2026 Mahindra Thar Roxx Spied Testing – 1.5 L Diesel Planned?

Mahindra Thar Roxx May Get New Engine

Mahindra Auto continues to lead the off-road SUV segment in India with its ladder frame vehicles. The company faces little direct competition in terms of sales and popularity. Recently, new monocoque SUVs have entered the market, but they do not directly rival Mahindra’s offerings in construction or appeal.

Key Highlights

• Mahindra Auto continues to lead the off-road SUV segment in India with its ladder frame vehicles.
• The company faces little direct competition in terms of sales and popularity.
• Recently, new monocoque SUVs have entered the market, but they do not directly rival Mahindra’s offerings in construction or appeal.
• Reports suggest Mahindra is developing the 2026 Thar Roxx with a possible new engine option.

Reports suggest Mahindra is developing the 2026 Thar Roxx with a possible new engine option. Test mules have been seen on roads, fueling speculation about upcoming changes. The Thar Roxx currently offers two engines: a 2.0L Turbo Petrol and a 2.2L Turbo Diesel. Both engines are also available in the three-door Thar model.

Potential Launch of 1.5L Diesel Variant

The three-door Thar offers a third engine, the 1.5L Turbo Diesel, which is not yet available in the Thar Roxx. Industry sources believe Mahindra may soon introduce the Thar Roxx 1.5D variant. This move could create a new base variant at a lower price point and expand the range of available trims.

Currently, the Thar Roxx starts at Rs 12.39 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base MX1 2.0 Petrol MT 2WD variant. If Mahindra launches the Thar Roxx 1.5 Diesel MT, the entry price could drop below the current base variant. This would make the vehicle more accessible to a wider range of buyers.

Possible New Trim Level Spotted

Recent spy images from Chennai show a Thar Roxx test mule with a single-pane sunroof and 19-inch alloy wheels. At present, 19-inch alloy wheels are available only with the AX7L and the Star Edition trims, both of which feature a panoramic sunroof. The combination of a single-pane sunroof and 19-inch wheels suggests Mahindra may introduce a new trim, possibly named AX7, positioned between the AX5L and AX7L.

Mahindra has not officially confirmed plans for a new AX7 trim or the addition of the 1.5L Diesel engine to the Thar Roxx lineup. However, the appearance of these test vehicles indicates the company is exploring options to maintain its market lead and offer more choices to customers.