Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition 2.2 Diesel MT 4x2

Autocar India

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The Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo-petrol with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) is the one that fits your brief best. The DCT changes gears very quickly once you are moving, so city drives feel easy and highway trips feel strong and smooth. The Seltos also rides well for daily use, the seats are supportive, and the cabin looks and feels upmarket. For safety and build, it gives you a solid-feeling body, a long list of safety features, and on higher trims even driver assist tech; plus it received a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating.A couple of things to note for your use: like most dual-clutch gearboxes, there can be a small pause at very low speeds, and if you spend hours in slow traffic every day it is best to drive gently. From your list, the Mahindra Thar Roxx 2.0 petrol automatic is the one to pick if you mainly want a tough, go-anywhere machine and love the stance, but for daily comfort and ease it is not as relaxed as the Seltos, and it has very poor fuel economy. The suspension isn't as absorbent and the controls aren't as light. The Duster and Sierra come much closer, the Renault imparting a tougher feel while still remaining comfortable, and the Sierra feeling large and more comfortable. However, overall, for mixed city-highway use and your priorities, the Seltos turbo DCT lines up best.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Renault Duster

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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Having a diesel in Delhi is always a challenge because of the 10-year rule, which deregisters cars after that period. However, since your Mahindra Thar and Mahindra Thar Roxx are quite new and still have a long life ahead of them, we don’t think you need to panic and jump to replacing them because you can happily continue using both well into the next decade. And, since you are a hardcore Jeep and Mahindra fan, you may want to wait for the next-generation Thar, which could come out around the end of 2027 or in 2028. It won’t be a body-on-frame like your existing Thar and Thar Roxx, but could have a hybrid powertrain, which will be future-proofed against any regulations.For now, hang on to your existing Thar and Thar Roxx because, as you said, these body-on-frame diesels will be the last of a breed. Also, Hormazd Sorabjee will be happy to know you met him over 30 years ago!

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Mahindra Thar

Autocar India

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For that requirement, the Toyota Fortuner is the safest bet. It feels built for bad roads, can be had with proper low-range four-wheel drive for steep, loose climbs and snow, and Toyota’s service reach is strong even in smaller hill towns. On highways, it sits steady at speed, the seats are supportive, and you can load it up with family and bags without worry. Coming from a Pajero, you will feel the same go-anywhere confidence but with a far more modern cabin and easier ownership.Two things to keep in mind. It is very expensive for what it is, and in slow, broken patches, the ride can feel firm. It is also a big SUV, so narrow village lanes and tight hotel parking will require patience.If you want most of that ability for a lot less money, look at the Mahindra Thar Roxx. It too can be had with low-range four-wheel drive, strong pull at low speed for hairpins, and Mahindra support is widespread in the North. You give up some highway polish, and it may not be as rock-solid reliable as a Toyota, but it is a serious mountain tool. Overall, the Fortuner fits your brief best; the Thar Roxx is the strong value alternative.

Toyota Fortuner

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Autocar India

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From your list, the Mahindra Scorpio N 4x4 diesel is the safest fit for this use. As a five-seater with the last row folded, it offers a large boot, a tough body and proper 4x4 with low range for slush, snow or rocky terrain. It also has strong pulling power on steep hill roads when fully loaded. Mahindra’s wide service network on these routes is an added advantage when you are far from cities.Be aware that the Scorpio N is not as quiet or as comfortable on long highways as softer monocoque SUVs, and in the city, the ride can feel a bit bouncy. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the better road car. It is more comfortable and refined, but for your intended usage, it is not as robust or as versatile as the Scorpio N, especially for tougher terrain in the Himalayas where the Scorpio N’s higher ground clearance and proper 4x4 make a real difference. The same limitation applies to options like the Renault Duster Hybrid and Honda Elevate.As for the Mahindra Thar Roxx, it is less comfortable than the Scorpio N, especially in terms of seating and long-distance usability.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Renault Duster

Honda Elevate

Autocar India

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Given your usage, you don't necessarily need 4x4. A rear-wheel drive, tough diesel SUV with high ground clearance should suffice. That leaves you with two options: Scorpio N and Thar Roxx. Both these SUVs meet your requirements, and both these will tackle treacherous roads rather effortlessly.Between them, the Scorpio N's ride on the highway feels a touch bumpier, whereas the Thar Roxx feels more settled in comparison. Hence, go for the Scorpio N only if you need that extra row of seats; otherwise, in every other way, the Thar Roxx seems like the better pick for you.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Autocar India

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If you are choosing between the Kia Seltos HTK(O) Petrol IVT and the Mahindra Thar Roxx MX3 petrol, this really comes down to what you want your car to feel like in everyday life. The Seltos is the more sensible choice with a smooth automatic that is effortless in traffic, better suited to your kind of usage and far easier to live with daily, while also offering a more comfortable and premium cabin experience. The Thar Roxx, on the other hand, is all about character with its strong petrol engine, big road presence and that sense of occasion every time you drive it, but it is still a heavier, more lifestyle-oriented SUV that is not as convenient for daily city use.So the choice is quite simple in nature. If you want something that quietly does everything well and keeps life easy, the Seltos will feel like the right fit. If you want something that feels special and makes every drive more memorable, the Thar Roxx will appeal more.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Autocar India

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The Mahindra Thar 2-door certainly has a lot of appeal, and it’s easy to see why you’re considering it. It offers strong road presence and that rugged, go-anywhere feel that few SUVs can match. However, when it comes to highway comfort, especially for long drives of 700-750km, it’s not the most suitable choice. The hydraulic steering is quite heavy, the ride is quite stiff and tends to feel bumpy, particularly over uneven surfaces, and there’s noticeable road noise at cruising speeds. All of this adds up, making long highway journeys more fatiguing than they should be.A better-rounded alternative is the Thar Roxx. It retains much of the Thar’s visual appeal and toughness but is significantly more comfortable and refined. The lighter electric steering, improved ride quality, and better overall highway manners make it far easier to live with on long trips.That said, it still uses a body-on-frame setup, so it does feel bumpy on broken roads and may move passengers around, but it’s a far less of a compromise than the 2-door Thar.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Mahindra Thar

Autocar India

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We recommend the Mahindra Thar Roxx petrol automatic, with your 650 km a month and a 10-year plan, it will be easier to live with and safer against policy changes. Your running is low, so the usual fuel savings of a diesel will not make up for the higher buy price and upkeep over time. The petrol is quieter and smoother in daily traffic, has lighter controls, and you avoid the diesel’s emission filter issue that can pop up with lots of short city trips. Looking 10 years ahead, petrol is also the safer bet for resale, especially in big cities, and you don’t have to worry about the 10-year diesel limit like in Delhi-NCR.For your usage, the petrol automatic is the stress-free choice you’ll enjoy every day and won’t worry about keeping for a decade.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Autocar India

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You can opt for the Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition diesel automatic; it matches what you enjoyed in the drive and gives you the simple, physical buttons you prefer, while being usable enough for family duty now that it has five doors. You already like how it feels from the driver’s seat, and that matters most for a fun car. The high seating gives a clear view of traffic, and it feels solid on rough roads, which adds to the sense of fun.One thing to be aware of: it is not as comfortable or as quiet as the Tata Sierra, and the ride can be a bit bouncy on broken roads. Your family will probably find the Sierra more comfortable for longer journeys. Choose the Sierra if your top need is family comfort and space. Given what you liked and what worries you, the Thar Roxx diesel AT is the safer, more satisfying pick today; take your family along for a long drive and check back-seat comfort and boot fit before you commit.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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Buy the Mahindra Thar Roxx after you move to Bengaluru. Registering it there will keep things simple and avoid extra costs later. While the on-road price looks cheaper in Mumbai today, if you shift the car to Karnataka for long-term use, you are expected to re-register it in Bengaluru and pay Karnataka road tax.Getting a refund of the tax you paid in Maharashtra is possible on paper, but slow and painful. You will also need an NOC from the Mumbai RTO, new number plates, and you may face checks in Bengaluru if you drive long-term on a Mumbai number. All this adds time and stress you can skip by buying and registering once in your new city.There is one clear exception: if you are eligible for the BH series number (government/PSU staff, or private company with offices in 4 or more states), go for BH. With BH, you pay road tax in 2-year blocks and do not need to re-register when you move.

Mahindra Thar Roxx