Why do you seldom see a Thar parked idling in a corner? Whether it is taking on rocky tracks in Ladakh, cutting through monsoon water-logged roads in Mumbai, or simply hogging space in a mall parking lot; this SUV manages to create an impression wherever it goes. Be it the three-door Thar that has been the cult favorite for years or the recently launched five-door Thar Roxx, Mahindra has managed to create a new generation of off-roaders without diluting the very essence that made the original Thar so special.

I have spent hundreds of hours dissecting what this SUV has to offer in 2026, from the much-needed engine options to what buyers can expect to compromise on. Here are the reasons why this SUV continues to hog the hearts of the Indian buyers.

1. Two Body Styles to Choose From

The choice between the three and five-door variants has given buyers an option to choose between having a compact, maneuverable SUV or one with a more practical boot space and additional seating capacity. Both the variants have retained their off-road credentials while offering a more family-friendly, comfortable interior.

While the former appeals more to those who would want a compact vehicle that can tackle any terrain that comes its way, the latter has been engineered to provide more space and comfort without diluting the off-road capabilities. It makes the five-door variant a fantastic choice for anyone looking to make daily commute in their Thar a viable proposition.

2. A Wide Choice of Powerful Engines

Mahindra has offered an excellent choice of engines for the Thar Roxx. It offers a 2.0L petrol twin-turbo engine that produces 177PS paired to an automatic gearbox. The 2.2L diesel engine is offered with a choice of power outputs ranging from 152PS to 175PS and a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. Both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options are also available across variants.

Petrol automatic diesel manual 4×2 4×4

Petrol variants are best suited for city and highway driving while the diesel variants offer more towing capacity and torque which is essential on rough terrain. Manual variants offer a more engaging driving experience while automatic variants are best suited for commuting in city traffic. The 4×4 variants offer more torque and a low-range transfer case that can get you unstuck in bad terrain

3. Thar’s Off-Road Capabilities

Many adventure-ready SUVs in the Indian automobile market are ill-equipped to tackle more severe conditions. But, the Thar is an SUV that is built from the ground up to take on the toughest terrains. Four-wheel variants of the Thar are equipped with a low-range transfer case and mechanical locking differentials, allowing maximum torque to be delivered to the wheels. The approach angle and break-over angles of the Thar also allow it to negotiate rocky paths with ease, while the ground clearance and wading depth are more than enough to tackle monsoon floods. These features make it much more capable off-road compared to other SUVs in its segment.

Planning to test the Mahindra Thar on the Himalayan roads? Before your trip, read this detailed Delhi to Kinnaur Kailash Distance Guide to know the best route, distance, travel time, and essential travel tips for a safe mountain adventure.

4. Interior Comfort Has Been Prioritized

The interiors of the Thar used to be a huge turn-off in the past compared to its rugged competitors in the Indian automobile market. However, Mahindra has managed to strike a perfect balance between comfort and practicality in the latest 2026 model.

Mahindra has equipped the 2026 model with ventilated front seats, making the long highway journeys more bearable during hot summer days. Another upgrade that is much appreciated by the buyers is the panoramic sunroof known as the Skyroof. It makes the cabin feel more airy and less claustrophobic compared to the previous models. The new 10.25-inch screens are bigger and crisper compared to the previous 12-inch screens. The cabin also boasts of a four-speaker Dolby Atmos sound system which also upgrades the in-car entertainment experience.

5. Safety Features Offer Excellent Value

SUVs used to be the domain of men seeking adventure and masculinity, which is the reason why practical safety features such as airbags and modern driver-assistance systems were lacking in many off-road SUVs in India. But Mahindra has managed to bridge this gap and equip the latest Thar with essential safety features. The latest Thar has an extensive list of standard safety features. It has six airbags as standard across all variants. The high tensile steel used in its construction, along with a plethora of electronic safety features such as the electronic stability program also make it a safer choice.

Level 2 ADAS is also available on the higher trims which is an excellent addition to the car as it offers autonomous braking as well as features such as lane-keeping assistance and self-driving on highways. But the addition that has been received well by all demographics is the 360-degree camera feed that can assist the driver in both city driving as well as difficult, narrow mountain roads. The latest Thar has also been awarded the five-star safety rating by the Bharat NCAP in late 2024, which means it has passed the rigorous safety tests with flying colors.

6. Six Trims and Counting

The latest Mahindra Thar Roxx comes in six trims: MX1, MX3, AX3L, MX5, AX5L, and AX7L. These six trims span across twenty variants, including various engines and gearboxes. MX1 is the entry-level trim and it offers excellent value for money, as it comes with features such as the 10.25-inch display screens, the LED headlights, and an extensive list of safety equipment, although it is only available in manual variants. As we move up the ladder to the AX3L, there are more features on offer such as the automatic gearbox, cruise control, alloy wheels, sunroof, and 4WD. This stepwise increase in features offered allows the buyers to choose the features they desire instead of paying for ones that they might not need. The AX7L is the high-end trim on offer which offers the 360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof, and the 175PS diesel engine with the automatic gearbox.

7. Great on the Highway Too

Being an off-road SUV, it was expected that the Thar Roxx would struggle on the highway, but it has been engineered to deliver a great driving experience whether on the highway or challenging mountain roads. The five-door variant offers a more stable driving experience due to its increased wheelbase compared to the three-door model. The petrol engine offered in the Thar Roxx provides a more spirited performance on the highway.

But the diesel engine has been optimized to offer more torque at low revs, which results in a more comfortable highway driving experience. The high seating position and thick A-pillars might challenge the driver’s peripheral vision, but it offers an excellent overview of the road ahead, allowing for great highway driving.

8. Higher Resale Value Compared to Similar SUVs

Not many automobiles possess the cult following that the Mahindra Thar possesses, which results in a higher percentage of owners choosing to keep their vehicles for longer. As a result, the resale value of the Thar is much higher compared to its competitors in the Indian automobile market. This can also be attributed to the fact that Mahindra has expanded its service network in recent years, which makes it easier to get maintenance done, even in smaller towns near popular off-road trails.

9. Limited-Edition Variants Offer Excellent Value

Mahindra has done a fantastic job at promoting the Thar by launching special editions every year. Limited-edition variants allow the buyers to get a different aesthetic appeal without having to spend much extra money. The Thar Star Edition which was launched at the start of 2026 offers similar mechanical components as the standard models, but it has a bolder aesthetic appeal, as it has been finished in Stealth Black.

Limited-edition variants such as the Star edition also boast great value retention on the secondary automobile market, which means if the owner ever decides to sell the vehicle, they will be able to fetch a good price for it due to its exclusivity.

10. It Offers More Than Just Transportation

There is something about the Thar that appeals to almost every Indian male, and it has been doing so for decades. Buying the Mahindra Thar is a lifestyle choice that allows you to feel as if you are living up to the adventure and exploration spirit of India. It is this very intangible appeal that makes the Thar a bigger hit in the Indian automobile market as opposed to its competitors.

However, it is essential to keep in mind that the Thar is no ordinary family saloon and it will always prioritize off-road performance and ruggedness over comfort. The off-road SUV is also not the most comfortable vehicle to drive on a daily basis due to its firm suspension and lack of driver-assistance systems. But for the right buyer, these minute detriments come with huge rewards in terms of off-road performance, allowing them to explore and conquer some of the most challenging terrains in India. The fuel economy of the Mahindra Thar is also nothing to write home about, as it offers anywhere between 12.4 to 15.2 kmpl, depending on the engine on offer. And lastly, although the value retention on paper seems good, it has been dropping exponentially with each price hike that Mahindra announced throughout 2026.

FAQs

Is the Mahindra Thar Roxx suitable for everyday commuting, or should it be considered more as a weekend vehicle?

The five-door Mahindra Thar Roxx has been engineered to offer more comfort on a daily basis, but it comes at the expense of reduced fuel efficiency and a firmer suspension. As such, it is best suited for commuting on a daily basis rather than being used as a primary family vehicle.

Which variant of the Mahindra Thar Roxx is the best value for money?

The best value for money in the Mahindra Thar Roxx segment is occupied by the AX3L. It offers a fantastic combination of comfort and practicality and has a choice of an automatic gearbox, alloy wheels, cruise control, and sunroof.

Can the Mahindra Thar Roxx be considered as a 4×4?

Some diesel variants offer genuine 4×4 which deliver more power to the rear wheels. This provides the driver with the much-needed torque to traverse more severe off-road conditions.

Is it a safe car to drive for people with families?

The Mahindra Thar Roxx has a fantastic list of standard safety equipment, including six airbags, with higher trims offering additional driver-assistance systems such as autonomous braking, making it a safe car to drive for people with families.

If you’re buying the Mahindra Thar for road trips and mountain adventures, make sure to explore this Kinnaur Kailash Trek Guide for complete travel planning, route information, and useful tips before your journey.

Final Thoughts

Many Indian automobile manufacturers have failed to understand that in 2026, an off-road SUV needs to offer both on and off-road performance while delivering comfort and uncompromising safety. But the Mahindra Thar Roxx has been able to deliver on all fronts, which allowed it to maintain its position as the preferred SUV for Indian automobile buyers who seek adventure without sacrificing family-friendly comfort in the process. If ruggedness is what you seek in a family SUV, then the Mahindra Thar Roxx is the best SUV worth test-driving before buying in 2026.