Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Tata Safari – What To Buy for Rs 20 Lakh?

Both these similarly priced variants are available with turbo diesel engines and automatic transmission options.

In this post, we are comparing the Mahindra Thar Roxx AX7L RWD diesel automatic and the Tata Safari Pure Plus diesel automatic trims. Both these are almost similarly priced. Hence, everything depends on your personal preference because these two serve distinct purposes. In fact, the very nature of these two products is unique. The newly launched Mahindra Thar Roxx is designed as a thorough off-roading SUV. It is taking forward the legacy of the regular Thar of being a capable adventure companion with added practicality and comfort. On the other hand, the Safari is the flagship SUV from Tata Motors. It caters to the urban dwellers who want comfort and convenience over everything else. One thing is for sure, both these have imposing road presence. Let us delve deep into this comparison.

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Tata Safari – Price Comparison

Since we are comparing the models around the Rs 20 lakh mark, I have chosen to go with the AX7L RWD diesel automatic for the Thar Roxx and Pure Plus diesel automatic of the Safari. It was easy to find similarly-priced trims of these SUVs since there is a huge price overlap between these two cars. However, I must mention that the prices of the 4×4 variants of the Thar Roxx have not been announced yet. We will get to know the full picture once we have those. For now, these are the two trims we are going with.

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Tata Safari – Specs Comparison

In this regard, the Mahindra Thar Roxx offers multiple powertrain and transmission combination options. On the other hand, the Tata Safari comes with a sole mill. Hence, in general, the Thar Roxx will have the upper hand if you want to compare the two SUV overall. You will definitely find more options with the Thar Roxx. In the AX7L guise, the off-roading SUV gets a 2.2-litre mHawk turbo diesel engine which generates a decent 152 PS / 330 Nm with the 6-speed manual or 175 PS / 370 Nm of peak power and torque with the 6-speed automatic. As I mentioned previously, at present, the details of the prices of the 4×4 trims are not available.

On the other hand, Tata Motors has been powering its big SUVs with the Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine for a long time. It produces a handy 170 PS and 350 Nm of peak power and torque. Note that both Harrier and Safari use this same mill. There are options of choosing between either a 6-speed manual or an automatic transmission. For our comparison, we are choosing the automatic versions of both these SUVs with diesel engines.

Dimensions Comparison

Between these two, the Safari is definitely the larger SUV. In addition to that, Safari offers a 7-seat arrangement which a lot of people prefer due to enhanced practicality. However, that eats into the boot space. On the other hand, even Mahindra has enhanced the practicality of the Thar Roxx in comparison to the regular Thar. In fact, it has an even longer wheelbase than the Safari. Here is a comparison of the dimensions of the two cars:

Features Comparison

This has to be the most important criterion for a whole bunch of population. We know that modern cars have become gadgets and people like to have all sorts of tech, convenience, safety and connectivity amenities in their vehicles. That is exactly what both Mahindra and Tata Motors offer in their products. First of all, let us dive into the specifications of the Mahindra Thar Roxx AX7L diesel automatic trim:

• 10.25-inch HD Touchscreen Infotainment Display
• Adrenox Connected Car Tech
• Alexa Built-in
• Gen ll Adventure Statistics
• 6-speaker Audio System
• 10.25-inch Digital Instrument Cluster
• Wireless Charging
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Wireless Android Auto
• Electric Park Brake with Auto Hold
• Level 2 ADAS Active Safety Features
• 18-inch Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels
• Single Pane Sunroof
• LED Lighting Overall
• Leatherette Upholstery
• Leather Wrap on Steering Wheel
• Acoustic Windshield
• Footwell Lighting
• Cruise Control
• Electrically Adjustable ORVMs
• Rear Wiper, Washer and Defogger
• 65-Watt USB-C Port
• Driver’s Seat Height Adjustment
• Sliding Armrest
• Rear Seat Armrest with Cup Holder
• Fully Automatic Climate Control
• 6 Airbags
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Rear Camera
• 6-way Powered Driver’s Seat
• Front Ventilated Seats
• Large Panoramic Skyroof
• Electrically Adjustable and Folding ORVMs
• Cooled Glove Box
• Leatherette Wrap on Door Trims + IP
• 9-speaker Harman Kardon Premium Audio System
• Front View Camera
• Blind View Monitor
• Surround View Camera
• 19-inch Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels

On the other hand, the Tata Safari Pure Plus diesel automatic variant offers:

• 10.25-inch Digital Instrument Cluster
• 10.25-inch Harman Infotainment Display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 6-speaker Audio System
• Rear View Camera
• 250+ Native Voice Commands
• OTA Updates
• Front 45W Type-C Fast Charger
• Boss Mode
• Smart Key with Push-Button Start (PEPS)
• Height Adjustable Driver’s Seat
• Multiple Drive Modes (Eco, City and Sport)
• Terrain Response Modes (Normal, Rough and Wet)
• Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
• Smart E-Shifter
• Paddle Shifters
• 3rd Row AC Vents
• Electrically Adjustable and Foldable ORVMs
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
• Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel with Illuminated Logo
• 6 Airbags
• ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts
• Hill Hold Control
• Corner Stability Control
• Height Adjustable Seatbelts and Front Passengers
• 3-point Seatbelt with Reminder for All Seats
• Brake Disc Wiping
• All Four Disc Brakes

Our View

Now both these might seem compelling propositions for a whole lot of buyers. However, there is one key factor on which your decision will rely – application. Both these are inherently different in terms of what they offer. For instance, the Mahindra Thar Roxx is a moniker which is highly revered among the off-roading community. Thar has been around for years now and is the most successful off-roader in India. The Thar Roxx takes things a notch higher by offering the latest tech and convenience amenities along with a much-extended wheelbase. This ensures that you can take your families along for off-roading adventures without compromising on boot space and practicality. With the Thar Roxx, Mahindra has even altered its mechanicals and powertrains to ensure that they suit the 5-door version.

On the other hand, the Tata Safari is designed for city dwellers. It has a monocoque chassis which is great for highway runs and urban usage. It is not as sturdy or tough as the ladder-frame chassis of the Thar Roxx. On top of that, the Indian auto giant still doesn’t offer an all-wheel-drive or 4×4 configuration with the Safari. That is a huge miss, especially with the competitors like the Mahindra XUV700. People have been demanding the all-wheel-drive version of the Safari for a while now. Not just that, the Safari doesn’t even get a petrol variant which is a shame. In any case, you need to prioritize your application and usage before deciding to opt for any of these.

Also Read: Mahindra Thar Roxx vs XUV700 Comparison – As Different As They Get?