Mahindra Roxor Top Speed
— Putting it through UTV Action's tough trail test loop —
Our first test drive of the Mahindra $14,999 Roxor took place at a dealer event in Texas. Needless to say, the trails weren't much more than a course laid out in a field and a small woods section. Once production machines hit dealers, we had a Mahindra rep meet us out in one of favorite test grounds for a real trail ride. Our "trail" is a 50-mile loop starting from the desert floor that crosses over an 11,000-foot peak, with hill-climbs, sand washes, rocks and water crossings thrown in the mix. It's a perfect all-encompassing test for any recreational utility machine such as the Roxor.
TEST DRIVE
Our test started out on a long, graded road where we quickly found the maximum speed of the Roxor topping out at 45 mph. We actually didn't need to go past third gear to get there. We expect the aftermarket to bypass that speed limiter any day. You can tell the machine is capable of hitting upwards of 70 mph while still maintaining stability. The Roxor has a five-speed transmission with a low-range transfer case, giving you five more granny gears. Of course, reverse is included as well. The clutch pedal on the floor is light and easy to operate. Shifting was super smooth. The little diesel is torquey, so you could actually leave it in a gear high going around a corner or slowing down for a bump and it would pull itself right back up to speed. You don't really feel the turbo spool up; it's a very linear power band. It doesn't sound or smell like a typical diesel, either.
Once the trail turned a little rough, we backed off from the speed limiter. The little rig did surprisingly well over bumps. Driving a straight-axle machine verses something with A-arms is a different experience. The Roxor is a lot more planted, and you feel the contours of the road more, so line choices and checking up approaching bigger bumps are more of an issue; however, it's all relative to how fast you are going, what machine you are in and how big the bumps are. So, basically, when you drive the Roxor, you get into a slower mindset and you can enjoy your surroundings more than you do in a typical UTV.
We were enjoying our ride, and when the trail started up a steep hill, we dropped the Roxor into low range. This made time between shifts a little quicker, and if we had to crawl over any rocks, very little throttle input was needed thanks to the engine's 144 pound-feet of torque. Top speed was still 45 mph in low range. In the really tight sections, the Roxor drove great. Hydraulic power steering helped make the large wheel a pleasure to control. We wouldn't ask for any changes in that department.
HIGH ALTITUDE
There was no loss of power at high altitude. The Roxor kept cruising along smoothly, even when we reached the higher elevations of the day. The fuel-injected turbo power plant didn't miss a beat. Thanks to a 12-gallon tank and 150-plus-mile range, we had no reservations about exploring. We scouted more trails on this day-long test than we had ever done on any UTV before. The Roxor is very confidence inspiring. Even when miles from civilization, you can relax because it feels very durable. As our test ride was on the downhill stretch, we encountered a rock obstacle that did put the Roxor to the test. It was a boulder pile blocking the road that we had no choice but to go over. Then we remembered, the Roxor does not have locking differentials.
In 85 percent of off-road situations, the limited slip diffs are fine, but not in extreme challenges. We tried to clear the rocks by crawling over them a handful of times. We would get about halfway up and one of the tires in the front or rear would break loose and stop our forward motion. In the end, we had to spend a few minutes piling rocks and making a ramp over the obstacle. During our bonsai move over the rocks, we dented one fender, but the soft metal easily bent back into shape.
On the descent down the mountain, we were able to test the brakes to their fullest, and they worked flawlessly. The front hydraulic disc and rear drums did a great job controlling the 3000-plus-pound machine down the hills. Again, the hydraulic power steering was as smooth as any EPS unit we have used and never gave us any trouble.
RATS, RUST AND REGULATIONS
So, we keep asking ourselves, why wouldn't you just buy a used JEEP instead of the Roxor? Well, with the Roxor, you are getting a brand-new machine. Its turbo diesel is actually capable of pulling the 3000-pound unit around much better than a decades-old Jeep motor. There is no rust under a brand-new Roxor, and you are guaranteed there have been no rats chewing on the wiring, as might be the case with an old Jeep that has been sitting around. Having the reliability of a new machine gives you peace of mind, making any trip much better. Licensing and insuring an older street-legal Jeep is expensive. Maintaining a decades-old vehicle, especially one driven exclusively off road, takes a lot of extra time that we would rather use exploring planet Earth in a new Roxor.
CUSTOMIZE
Mahindra recently announced the company has partnered with key American-based aftermarket manufacturers to offer an array of new accessories, including a Warn winch, AGM battery, HD bumper, Bestop hard or bikini soft top, KC Hi-Lites light bar, Kolpin rear-view and side mirrors, Kolpin grab handles, aluminum wheels with more BFGoodrich tires and Ox-brand locking differentials (this makes us happy).
"Every driver needs something different from the Roxor, and we are giving them the options they want to customize it for their application," said Vice President of Marketing for Mahindra Automotive North America Rich Ansell. "We're also able to offer more than 400 different colors and custom wraps to give the Roxor owner tremendous choice." Additional accessories are under development, including a snow plow and cabin enclosure at the company's Auburn Hills, Michigan, facility.
BUY IT?
There are 300 U.S. dealers, and the company has just begun setting up new dealers in Canada as well. It's not a Wrangler, or even a Ranger; it's not a Pioneer, either, or even a Mule. Mahindra does sell those types of 750cc–1000cc gas and diesel UTVs starting at $11,994 at www.mahindra
usa.com; however, the Roxor is a solid, well-built product that will turn heads and put a smile on your face. If you want something unique that has a bit of history and the durability of an all-steel frame and body along with diesel power, the Mahindra Roxor is just that. Seeing how the company is growing the brand and how well it has been received by the aftermarket, the Roxor should make you happy too.
SPECS:
2019 MAHINDRA ROXOR
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
Engine type Liquid-cooled, 4-cylinder, turbo diesel
Displacement 2500cc
Bore x stroke 88.9mmx101.6mm
Compression ratio 18.6:1
Additional cooling Auto fan
Induction Direct injection
Starting/back-up Electric/none
Starting procedure Turn ignition switch w/brake on
Air filter:
Type Paper pleat
Access Tool less
Transmission Dual-range 5 Speed manual
Reverse procedure Move range selector to "R" down, right
Drive system Selectable 2WD/4WD w/ no lock
Final drives Shafts
DIMENSIONS/CAPACITIES/WEIGHTS
Fuel capacity 12 gal.
Wheelbase 96"
Overall length/width/height 148"/62"/75"
Ground clearance 9"
Claimed curb weight 3035 lb.
Bed weight limit 349 lb.
Hitch Clamp
Towing limit 3490 lb.
ROLLING CHASSIS
Frame Boxed steel
Suspension/wheel travel:
Front Solid axle/9"
Rear Solid axle /9"
Brakes/actuation:
Front Hydraulic discs/left-side pedal
Rear Drums/ left-side pedal
Parking Lever on console
Tires:
Front 235/70-16 BFG
Rear 235/70-16 BFG
ELECTRICAL
DC outlet Console
Lighting:
Front 2 LED hi/lo headlights
Rear Dual brake/taillights
DETAILS
Instrumentation Speed/odo/rpm/fuel/2WD-4WD
Colors Black, white, orange, blue, grey, tan
Minimum recommended operator age 16
Starting retail price $14,999
Contact (800) 292-0733, www.roxoroffroad.com
Source: https://utvactionmag.com/second-test-mahindra-roxor/
