The 2026 Mahindra ROXOR HD is a surprisingly capable and charming turbo-diesel utility vehicle. It’s powered by a tractor-sourced turbo-diesel engine. It has a 5-speed manual transmission that is the easiest ever to drive. It has low-range 4WD transfer case and low-geared solid axles front and rear. I take it into “Andre’s Pit” at the ranch for a first drive. Let’s dig in!
The ROXOR HD looks like an old-school flat fender Jeep “CJ”, but the Mahindra’s design agreement actually dates back to 1947 when the company licensed the design from Willys-Overland to be produced in India. Willys-Overland trademarked the Jeep brand in 1950.
Still, the question comes up. Is the ROXOR HD better than a Jeep? I want to explore this question in the coming weeks. This new 2026 ROXOR model is powered by a 2.7-liter turbo-diesel I4 engine that is rated at 55 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque. That’s not a lot of power for an engine this size, but it has the gearing to get most jobs done with ease. The engine is certified as a tier-4 emissions unit, so it does not have DEF system.
The 5-speed manual transmission sends the power to the rear axle that has a 5.38-to-1 differential. The 4×4 transfer case is a gear-driven unit. This powertrain feel tough and very easy to operate. I tried to put into a situation where the engine stalls, but the ROXOR HD refused to stop or to stall.
The latest ROXOR HD has a 1,525 lbs payload and a towing rating of up to 3,500 lbs. The frame, bumpers, and body are all steel. The ROXOR HD has a curb weight of around 4,000 lbs. It has a 16-gallon diesel tank, so it can operate a long time on a single fill-up.
The ROXOR HD has a 96-inch wheelbase, which is a little shorter than a new 2-door JL Jeep Wrangler.
It’s not all amazing. The ROXOR HD’s leaf springs are designed to carry a heavy payload. When unladen, the ride is not the most comfortable. This machine wants to be loaded and it wants to do some work. It also means that it does not offer a lot of suspension articulation. Mahindra does not offer an optional locking differential for the ROXOR HD. It requires an old-school driving style to get over some harder off-road obstacles.
Please join me in the video below for the first drive.
