Mahindra Thar Roxx 5 Door vs Kia Seltos: Should You Pick The Lifestyle Off-roader Over The Family-friendly Compact SUV?

The 5-door Thar Roxx is Mahindra’s newest launch on our shores, and with the extra set of doors, the Thar is now more than just an off-roader. Apart from its well-known off-roading capabilities and rugged nature, it’s also more premium now and comes loaded to the brim with features, making it an option to consider if you are in the market looking for a new SUV. 

Another option for you can be the Kia Seltos, which is a stalwart of the compact SUV space. So, in this article, we have compared it with the new 5-door Thar Roxx to give you a detailed understanding of what these two SUVs come packing with and which one would be the right choice for you: 

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Kia Seltos: Price

* Introductory price 

The Kia Seltos is around Rs 2 lakh more affordable for the base variant, while there is hardly any difference for the prices of the top-spec variants of both these SUVs. Do note that prices for the Thar Roxx 4x4 variants have not been announced yet, and those variants are expected to be priced at a premium of around Rs 2-3 lakh. 

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Kia Seltos: Dimensions

Quite evidently, the Thar Roxx in its elongated version is the larger SUV when compared to the Seltos. The Thar has the greater length, width, height, as well as wheelbase. As a result, the Seltos can’t keep up in terms of size and road presence, but its compact dimensions will make it easier for you to drive on a daily basis. 

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Kia Seltos: Features 

In terms of creature comforts and niceties, both SUVs have a long list of premium features that will make living with the car a very enjoyable experience. However, the Kia takes the point here as it gets a few extra features such as a dual-zone climate control and a heads-up display. That being said, the Thar Roxx gets an extra speaker over the Seltos. 

In terms of safety, both SUVs are well-equipped with features such as 6 airbags, a 360-degree camera and a host of level-2 ADAS features. 

Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Kia Seltos: Powertrains

As seen in the table above, the Thar Roxx produces more output and also offers larger engines. The Seltos on the other hand, offers multiple transmission combinations, including a 6-speed iMT for those who want the control of a manual and the convenience of an automatic gearbox. 

The Thar Roxx being an off-roader is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-drive wheel options, while the Seltos is a front-wheel drive SUV. 

Verdict 

Both Thar Roxx and Seltos are SUVs with different demeanors and cater to a different set of buyers. However, both these SUVs are well-packaged and you won’t go wrong with either of them.

The Thar Roxx should be your next buy if you are looking to make a statement and want an SUV with a superior road presence compared to your conventional compact SUVs. Being an off-roader it will also be more capable over unpaved roads and will take you to places that the Seltos can’t. 

However, the Seltos can be your pick, if you are in the market for something that provides more comfort and is better suited for a family of five members. With its multiple powertrain options, there will be an engine and transmission option for everyone’s needs. Compared to the Thar Roxx, it will also be easier to drive in city conditions, while offering you an overall smoother ride in day-to-day conditions. 

While the Thor Roxx is a blend of an off-road capable and premium family SUV, the Seltos has no business being an off-roader but does a rather good job in being the latter. The ultimate decision depends on your use case, so let us know your thoughts about these two SUVs in the comments below.