinctive in the first place.
Consider Karan, a 31-year-old professional in Pune who mainly drives alone during the week and spends some weekends travelling to campsites and hill trails with friends. He rarely carries rear passengers for long distances, so the inconvenience of entering the rear through the front doors matters less to him than having a more focused adventure vehicle.
The new Thar OG strengthens that proposition with Mahindra’s M_Glyde 4G platform, Penta-link rear suspension, electric power steering and DAVINCI damping technology. Applicable 4WD versions also add an electronic locking differential and Mud, Sand and Snow terrain modes.
For a buyer like Karan, the Thar’s compromises are easier to accept because its strengths match how the vehicle will actually be used.
When is the Mahindra Thar ROXX the better choice?
The ROXX becomes more convincing when the SUV also needs to function as the main family car. Its five-door body removes the need to climb through the front doors, while the five-seat cabin and larger luggage area make everyday use considerably easier.
For Priya, 39, who lives in Bengaluru with her husband and two children, most journeys involve school runs, office travel and family weekends. She wants the Thar look and genuine SUV capability but does not want rear-seat access to become a daily inconvenience.
The is better aligned with that routine. It measures 4,428 mm long, has a 2,850 mm wheelbase and offers substantially more rear-seat space. Mahindra also quotes up to 644 litres of luggage capacity when measured to the roof.
For Priya, the extra doors and boot are not luxury additions. They make the Thar concept easier to live with throughout the week.
Which one is better when the road ends?
Both SUVs retain serious off-road credentials, so the decision is not as simple as saying the smaller Thar is capable and the ROXX is only road-focused.
The Thar OG offers 4WD configurations with an electronic locking differential, terrain modes and hardware aimed at difficult surfaces. Its more compact proportions can also be useful on narrow trails where manoeuvrability matters. Mahindra itself positions the three-door model as the more focused option for demanding off-road use.
The ROXX remains highly capable. Its 4×4 system includes low-range gearing, an electronic locking differential and 4XPLOR terrain management on applicable variants. Mahindra lists a 650 mm water-wading depth, while features such as SmartCrawl and IntelliTurn are offered on selected higher 4×4 versions.
If difficult trails are a regular part of ownership, the compact Thar still has a strong case. If adventure trips need to accommodate family and luggage as well, the ROXX offers a broader balance.
How different are the engines and driving experience?
The current Thar OG offers a wide spread of powertrains. These include a 1.5-litre diesel for the more accessible rear-wheel-drive versions, along with 2.2-litre diesel and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines. Manual and automatic choices are available depending on the drivetrain.
The ROXX uses 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines, with rear-wheel-drive and 4×4 choices across the range. Higher versions receive stronger states of tune, with the diesel automatic 4×4 producing up to 400 Nm.
The real difference is character. The Thar keeps the experience closer to an enthusiast-oriented lifestyle SUV, while the ROXX uses its longer wheelbase and more road-focused tuning to make regular commuting and highway travel more comfortable.
Does the Thar ROXX justify its higher price with features?
The ROXX offers substantially more premium equipment on higher variants. Available features include a panoramic sunroof, twin 10.25-inch displays, ventilated front seats, a Harman Kardon audio system and Level 2 ADAS on applicable versions.
The new Thar OG has also moved forward in comfort and technology. Depending on the variant, it offers a 10.25-inch touchscreen, rear AC vents, wireless charging, rear-view camera, front parking sensors, all-disc brakes and six airbags on the ZXT grade.
The difference is therefore less about one being modern and the other basic. The ROXX simply takes the Thar idea further towards premium family-SUV territory.
How should price and financing influence the choice?
The Mahindra Thar currently ranges from Rs. 10.32 lakh to Rs. 18.99 lakh ex-showroom, while the Mahindra Thar ROXX spans Rs. 12.52 lakh to Rs. 23.52 lakh. The overlap means price alone will not decide the purchase; buyers need to compare equivalent drivetrains and the features they will actually use.
If the version that suits your needs leaves a funding gap, a Bajaj Finance New Car Loan can help eligible buyers finance the purchase without using all their savings at once. It offers Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 10 crore, repayment tenures from 12 to 96 months and financing of up to 100%* of the car’s on-road price, subject to eligibility and lender terms.
With the festive season underway, buyers can also explore current Mahindra car offers on Bajaj Mall before booking. Compare the available benefits for the chosen Thar or Thar ROXX variant carefully, as festive deals and availability can differ by model and applicable terms.
Mahindra Thar or Thar ROXX: which should you choose?
Choose the Mahindra Thar if the SUV is primarily for you, a partner or occasional passengers and adventure capability is central to the purchase. Its three-door format remains the more focused interpretation of the Thar idea.
Choose the Mahindra Thar ROXX when the same rugged identity has to work around family life. The extra doors, usable rear seat, larger boot and richer comfort package make it easier to live with as an everyday SUV.
Karan’s use case favours the Thar because rear-seat practicality rarely affects him. Priya’s family would benefit more from the ROXX because those extra doors and additional space solve problems every day. That distinction is more useful than deciding which of the two simply has the longer feature list.