In various tests, such as city driving, highway cruising, and off-road trails, the Thar always behaved like a purpose-built ladder frame SUV.

Engine Options Evaluated

1.5-litre CRDe Diesel RWD 

The 1.5-litre diesel RWD was tested extensively by Seshan Vijayraghavan in urban conditions as well as over rough patches. Mahindra says that 55 per cent of peak torque is available from just 1,000 rpm, and in our evaluation, this turned out to be true.
In traffic and on uneven roads, the Thar RWD pulls clean with minimal throttle input needed. The lighter weight from the absence of 4WD hardware makes up for the lower power output than the 2.2-litre diesel.

However, refinement is still a weak area. Seshan Vijayraghavan pointed out the following aspects:

“The manual gearbox feels clunky, particularly between first and second gears. In stop-go traffic, you are constantly reminded that this is still a utilitarian SUV,”

This engine is best for buyers who prefer stance and torque over smoothness.

2.2-litre mHawk Diesel 4WD

Based on both road and off-road testing, the 2.2-litre diesel 4WD is still the engine that suits the character of the Thar the best.
During highway runs, cruising at 100-120 km/h felt quite relaxed and the engine never felt strained even with passengers and luggage onboard. Off-road, the combination of strong low-end torque, low-range gearing and short overhangs means that the Thar climbs, crawls and descends with confidence.

Across various evaluations, we found that this is the variant that gives one the complete Thar experience with no compromise.

2.0-litre Turbo-Petrol 

The turbo-petrol Thar is the most refined to drive, especially in automatic form. Power delivery is smooth, throttle response is good, and the gearbox is suitable for urban use.
During comparative off-road testing against the Jimny, Shams Raza Naqvi saw that the turbocharged engine gives the Thar an edge when quick bursts of power are required.
Additionally, Shams mentioned: 
"The additional boost and torque from the turbo engine helps the Thar to tackle more extreme obstacles, but it also requires more driver input,"

The downside, which we consistently saw, is fuel efficiency. This is the most expensive Thar to operate on a day-to-day basis.

Off-Road Credentials

The Thar's off-road credentials come from proper mechanical hardware rather than cosmetic cues. The ladder frame chassis permits better torsional flex on uneven terrain, i.e. the wheels do not lift off the ground. The low-range transfer case is used to multiply low-speed torque and is essential for rock crawling or climbing steep inclines where normal throttle control is insufficient.
Short overhangs help create good approach and departure angles, which make it less likely to scrape bumpers on high grades. With 226 mm of ground clearance, the Thar can clear deep ruts and broken trails that will put most soft-roaders on the ground. Hill descent control actively controls braking activity on steep descents, which permits the driver to focus solely on steering input.
This is what distinguishes the Thar from monocoque soft road SUVs, which use electronic traction aids without mechanical low-range gearing.