Mahindra Thar ROXX Achieves Highest Bharat NCAP Score Among Petrol And Diesel Cars Sold In India

The Thar ROXX is in high demand, and bookings are soaring across the country. With its competitive pricing and wise packaging, the SUV packs ample value. Further adding to its hype and appeal, Mahindra has now revealed the Bharat NCAP (BNCAP) crash test results of the ROXX. It scored five stars and achieved the highest score among petrol and diesel cars sold in India.

The program tested two variants of the ROXX- the MX3 and AX5L. Mahindra offers a wide range of safety features on the ROXX and comes with a solid build. The suite consists of standard features like six airbags, three-point seatbelts for all passengers, electronic stability control (ESC), and seatbelt reminders. Additionally, the top-spec gets Level 2 ADAS. The autonomous features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and a 360-degree surround view system with a blind view monitor.

It scored 31.09 points out of 32 in adult occupant protection (AOP)- the second-highest AOP score achieved yet in Bharat NCAP tests. The highest is the 31.46/32 points scored by Tata Punch. For adults, good protection was offered to the head and neck. The protection offered to the chest and knee was adequate.

In the frontal offset deformable barrier test, the SUV scored 15.09 out of 16.00 and in the side movable deformable barrier test, it scored 16.00 out of 16.00. The side pole test had it rated OK. The SUV even complies with AIS-100 pedestrian protection norms and ESC test requirements. It has also become the first ladder-on-frame SUV to be tested by BNCAP.

Usually when vehicles are tested by Globall NCAP, it specifies if the body shell is stable under impact and able to withstand further loading. In the BNCAP test, however, no such information has been made public.

In child protection, it scored 45 out of 49 points, same as the Punch EV. This also is the highest scores yet, in BNCAP evaluation. The ROXX scored full marks in the dynamic test (24/24) and the CRS installation test (12/12). In the vehicle assessment test, 9 out of 13 points were achieved. Both 18-month-old and 3-year-old child dummies were tested. Even in the case of child occupant protection, the BNCAP results aren’t as detailed or comprehensive as the GNCAP results.

The ROXX is available with both petrol and diesel engine options. The diesel version is powered by a 2.2 liter-4 cylinder mHawk unit that makes 150 Bhp-330 Nm, while the petrol gets a 200 hp mStallion turbocharged petrol engine. 4WD is not standard across variants. It is available only upwards of the mid-spec and as an option. The 4WD variants come with terrain response and dedicated Smart Crawl features as well.

Mahindra has based the five-door Thar on its new-age M-GLYDE platform. It offers a likeable balance between ride quality and vehicle dynamics. The SUV comes with FSD and other modern suspension technologies. This platform stands similar to the one on the Scorpio-N to some extent, but is, in fact, a generation ahead.

The ROXX has an attractive launch price and packs ample value. The strategy seems to have worked out well. The carmaker is, however, facing difficulties with deliveries. The ROXX currently commands waiting periods of up to 18 months in many areas, with launch timelines stretching to 2026. Mahindra plans to put a check on this, by increasing the production early next year.