If you are an adventure lover and off-roading enthusiast who dreams of conquering mountains, muddy trails, or rocky rivers, but is confused between which rugged SUV to buy between Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar Roxx, then lets break down the facts and figures to understand the key difference.
Both SUVs are made for adventure, but they are meant to serve very different types of drivers. While the Force Gurkha is a more rugged, climb or go anywhere off-roader, the Mahindra Thar Roxx on the other hand blends that off-road spirit with everyday comfort and technology. Lets have a look at more details:-
Price
The Force Gurkha starts at Rs 15.95 lakh (ex-showroom) which is slightly more expensive, while the Mahindra Thar Roxx begins at Rs 12.25 lakh (ex-showroom).
Off-Road Capabilities
Both the SUVs are developed keeping rough terrains as priority, but they approach it differently.
- Force Gurkha: This one is known as the mountain goat as it comes with manual front and rear differential locks which gives the driver total control over grip that is something hardcore off-roaders feature. It has 700mm water wading capacity with built-in snorkel, it can literally drive through flooded trails.
- Mahindra Thar Roxx: While this one is not far behind, the Roxx uses a more technology-driven approach with features like CrawlSmart and Intelli-Turn Assist which makes it easier for beginners to handle tricky spots. It has 650mm water wading ability and strong ground clearance that ensure it is no slouch off the road.
Engine and Performance
- Gurkha: This is equipped with a 2.6L diesel engine that makes 140PS and 320Nm of torque which makes it tough and dependable but only comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox, there is no automatic option yet. Though it feels powerful but a bit trucky on highways.
- Thar Roxx: Offers more choices like a 2.2L diesel engine which produces 175PS and 370Nm torque and a 2.0L turbo petrol which produces 174PS. Mahindra also offers manual and automatic transmissions which makes it better suited for both city drives and long highway trips. This one is more smoother, faster and refined.
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Interiors and Features
- Force Gurkha: This one is simple, strong and is built for long durability. It gets a 9-inch touchscreen, speed-sensing locks, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). This rugged SUV focuses more on function than luxury.
- Mahindra Thar Roxx: Getting into this one feels like stepping into a tech-savvy SUV. You get dual 10.25-inch digital displays, ventilated seats, a sunroof, and even built-in Alexa as it is designed for those who want comfort along with capability and a pinch of luxury.
Safety
- Gurkha is equipped with dual airbags and basic safety aids.
- Thar Roxx on the other hand offers 6 airbags, a 360-degree camera, all-around disc brakes, and even Level 2 ADAS for semi-autonomous driving features which making it far more advanced in this area.
Which One Should You Pick?
- Choose Force Gurkha if you are a hardcore off-roader who needs mechanical strength, simplicity, and old-school charm as this one is built to survive anything and everything.
- Pick the Mahindra Thar Roxx if you need off-road power with on-road comfort as it is more refined, more feature-loaded and is better suited for daily life.