2025 Acko Drive Awards: Mahindra Thar Roxx Is The Compact SUV Of The Year

Mahindra’s latest offering to the compact SUV segment will probably go down the brand’s history as one of its most important launches. Carrying forward a legendary nameplate with a funky suffix called “Roxx” was something unprecedented and that's exactly how it felt when we first drove the Thar Roxx. Despite being built on a ladder-frame-chassis, the Mahindra Thar Roxx surprisingly behaved like a car. While there are body rolls, the latest multi-link suspension works its magic good enough to make that non-bothersome. At the BIC, our jurors had quite the fun pushing the SUV through its paces, which is why it won the 2025 Acko Drive Award for The Compact SUV Of The Year. 

The Thar Roxx stands out particularly in its diesel variant, which features significant power improvements over the three-door Thar. The 2.2-liter diesel engine generates an additional 42 horsepower and 70 Nm of torque compared to its shorter counterpart, the 3-door Thar. 

As for its design, the Mahindra Thar Roxx successfully combines rugged capability with family-friendly comfort, filling a unique position in the compact SUV segment. With prices spanning from ₹13 lakh to ₹23 lakh (ex-showroom), it competes directly with mainstream SUVs while offering distinct advantages, which also becomes its X-Factor.