Thar Roxx vs Scorpio N
The Mahindra stable has witnessed an exciting sibling rivalry between two rugged SUVs – the Thar Roxx and the Scorpio N. Both vehicles share mechanical DNA and Mahindra’s commitment to capability, yet they offer distinctly different experiences. The Thar Roxx brings iconic off-road heritage in a more practical five-door package, while the Scorpio N delivers versatile family-friendly capability with commanding road presence. If you’re choosing between these two adventure-ready Mahindra SUVs, this comprehensive 2025 comparison will help you make the right decision.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Mahindra Lineup
Mahindra Scorpio N Price starts at Rs. 13.20 Lakh which is Rs. 95,100 costlier than base model of Mahindra Thar ROXX priced at Rs. 12.25 Lakh. Mahindra Thar Roxx starting price is ₹ 12.99 Lakh in India while Mahindra Scorpio’s starting price is ₹ 13.77 Lakh in India, making the Thar Roxx the more affordable entry point.
In August 2024, Mahindra launched the highly anticipated Thar Roxx, a rugged, off-road-focused SUV with prices between Rs 12.99 lakh and Rs 22.49 lakh (ex-showroom). The Thar Roxx and Scorpio N fall within a similar price range, making them contenders within and beyond Mahindra’s lineup. The Thar Roxx Diesel AT ranges from Rs 17.49 lakh to Rs 22.49 lakh, while the Scorpio N Diesel AT sits slightly higher at Rs 17.55 lakh to Rs 24.54 lakh.
According to user surveys, 51% users have chosen Mahindra Thar ROXX over Mahindra Scorpio N, showing the Thar Roxx’s growing popularity despite being the newer model.
Design Philosophy: Iconic Heritage vs Bold Presence
Mahindra Thar Roxx – Legendary Off-Road DNA
The 5-door Thar Roxx is Mahindra’s newest SUV on our shores. The Thar Roxx with its premium and spacious cabin has changed the image and identity of mass market off-road SUVs that are known for rugged interiors with very little equipment on offer. The 3-door Thar was not a very family friendly SUV but the Thar Roxx’s spacious and comfortable interior makes for a practical purchase.
The design maintains the iconic Thar silhouette while adding two extra doors for practicality. The signature seven-slot grille, round headlamps, and upright stance immediately identify it as part of the Thar family. The overall aesthetic balances heritage with modern refinement, appealing to buyers seeking adventure capability without sacrificing daily usability.
The Thar Roxx is a bigger, more practical Thar. One could also refer to it as the Scorpio N in Thar clothing given it uses the N’s chassis and suspension. The design successfully modernizes the Thar legacy while maintaining its distinctive character.
Mahindra Scorpio N – Commanding Road Presence
The Scorpio N represents evolution from the previous Scorpio generation with sharper styling and more sophisticated design elements. The front fascia features a bold grille, distinctive LED headlamps, and muscular bumper design that creates an imposing presence.
The Mahindra Scorpio N is longer and wider than the Thar Roxx by 234 mm and 47 mm, respectively, however the Thar Roxx is taller than the Scorpio N by 66 mm. Despite being longer than Thar Roxx, the Scorpio N falls short in terms of wheelbase by 100 mm.
The design is purposeful and substantial, appealing to buyers seeking a large family SUV with adventure capabilities. The Scorpio N looks more traditional SUV compared to the Thar Roxx’s distinctive styling.
Engine Performance: Identical Power, Different Character
Shared Powertrain Options
Both Thar Roxx and Scorpio N use the same turbo-petrol and diesel engines, however in different states of tune. The Thar Roxx petrol comes in two states of tune – 162hp/330Nm for the manual and 177hp/380Nm for the automatic – but it’s the Scorpio N that’s the most powerful at 203hp, irrespective of manual or automatic, using the same 2.0-litre engine.
For the Z8L Carbon Edition Diesel AT 4×4 version, 2198 cc Diesel engine of Scorpio N produces 172.45bhp at 3500rpm of power and 400Nm at 1750-2750rpm of torque. Whereas for the AX7L 4WD Diesel AT version, 2184 cc Diesel engine of Thar ROXX produces 172bhp at 3500rpm of power and 370Nm at 1500-3000rpm of torque.
Both the Thar Roxx and Scorpio N come with a 2.2-litre diesel engine with the same power output. However, the Scorpio N puts out 30 Nm more from its diesel mill than its other Mahindra sibling. The Scorpio’s more powerful diesel engine churns out equal power as the Thar Roxx diesel automatic, however the Scorpio N diesel automatic produces 30 Nm higher torque.
Real-World Performance
Even though the Scorpio N was the better performer on paper, it is the Thar Roxx that stole the show in our acceleration tests. It goes from nought to 100 kmph around 0.5 seconds quicker than the Scorpio N. The Thar Roxx achieved 0-100 kmph in 11.20 seconds, while the Scorpio N followed closely at 11.67 seconds.
In the quarter-mile test, the Thar Roxx clocked 17.71 seconds at 124.32 kmph, marginally outpacing the Scorpio N, which completed the quarter-mile in 18.09 seconds at 124.14 kmph. The kickdown test (accelerating from 20 kmph to 80 kmph) further highlighted the Thar Roxx’s quick response, clocking 6.59 seconds compared to the Scorpio N’s 6.87 seconds.
The Thar Roxx’s superior real-world performance despite lower torque comes from its off-road-specific tuning and lower curb weight, making it feel more responsive in typical driving conditions.
Fuel Efficiency Comparison
The claimed mileage of Mahindra Scorpio N (Diesel Model) is 15.42 Kmpl whereas claimed mileage of Mahindra Thar ROXX (Diesel Model) is 15.2 Kmpl. Scorpio N has a mileage of 15.94 kmpl (Diesel top model) and the Thar ROXX has a mileage of 15.2 kmpl (Diesel top model).
User reported Mahindra Scorpio mileage is 13.6-16.2 kmpl while Thar Roxx mileage is 10.5-15.5 kmpl according to real-world experiences. The Scorpio N delivers marginally better fuel efficiency, though the difference is minimal in practical terms. Both SUVs prioritize capability over economy, making fuel efficiency adequate rather than exceptional.
Interior Experience: Premium vs Spacious
Thar Roxx Modern Luxury
The Thar Roxx now gets a dark cabin theme, in a Mocha Brown shade available from January 2025, and only with the diesel 4X4 variants. In terms of features, the Thar Roxx is the clear winner. It gets two 10.25-inch screens (digital driver’s display and infotainment system), a panoramic sunroof, a wireless phone charger, ventilated front seats, automatic climate control, and a 9-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system.
The cabin quality represents a significant upgrade over the 3-door Thar, with premium materials, better fit-and-finish, and comprehensive features that make it genuinely comfortable for daily use and long journeys. In terms of premiumness, it is the Thar Roxx which inches further and provides a more enjoyable experience overall.
Scorpio N Family Comfort
It’s not like the Scorpio N isn’t feature rich. It gets a similar feature list as the Thar Roxx including features like ventilated front seats and a wireless phone charger. But, over the Roxx, it offers dual-zone climate control and a 12-speaker Sony sound system. However, it gets a smaller 8-inch touchscreen, no fully digital driver’s display, and even the sunroof is a single-pane unit.
The Mahindra Scorpio N on the other hand comes with either bench seats or captain seats. The bench seats provide ample space for three occupants, and due to its slightly wider dimensions the shoulder room is a tad bit more than the Thar Roxx as well.
Space and Practicality Battle
Seating Configurations
Before starting, let’s first understand their seating configurations. The Thar Roxx is a 5-seater SUV, while the Scorpio N gets a third row as well with the option of choosing between the 6-and 7-seater layouts. This gives the Scorpio N significant versatility for larger families requiring additional seating.
Rear Seat Comfort
Starting with the Thar Roxx, getting in and out of the SUV still feels a little tricky and is something that will be difficult for older passengers. The rear seats offer good legroom and headroom, even if you are someone who is around 6 feet tall. Apart from that, the seats are wide enough which means 5 passengers can fit easily if needed.
The Scorpio N is more spacious than the Thar Roxx thanks to its width, however, the middle passenger sits more comfortably in the Thar Roxx due to the flat floor. Rear passengers will be able to stretch out a lot more in the Jeep Grand Cherokee than in the Volvo XC60 according to comparative measurements of similar-sized SUVs.
For the passengers in the front, the ride quality is the same in both the Thar Roxx and the Scorpio N. But, the rear passengers will be more comfortable in the Thar Roxx, as compared to Scorpio N, which is a little more jumpy.
Off-Road Capability
Both SUVs here also get the option of a 4WD drivetrain with their diesel engines. However it’s the Thar Roxx which has more offroad specific features and mechanicals. The Thar Roxx has the best approach angle among competitors, while the Scorpio N doesn’t publish exact off-road angles though it’s capable.
Ultimately, if you’re seeking a dedicated off-roader, the Thar Roxx is your go-to choice, but for a well-rounded, family-friendly SUV with off-road capabilities, the Scorpio N offers a balanced option with a more versatile package. The Thar Roxx directly rivals the Force Gurkha 5-door and Maruti Jimny in pure off-road capability.
Braking Performance
The Thar Roxx showed its skills not only in the acceleration round but also during braking. It took 2.73 metres less than the Scorpio N from 100 kmph to a complete standstill. A similar distance was recorded when the Mahindra SUVs came to a standstill from 80 kmph, demonstrating the Thar Roxx’s superior braking capability.
Which Mahindra SUV Should You Choose?
Choose Mahindra Thar Roxx If
You want iconic Thar heritage in practical five-door form. Superior off-road capability with best approach angles matters. Modern premium interior with dual 10.25-inch screens appeals. Panoramic sunroof is a priority feature. The 9-speaker Harman/Kardon system provides better audio. Flat floor benefits middle rear passenger comfort. Better real-world acceleration despite lower torque. Superior braking performance provides confidence. Five-seater configuration suits your family size. You appreciate the distinctive Thar styling. Lower starting price of Rs 12.25 lakh appeals. The 100mm longer wheelbase provides better stability. You want the newest Mahindra offering with latest features.
Choose Mahindra Scorpio N If
You need 6 or 7-seater configuration for larger family. The 12-speaker Sony sound system appeals to audiophiles. Dual-zone climate control is important. More interior width provides better shoulder room. You prefer traditional SUV styling over iconic design. Third-row seating is essential for your needs. Higher torque of 400 Nm benefits towing and hauling. You want proven reliability with longer market presence. Better fuel efficiency of 15.42 kmpl matters. Easier ingress and egress for elderly passengers. The larger overall dimensions provide more commanding presence. You appreciate the Scorpio legacy and heritage.
The Final Verdict
Which car is best between Mahindra Scorpio N vs Mahindra Thar ROXX? Mahindra Scorpio N has out rated Mahindra Thar ROXX on all the rating factors according to some evaluations, though user preferences show 51% favor the Thar Roxx.
Both the Mahindra Thar Roxx and Scorpio N represent exceptional value in the adventure SUV segment. The Thar Roxx brings iconic off-road capability in a more practical, premium package that’s genuinely comfortable for daily use. The two 10.25-inch screens, panoramic sunroof, and superior braking make it the more modern, feature-rich choice. Its superior real-world acceleration despite lower torque demonstrates excellent engineering.
The Scorpio N provides unmatched versatility with 6/7-seater options, slightly better fuel efficiency, and more interior width. The third-row seating capability makes it ideal for larger families, while the proven reliability and longer market presence provide confidence. The 30 Nm torque advantage benefits towing and loaded driving.
As per the users experiences the Mahindra Scorpio N has better performance on some metrics, while the Thar Roxx excels in others. Visit Mahindra dealerships, test drive both SUVs extensively on-road and off-road, and honestly assess your priorities. If iconic styling, modern features, and dedicated off-road capability matter most, choose the Thar Roxx. If seating flexibility, proven reliability, and family versatility are priorities, select the Scorpio N. Either choice provides genuine adventure capability backed by Mahindra’s engineering excellence.
