Mahindra is among the last bastion of carmakers that still sells ladder-frame SUVs. The Thar Roxx and Scorpio N are two of Mahindra’s highest-selling ladder-frame offerings among Indian mass-market buyers. There's pricing overlap between the Scorpio N and Thar Roxx, and they offer similar powertrains, but which SUV delivers greater bang for your buck in top-spec guise? Below, we’ve exhaustively compared the Thar Roxx AX7L and the Scorpio N Z8 L trims.

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Scorpio N top trims: dimensions

The Scorpio N is 234mm longer and 47mm wider than the Thar Roxx, but the latter is 66mm taller and has a 100mm longer wheelbase. The difference in wheelbase is notable given that the Thar Roxx is a 5-seater, whereas the Scorpio N is a three-row SUV that seats 6-7 occupants. Given the Thar Roxx’s off-roader trappings, it also rides nearly 40mm higher off the ground than the Scorpio N.

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Scorpio N top trims: powertrain options

As implied previously, the Thar Roxx and Scorpio N offer the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engine options, albeit in different states of tune. The Scorpio N makes considerably more power than the Thar Roxx in petrol guise, but their torque outputs are identical when paired with the AT; the petrol-MT Scorpio N develops 40Nm more torque than the equivalent Thar Roxx configuration.

Coming to diesel, the Thar Roxx MT is down 23hp compared to the Scorpio N MT, while their AT versions are equal in output. Both engines can be had with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic, though the Thar Roxx AX7L does not offer the former gearbox with the petrol engine. 

It’s also worth noting that the petrol variants of both SUVs are RWD-only, while their diesel powertrains can be had with 4WD; 6-seater variants of the Scorpio N Z8 L diesel are not offered with 4WD.

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Scorpio N top trims: exterior features

The Thar Roxx and Scorpio N are nearly identical on this front. While the Thar Roxx offers alloy wheels an inch larger, the Scorpio N carries the functional benefit of roof rails.

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Scorpio N top trims: interior features

Coming to creature comforts, both SUVs are quite loaded, but the Thar Roxx pulls ahead with its larger 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital driver's display, panoramic sunroof, and air purifier. That's not to say the Scorpio N falls behind, as it gets more speakers and an additional climate control zone. Moreover, the Scorpio N offers three rows of seating.

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Scorpio N top trims: safety features

Both Mahindra SUVs offer almost equally robust safety suites, which is great to see. However, the Thar Roxx takes the win here thanks to its inclusion of a 360-degree camera, which can come in very handy while parking in tight spaces.

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Scorpio N top trims: driving tech

Depending on the variant you go with, the Scorpio N Z8 L comes with an additional drive and terrain mode each over those of the Thar Roxx AX7L. Elsewhere, though, they are evenly matched.

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Scorpio N top trims: prices

The Thar Roxx AX7L is more affordable to the tune of up to Rs 2.49 lakh than the Scorpio N Z8L, which is rather hefty. This was to be expected, though, since the Scorpio N is larger overall, accommodates more passengers, and features more powerful states of tune for its engines.

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Scorpio N: Which SUV should you choose?

Since the Thar Roxx and Scorpio N don't quite cater to the same set of buyers, it's difficult to declare a clear winner. If you often find yourselves ferrying more than five occupants, the Scorpio N is the de facto pick here. However, if seating capacity is less of a concern, it's the Thar Roxx that makes more sense on account of its longer features list, near-identical engine outputs, and crucially, substantially lower price.

However, the Scorpio N is set to receive a facelift in 2026, which will borrow many of the Thar Roxx's features, so the tech gap between the two could dramatically narrow in the coming months.