Stop Buying Thar Roxx Until Star Edition
Mahindra dropped the Thar Roxx Star Edition at Rs 16.85 lakh ex-showroom, packing top features into a blacked-out body. Is this the most loaded Roxx yet, or just cosmetic hype for lifestyle buyers?
The Disappointment
2026 KTM 250 Duke in Ebony Black with orange accents, night setting
I hit the Mahindra showroom in Aurangabad yesterday, eyeing the Thar Roxx Star Edition for a Jalna ghats bash with mates. At Rs 16.85 lakh base (MX5 diesel auto), it undercuts AX7L trims by Rs 2 lakh, but no 4×4—RWD only, like standard Roxx, killing off-road cred for serious rock-crawlers. Black piano grille and 19-inch alloys look mean in Citrine Yellow, but on dusty Maharashtra trails, that gloss scratches easy, and no mechanical upgrades mean same 2.2L mHawk diesel (175hp/400Nm) or 2.0L petrol (177hp/380Nm) as before.
Loaded with twins: 10.25-inch screens, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, Harman 9-speaker, 360-cam, Adrenox 83 features—great for Instagram, but third-row adults? Nope, 5-seater cramps families vs Innova’s 7. Rivals like Force Gurkha 4×4 (Rs 16.75 lakh) laughs at RWD limits, Hyundai Creta facelift (Rs 17 lakh) adds ADAS sunroofs cheaper. On-road Jalna? Rs 19.5-20.5 lakh (11% RTO, Rs 50k insurance), pricier than base Roxx Rs 14.5 lakh on-road, and waitlists stretch 3 months amid Thar mania. I fired the diesel auto: torquey pull, but 12-14kmpl city sips more than claimed 15kmpl, suspension wallows loaded vs 3-door Thar.e.
Safety’s 5-star Bharat NCAP solid—6 bags, TPMS, e-call—but no front sensors on base Star, and RWD spins rears on wet ghats without diff locks. For my content runs hauling gear to Parli, boot’s 447L helps, but no spare tyre mount irks off-road purists. Mahindra packed features, but skipped 4×4 to hit price—disappoints Thar loyalists chasing trails over tarmac posing.
The Surprising Truth
Pushed it 120km on Aurangabad-Jalna highway yesterday, and Star Edition flips the script—RWD precision carves corners like a hot hatch, diesel auto snaps shifts via 6-speed torque converter, hitting 100kmph effortless with 400Nm surge. Black suede-leather cabin hides dirt from shoots, ventilated fronts chill 40C Maharashtra summers, panoramic roof frames stars on night drives sans claustrophobia. Adrenox app tracked my 15.2kmpl mixed run, 360-cam parks easy in tight Jalna alleys, Harman bass thumps Bollywood harder than Creta’s Bose.
No new power, but Star bundles AX7L kit at MX5 money: wireless AA/CP, terrain modes (sand/mud sans 4×4), reclining 60:40 rear—mates raved over sunroof views vs my old Thar 3-door’s tin top. Weight at 1820kg balances better than 4×4 Gurkha’s porker feel; 226mm clearance conquers rural floods, RWD efficiency edges FWD midsize SUVs on fuel. I logged lap times on local twisties—0-100kmph in 9.5s diesel feels rally-quick, brake-fade free post 50km heat. Resale? Thars hold 85% after year 1 in Maharashtra, Star’s exclusivity boosts to 90%. Versus Creta: Roxx’s 650mm wading depth owns monsoons, Gurkha trails but Star’s tech wins daily drives. Value bombs—Rs 16.85L loads Rs 19L features, undercutting loaded Jimny Rs 18L by styling alone.
India-Specific Impact
Star Edition slots Rs 16.85-18.5 lakh ex-showroom (petrol auto Rs 17.99L); on-road Jalna Rs 19.8-22 lakh (RTO Rs 1.8L, ins Rs 60k, handling Rs 25k)—Mumbai jumps Rs 23-25L FASTag, Pune discounts Rs 21-23L, Delhi EV rebates irrelevant for diesel. Service Rs 10-15k/year vs Hyundai Rs 12k, network 500+ Maharashtra pits beats Force.
Rivals table:
Star steals lifestyle crowd—15kmpl diesel edges Creta’s 16kmpl petrol, 5-star safety trumps Jimny’s 55% scores. Jalna dealers stock diesel autos now, petrol waits Feb; festive discounts Rs 50k possible. Maharashtra sales? 10k units Q1 2026 projected, 30% Star uptake vs base 40%.
Rushi’s Verdict
After 200km thrash including ghats, Thar Roxx Star Edition nails value at Rs 16.85L—feature apocalypse in blacked-out shell for highway hooligans over hardcore crawlers. Grab diesel auto under Rs 20L on-road; skip if 4×4 mandatory. Test in Maharashtra—addictive grin awaits.
FAQ
Thar Roxx Star Edition price?
Rs 16.85 lakh ex-showroom base diesel; up to Rs 18.5L.
Features list?
Twin 10.25-inch screens, sunroof, 360-cam, ventilated seats.
4×4 available?
No, RWD only like standard Roxx.
Roxx Star vs Gurkha/Creta?
Better tech/styling; trails pure off-road.
Which Thar for you? Drop comments!
