Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Maruti Jimny: Which Off-Road SUV Should You Buy?

Price is usually the first thing buyers check, so let's start there.

The Mahindra Thar Roxx is priced from around Rs 12.52 lakh to Rs 23.52 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the variant and engine you choose. The Thar Roxx vs Jimny price gap becomes clear once you look at the Jimny, which is priced from about Rs 12.59 lakh to Rs 14.67 lakh (ex-showroom).

If you are checking the Thar Roxx vs Jimny on-road price in Hyderabad, the numbers roughly work out like this:

• Thar Roxx on-road price in Hyderabad: approximately Rs 16.2 lakh to Rs 29.9 lakh

• Jimny on-road price in Hyderabad: approximately Rs 15.9 lakh to Rs 18.5 lakh

• The Mahindra Thar Roxx comes with two engine choices, a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel. The petrol engine makes around 160 to 174 bhp depending on the gearbox, while the diesel makes between 150 and 172 bhp. For both engines, you can get manual and automatic transmissions, and 4x4 is available only on the diesel variants.

• The Maruti Jimny keeps things simple with a single 1.5-litre petrol engine that makes around 105 bhp and 134.2 Nm of torque. It offers a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed torque converter automatic, and every Jimny variant gets Suzuki's AllGrip Pro 4x4 system as standard.

Fuel efficiency is another common concern for SUV buyers in India.

Looking at Thar Roxx vs. Jimny mileage, the Thar Roxx has an ARAI-claimed mileage that ranges from about 12.4 kmpl to 15.2 kmpl, depending on the engine and variant. The Jimny does better here, with an ARAI mileage of 16.94 kmpl for the manual and 16.39 kmpl for the automatic.

• Both these SUVs are built for rough terrain, but they go about it differently.

• For the Thar Roxx vs Jimny off-road comparison, the Thar Roxx has a ground clearance of 226mm, an approach angle of 41.7 degrees, a departure angle of 36.1 degrees, and a water wading depth of 650mm. Apart from that, it gets an electronic locking rear differential on 4x4 diesel variants.

• The Jimny has a ground clearance of 210mm, a departure angle that is actually better than the Thar Roxx at around 46 degrees, but a much lower water wading depth of about 310mm. The Jimny does not get a locking differential, but its light weight and short wheelbase make it easy to manoeuvre on tricky trails.

• For serious off-roading and water crossings, the Thar Roxx has the upper hand. For nimble trail driving in tight spaces, the Jimny holds its own.

• Safety is an important factor, especially if the SUV will be used for family trips.

• When it comes to Thar Roxx vs Jimny safety rating, the Thar Roxx has a clear advantage. It has been tested and rated 5 stars by Bharat NCAP, along with features like six airbags, ESC, hill hold, hill descent control, and available Level 2 ADAS on top variants.

• The Jimny has not been officially crash-tested by Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP yet. The overseas three-door Jimny scored 3 stars in Euro NCAP testing. The Jimny comes standard with six airbags, ABS with EBD, and hill hold assist.

Here is a brief table to help you compare the two cars directly:

• So, Thar Roxx vs Jimny: Which is better? It really depends on what you need.

• Go for the Mahindra Thar Roxx if you want more power, a bigger cabin, a 5-star safety rating, and serious off-road ability, including deep water wading. It also makes sense if you plan to use the SUV for family trips, since it seats five and offers more boot space.

• Go for the Maruti Jimny if you want a lighter, more compact SUV with better mileage, easier city manoeuvrability and standard 4x4 across all variants. It suits buyers who want an off-road toy for weekend trips rather than a daily family car.

• If you are still exploring your options, check out our guide to the best SUV cars in India for more comparisons across budgets and body styles.