Indian Car Comparison Tool
Tata Nexon EV
The only Indian-made vehicle you can legally drive on US roads without modifications.
Mahindra Roxor
Designed for off-road work and recreation, classified as an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV).
Which One Is Right For You?
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Recommendation
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Key Differences
Most people assume Indian cars don’t exist in the United States. If you’ve ever seen a Tata or Mahindra on a U.S. highway, you’ve probably done a double-take. The truth? A handful of Indian-made vehicles are legally sold in the U.S.-but not the ones you might think.
Only Two Indian Brands Sell Cars in the U.S.
As of 2026, only two Indian automakers have official sales channels in the United States: Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra. Neither sells sedans or compact hatchbacks like the Tata Nano or Maruti Suzuki Alto. Instead, they focus on vehicles that fit U.S. consumer preferences: rugged, high-clearance SUVs built for off-road use and family hauling.
Tata entered the U.S. market in 2020 with the Tata Nexon is a compact electric SUV designed for urban driving and affordable EV ownership. Also known as Tata Nexon EV, it was first launched in India in 2020 and began U.S. deliveries in late 2023 after meeting federal safety and emissions standards. The Nexon EV is priced around $28,500 before incentives. It has a 30.2 kWh battery, delivers 280 km of range on a single charge, and comes with a 7-year/150,000 km warranty-longer than most U.S. EVs offer.
Mahindra’s entry came earlier, in 2019, with the Mahindra Roxor is a side-by-side utility vehicle built for off-road work and recreation, not street use. Also known as Mahindra Roxor 2020, it was designed to compete with Polaris RZR and Yamaha Wolverine models. The Roxor isn’t a street-legal car. It’s classified as an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV), so it can’t be driven on public roads without modifications. But it’s popular among farmers, ranchers, and off-road clubs in rural states like Texas, Colorado, and Montana.
Why Don’t More Indian Cars Come to the U.S.?
It’s not that Indian automakers lack ambition. It’s that the U.S. market has brutal standards. To sell a car here, manufacturers must meet:
- Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions rules
- Department of Transportation (DOT) crash testing
- California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements
These aren’t suggestions-they’re expensive, time-consuming, and technically complex. For example, the Tata Tiago, a best-selling hatchback in India, would need over $20 million in redesign and testing to meet U.S. side-impact standards. Most Indian automakers don’t have the scale to justify that cost.
Also, U.S. buyers expect features Indian cars rarely include: blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and advanced airbag systems. Indian models often skip these to keep prices low. That’s fine in India, where the average car costs under $10,000. In the U.S., even budget EVs start at $25,000-and buyers expect tech to match.
The Roxor: A Work Vehicle, Not a Commuter
Many assume the Mahindra Roxor is a car. It’s not. It’s a two-door, four-wheel-drive utility vehicle built on a truck chassis with a 2.5L diesel engine. It doesn’t have airbags, ABS, or a rearview camera. It has a roll cage, high ground clearance, and a 1,500-pound towing capacity.
It’s sold through Mahindra’s U.S. dealer network as a non-road vehicle. You can drive it on private property, trails, and farm roads-but not on highways or city streets unless your state allows OHV conversions. States like Arizona and Utah have relaxed rules for OHVs, so the Roxor thrives there. In California? Forget it.
Still, it’s the only Indian-built vehicle with a nationwide U.S. sales footprint. Over 12,000 units were sold between 2019 and 2025, mostly to construction crews, ranchers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The Tata Nexon EV: The Real Contender
The Nexon EV is the only Indian-made car you can legally drive on U.S. roads without modification. It’s not a luxury vehicle. It doesn’t have a panoramic roof or leather seats. But it has something better: reliability and value.
It uses a 30.2 kWh lithium-ion battery from Tata’s in-house cell factory. Charging from 10% to 80% takes 50 minutes on a DC fast charger. The motor delivers 129 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque-enough to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds. That’s faster than a Nissan Leaf and close to a Hyundai Kona Electric.
Its biggest advantage? Warranty. Tata offers a 7-year or 150,000 km warranty on the battery and motor. Most U.S. EV makers offer 8 years but only for 100,000 miles. Tata’s coverage is longer in both time and distance.
It’s also built in India at Tata’s Pune plant. That means lower shipping costs than European or Korean EVs. Tata sells it through select dealerships in California, New York, Texas, and Washington. It’s not everywhere-but it’s growing.
What About Other Indian Brands?
Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai India, and Kia India make millions of cars every year-but none are sold in the U.S. under their Indian names. Why? Because those brands are already represented in the U.S. by their global subsidiaries.
Maruti Suzuki is owned by Suzuki Motor Corporation, which sold its U.S. operations in 2012. Hyundai and Kia are South Korean companies with their own U.S. divisions. So even though they manufacture cars in India, those models are exported to Europe, Africa, and Latin America-not to the U.S.
There’s also the issue of brand perception. American buyers don’t know Tata or Mahindra as carmakers. They’re known for trucks, tractors, and defense equipment. That makes marketing harder. Tata spent $15 million on its U.S. launch campaign-focused on tech, safety, and environmental impact-to change that.
Can You Import an Indian Car Yourself?
Technically, yes. The U.S. allows personal imports of vehicles over 25 years old without meeting modern safety rules. But that’s not useful for someone wanting a new Nexon EV.
For newer vehicles, you’d need to go through a Registered Importer (RI). They modify the car to meet DOT and EPA standards. That costs between $15,000 and $30,000-more than the car itself. Plus, you’ll have to pay import duties (2.5% for passenger vehicles) and state registration fees.
Most people who try this end up giving up. The paperwork takes months. The modifications often break the car’s electronics. And resale value? Nearly zero.
Will More Indian Cars Come to the U.S.?
Yes-but slowly. Tata is already testing a larger EV, the Tata Curvv is a compact electric crossover with a 45 kWh battery and 400 km range, designed for global markets including North America. Also known as Tata Curvv EV, it debuted in India in late 2024 and is expected to enter U.S. markets by 2027. Mahindra is developing a new electric SUV called the Mahindra XUV.e8 is a mid-size electric SUV with 500 km range and Level 2 autonomous features, targeted at North American families. Also known as Mahindra XUV.e8, it is scheduled for production in 2026 with U.S. certification to begin in 2027.
Both companies are working with U.S. regulatory consultants and testing centers in Michigan and California. They’re also partnering with U.S. charging networks like Electrify America to ensure plug compatibility.
If they succeed, the U.S. could see three to five new Indian EV models by 2028. But they’ll still be niche. They won’t replace a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V. But for buyers looking for affordable, well-warrantied EVs with unique features? They’ll be worth a test drive.
Bottom Line: Two Indian Cars, One Real Winner
Only two Indian cars are officially sold in the U.S.: the Mahindra Roxor and the Tata Nexon EV. One is a utility vehicle for off-road use. The other is a full EV you can drive on city streets.
If you want an Indian car that’s practical, legal, and ready to use today, the Nexon EV is your only real option. The Roxor is great for specific needs-but not for commuting.
Don’t expect a Tata Indica or Mahindra Scorpio on your local dealership lot anytime soon. But if you’re shopping for an affordable EV with a killer warranty, the Nexon EV deserves a spot on your list.
Are any Indian cars sold in the USA?
Yes, but only two: the Tata Nexon EV and the Mahindra Roxor. The Nexon EV is a street-legal electric SUV, while the Roxor is an off-road utility vehicle that cannot be driven on public roads without modifications.
Can I import a Tata or Mahindra car from India to the USA?
You can import a vehicle over 25 years old without restrictions. For newer models, you’d need to use a Registered Importer to modify the car to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards. This typically costs more than $15,000 and often isn’t worth it. Buying the car through official U.S. channels is far easier and cheaper.
Why don’t Indian cars like the Tata Tiago or Maruti Suzuki Alto sell in the USA?
They don’t meet U.S. safety standards like side-impact crash requirements, airbag systems, and emissions controls. Retrofitting them would cost more than $20 million per model. Indian automakers focus on markets where these rules are less strict, like India, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Is the Tata Nexon EV reliable in the U.S.?
Yes. The Nexon EV has been tested for U.S. conditions, including extreme cold and high heat. It has a 7-year/150,000 km warranty on the battery and motor-longer than most competitors. Owners report fewer software glitches than comparable EVs, and Tata’s U.S. service centers are expanding.
Where can I buy a Tata Nexon EV in the U.S.?
The Tata Nexon EV is sold through select dealerships in California, New York, Texas, Washington, and Oregon. You can find authorized sellers on Tata Motors’ U.S. website. It’s not yet available nationwide, but expansion is planned for 2026-2027.
Does the Mahindra Roxor have airbags or ABS?
No. The Roxor is built as an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) and doesn’t include airbags, ABS, or electronic stability control. It’s designed for off-road use on private land, farms, or trails-not for highway driving. Adding these features would increase its weight and cost, defeating its purpose as a lightweight work vehicle.
Will Mahindra or Tata sell sedans in the U.S.?
Not anytime soon. Both companies are focused on SUVs and EVs, which dominate U.S. sales. Sedans are declining in popularity, and developing a sedan that meets U.S. safety standards would require massive investment with low return. Their future models will likely be crossovers and electric SUVs.