Mahindra Thar Roxx Overdrive review: Just desserts

Driving a Mahindra Thar Roxx through Rajasthan offers a different kind of adventure compared to traditional road trips, where precise itineraries often give way to the vehicle’s capabilities. The car parked outside the hotel in Gurgaon felt more like a partner than just transport, suggesting the journey ahead would sort itself out. This trip covered approximately 2,000 kilometers through Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, and back, utilizing a mix of highways, desert tracks, and village roads. The experience highlighted the vehicle’s transition from a rugged icon to a touring-friendly machine.

Highway Performance and Comfort

Leaving the crowded streets of Gurgaon, the Thar Roxx immediately stood out. It towered over the sea of compact SUVs with a commanding stance. The highway driving experience revealed a vehicle that prefers stability over sportiness. It settled into a comfortable rhythm around 90 to 100 kph, with the top-end diesel automatic engine humming contentedly. The ride quality is predictable; there is noticeable body roll through bends, which stops bothering you after a short time. This behavior encourages a relaxed touring pace rather than aggressive cornering, making the long stretches of Rajasthan easier to manage than the tight urban environments where the vehicle feels slightly more cumbersome.

Long-distance driving is where the Roxx truly excels. The diesel engine provides effortless shove for overtaking trucks and slow-moving traffic. Mahindra’s ADAS Level 2 system proved particularly useful on the wide expressways. Adaptive cruise control handled the tedious speed adjustments, allowing the driver to focus on the scenery and reduce fatigue. The air-conditioning worked heroically against the rising heat of the desert. Inside the cabin, storage is sufficient for road trip essentials, and the boot easily swallowed two weeks’ worth of luggage plus shopping bags. The infotainment system is intuitive, avoiding the confusing menu labyrinths found in some modern cars, and physical buttons remain available for when the road surface gets bumpy.

Exploring the Desert and Cities

The journey through Jaipur offered a mix of history and lively markets. Moving west, the scenery shifted dramatically at Sambhar Lake, India’s largest inland salt lake, where wild camels grazed by the roadside. In Jodhpur, the famous blue houses of the old city create a stunning panorama from the Mehrangarh Fort. As the route extended toward Jaisalmer, the terrain became increasingly arid. The Thar Roxx handled the Sam sand dunes with surprising ease. Despite warnings from the camp manager about getting stuck, the vehicle required a shift to low-range gears only once. 4H mode handled the rest without fuss. A short drive away lies Kuldhara, a deserted settlement abandoned in the 19th century, adding a touch of historical mystery to the trip. Udaipur, the City of Lakes, offered a change of pace, though the cleanliness varied by area. The grand City Palace, half functioning as a hotel and half as a museum, provided a fitting end to the cultural immersion before a final detour to the Taj Mahal.

Exploring the desert requires a mindset shift from the passenger seat. Unlike a sedan that demands a careful, reactive driving style, the Thar Roxx invites a proactive approach. You drive the car, rather than just sitting inside it. This autonomy extends to the navigation; if a Google Maps shortcut looks questionable, the vehicle’s presence on the road encourages you to take it anyway. The confidence gained from this dynamic transforms a potentially stressful journey into a series of manageable, enjoyable segments. The white upholstery requires care, as the desert dust has a habit of leaving its mark, but the Harman Kardon sound system provided excellent audio quality during the long drives.

Efficiency and Pricing

Over the course of the 2,000-kilometer journey, the vehicle proved reliable across diverse conditions. Fuel efficiency averaged around 17 kmpl on highways and dropped closer to 10.5 kmpl in the city. The Thar Roxx starts at Rs 9.8 Lakhs (ex-Delhi). As the drive back toward Gurgaon’s chaotic traffic began, slipping back into the driving seat felt natural. The car made light work of the return journey, reinforcing that it is capable of tackling almost anything the road—or the lack of it—throws your way.