Is the Thar Roxx a Better Daily Driver than the Grand Vitara?
Mahindra has launched the 5-door Mahindra Thar Roxx at an attractive price of Rs. 12.99 lakh, ex-showroom. This is for the Rear-wheel drive version. The company has not announced the prices for the 4X4 variants. Overall, Thar Roxx pricing overlaps that of other SUVs in the mid-size SUV segment.
That begs the uestion: Is Thar Roxx a real, practical alternative to a mid-size SUV? Or will it eat into its sibling Thar 2-door market share?
We pitch Thar Roxx against the only mid-size SUV that has All-Wheel Drive, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara so see how the Roxx stacks up as a daily driver.
The Thar Roxx, a five-door version of the iconic Thar, brings rugged off-road capability to a more practical package. On the other hand, the Grand Vitara offers a blend of urban refinement and mild off-road capability. In this comparison, we’ll focus on the rear-wheel drive Thar Roxx and the all-wheel drive Grand Vitara to determine which makes for a better daily driver.
Ease of Driving: Thar Roxx vs. Grand Vitara
Thar Roxx
The Thar Roxx has made significant strides in improving drivability compared to its three-door predecessor. The shift from hydraulic to electric power steering is a game-changer, making the vehicle much easier to manoeuvre despite its size. The steering is notably lighter, giving the Thar Roxx a car-like feel in urban environments. This improvement addresses one of the main criticisms of the original Thar, making it more accessible to a broader range of drivers.
The Thar Roxx offers multiple powertrain options, including a 2.0L turbo-petrol and a 2.2L diesel, both available with manual and automatic transmissions. The automatic variants, in particular, enhance the daily driving experience. The petrol automatic, for instance, provides smooth and effortless power delivery, with the six-speed torque converter gearbox seamlessly managing shifts.
Grand Vitara
The Grand Vitara, designed primarily as a city SUV, naturally excels in ease of driving. Its compact dimensions and lighter construction make it more manoeuvrable in tight urban spaces. The steering is well-weighted and precise, offering good feedback without being overly heavy.
The Grand Vitara’s 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine, while not as powerful as the Thar’s offerings, provides adequate performance for city driving. The mild hybrid system enhances fuel efficiency, a significant advantage for daily commutes. The available CVT transmission further smoothens the driving experience, though it may feel less responsive than the Thar’s torque converter unit during spirited driving.
Space and Practicality: Thar Roxx vs. Grand Vitara
Thar Roxx
The five-door configuration of the Thar Roxx dramatically improves its practicality over the three-door version. Rear seat access is now much easier, making it a viable option for families. The rear bench can comfortably accommodate three adults, with impressive knee room and decent headroom, though taller passengers might find the latter slightly compromised due to the sunroof.
The Thar Roxx boasts a cavernous boot space of 644 liters, which is impressive for its class and even rivals some larger SUVs. The 60:40 split-folding rear seats add to its versatility. However, the high loading lip and the side-opening tailgate might pose challenges when loading heavy items. Also, you don’t get a flat floor when you fold the rear seat.
Interior storage is adequate, with reasonably sized door pockets and a center console, though some might find the cupholders a bit shallow for larger beverages.
Grand Vitara
While the Grand Vitara can’t match the Thar Roxx’s sheer volume, it offers a well-thought-out and practical interior. The cabin feels airier, thanks to its large windows and optional panoramic sunroof. Rear seat space is comfortable for two adults, with a third passenger fitting in for shorter journeys.
The Grand Vitara’s boot space, at 373 liters, is significantly smaller than the Thar Roxx’s. However, it’s more than adequate for daily use and weekend getaways. The lower loading height makes it easier to load and unload cargo.
In terms of interior storage, the Grand Vitara offers a good number of practical spaces, including a decent-sized glovebox, door pockets, and a center console with a storage compartment.
Ride and Comfort: Thar Roxx vs. Grand Vitara
Thar Roxx
Mahindra has made significant improvements to the Thar Roxx’s ride quality compared to the standard Thar. The new Gen 4 ladder frame chassis, dubbed “Glide,” is considerably stiffer, allowing for softer dampers. Features like frequency selective damping and rubber bushings for the bump stops add a softer edge to the suspension.
While these improvements make the Thar Roxx one of the better-riding ladder-frame SUVs, it still can’t fully match the comfort levels of monocoque SUVs. There’s still some vibration over bumpy roads, and heavy bumps can send thuds through the cabin. However, the lack of steering wheel shake over bad roads is a notable improvement.
The Thar Roxx shines in high-speed stability, with the ride quality improving as speeds increase. This makes it an excellent highway cruiser. Noise insulation is impressive, with minimal wind and road noise intrusion.
Grand Vitara
The Grand Vitara, with its monocoque construction, naturally offers a more car-like ride quality. It handles urban road imperfections with greater poise, absorbing bumps and potholes more effectively than the Thar Roxx. The suspension setup strikes a good balance between comfort and handling, though it may feel slightly firm on particularly bad stretches of road.
At higher speeds, the Grand Vitara maintains good stability. Wind and road noise are well controlled, but the engine can become vocal under hard acceleration, especially with the naturally aspirated petrol option.
Comfort features in both vehicles are comparable, with both offering climate control, ventilated front seats, and sunroofs. The Thar Roxx’s seats are larger but firmer, while the Grand Vitara’s seats offer a good balance of support and comfort for daily use.
Conclusion: Which is the Better Daily Driver?
Both the Mahindra Thar Roxx and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara have their strengths as daily drivers, but they cater to different needs and preferences.
The Thar Roxx has made impressive strides in becoming more daily-driver friendly. Its improved steering, spacious interior, and massive boot make it a practical choice for families who want a rugged SUV that can handle both city streets and off-road adventures. The powerful engine options and smooth automatic transmissions enhance its appeal for those who prioritize performance. However, its size may still be a challenge in congested city environments, and its ride quality, while improved, still bears some hallmarks of its ladder-frame construction.
The Grand Vitara, on the other hand, is purpose-built for urban use with occasional soft off-roading. Its compact dimensions, efficient powertrain, and car-like handling make it more suited to navigating city traffic and tight parking spaces. The ride quality is generally more composed over varied road conditions, contributing to a more relaxed daily driving experience. However, it falls short in terms of outright space and may feel less substantial on the highway compared to the Thar Roxx.
For buyers who prioritize ease of urban driving, fuel efficiency, and a more car-like experience, the Grand Vitara is likely the better daily driver. Its all-wheel drive system also provides added security in varying weather conditions without the complexity of a full 4×4 system.
However, for those who want a more adventurous daily driver, or those live in small towns with rough roads and no roads, with the ability to comfortably seat five adults and carry a lot of cargo, the Thar Roxx presents a compelling case. Its improvements in drivability and comfort, combined with its unmistakable presence and capability, make it a unique proposition in the market.
And that suggests that Thar Roxx will mainly battle Thar 2-door and even some entry level Scorpio N variants rather than seriously challenge Grand Vitara or other top-selling mid-size SUVs.
