The cheap, tough off-roader Australia needs? Meet the 2025 Suzuki Jimny rivalling Mahindra Thar Roxx five-door ladder frame SUV

Mahindra has revealed its newest product, the Thar Roxx, a five-door version of the historic Thar nameplate.

The two-door Thar can trace its heritage back to Indian-assembled versions of the Willy’s Jeep in 1947, and it's been in production largely uninterrupted since, which makes its heritage just as valid as the very similar looking Jeep Wrangler.

Sold as a 2-door under the Thar name since 2010, the Roxx is the first time the nameplate has been sold in five-door format. This follows its close rival, the Suzuki Jimny, which received its own five-door version in late 2023.

The Thar Roxx is on an all-new platform (dubbed M-GLYDE) featuring more SUV-like comforts while continuing to offer the off-road ability for which the nameplate is known in its home market.

From launch it is available with both a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (119kW/330Nm) or a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine (112kW/330Nm) paired with either a six-speed manual or torque-converter automatic. Iit is also offered with rear-wheel drive alongside the usual 4x4 variants.

Four-wheel drive versions score a low-range transfer system, new terrain driving modes, electronically locking differentials, a new crawl assist feature and a 650mm wading depth. Its approach angle is 41.7 degrees, its departure angle is 36.1 degrees, and its ramp over angle is 23.9 degrees. Boot space lands at 644 litres.

The Roxx deviates a little from the standard Thar formula by offering a more modern face and Jeep-style grille with LED DRLs, dual 10.3-inch screens for the multimedia and digital instruments, wireless apple carplay and android auto. Higher variants score such luxuries as ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, leather wrapped trim, a nine-speaker Harmon-Kardon branded audio system, and wireless phone charging.

Unlike the two-door Thar, which is only available in either basic AX or high-spec LX trim, the five-door is aiming for a wider audience with a whopping six variations available at launch.

The Thar Roxx also offers frequency dependent damping to enhance ride quality for the first time in the nameplate’s history. It also offers a more modern array of safety equipment, including six airbags, auto emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It is expected to achieve a maximum safety rating under India’s newly established BNCAP testing regime.

These new safety systems in particular are of interest to the Australian market, as the right-hand drive built Thar has never had sufficient safety tech to justify sales in Australia. However, this wouldn’t be the only stumbling block for the Roxx, as Mahindra’s local operation would have to also overcome a successful legal bid by Jeep owner Stellantis to block the sale of the two-door version because of design similarities to the Wrangler.

Mahindra currently offers three models in the Australian market: the XUV700 mid-size SUV, Scorpio off-road large SUV and the back-to-basics S11 Pik Up ute.

The brand has significant global expansion plans led by the new XUV700 and Scorpio, and is expected to be followed by a more contemporary and globally competitive ute. New-generation EV models are expected to use VW’s MEB underpinnings.

However, despite the advantage of its home market being right-hand drive to sync up with Australia, Mahindra will face a particularly difficult fight to establish itself against a litany of newcomers from China in 2025 and beyond.