Mahindra Thar Roxx VS Maruti Suzuki Jimny

In the world of everyday off-roaders under ₹20 lakh, the Mahindra Thar and Maruti Jimny have carved out loyal followings. Now, with the launch of the Mahindra Thar ROXX 5-Door, the game has shifted. While the Jimny continues to attract attention for its old-school charm and nimble footprint, the new Thar ROXX brings serious power, presence, and practicality to the segment. If you are in the market for an off-roader in 2025, this comparison will help you pick the one that suits your lifestyle best.

Design & Road Presence

The Mahindra Thar ROXX 5-Door builds on the rugged, boxy styling of the 3-door model but adds more road presence with a longer body, five doors, and off-road-themed enhancements. Dual-tone paint, matte finishes, ROXX decals, and beefier alloy wheels give it a more purposeful stance, making it look ready for serious trails.

Meanwhile, the Maruti Jimny sticks to its retro-inspired design with round headlamps, upright pillars, and flared arches. It is compact and distinctive but does not quite match the Thar’s muscular and aggressive styling.

Engine & Performance

The Thar Roxx comes with two powerful engine options, a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel, both tuned for strong low-end torque, making them well-suited for off-road use and highway cruising. It comes with 6-speed manual and automatic gearboxes, along with a low-range 4×4 system and a mechanical locking rear differential.

In contrast, the Maruti Jimny is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 104 bhp and 134 Nm. It’s smooth and reliable, but lacks the punch offered by the Thar’s turbo-petrol & diesel engines. It gets a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic, paired with Maruti’s AllGrip Pro 4×4 system.

Interior & Features

Step inside the Thar ROXX 5-Door and you’ll find a more comfortable and better-equipped cabin than its 3-door sibling. It now gets a larger infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a semi-digital instrument cluster, roof-mounted speakers, and improved second-row legroom thanks to the extended wheelbase. You also get a usable boot, making it more family- and road-trip-friendly.

The Jimny’s cabin remains simple and rugged. While it does get a 9-inch touchscreen, automatic climate control, connected car features, and six airbags as standard, it lacks the spaciousness and premium appeal of the Thar. Rear seat space is tight, and the boot is nearly unusable with all seats up.

Off-Road Capabilities

Both SUVs sit on ladder-frame chassis and come equipped with low-range 4×4 systems. The Jimny, being lighter and narrower, excels in tight forest trails, narrow hill paths, and tricky urban alleyways. It’s easy to manoeuvre, less intimidating, and built to squeeze into tight spots. It’s a highly capable off-roader that shines due to its low weight and robust suspension setup.

However, the Thar Roxx gets higher ground clearance, better water wading depth, and more torque. This can give it the edge in deep mud and steep inclines.

Conclusion

If what you want is a pure off-roader, then look no further than the Maruti Jimny. With some slight modifications, this car can conquer any terrain on Earth. The K15C engine is ultra-reliable and will never break down on you. Being a Maruti, ownership will be fuss-free, and you can get it serviced or repaired in any corner of India.

If you’re an urban dweller and you want a comfortable, large SUV with good road presence and a muscular look, the Thar Roxx is good for you. It offers good off-road hardware as well. It also competes with its own brother, the Scorpio-N.