Mahindra Thar Roxx Or Tata Curvv? You Decide

If you were to Google ‘August’, the search engine would reply with “respected and impressive” and that is exactly true for the upcoming month. Two homegrown brands are set to disrupt the SUV segment with a sports coupe and a true-bred off-roader. One has to be living under a rock to be unaware of the cars I am talking about. Now that you have read the headline again, Mr Rock, yes, I am talking about the Tata Curvv and the Mahindra Thar Roxx. Congratulations! We’re on the same page, pun intended. 

Tata Curvv or Mahindra Thar Roxx - Design Highlights

As established earlier, the Tata Curvv being a coupe SUV will boast a striking roofline towards the back and will be longer than the Nexon. The front fascia does look reminiscent of Tata’s current generation of cars with full-width LED DRLs and piano black touches all over. For distinction's sake, the Curvv EV gets a closed nose and chrome lines over the lower grille. Its eighteen-inch petal-shaped alloy wheels are larger than the Nexon’s 16 inchers as well. As per teasers, the Curvv could land with a panoramic sunroof, Level 2 ADAS and a 360-degree camera setup.

On the Mahindra side of things, the five-door is going to be the most loaded Thar ever. Simply put, it is an elongated Thar three-door that sits on a new platform and suspension borrowed from the Scorpio N. This body-on-frame architecture is known to offer a great balance between off-road stability and impressive handling over tarmac. With those details on paper, I am hooked already. But there’s more. Advanced Driver Assistance System, 360-degree surveillance, and a panoramic sunroof, reportedly, will be offered. Alloys you asked? Eighteen inches my friend, some of which are already on sale in the after-market domain. Let alone the Roxx, you can have them installed in your three-door to up your game.

Tata Curvv or Mahindra Thar Roxx - Interior Highlights

It's funny how equipment across vehicles is getting standard, while differentiation comes in the form of plastics used and dashboard design. Futuristic design is for Tata fanboys but practical cabin lovers fall in Mahindra’s camp. Let me simplify that for you. A dual digital display, wireless charging, automatic AC and steering-mounted controls are common features between the two. I do expect the Curvv to get ventilated seats with electric operability for movement. Then, Thar has two rows of seating, making it a family mover. Do note that this being a boxy SUV, boot space is expected to be on the higher side. 

Tata Curvv or Mahindra Thar Roxx - What’s under the hood?

This is where it gets really interesting. The ICE Curvvs get three engines - a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine from the Nexon making 118 bhp and 170 Nm, a new 1.2 TGDi block belting out 225 Nm, an increment of about 25% and a 1.5-litre diesel mill with 167 bhp and 280 Nm on the tap. The brand has yet to reveal the electric Curvv’s battery and motor specifications, but reports suggest that the maximum range would go up to 600 kilometres, and that’s impressive.

With the Thar Roxx, there will be three engines and two drive types. For the rear wheel drive Thar Roxx, we expect it to get the Thar’s 1.5-litre diesel block. Whereas, the Scorpio N’s turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines have a power output up to 150 bhp. Interestingly, all three engines have a peak torque of 300 Nm. 

Verdict

Even though both the Tata Curvv and Mahindra Thar Roxx are SUVs, they differ entirely in every aspect including body type, cabin features and powertrains. The former makes more sense if comfort and high performance are on top of your list. If reports are to be believed, Tata may launch the electric Curvv first. For someone who has a family of five members and seeks to travel across varying landscapes, the Thar Roxx fits the bill perfectly. Be it some serious offroading or city drives, the Mahindra SUV strikes the right balance for every type of driver.

Also read - Mahindra Thar Roxx Vs Scorpio Classic