Complete Guide on Buying a Mahindra Thar

Today’s SUVs excel at providing a high level of comfort, practicality, utility, and performance. However, only a few stand out by offering a rugged package ideal for on-road and off-road escapades. Among the huge pool of SUVs of all shapes and sizes, the Mahindra Thar is a strong contender, well prepared to take on rough terrain.

Since its launch in 2010, the Mahindra Thar has become one of India’s toughest and most reliable off-road SUVs, winning itself a significant amount of popularity across several generations. With a loyal following, the Thar has come a long way from its initial launch in the Indian market, continually improving its all-terrain capabilities.

Since its second generation arrived in 2020, the Thar has successfully sold over 200,000 units, highlighting its growing popularity. If you are in the market for a versatile SUV, opting for the Thar is indeed a wise choice. Here is a detailed buying guide for the Mahindra Thar, meant to help you navigate all aspects of the SUV, from specifications to variant choices and post-purchase support.

Mahindra Thar Specifications

Mahindra has designed the Thar to be a rugged, reliable, and affordable SUV. Over the years, the Thar has also become one of India’s favourite off-road SUVs. With rivals such as the long-time adversary Force Gurkha and the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, it’s but natural to assume that the Mahindra Thar has its task cut out for it. 

However, its flawless performance, beloved heritage, and massive popularity propel the Mahindra ahead of its rivals in most key areas. Therefore, despite the ferocious competition in the segment, the Thar manages to win the hearts of both off-road enthusiasts and lifestyle SUV fans. Below is a spec table that outlines what the Thar has to offer.

Mahindra Thar Specifications
Mahindra Thar Engine and Transmission
Engine	2L Turbo Petrol		2.2L Diesel		1.5L Diesel
Transmission	6-speed Manual	6-speed Torque Convertor Automatic	6-speed Manual	6-speed Torque Convertor Automatic	6-speed Manual
Power	152 PS		130 PS		118 PS
Torque	320 Nm		300 Nm		300 Nm
Mileage	Up To 15.2 km/l		Up To 15.2 km/l		Up To 15.2 km/l
Mahindra Thar Dimensions
Length	3985 mm
Width	1820 mm
Height	1855 mm (Soft Top), 1844 mm (Hard Top)
Wheelbase	2450 mm
Boot Space	No Official Data
Ground Clearance	226 mm

Why You Should Consider the Mahindra Thar

Though there are indeed few off-road SUVs on offer in the market, it is also true that the Mahindra Thar is more than a specialized off-roader. It is a capable lifestyle SUV that even offers reasonably priced rear-wheel-drive trims that appeal to a broad consumer base. It is this versatility that makes the Mahindra Thar a champion in every respect. By offering its users a complete ownership experience, the Thar offers a few pluses that enable it to outperform its rivals and overshadow them as a lifestyle car as well as an off-road SUV. 

If you are wondering what has made the Thar a cult favourite, here are a few strong reasons to choose the Mahindra Thar over its rivals in the same price range.

Iconic Heritage and Timeless Character

Apart from its powerful engines and agile handling, the Mahindra Thar is praised for its rich heritage and robust character. Born of a heritage of tough, military-inspired vehicles, the Thar has evolved into a cultural symbol that appeals beyond adventure-seekers and city dwellers. Its bold design—highlighted by a signature grille, raised headlamps, and tough, functional details—nostalgically looks back while boldly hurtling forward into the future. The design of this SUV is more than skin-deep; it blends tradition and modernity in perfect harmony. 

The Thar retains the spirit of its rich heritage with traditional design elements while embracing modern features like advanced connectivity and smart infotainment systems. This harmonious blend gives the Thar a lasting allure, making every drive a testament to freedom and individuality. Off-road or on city streets, the Thar’s robust character and timeless charm make it an authentic expression of personal style on wheels.

Exceptional Off-Roader

While driving through the difficult Indian terrain, the Mahindra Thar is an exceptional performer we can rely on. Though it is not the sole specialist off-roader in the same price category, customers might also consider options like the Force Gurkha and Suzuki Jimny. But the Thar offers a best-in-class approach (41.2 degrees) and break-over angles (26.2 degrees) in its segment, showcasing exceptional expertise in driving through difficult conditions. 

Depending on the selected variant, the Thar 4×4 features mechanical and brake-locking differentials that enable easy manoeuvrability in difficult conditions. As a blue-blooded off-roader, the Thar proudly showcases an impressive water-wading capability of 600 mm without an external snorkel, thereby setting its dominance as an off-road SUV over modern rivals like the Jimny.

No matter the conditions, the Mahindra Thar’s all-terrain suspension system is carefully crafted to provide an unprecedented level of comfort, even better than that of lifestyle SUVs like the Hyundai Venue, Suzuki Brezza, and Suzuki Fronx. With its manual low-ratio 4×4 transfer case and a whopping ground clearance of 226 mm, the Mahindra Thar is more than prepared to take on any challenge, deserving its place as one of India’s best off-road SUVs.

Rugged Yet Modern Design

On the outside, the Mahindra Thar is stunning with its fashionable design from top to bottom. The overall design language highlights the SUV’s rugged and tough nature, exquisitely conveyed in a modern way that is different from the boxy and uninspired designs of the past. 

Compared to rivals like the Force Gurkha and Maruti Suzuki Jimny, the Mahindra Thar has a more evolved and refined face. It achieves a harmonious balance between simplicity and brawn, showing just the right amount of personality. Unlike other compact SUVs like the Venue, Sonet, and Fronx, the Thar has a modern look without compromising on too many sharp lines, flashy rims, or oversized grilles. 

At the same time, it unapologetically flaunts its tough off-road credentials through features like high wheel arches, aggressive bumpers, and a rear-mounted spare tyre, making the Thar visually stunning. Internally, it has a modern layout full of modern comforts, such as a touchscreen infotainment system, steering wheel controls, connected car technology, and keyless entry. Lastly, it provides a plethora of off-road-friendly features, such as removable doors, washable interiors, roof-mounted speakers, and a washable floor.

Why You Should Not Consider the Mahindra Thar

While the Thar has some advantages over its competitors, there are a few negatives to consider before making a purchase, considering the myriad of appealing options out there in the market. This is where the Thar might fall short compared to similarly priced competitors.

Subpar City Riding Experience

While the Mahindra Thar is designed to overcome off-road obstacles with ease, the stiff suspension setup makes for a decidedly harsh ride on the roads. At reasonable speeds, the car can feel too bouncy, perhaps at the cost of stability during sudden highway turns. Compared to other compact SUVs in its segment, the Thar demonstrates a need for road comfort enhancement. 

Furthermore, while it boasts cruise control, a touchscreen infotainment system, and basic steering features, it lacks some modern comforts—such as automatic climate control, a rear parking camera, headlamp washers, and LED headlamps—that are available on competitors such as the Maruti Suzuki Jimny.

Not A Family Friendly Car

The tough Thar might appeal to off-road fans and lifestyle SUV fans, but its interior is very cramped. The two-door, four-seat setup proves to be impractical for family car hunters. Access to the rear seats proves to be inconvenient, with the requirement to fold down the front seat, which might annoy both front and rear passengers, especially long-distance travel. Comfort is also lacking in the rear seats; head space and legroom are short though it only seats two occupants. While Mahindra is likely to overcome these limitations in the upcoming five-door variant, the current two-door model is restricted in practicality and space. The boot space is disappointing, with little space for luggage when all four seats are filled.

For those who desire the rugged capability of the Thar but need additional room for family or everyday city driving, the Thar Roxx variant presents a compelling option. Featuring a five-door design, improved rear access, and increased boot capacity, the Roxx variant builds on the Thar’s core strengths while offering the practicality that modern lifestyles demand.

High Maintenance Costs:

Despite its impressive performance, the Mahindra Thar is known to have higher maintenance costs. Over a five-year period, the service expenses for the Thar can be higher than competitors like the Suzuki Jimny and the Force Gurkha which generally have lower maintenance costs. Over the years, the difference can be a significant disadvantage for budget-conscious buyers.

This increased cost of upkeep might deter those who are seeking a more economical ownership experience without compromising on off-road capability.

Mahindra Thar Variants

The Mahindra Thar is offered in two broad trims: the AX OPT and LX, which are spread across 13 variants including hardtop and softtop convertible variants. The cheapest Mahindra Thar variant is the AX Opt Hard Top Diesel RWD which has a price tag of Rs. 10.54 Lakh while the most expensive variant is the Mahindra Thar LX  Hard Top Diesel AT which commands a price of Rs. 16.78 Lakh. Here’s the complete variant lineup of the SUV:

Mahindra Thar Variants
Variant	Powertrain	Ex-Showroom Price
Thar AX (O) Hard Top Diesel MT RWD	1.5-litre Diesel Manual	Rs. 11.35 Lakh
Thar LX Hard Top Diesel MT RWD	1.5-litre Diesel Manual	Rs. 12.85 Lakh
Thar LX Hard Top Petrol AT RWD	2.0 Petrol Automatic	Rs. 14.10 Lakh
Thar AX (O) Convertible Top Petrol MT 4WD	2.0 Petrol Manual	Rs. 14.30 Lakh
Thar AX (O) Convertible Top Diesel MT 4WD	2.2 Diesel Manual	Rs. 14.85 Lakh
Thar AX (O) Hard Top Diesel MT 4WD	2.2 Diesel Manual	Rs. 15.00 Lakh
Thar LX Hard Top Petrol MT 4WD	2.0 Petrol Manual	Rs. 15.00 Lakh
Thar Earth Edition Petrol MT 4WD	2.0 Petrol Manual	Rs. 15.40 Lakh
Thar LX Convertible Top Diesel MT 4WD	2.2 Diesel Manual	Rs. 15.75 Lakh
Thar LX Hard Top Diesel MT 4WD	2.2 Diesel Manual	Rs. 15.75 Lakh
Thar Earth Editon Diesel MT 4WD	2.2 Diesel Manual	Rs. 16.15 Lakh
Thar LX Convertible Top Petrol AT 4WD	2.0 Petrol Automatic	Rs. 16.50 Lakh
Thar LX Hard Top Petrol AT 4WD	2.0 Petrol Automatic	Rs. 16.60 Lakh
Thar Earth Editon Petrol AT 4WD	2.0 Petrol Automatic	Rs. 16.99 Lakh
Thar LX Convertible Top Diesel AT 4WD	2.2 Diesel Automatic	Rs. 17.15 Lakh
Thar LX Hard Top Diesel AT 4WD	2.2 Diesel Automatic	Rs. 17.20 Lakh
Thar Earth Editon Diesel AT 4WD	2.2 Diesel Automatic	Rs. 17.60 Lakh

Additionally, you can check out the Mahindra Thar Roxx Variant

Configuration: Five-door layout

Key Features: Enhanced rear accessibility, improved boot space, modern infotainment upgrades

Price Range: Rs. 14.87 – 25.59 Lakh

Additional Benefits: Combines the rugged off-road capability of the Thar with the practicality needed for daily family use.

Best Mahindra Thar Variant to Buy

The Mahindra Thar excels in safety and performance from its base model. It also features an extensive range of variants, each providing unique enhancements. Among these, the Thar LX Hard Top variant stands out as the top choice for manual transmission in both petrol and diesel versions. 

For those considering automatic options, the LX Hard Top AT and LX Hard Top AT RWD are the top recommendations, showcasing most of the key features of this 4×4 SUV, including essential safety attributes. 

When it comes to SUVs, Mahindra truly leads the way. Since 1945, the brand has built a strong reputation for producing reliable and durable SUVs, making it one of India’s finest. The Thar is backed by a 2-year/100,000-kilometer warranty and includes 24/7 roadside assistance.

Mahindra Thar Service and Maintenance

Regarding maintenance, the annual service costs for the diesel trims range from Rs. 8,000 to 10,000, whereas the petrol variants will incur costs of around Rs. 6,000 to 8,000. Consequently, the estimated maintenance expense over five years for the Thar falls between Rs. 40,000 and 50,000.

Summary

Selling over 1.2 lakh units since its launch, the second-generation Mahindra Thar has quickly emerged as a cult in the market. As Mahindra’s star off-roader, the Mahindra Thar with its competitive price tag instantly attracts a plethora of consumers offering exceptional performance, capable off-road equipment, rugged looks, and reliable engines. A regular best-seller every month, the Thar is a great pick for those looking to travel beyond the roads.

FAQs about Mahindra Thar