Mahindra Thar

The Mahindra Thar is priced as a lifestyle SUV and not a value-driven mainstream offering. While the entry price tag looks competitive, the expenses rapidly take over when you choose stronger engines, automatic gearboxes, or 4x4 wheel drive hardware.

Ex-showroom Prices (India)

(Prices are ex-showroom and may differ from state to state)

During our pricing evaluation, it became clear that the Thar makes financial sense only when its strengths are actually used. Compared to rivals such as the Jimny, the Thar is a premium vehicle, especially so when it comes in 4WD automatic form.
As Shams Raza Naqvi highlighted during comparative testing,
  “The Thar is more expensive, but you're paying for torque, presence and that turbo-punch which the Jimny just doesn't have.”

Buyers should also consider higher insurance costs, fuel costs (particularly petrol automatics) and tyre replacement costs as well. 

Fuel efficiency is not the Thar's priority and our testing proved that to be true. Its ladder frame construction, weight and all-terrain tyres are natural limitations of mileage.

Observed fuel efficiency during testing:

• 1.5-litre Diesel RWD:
  City: 10–12 kmpl | Highway: 15–16 kmpl
• 2.2-litre Diesel 4WD:
  City: 11–12 kmpl (MT), 8–10 kmpl (AT) | Highway: 15–16 kmpl
• 2.0-litre Turbo Petrol:
  City: 7–8 kmpl | Highway: 10–12 kmpl

In long highway runs, the diesel variants proved much more usable, especially when driving at constant speeds. Petrol versions, although faster and smoother, were significantly more fuel-guzzling in the city.

The Mahindra Thar has a four-star Global NCAP rating, which is reassuring in a ladder frame SUV. Importantly, the model tested showed a stable body shell in frontal impact tests, which is noteworthy for a ladder frame SUV. While it lacks six airbags and ADAS features, its body-on-frame structure puts it ahead of many older body-on-frame SUVs sold in India.

On the road, systems such as ESP, hill-hold and hill descent control have a meaningful role to play in everyday and off-road driving. On steep descents and loose surfaces, hill descent control also actively manages the braking system so that the driver can concentrate on steering and not pedal modulation. ESP is used in the initial stages of wet tarmac and uneven roads, which is very important considering the tall stance and short wheelbase of the Thar.

That said, there is one area where the Thar shows its age, which is safety equipment depth. The lack of six airbags, particularly at higher price points, is an obvious limitation in 2026. Rear parking sensors and the rear-view camera make it easier to manoeuvre, but there is no advanced driver assistance or active collision avoidance.
As Bilal Firfiray explains in his update analysis,
"The Thar has improved in areas where it counts in terms of structure, but feature-led safety is still not where newer rivals are."

Technology in the Thar is intended to assist driving, not take attention away from driving. The 2025 update finally brings with it a 10.25-inch touchscreen, replacing the old basic interface. In actual use, the screen is clear, responsive enough and positioned well to see in bright sunlight. Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay worked in our testing without dropouts.
More importantly, the Thar's tech choices are in line with its use case. The mostly analogue instrument cluster, combined with a digital MID, may be old-school, but off-road, it works well. Readouts are presentable when the car is tilted, bouncing, or crawling, where fully digital clusters can be a distraction or can be slow to update.

Dedicated off-road displays, pitch, roll, and compass information, for example, are not gimmicks. During our slow-speed trail driving, these indicators help drivers get a better feeling of the angles and the positioning of the vehicle, especially those new to off-roading. Steering-mounted controls and cruise control on higher variants make it better to drive on the highway, even if the Thar is not designed as a long-distance cruiser.

Bilal Firfiray summarises the approach well:
“The Thar finally gets the screen and features buyers were asking for but Mahindra has wisely not over-digitised the experience.”

The absence of wireless telephonic smartphone connectivity and a total digital cluster is noticeable on paper. Still, in real order of practice, these omissions do not affect the main purpose of the Thar. The technology here is functional, robust and appropriate for a vehicle that is more interested in the ability to handle terrain than it is in touchscreen theatre.

Boot space has never been a great forte of the Mahindra Thar, and we confirmed it in our real-world usage that this is a compromise buyers have to live with.
With all seats in use, usable luggage space is limited and is best described as weekend bag-friendly. This is a direct consequence of the three-door configuration of the Thar, as well as a short wheelbase, both of which are deliberate design choices for off-road performance.
During our evaluation:

• Boot space with rear seats up: Suitable for small bags or soft luggage
• Boot space with rear seats folded: Approximately 600 litres
• Loading practicality: High boot lip makes lifting heavy things an effort-intensive task

Once the rear seats are folded, it does improve cargo usability, and the Thar becomes workable for adventure gear or short trips with fewer passengers.
Seshan Vijayraghavan sums it up accurately:
“The Thar is not designed around luggage. If you travel light or fold up the seats, it works. If you don't, you feel the limitation from the very beginning.”

For buyers who are planning to travel frequently with families or go to the airport, this is still one of the greatest trade-offs.

The Mahindra Thar's ride and handling characteristics are dictated by the use of its ladder frame construction and off-road-oriented suspension. Moreover, in the course of our testing, we recognised that if comfort and composure at high speeds are priorities, there are better monocoque SUVs in this price bracket. The Thar's virtues are in other areas and those who want crossover-like refinement will be disappointed.

City & Highway Driving

Based on our road testing, the Thar appears to be firm and restless in urban settings. Speed breakers, potholes and uneven patches are clearly felt, reminding you of its off-road-first tuning of the suspension. The large turning radius and large stature require adaptation in tight spaces.
On highways, diesel variants are better settled at steady speeds, but body roll and lack of feedback from the steering wheels make a relaxed cruise impossible. Long drives can be done, but they are not the most comfortable. 

Seshan Vijayraghavan points out,
"You're always conscious that you're driving a ladder-frame SUV." It never masks that fact, even on smooth highways."

Off-Roading

This is where the Thar truly delivers. During controlled off-road testing, the low-range transfer case, short overhangs and 226 mm ground clearance meant that the SUV was able to tackle steep inclines and uneven terrain with confidence. Even drivers with little off-road experience found the Thar forgiving and capable.

Mahindra has the Thar in AXT and LXT trims, which keeps the range simple but purposeful.

AXT Variant

The AXT trim is the starting point of the Thar range and is aimed at covering the basics. It is offered in rear-wheel-drive setups for the most part and is appropriate for those who would like to have the design and road presence of the Thar without paying for complete off-road equipment.
Some of the main features of the AXT variant are:

• 16-inch steel wheels
• Body-coloured bumpers
• All-black interior with vinyl upholstery
• Height-adjustable driver seat
• Manual air conditioning
• Front power windows
• Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD
• Rear parking sensors

LXT Variant

The LXT trim is the more feature-rich and capable of the two and is the one most buyers gravitate towards. This is also where the Thar's true off-road credentials come into play.

Key upgrades in the LXT variant include:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Dual-tone bumpers
• Fabric seat upholstery
• Dead pedal (automatic variants)
• Cruise control
• Electrically adjustable ORVMs
• Steering-mounted controls
• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Rear-view camera
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• ISOFIX child seat mounts

Bilal Firfiray's review reiterates this point, as the 2025 cabin improvements make LXT trims much more comfortable to live with on a day-to-day basis. He also pointed out that LXT does not require as many aftermarket modifications and provides a better ownership experience in the long run.
 

The best Mahindra Thar, regardless of the variant, is one that fits your use case. Do note that as of mid 2025, the soft top models have been discontinued and now the only models available in the Thar are with the hard top. 
“According to Seshan’s understanding,The Thar makes the most sense if it is selected with a clear understanding of its strengths and limitations." Pick the wrong variant and it will be uncomfortable. Pick the right one, and it does exactly what it says it does."

Best Overall Choice

LXT (RWD or 4WD): The LX is the best package you can get in the Thar lineup. It brings better safety equipment, added comfort features and a more complete cabin experience, making it a suitable lifestyle choice.

Best for Off-Road Use

LXT 4WD (Diesel or Petrol): For buyers who intend to drive off the road on a regular basis, the 4WD LX is the only sensible choice. The transfer case in the low range, strong diesel torque and strong drivetrain make the Thar deal with difficult terrain confidently and consistently.

Best for City Use and Lower Budget

AXT RWD (Diesel): In case the Thar is being purchased for its design and road presence, the rear wheel drive configuration of the AXT RWD does the job. It is best suited for urban driving and occasional highway driving.

Engine and Gearbox Tips 

• Diesel is better for long-distance efficiency
• Automatic options are suitable for city traffic and relaxed driving
• Manual Trims offer more control to enthusiasts, but the gearbox can be clunky 

The Thar sits in a niche segment, but it does have competition from a few focused rivals, all with different approaches. 

Maruti Suzuki Jimny

According to the Thar vs Jimny review presented by Shams Raza Naqvi, Jimny is more compact and easier to live with on a daily basis. It offers better ride comfort, a more practical rear seat, and a lower entry price. However, it lacks the Thar's engine performance, diesel option and overall road presence. Hence, it is less attractive among buyers looking for power and visual impact.

Force Gurkha (five-door)

The Gurkha has excellent off-road credentials and more interior space, particularly in its five-door form. That said, it feels dated inside, lacks modern features, and is not as refined or versatile as Thar for mixed usage.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

The Thar Roxx overcomes many of the limitations of the three-door Thar, with improved access to the rear seats, increased space and additional features. It is more suited for family use and sits at a higher price.

What the three-door Thar does have is a combination of mechanical credibility and broad appeal. Unlike the Jimny, it has both petrol and diesel engines and rear-wheel and four-wheel drives. Compared to the Gurkha, it brings a balance in terms of off-road hardware, better everyday usability and a cabin that is more modern.

And although the Thar Roxx has better working practicality, the shorter wheelbase and condensed proportions of the three-door Thar make it much more purpose-built and trail-focused. In simple terms, the three-door Thar brings a combination of accessibility, torque and visual dominance, in a way that its rivals try to do but not quite.

Thar vs Rivals Head-to-Head Comparison