What is a ROXOR? WHY Did I Replace my UTV?
ROXOR: 1947 Heritage with 2026 Technology!
The roots of the Roxor trace back to 1947. During World War II, many attributed the ultimate success of the Allied forces to superior logistics. Without question, much credit was given to the iconic Willys MB Jeep. (The trade name "Jeep" was actually derived from the original designation of "General Purpose" vehicle, which GI's quickly abbreviated to "Jeep"!)
The Roxor UTV shares body and frame features of the MB "Jeep"
Dwight Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, wrote in his memoirs that most senior officers regarded the MB Jeep as one of the five pieces of equipment most vital to success in Africa and Europe. General George Marshall, Chief of Staff of the US Army, called the vehicle "America's greatest contribution to modern warfare.
Following the war, economic recovery demanded a rugged and inexpensive utility vehicle in Asia. Willys-Overland, based in Toledo, Ohio granted an official license to the Mahindra Group to manufacture the MB "Jeep" in India. Over the decades since, Mahindra has manufactured various iterations of these vehicles for the Indian market, and currently distributes the "Thar" to both civilian and military markets.
The Roxor UTV is more Mahindra than "Jeep"!
The Willys MB Becomes the Roxor "UTV"
In the meantime, a new vehicle entered the U.S. market: the "utility vehicle", also commonly called the "side-by-side"
All terrain vehicles had been introduced in the 1970's. Motorcycle manufacturers first offered 3-wheeled models for off road use. These were quickly replaced with 4-wheeled versions - and were equally popular for completing chores on the farm as well as recreational riding and hunting.
It wasn't long before American tastes demanded something bigger, more comfortable, and more versatile - and the side-by-side was born. These wider and more powerful off road vehicles were designed for two (or four) people to ride in comfort, with seat belts, and roll-over protective cages.
The Mahindra Roxor - the MOST rugged UTV!
After building inexpensive and economical "Jeeps" for 70 years, in 2018 Mahindra entered the U.S. off road market with the Roxor "utility vehicle".
But the Roxor is unlike any work or sport utility vehicle on the market. It is very closely related to the original design of the Willys MB Jeep.
While other "UTVs" have a light frame and plastic body panels, the Mahindra Roxor is assembled with steel body panels over a boxed steel frame.
UTVs ride on soft tires designed for sand and mud but the Roxor is delivered with steel wheels and radial truck tires that can handle fields and farm roads. The Roxor is also equipped with power steering!
UTVs are powered by motorcycle engines from 500cc to 1000ccc but the Roxor is supplied with a 2.7-liter turbodiesel engine!
While UTVs operate with a light-duty CVT belt-drive, the Roxor manages the massive torque of the diesel engine through a conventional 5-speed transmission and a rugged 2-speed transfer case.
UTVs ride on light coil spring suspension designed for rough trails, connected to comparatively frail axles. But the Roxor relies on the proven solid axles and long leaf springs proven to be most durable over many decades of off road abuse and farming applications.
The Roxor currently has a tiny market share in the U.S. off road vehicle market. But the Roxor is backed by Mahindra LTD (and Mahindra Tractors USA) - which is the largest volume tractor manufacturer in the WORLD!
The Mahindra Roxor is powered by a modern, fuel-injected turbodiesel engine manufactured in India. It's a FAR cry from the original little "flat head" 4-cylinder motor in the original MB Jeep!
The Roxor body and frame still draw from the original designs from the 1940's. But safety features fully comply with current US off road vehicle standards.
The Roxor assembly is completed at a new 150,000-square-foot facility in Pontiac, Michigan - the first new OEM automotive plant to open in the Detroit area in nearly 30 years.
The Mahindra Roxor is in a class by itself: Jeep heritage with Mahindra tractor durability!
The rugged, modern Mahindra Roxor UTV
The Roxor is assembled and sold in the U.S. market as an off road utility vehicle.
Mahindra has intentionally NOT introduced the Roxor as a competitor to the Jeep brand. As an off-highway UTV, the Roxor is not street-legal and is not supplied with air bags, turn signals, or any of the hundreds of other specifications required by the National Traffic Safety Administration (NTSA) for street-legal passenger vehicles.
The Roxor is sold as an alternative to other off-highway utility and sport side-by-sides. The Roxor has steadily gained loyal owners who have sought a more powerful, rugged and versatile UTV in THREE categories: farming/ranching, industrial applications, and outdoor recreation. (See my reasons for replacing my "sport" UTV with the Roxor in the next article in this series.)
However, the introduction of the Roxor UTV did not go unchallenged by Jeep!
ROXOR Offroad was sued in 2020 by Stellantis (Jeep's parent company) because the initial design shared the same trade-marked grille, hood, and fenders as older Jeep models. In response, Mahindra returned to the drawing board and introduced a restyled, honeycomb-style grille and hood. Stellantis wasn't satisfied, but regulatory bodies ultimately cleared the Roxor to resume production and sales across the U.S.
In its current form, the Mahindra Roxor is a one-of-a-kind utility vehicle! The Roxor combines the nostalgia of the MB Jeep with the latest diesel technology, from the world's largest manufacturer.
The Roxor is NOT a Jeep! There is no other utility vehicle that offers the strong steel body and frame, rugged suspension, and powerful and economical Mahindra turbodiesel engine with a bullet-proof transmission and transfer case! *Note: because the Roxor is an "Off Road" vehicle, it has neither the emissions technologies or DEF requirements of on road diesels!
If this wasn't enough, Mahindra's manufacturing experience delivers the Roxor at a price that is THOUSANDS below lesser UTVs - through hundreds of dealers across the U.S.!
In this video, AYL TV compares the Roxor (in its original form with a smaller 2.5 L engine) with its inspiration, the original MB Jeep:
This article is Part One. In the next article I will start the transformation on my new Roxor into a capable overlanding vehicle, including the installation of a LONG list of accessories!
That is ANOTHER advantage of the Roxor UTV: the base vehicle is only the starting point! There are MANY modifications you can make to tailer the Roxor to your exact needs, whether for work or fun! In my case, I am transforming the base Roxor into a long-range overlanding UTV that will outlast at least TEN side-by-sides or ATVs!
What do you think? Would a Roxor meet your off road requirements. Or is a lighter, more nimble SXS a better match.
Please follow The Great Out There on Facebook and Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube - then leave your comments. Share with your friends. Subscribe to our channels for guaranteed access to future Great Out There content!!!
Recent Posts