Mahindra Thar Roxx Vs Force Gurkha 5-Door

If you asked me which SUV was a worthy competitor to the upcoming Mahindra Thar Roxx, I would pick the Gurkha five-door from our homegrown brand, Force Motors. From its boxy SUV design, offroading capabilities, range of engine types and tried-and-tested platform, the incumbent Gurkha is a direct rival and will possibly dent the sales of the Thar Roxx. 

According to media reports, the SUVs will sport a lot of similar technical specifications but a distinction has to be drawn on key aspects that we have covered in this comparison. 

Design and Build

The Mahindra Thar Roxx has a body-on-frame architecture for enhanced off-roading capabilities. Further, ABS with EBD complement the safety aspect. The suspension system which consists of independent coil suspensions (front) and a multi-link coil suspension (rear) is aimed at improving the comfort of a ride and at the same time, off-road capability. The SUV boasts 255/65 all-terrain tyres which are further bolstered by the 18-inch alloy wheels.

On the other hand, the Force Gurkha 5-door features a serious off-road apparatus by way of a solid ladder-frame chassis and snorkel air intake. It has a provision of the differential lock at the front and rear axles to have maximum traction even in off-road areas. The Gurkha 5-door comes with 245/70 R16 tyres that increase the vehicle's off-road traction as well as its overall robustness.

Engine and Performance 

Apart from a 1.5-litre diesel (for RWD) and 2.0-litre petrol engine, the Thar five-door is expected to arrive with a 2.2-litre diesel engine that powers the Scorpio N making 172 horsepower and 400 Nm torque. For transmission duties, it is expected to get a six-speed manual close ratio gearbox and a six-speed torque converter automatic as well. The Thar Roxx will be equipped with a 4WD low-range transfer case to have a better grip on rough terrains.

On the other hand, the Force Gurkha 5-door has a 2.6-litre BS6-compliant diesel mill making 138 bhp and 320 Nm torque mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and comes with a 4WD system with high and low-range gears. The approach angle indications show that the Gurkha five-door has an approach angle of 44 degrees, a departure angle of 40 degrees and a ground clearance of 205 mm to help in off-road handling. Notably, there is no petrol engine or automatic transmission on offer with the Gurkha siblings.

Interior and Features

The cabin of the Mahindra Thar Roxx carries refined luxury and boasts a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, climate control and steering-mounted controls. It is also reported to get Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), a panoramic sunroof and a centre armrest at the front and back. Overall, its cabin experience will be much more plusher than its Force rival.

On the other hand, there is more functionality in the Force Gurkha 5-door with simple interior elements, hard plastic materials on the buttons, etc. There’s a nine-inch The cabin does look and feel outdated and the rudimentary approach prevails throughout. Gurkha five-door can accommodate up to seven people and is suitable for big groups or families who are interested in performing adventure activities. 

Off-Road Capability

In terms of approach and departure angle, the Mahindra Thar nameplate boasts some of the best figures and along with traction control, it will comfortably move over any incline or off-road track. Its electronic stability program (ESP) as well as hill decent control system helps its off-road handling by assisting in managing stability in unstable conditions. 

Likewise, Force has improved its ground clearance which now measures 233 millimetres, making it a highly capable off-road vehicle. The front and rear differential locks, in addition to the snorkel (segment first) for deep water wading, speak volumes of the off-road preconception of the vehicle. It also features extremely durable suspension and reinforced body design, which has been extensively put to the test on our Indian roads.

Also read - Mahindra Thar 5 Door vs Scorpio N - Comparison