A Rocking Good Time

The new Mahindra Thar Roxx may have been hyped up in a number of ways, but only after truly experiencing the vehicle can one realise just how much the car-and the company that produces it-have evolved. We spent a few weeks with the Thar Roxx as a daily to bring you this test review

- Jim Gorde

RAISING YOUR INDEX FINGER AND LITTLE finger while folding your two middle fingers and thumb has its origins in metal music and signifies the devil's horns. It is used in metal (not soft rock) gigs when someone really likes a band or a song. Over the years, using the devil's horns has become common for anything remotely related to rock music, much like the term "SUV" is now used for bloated front-wheel-drive hatchbacks with strap-on parts.

That, and the frivolous build-up to what is essentially a plagiarismchecked rewrite of a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited made in Nashik on a budget, demands to be dismissed from one's mind without a second thought before actually considering what the Thar Roxx really is-a true-blue SUV. And replete with character thanks to a ladder frame, proper 4x4 drive, high ground clearance, and more bells and whistles than ever before.

Besides, it addresses several of the twodoor Thar's shortcomings, including rear occupant comfort and equipment. There are still some issues and some blatant omissions, while some niggles can grow to be idiosyncrasies given time. Given Joshua has done a comprehensive first drive review for the September 2024 issue of Car India, the above factors are what we will cover in this report.

The Thar Roxx has a lot going for it, especially in the exterior department.

The overall increase in length to 4,428 millimetres apart, the sheer size and stance from its 1,923-mm height and 1,870-mm width mean it is very visible on the road.