Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition Launched: The “Stealth Mode” SUV You Wanted.

There is a lot of noise in the Indian car market today because the Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition launched on this Friday, January 23, 2026. It’s a great example of how much the segment has matured, especially since just a few years ago, the Thar was primarily valued for its ability to kick up massive amounts of mud. These days, the focus has shifted toward finding that same rugged and adventurous soul but giving it a polished “suit and tie” makeover for the daily commute.

It’s a clever way to keep the heritage alive while making the SUV feel right at home in a premium parking lot. This new Star Edition is exactly that. It’s a calculated move to grab the attention of the urban crowd who wants a “stealthy” look without spending lakhs at an aftermarket wrap shop.

The timing here is actually genius. The Roxx has been the talk of the town, winning almost every award it was nominated for, topped off by that huge ICOTY 2025 victory. But let’s be real: the original white interiors were a nightmare to keep clean in our dusty conditions. By bringing in this special edition, the manufacturer is showing they actually listen to the people complaining on Reddit and Team-BHP.

Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition Launched: A New Visual Identity

The initial thing that’s going to grab your focus is the color, specifically that new hero shade they are calling Citrine Yellow, that is incredibly bright and loud, making the SUV look like a piece of high-fashion art from a premium European catalog. It is a bold choice for sure, but if you aren’t quite brave enough for that yellow, don’t worry. You can still opt for the usual suspects such as Everest White, Stealth Black, and Tango Red, which all look great with the new blacked-out bits.

It is all about the “dark mode” look with this version, making it feel way more premium than the base trims. You get a sleek Piano Black front grille instead of the typical one, along with huge 19-inch blacked-out alloys that really give the car a solid stance on the road. To round it all off, they’ve tucked a “Star Edition” badge onto the C-pillar—it’s a small detail, but it’s definitely enough to give you some serious “limited edition” bragging rights.

The Cabin We Actually Wanted

Step inside and you’ll see the biggest win. With the Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition Launched, we finally get an all-black interior. This is a huge deal. The white upholstery in the standard trims looked great for the first five minutes, but after one Mumbai monsoon or a Delhi dust storm, it was game over.

Honestly, the black leatherette and suede combo is exactly what we needed. It feels way more premium and, let’s be real, it’s actually durable enough for our roads. We are glad they didn’t go full “goth” and kept the beige roof lining—it keeps things bright and welcoming so you don’t feel trapped in a dark box. The balance is spot on.

Features: More Than Just a Pretty Face

Even though this is mostly an “aesthetic” upgrade, it’s based on the high-spec AX7 L architecture, so it’s loaded with tech. You get the twin 10.25-inch screens—one for the driver and one for your music and maps.

Key features include:

• Harman Kardon Audio: A 9-speaker system with Quantum Logic. If you like your bass, this hits the spot.
• Ventilated Seats: Absolute life-savers in our climate.
• Panoramic Skyroof: You’ll love the panoramic skyroof as it is one of the largest in the segment, and it really succeeds at making the cabin feel twice as big and much more welcoming.
• 360-Degree Camera: Since visibility can be a bit limited in such a large SUV, these high-def camera angles are indispensable when you are squeezing into a tight mall parking spot at the end of the day.

Don’t forget that while the interior feels modern with its fancy screens and a 360-degree camera, the Star Edition does leave out the Level-2 ADAS suite found in the priciest models. This was almost certainly a cost-saving trade-off designed to keep the vehicle’s asking price from ballooning much higher than the average person wants to spend.

Drivetrain: Urban Performance Over Hardcore Off-Roading

Under that big hood, things remain unchanged—and that’s a good thing. The Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition Launched with the mStallion and mHawk engines we already know and trust. If you are a purist who lives for the trails, there is a bit of a reality check.

Since the Star Edition skips the 4×4 hardware, it’s a pavement-first machine. It’ll handle a dirt road fine, but if you’re eyeing a weekend of “hardcore” off-roading in the slush, look elsewhere in the Thar lineup.

By sticking with RWD, Mahindra is clearly chasing the “lifestyle” crowd—folks who want that massive road presence for the office commute but don’t plan on actually mud-plugging.

Safety: The 5-Star Foundation

Mahindra has been on a roll with safety lately. The Roxx is built on the M_GLYDE body-on-frame platform, which was engineered from day one to chase a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. Even without the ADAS, the Star Edition comes with a solid safety net:

• 6 Airbags as standard.
• Disc Brakes on all four wheels (no more drum brake worries).
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to keep those sudden highway swerves in check.
• ISOFIX mounts for those of us with toddlers in the back.

Market Positioning: The New Competition

Entering the market at ₹16.85 Lakh means it’s fighting for space with the Scorpio N and the Creta. However, those are built for the school run and mall trips; the Thar is built for the person who wants to look like they could drive over a mountain on their way to work. The Thar is an “emotion.”

Most people buying a Thar aren’t comparing spec sheets for rear legroom; they’re buying it because it makes them feel a certain way when they’re behind the wheel. The new blacked-out theme and that bold Citrine Yellow paint have finally allowed this model to pair the famous Thar grit with a high-end sense of street-side class.

Final Thoughts: Does the Star Edition Live Up to the Hype?

If you’ve been waiting for a Roxx that doesn’t have white seats and has a bit more “edge” to its design, then yes. It’s probably the most practical way to own a lifestyle SUV in India right now. It handles the city potholes with 190mm of clearance, looks mean in the rearview mirror of the car ahead of you, and won’t break the bank at the service center.

The lack of 4×4 might be a dealbreaker for about 5% of the buyers, but for the other 95% of us who spend our lives in city traffic, the Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition Launched at just the right time with just the right features.

FAQs – Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition launched

1: Will the Star Edition ever get a 4×4 option?

Nah, Mahindra is keeping this one strictly Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD). It’s definitely more about street style than mud-plugging.

2: What’s up with that new yellow color?

It’s called Citrine Yellow. Think of it as a super bright, high-energy shade that makes the SUV look way more “luxe” and less like a military vehicle.

3: Does it have all the ADAS safety tech?

Actually, no. They ditched the Level-2 ADAS for this trim, probably to keep the sticker price from getting completely out of hand.

4: Is the interior still that high-maintenance white?

Nope, they finally listened to the complaints. You get an all-black leatherette and suede setup that won’t look like a mess after one road trip.

5: What size are the wheels on this version?

It’s rolling on massive 19-inch alloys. They finished them in Piano Black to match the new “stealth” vibe of the exterior.

6: Are there any changes to the engine?

Nothing new under the hood. You still get the usual mStallion petrol and mHawk diesel engines that the Roxx is already famous for.

7: How do you actually tell it’s a Star Edition?

The dead giveaways are the Piano Black front grille and the “Star Edition” badge tucked away on the C-pillar.

8: Is the panoramic sunroof still included?

Yeah, you still get that huge “Skyroof.” It’s a massive piece of glass that basically makes the cabin feel twice as big.

9: What’s the damage to the wallet for this one?

Prices start at ₹16.85 Lakh for the diesel manual. If you want the automatic petrol, you’re looking at ₹17.85 Lakh.

10: Is it safe for a family car?

For sure. It’s built on a 5-star rated platform and comes loaded with 6 airbags, disc brakes on all four corners, and ESP.

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