Thar Roxx 4x4 Review 2026: Capability or Costly Compromise?
AI editorial illustration: FlamingPiston.
Desk-researched editorial review, checked 23 October 2026. FlamingPiston has not road-tested this vehicle for this article. Manufacturer claims and other publications’ driving findings are identified separately; the judgments and scores below are our editorial assessment.
Adding two rear doors makes the Thar Roxx easier to explain to a family. It does not make the 4x4 hardware necessary for a school run. The diesel 4WD automatic is a serious configuration to shortlist when you will use low range and a locking differential. If those features will remain untouched, the expensive part of the purchase is solving a problem you do not have.
Quick Verdict
The Roxx 4x4 is a strong specialist choice with more everyday usefulness than a three-door off-roader. AX5L is our capability-led pick. AX7L is the comfort-equipment upgrade, not a prerequisite for getting the essential 4WD hardware.
1
Price & Variants
Reviewed 4WD AT shortlist: ₹21.67–23.53 lakh**Ex-showroom, India. Price basis and limitations below.
| Variant / choice | Configuration / basis | Price reference |
|---|---|---|
| AX5L Luxury Pack | Diesel automatic 4WD | ₹21,67,000 |
| AX7L Luxury Pack | Diesel automatic 4WD | ₹23,52,500 |
Best Value Pick
Choose AX5L diesel 4WD automatic if capability is the reason for buying. The checked AX7L listing costs ₹1,85,500 more, with additional comfort and convenience equipment. Pay that difference for features you will use, rather than assuming the highest trim is automatically the most sensible off-roader. These are the specified Luxury Pack configurations, not entry prices for the whole Roxx range.
2
Exterior Design
The upright stance and square body give the Roxx the identity buyers expect. Our view is that the five-door body makes the shape more useful without erasing its character. It still looks like an off-road vehicle because that is what the configuration is intended to be.
That same design asks passengers to climb into a tall cabin. The styling earns its place, but it should not be allowed to hide access needs. A family member who finds the step-in difficult encounters that problem on every journey.
3
Interior Design & Comfort
Rear doors are a practical improvement because passengers no longer need to negotiate access through the front-seat area. AX7L also adds powered and ventilated front seats in the checked specification. Those are genuine daily-use reasons to consider the upgrade.
Autocar's original Roxx review praised the improvement in ride and handling for a body-on-frame vehicle, while its broader ownership assessment still identifies refinement and storage compromises. We use those published observations cautiously: improved comfort does not mean it behaves like every road-focused SUV, and we have not tested this Luxury Pack configuration ourselves.
4
Features & Practicality
The AX5L listing already includes the terrain system and electric locking differential. AX7L adds equipment including a panoramic roof, 19-inch wheels and upgraded audio. That is the key distinction: essential capability is available before reaching the top of this shortlist.
Our preference is to spend on the features that change everyday use. Seat ventilation can do that. A larger wheel is not automatically an improvement for the surfaces you drive on, and replacement tyres belong in the ownership budget.
| Specification | Published information |
|---|---|
| Reviewed shortlist | Thar Roxx diesel 4WD automatic |
| AX5L Luxury Pack reference | ₹21,67,000 ex-showroom |
| AX7L Luxury Pack reference | ₹23,52,500 ex-showroom |
| 4x4 hardware | High/low reduction gearing; electric locking differential |
5
Performance & Mileage Potential
The diesel 4WD automatic combines the 2.2-litre engine with a six-speed automatic; Mahindra's published 4x4 specification gives 128.6 kW and 370 Nm for the automatic. Its torque and gearing are more relevant to the role than a sports-car-style acceleration claim.
Part-time 4WD, low range and the electric locking differential provide specific tools for low-traction or demanding terrain. They require the correct operating conditions and do not make route choice or tyres irrelevant. This article contains no claim that we drove a particular obstacle.
Autocar's 13,000 km long-term diesel-automatic report recorded roughly 10 km/l on its described journey. That is contextual evidence of running cost, not a certified figure or a prediction for this exact 4WD trim. Our mileage score remains restrained; buyers should not expect the shape and hardware to deliver hatchback fuel bills.
6
Tech & Safety Deep-Dive
Bharat NCAP's published Roxx entry identifies AX5L and MX3 test vehicles and records five-star protection, subject to its applicability list. That is a substantive safety point, separate from the vehicle's rugged appearance.
The reviewed AX5L listing also includes Level 2 assistance. Treat it as supervised support. Neither driver assistance nor an off-road mode turns this into a vehicle that can compensate for every poor decision. Our high safety assessment rests on the published protection evidence and listed equipment, not the size of the body.
How We Scored This
Using our Review Methodology, we assess the following eight criteria.
Each of the eight criteria carries equal weight. These are FlamingPiston editorial scores, not manufacturer ratings or the scores assigned by the publications consulted. The final average is rounded to one decimal place.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Design | 8.5 / 10 |
| Performance | 8.5 / 10 |
| Mileage Potential | 6.5 / 10 |
| Comfort | 7.5 / 10 |
| Features | 8.5 / 10 |
| Safety | 9.0 / 10 |
| Practicality | 7.5 / 10 |
| Value for Money | 8.0 / 10 |
| Octane Score (average) | 8.0 / 10 |
Why These Scores
Design: Recognisable off-road identity with more useful five-door access.
Performance: Strong diesel specification and genuine low-range hardware.
Mileage Potential: Published ownership consumption supports cautious running-cost expectations.
Comfort: Reported improvement, with remaining refinement and access compromises.
Features: AX5L has the key hardware; AX7L adds useful comfort equipment.
Safety: Published Bharat NCAP protection evidence and listed assistance.
Practicality: Rear doors improve access, but the tall format still limits convenience.
Value for Money: AX5L offers the stronger capability-led proposition.
7
Verdict
Flaming Piston's Take
The Roxx 4x4 earns its recommendation when its owner has an actual use for the hardware and accepts the daily costs that accompany it. AX5L diesel automatic is the disciplined choice from this shortlist. AX7L makes sense for buyers who will appreciate its comfort additions every day. For predominantly paved use, compare a road-focused SUV before paying for a transfer case that may never leave its normal setting.
Who Should Buy This
- Owners who will use low range and 4WD while needing rear-door access.
- Buyers prepared for the fuel and access compromises of a tall off-road vehicle.
Who Should Avoid This
- Drivers buying 4WD solely for its appearance on an otherwise paved routine.
- Families needing easy low-step entry or prioritising fuel economy.
FAQs
Is every Thar Roxx a 4x4?
No. Verify the drive type; this review specifically covers a diesel 4WD shortlist.
What is the price difference between the two quoted automatic trims?
The checked AX7L and AX5L Luxury Pack listings differ by ₹1,85,500 ex-showroom.
Did FlamingPiston test it off-road?
No. This assessment uses official specifications and buying analysis, not a trail test.
Related Reading
Sources: Mahindra Auto; Bharat NCAP; Autocar India. Checked 23 October 2026. Publication findings are attributed in the text; specifications and availability depend on variant.
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