Mahindra 2025 Thar

Introduction

The Mahindra Thar is one of India's best affordable off-roaders - a tough, unstoppable brute SUV. And even though it's not the most charming, this latest version is bigger and more mature with robust mechanicals.

Exterior

• The current-generation Thar uses the Gen3 chassis that has been retained in the current facelifted version as well.
• It keeps its rugged, retro styling with round headlights, wide fenders, and a new body-coloured grille (swappable with aftermarket seven/five-slat grilles).
• Mahindra offers the Thar with soft/hard top options, 18-inch alloys, and the side steps blend nicely into the fender claddings.
• The off-roader boasts a 226mm ground clearance, 650mm wading depth, 42-degree approach angle, and a 37 degree departure angle.
• At the back, there's a tailgate-mounted spare wheel with rectangular tail lamps.

Interior

• The Thar's cabin has access through the front doors or the rear tailgate that opens sideways.
• Interestingly, given its outdoorsy character the interior is washable with a front-facing rear seat and roof-mounted speakers.
• With the facelift, the carmaker has equipped the dashboard with a bigger 10.25-inch display replacing the earlier seven-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• This screen continues to show the pitch/roll angles, G-meter, etc., while the instrument cluster has a colour TFT display.
• Latest additions include a sliding centre arm rest, conventional door pad window switches, A-pillar door handles, rear AC vents, and additional charging ports.
• A most welcome change is that the fuel lid opens through a button on the dashboard, rather than getting off the Thar and opening it with the SUV's key.

Powertrain

• The Thar gets both petrol and diesel engine options with the options of a manual or an automatic gearbox.
• The petrol model is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder mStallion petrol producing 150bhp and 320Nm torque.
• On the other hand, there is a 2.2litre mHawk diesel mill that produces 130bhp and 320Nm torque, only available as a 4WD but with both manual and automatic gearbox options.
• Meanwhile, there's another D117 CRDe motor for the diesel but a RWD and only available with a manual gearbox.
• Otherwise, the 4WD with manual shift transfer case is standard across all variants.