New Mahindra Thar Roxx MX1 Base Model Review 2026

Text: Mahindra Thar Roxx MX1 2026 5-door SUV parked outdoors showing rugged design and family-friendly practicality
The Thar Roxx MX1 is perfect for first-time buyers, families, and adventure lovers who want a practical yet rugged SUV.

The Mahindra Thar Roxx has been an absolute game-changer for the Indian SUV segment since its launch, and the MX1 base variant remains one of the smartest entry options for those looking for true-to-form off-road ability, contemporary family-friendly dimensions, and Mahindra’s classic rugged DNA at an affordable price point. In this comprehensive review of 2026, we analyze every aspect of the Thar Roxx MX1 — pricing, real-world mileage, features, pros & cons, and if it’s worth buying in 2026.

Thar Roxx MX1 Pricing (Ex-Showroom, 2026)

The Mahindra Thar Roxx MX1 (2026) aims to appeal to buyers looking to get into the lifestyle SUV segment by ticking a lot of boxes—such as decent power, a lot of value. The petrol version with a 2.0L turbo – manual transmission and rear-wheel drive will set you back from ₹12.39 lakh to ₹12.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The slightly more torquey 2.2L diesel – manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, comes slightly higher, ranging from ₹13.60 lakh to ₹13.99 lakh. Including registration, insurance and any other charges, the expected on road price in Delhi for the petrol will be around ₹14.5–15.5 lakh and for the diesel around ₹16–17.5 lakh.

Note: Prices are approximate and may vary by city. Always check with your local Mahindra dealer for latest offers and on-road quotes.

The most affordable and undoubtedly one of the best value offerings in the 13-18 Lakh segment, the Thar Roxx MX1 offers the Thar’s signature styling, reassuring performance and modern equipment levels without the advertising muscle. If you can do without alloys, sunroof and 4×4, the MX1 makes huge sense.

Engine & Performance

The MX1 features a choice of two time-tested engine options, providing the customer with the ability to select the more suitable powertrain for his own driving style. The 2.0L mStallion turbo petrol engine produces 160 bhp at 5000 rpm along with a healthy 330 Nm of torque and is managed by a 6-speed manual gearbox. This engine feels quick, light and eager and will get you from 0–100km/h in the region of 10–11 seconds, a good engine for those who prefer more spirited motoring. This however does not make it a dull drive.

Both of them feel punchy in the city and on the highway. We prefer the diesel for long drives and the odd heavy load. The petrol is very smooth for daily commutes. One thing to note here is that there is no 4×4 in the MX1 base variant. To off-road for pleasure, you’ll have to step up to the higher trims.

Mileage (ARAI & Real-World)

In terms of the fuel efficiency, the Thar Roxx MX1 still fares reasonably well for its class although practical figures are a little lower depending on one’s driving style. While the petrol version has an ARAI certified fuel efficiency of 12.4 km/l, expect 9-11 km/l in day to day mixed driving. The diesel on the other hand has a rated efficiency of 15.2 km/l while in practice reaches 12-14 km/l in city driving and mixed running with highway runs capable of returning over 15 km/l.

Key Features in MX1 Base Model

Even the base MX1 trim of the Thar Roxx already packs quite a punch for 2026, particularly when discussing design. The highlighting element of the exterior is its boxy Thar inspired form factor, however, the addition of a 5-door set up makes it more friendly and family-oriented. The LED headlamps with DRLs, 18-inch steel wheels with covers, roof rails and the choice of various striking colours such as Stealth Black, Everest White and Tango Red makes it a head turner even at the base MX1 trim.

Exterior

The Thar Roxx MX1 has a charismatic big, Thar looking, rectangular design that has been modernised into a more practical 5-door form factor. The Thar MX1 gets Hi-tech led headlamps and DRLs for that modern touch while 18 inch steel wheels (alloy wheels are only available in higher variants) make the vehicle look muscular. The roof rails suit the SUV very well and it is available in striking paintwork such as Stealth Black, Everest White, and Tango Red to name a few.

Interior & Comfort

In terms of cabin comfort and usability, the Thar Roxx MX 1 is a comfortable little cabin built for everyday usage. It is a 5-seater, so there is enough knee and head room for a comfortable cabin experience across the seats. The Thar Roxx MX 1 comes fitted with a large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as steering-mounted controls. The single-zone manual AC helps keep the cabin cool, while the hard-wearing fabric seats are not only comfortable, but also extremely easy to maintain.

Mahindra thar roxx safety features

On the safety front, the Thar Roxx MX1 sets quite a high benchmark across its segment by offering features that are seldom seen at this price. It comes loaded with 6 airbags as standard along with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) so that you feel safe and in control of the car. Hill hold and hill descent control make off-roading and hill driving a breeze; and rear parking sensors and a camera make parking in tight spaces quite a breeze. To add to this the Roxx range has attained a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating making it one of the safest SUVs in its class.

The Thar Roxx MX1 is an ideal buy for all types of buyers — For those venturing into the Thar lifestyle for the first time and craving greater practicality than the traditional 3-door, for those who use the vehicle mainly on the highway but like the ability to brave off-road trails on a weekend, to families which want a 5-door to make life easier but still like the rugged appeal. It is also an ideal buy for those who want a strong re-sale value and Mahindra’s large service network to be on sale in the future.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top