Mahindra Thar Roxx MX5 2.0 Petrol MT 4x2

Our detailed real-world fuel efficiency test of the three-door Mahindra Thar was conducted in Mumbai, a city known for heavy stop-start traffic. Compared to this, driving conditions in Delhi NCR generally involve more flowing traffic, which can result in slightly better efficiency figures.

As an additional reference point, we can look at the Mahindra Scorpio N, which uses the same engines as the Thar Roxx, albeit in a higher state of tune. In our real-world tests, the petrol automatic Scorpio N returned 7.9 kpl in the city and 9.4 kpl on the highway. The diesel automatic managed 8.6 kpl in the city and 11.7 kpl on the highway. 

As these figures show, the difference in fuel efficiency between petrol and diesel automatics is not significant enough to justify choosing the diesel variant, especially given your limited running and predominantly city-based usage.

As for manual versus automatic efficiency, especially in the case of the Thar Roxx, it is highly unlikely that the torque converter automatic will match the efficiency of the manual. This is due to the basic nature of the transmission. Torque converters use a fluid coupling instead of a direct mechanical link, which leads to energy losses during acceleration and low-speed driving. In contrast, a manual gearbox offers a direct mechanical connection once the clutch is engaged, resulting in lower losses.

Other automatic transmissions, such as dual clutch units and CVTs, are inherently more efficient than torque converters. DCTs use mechanical clutches for faster and more direct power transfer. CVTs are able to keep the engine operating in its most efficient rev range for most driving conditions. As a result, these transmissions can deliver fuel efficiency figures closer to manuals, something that is unlikely with a torque converter automatic. 

Finally, considering you are based in Delhi, where diesel regulations remain uncertain, the petrol variant of the Thar Roxx would be the more sensible and stress-free choice.

In terms of fuel economy gains, there honestly isn't too much benefit in choosing the diesel version of the Mahindra Thar Roxx over the petrol. 

Both engines are tuned for power and instantaneous responses, and suffer from terrible fuel economy. Perhaps if your driving is primarily on highways, you can extract a few extra kilometres out of the diesel version. 

Both engines are about equal on refinement, too, so there are no gains made there either. As such, it might be worth going for the petrol version, if only to save some money on the cost price.

The main reason the Jimny is adept at handling the slope up is its rear-wheel-drive layout. Unlike the rest of Maruti's model range, the Jimny (like the Gypsy before it) uses a ladder-frame chassis and a longitudinally mounted engine that sends power to the rear wheels. This is in accordance with its AllGrip Pro 4x4 system, which can then engage the front axle on command. However, a rear-wheel-drive layout is inherently better at tackling steep slopes as the weight of the car falls onto the rear wheels when the nose is pointed upwards, and power at the rear 'pushes' the car up the hill. 

In a front-wheel drive car like the Swift, the car is trying to 'pull' its way up the hill using wheels that don't have enough traction, hence momentum is required to get it going. While an AWD car like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris will help to an extent, what you want is a RWD car. Our recommendation at your budget is the Mahindra Thar Roxx, which is available at your budget in a decent mid-spec variant. Its combination of rear-wheel drive and strong petrol and diesel engines should make light work of that slope, with enough control to tackle the sharp turn at the end safely.

The choice between the two really comes down to your usage. The Mahindra Scorpio N has good road presence and a commanding seating position, and is built over a ladder-frame (chassis). The Scorpio N is also better suited to handle some level of abuse from rough roads. So, if this is typical of your usage, this car will do just fine. 

However, over medium-sized bumps and ruts, the Scorpion N will have a jittery shake typical of most ladder frame vehicles. Thus, if your driving is primarily over regular city roads and highways, you will find the ride of the Mahindra XUV7XO far more composed and level.

As for the facelift of the Scorpio N, which should come out in the first half of this year, not much is known about the features. But expect changes to the exterior lighting elements, alloy wheels and the 10.25 inch from the Thar Roxx along with an upgraded sound system. 

An update for the Mahindra Scorpio N is expected this year. The changes will likely include a tweaks to the styling as well as feature enhancements inside. We expect a larger touchscreen and an uprated sound system to be part of the updates. 

There won't be any changes to the engine and gearbox options. But Mahindra could move the Scorpio N to the Thar Roxx's chassis, bringing in advancements in ride comfort and refinement. 

There's no clear timeline for when the updated Scorpio N will launch. So if waiting is not an option, the XUV 7XO is the easy pick of the two Mahindra SUVs. It feels more sophisticated and polished in the way it drives, and it packs in lots more features, such as the three-screen layout. Being a large SUV itself, the XUV 7XO is not short on road presence in its own right.