When Mahindra initially conceived of the Roxx, they planned to stretch the existing (and popular) three-door Thar and add a pair of doors without making other changes. It was an obvious and cost-effective idea. But quickly, Mahindra threw the rule book out the window. They saw the Roxx as an opportunity to develop an SUV that could deliver the Thar’s hard-as-nails character and capability in a softer, more practical package.

And so, the Roxx is a generational leap ahead of the three-door Thar and closer to mainstream, mid-size SUVs such as the Creta. It’s a new fourth-generation (4G) body-on-frame chassis, which is stiffer, lighter, with a revamped suspension.

There’s no mistaking the Roxx for anything other than a five-door Thar. But there are some notable design changes. A new double-stacked six-slot grille replaces the Thar’s signature seven-slot grille. Hints of a new design direction appear in the headlights. They’re now smart-looking LED projector units with C-shaped daylight running lights (DRLs). The same design theme is carried to the LED tail lights, which have C-shaped DRLs as well. Unlike the Thar, the Roxx has a permanent metal roof finished neatly in black. It has a giant panoramic sunroof, which the company claims is the largest on any car.

The Roxx also sits high off the ground. Entering means hauling yourself in, which might compromise everyday useability, especially if you’re short! Another impractical move: Light coloured interiors for the serious off-roader. It’s like taking a walk through Chandni Chowk in a white suit on Holi. Mahindra would, however, argue that the Roxx is now a mainstream SUV, and most owners aren’t inclined to stray from city roads. Even so, in India, light-hued interiors are hard to maintain.

Mahindra has taken pins to make the cabin feel genuinely upmarket. There’s a nice mix of soft-touch plastics, brushed metal, piano-black finishes and leatherette on the top variants. Fit and finish too is a big leap forward over its three-door sibling.

The Roxx is also far better equipped, with a 10.25-inch touch screen and digital instrument cluster, an electronic parking brake, 360-degree camera, ambient lighting, level 2 ADAS, wireless charging, a blind spot monitoring system and automatic climate control.

As always, Mahindra has nailed it on the engine. Both the 2.2 diesel and 2.0 turbo petrol offer strong, linear performance. The petrol is the smoother of the two, but doesn’t have the same low-speed pulling power as the diesel, which was my preferred engine option mated to the six-speed auto gearbox.

Electric steering has made the Roxx feel light and easy to drive in the city once you get used to its size. It feels stable on the highway, but at speed, it’s not quite as secure as a some of its rivals. Overall, the Roxx’s suspension set-up is on the softer side, geared for comfortable urban driving.

Unlike the Thar three-door, the Roxx can be your only car and a unique one at that. It confidently bridges the gap between hardcore off-roader and everyday family vehicle, making it a truly versatile choice. Expect another winner from Mahindra.

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