Mahindra Thar ROXX vs Maruti Suzuki Jimny - The Duel

This was bound to happen. Whenever one of these two lifestyle SUVs are mentioned, the name of the other one springs to mind. We compare the specifications of the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and the recently-launched 5-Door Mahindra Thar, formally known as the Mahindra Thar ROXX. The comparison is based on the specifications of both these cars and we are yet to drive them side-by-side in order to provide a hands-on test report.

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Thar ROXX vs Jimny: The legacy

Neither of the two SUVs being discussed here fall short of a remarkable legacy. The Thar traces its roots back to the legendary Willys Jeep, when Mahindra & Mahindra partnered with the American manufacturer to make the Willys Jeep in India under licence. The Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, the Indian exonym for the Suzuki Jimny, was another legendary off-roader, which was put to multiple uses by Indians, ranging from jungle safari vehicles to motorsports.

Both the Jimny and the modern Mahindra Thar’s predecessor (Willys Jeep) have served the Indian Army through decades, strengthening their testimony to being grunt and sturdy go-anywhere vehicles.

Thar ROXX vs Jimny: Powertrains

The Mahindra Thar ROXX comes with two engine options — a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with direct injection, and a 2.2-litre diesel engine with direct injection. Both the engines are offered with the option of a 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque convertor gearbox. Notably, 4X4 is offered only on the diesel drivetrains and not the petrol ones. The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is offered with Suzuki’s 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine, paired to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Jimny gets 4X4 as standard.

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Thar ROXX vs Jimny: Dimensions

The Mahindra Thar ROXX measures 4,428mm in length, 1,870mm in width and 1,923mm in height. It has a wheelbase measuring 2,850mm, and a water wading depth of 650mm. The Maruti Suzuki Jimny measures 3,985mm in length (including the spare wheel at the back), 1,645mm in width and 1,720mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,590mm, and a water wading depth in the ballpark of 310mm. The ROXX has a 260mm longer wheelbase than the Jimny. 

Thar ROXX vs Jimny: Features

Although the Mahindra Thar ROXX gets a load of features, as you might have read in our previous stories, many of the features are offered at a price point at which the Jimny doesn’t compete with the ROXX. Solely for this reason, we shall compare the maxed-out variant of the Jimny with the ROXX’s MX3 petrol-automatic variant, which is similarly priced. 

Both the ROXX MX3 and the Jimny get 4 speakers, cruise control, rear-view camera, rear wiper with washer, push button start-stop, LED headlamps, rear defogger, wireless Android Auto, hill-hold control, hill descent control, 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, ISOFIX child seat mounts and brake differential. 

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What’s different on the Jimny include automatic headlamps, auto climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay, and headlamp washers. The Jimny gets 15-inch alloy wheels and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The ROXX, on the other hand, gets an auto-dimming IRVM, reclining rear seats, wireless charging, 18-inch steel wheels, LED tail lamps, roll-over mitigation, brake disc wiping, three terrain modes and a bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It gets wired Apple CarPlay and a manual air conditioner. 

Notably, the Thar ROXX isn’t offered with a 4X4 drivetrain at price points comparable to the Jimny. The price for the most affordable 4WD variant of the ROXX, which happens to be the MX5 diesel-manual 4WD variant, is priced at Rs 18.79 Lakh.

Thar ROXX vs Jimny: Colours and variants

Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra have both adopted a modern urban approach in conceptualising and positioning the latest generations of their respective SUVs, offering multiple colour options and comfortable cabins. The Suzuki Jimny is offered in seven exterior colour options — Sizzling Red, Granite Grey, Nexa Blue, Bluish Black, Pearl Arctic White, Sizzling Red with Bluish Black roof and Kinetic Yellow with Bluish Black roof. The Thar ROXX is also offered in seven colour choices — Stealth Black, Deep Forest, Nebula Blue, Tango Red, Burnt Sienna, Everest White and Battleship Grey.

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Thar ROXX vs Jimny: Price in India

The Thar ROXX  is offered in 18 configurations while the Jimny gets just 4 variants. The Mahindra Thar ROXX carries a compelling price tag of Rs 12.99 Lakh for the base petrol variant, which goes up till Rs 22.49 Lakh for the maxed-out diesel 4WD variant. The Maruti Suzuki Jimny price ranges between Rs 12.74 Lakh and Rs 14.79 Lakh. All prices mentioned are ex-showroom, Delhi. 

Which one to pick?

If we compare the 4X4 variants of both these SUVs solely, then they don't really compete directly as there is a significant price difference between the two. The Jimny seems to be a rational choice if you're looking for a 4X4 under Rs 15 lakh. It has also proved itself as a capable off-roader owing to its tiny size and comparatively light weight. It does fall behind in power and torque figures though, and by a good margin. 

The Thar ROXX should be the better pick for you if striking a balance between your off-roading ambitions and using the SUV as a family car is a key factor for your buying decision. The second-row in the ROXX provides much more space and adjustability than the Jimny.  We are yet to do a road test of both these SUVs though, in order to provide a detailed report on comfort, ergonomics, capability, and other factors. The Thar ROXX outshines the Jimny in terms of road presence though, and the latter looks sort of like a car built out of LEGOs when standing next to the former. The Thar does have more power and torque too, in order to effectively move the SUV of its size.

Also, there's no real choice if you're on the lookout for a petrol 4X4 or even a diesel 4X4 for that matter. There's no diesel on the Jimny and the ROXX does not get 4X4 with its petrol drivetrains. All-in-all, the Mahindra Thar ROXX and Maruti Suzuki Jimny cater to quite different audiences and your use case shall define the better pick for you. Subscribe to the CARS24 New Cars YouTube channel, we'll soon be testing both these cars side by side to provide you a more comprehensive and real-life comparison.