The Mahindra Thar has a 4-star safety rating from Global NCAP, but there’s an important detail behind the score. This rating was given to the second-gen 3-door Thar in 2020 under Global NCAP’s older testing standards. Thus, it received 12.52/17 for adult occupant protection and 41.11/49 for child occupant protection.
The refreshed 3-door Thar launched in October 2025 has not been separately crash-tested as of August 2026. Also, the 5-star Bharat NCAP rating often associated with the Thar name actually belongs to the separate 5-door Mahindra Thar Roxx, not the regular 3-door Thar.
So, if you are interested in the Mahindra Thar’s 2026 safety rating, the base Thar received a 4-star result in the Global NCAP tests conducted in 2020, while the newer Thar Roxx received a separate 5-star Bharat NCAP rating.
Mahindra Thar Safety Rating at a Glance
| Safety Metric | Mahindra Thar Result |
| Crash-test organisation | Global NCAP |
| Test year | 2020 |
| Adult occupant protection | 4 stars |
| Adult score | 12.52/17 |
| Child occupant protection | 4 stars |
| Child score | 41.11/49 |
| Tested airbags | 2 front airbags |
| Bodyshell rating | Stable |
| Footwell rating | Unstable |
| Current refreshed Thar separately tested? | No, as of August 2026 |
This rating refers to the Thar produced in 2020. Although the revived version of the Thar has received updates, including new safety features, the vehicle has not yet received an updated NCAP rating.
Also Read: Comparison: New Mahindra Thar vs Used Mahindra Thar
What Is the Mahindra Thar Global NCAP Rating?
The second-generation Mahindra Thar received 4 stars for both adult and child occupant protection in Global NCAP’s 2020 #SaferCarsForIndia crash test.
The model of Thar, which was tested, came with a set of dual front airbags and was subjected to the frontal offset crash test in its current structure under the guidelines laid out by Global NCAP at the time of testing.
The result was significant because the Thar managed strong child-protection performance and a stable bodyshell despite its ladder-frame SUV construction.
Nonetheless, the rating must be considered in relation to its age. In 2022, Global NCAP introduced a tougher testing regime in India. Thus, the 4-star rating given earlier cannot be compared with the 4- or 5-star ratings under the new system.
Mahindra Thar Adult Occupant Protection
The Mahindra Thar scored 12.52 points out of 17 for adult occupant protection.
According to Global NCAP, the safety level for the driver’s and front-seat passenger’s head and neck is satisfactory, while the chest safety rating is adequate. Results for the knees are mixed, as some areas behind the dashboard pose a potential danger to the knee in a frontal crash.
The bodyshell itself was rated stable, which means Global NCAP considered the structure capable of withstanding further loading in the test.
That is one of the stronger aspects of the original Thar crash-test result.
Mahindra Thar Child Occupant Protection
The Thar scored 41.11 points out of 49 for child occupant protection, earning another 4-star rating.
This was one of the better parts of the Thar’s 2020 result.
The vehicle that has undergone testing was equipped with ISOFIX child-seat mountings, top-tether points, and three-point seatbelts. The child restraint devices that were used in the tests provided good protection.
The current 3-door Thar continues to offer ISOFIX child-seat mounts and three-point rear seatbelts.
However, crash-test results cannot be confused with real-world family use. The ordinary Thar remains a three-door SUV with four seats, thus rear seat access is not as easy as in the five-door Thar Roxx in everyday life.
Was the Mahindra Thar Bodyshell Stable?
Yes. Global NCAP rated the Mahindra Thar’s bodyshell as stable in its 2020 frontal crash test.
Nevertheless, the analysis should not end here due to the fact that another component of the structure was evaluated differently.
The footwell area was rated unstable and was judged incapable of withstanding further loading.
This difference is significant, given that it is not accurate to say that there was stability in both bodyshell and footwell.
So the accurate summary is:
Mahindra Thar bodyshell: Stable
Mahindra Thar footwell: Unstable
What Did Global NCAP Say About Side-Impact Protection?
The Thar also underwent a separate UN95 side-impact regulatory test and passed the requirement.
Nonetheless, this side-impact test did not add to the Thar’s 4-star Global NCAP rating under the protocol used at that time.
That is worth clarifying because it is easy to assume that every test result formed part of the final star rating.
In this evaluation, Global NCAP chose not to issue an independent side-impact star rating for the Thar.
What Did Global NCAP Say About ESC?
When Global NCAP tested the Thar in 2020, Electronic Stability Control was not standard across the range.
Global NCAP also pointed out unstable dynamic vehicle behaviour during its ESC evaluation back then.
This is one area where the current Thar has improved.
The refreshed AXT and LXT variants now come with:
- Electronic Stability Programme
- Rollover mitigation
- ABS with EBD
- Brake Assist
- Hill Hold Control
- Hill Descent Control
Compared to the version tested in 2020, the latest model has improved standard active-safety features.
That still does not mean its old crash-test rating should automatically be treated as a new 2026 rating.
Does the 4-Star Rating Apply to the 2026 Mahindra Thar?
The 4-star Global NCAP result is still the known crash-test rating associated with the second-generation Thar; however, the refreshed 3-door Thar has not been retested in an independent manner.
Mahindra introduced the refreshed Thar in October 2025 with updated AXT and LXT trims and changes to equipment.
As of August 2026, there has been no separate crash-test result from Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP given for this refreshed version.
So the most accurate way to describe the current situation is:
The Mahindra Thar has a 4-star Global NCAP rating from its 2020 crash test, but the refreshed 2025/2026 model has not yet received a fresh NCAP assessment.
This difference is important for consumers who are comparing this model with new models tested under more demanding safety conditions.
Current Mahindra Thar Safety Features
The current 3-door Mahindra Thar comes standard with a useful set of active and passive safety features.
Key features include:
- Dual front airbags
- Electronic Stability Programme
- Rollover mitigation
- ABS with EBD
- Brake Assist
- Hill Hold Control
- Hill Descent Control
- ISOFIX child-seat mounts
- Built-in roll cage
- Three-point rear seatbelts
- Rear parking sensors
- Seat-belt reminder
- Vehicle overspeed warning
- Panic braking signal
- Passenger-airbag deactivation switch
Higher variants also include additional convenience-related safety features, such as rear-view cameras and tyre-pressure monitoring systems.
Also Read: Things to Check Before Buying a Used Mahindra Thar
Mahindra Thar AXT vs LXT Safety Features
The current Thar lineup primarily uses the AXT and LXT trim structure.
| Safety Feature | AXT | LXT |
| Dual front airbags | Yes | Yes |
| ESP with rollover mitigation | Yes | Yes |
| ABS with EBD & Brake Assist | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Hold Control | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Descent Control | Yes | Yes |
| ISOFIX child-seat mounts | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in roll cage | Yes | Yes |
| Three-point rear seatbelts | Yes | Yes |
| Rear parking sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Rear-view camera | No | Yes |
| Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | No | Yes |
| Speed-sensing front door locks | No | Yes |
| Seat-belt reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Overspeed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Passenger-airbag deactivation switch | Yes | Yes |
This is a clearer presentation of the present model than the earlier models of AX(O) and LX, which have lost relevance with contemporary trim setup.
Does the Mahindra Thar Have Six Airbags?
No. The current regular 3-door Mahindra Thar has two front airbags.
Six airbags are not offered on the current 3-door Thar.
One critical safety difference between the Thar and the Thar Roxx is that the latter has six airbags as standard across the entire range.
That distinction is important because some online articles incorrectly combine the safety equipment of the two vehicles.
Does the Mahindra Thar Have ADAS?
No. The current 3-door Mahindra Thar does not offer a Level 2 ADAS suite.
Features such as:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keep Assist
- Forward Collision Warning
are available on selected variants of the Mahindra Thar Roxx, not the regular Thar.
If ADAS features are essential in your decision, the Thar Roxx offers better value for the safety gear.
Also Read: Complete Guide to Buying a Mahindra Thar
Mahindra Thar vs Thar Roxx Safety Rating
The regular Thar and Thar Roxx should not be treated as the same vehicle for safety ratings.
| Safety Metric | 3-Door Mahindra Thar | Mahindra Thar Roxx |
| Test organisation | Global NCAP | Bharat NCAP |
| Test year | 2020 | 2024 |
| Adult safety rating | 4 stars | 5 stars |
| Adult score | 12.52/17 | 31.09/32 |
| Child safety rating | 4 stars | 5 stars |
| Child score | 41.11/49 | 45/49 |
| Current airbags | 2 | 6 |
| ESC | Standard on current model | Standard |
| ADAS | No | Available on selected variants |
| Current model separately crash-tested? | Refreshed model: No | Yes |
The individual scores should not be compared numerically, as the Global NCAP 2020 protocol and the newer Bharat NCAP rating platform use different rating systems.
The broader takeaway is simpler: the Thar Roxx has been tested under a newer Indian crash-test programme and offers a more comprehensive current safety package.
Global NCAP vs Bharat NCAP: Why the Ratings Are Not Directly Comparable
Thar’s regular 4-star rating was obtained back when the Global NCAP conducted the older version of its crash test in India.
Global NCAP strengthened its test requirements in 2022 by adding broader assessments around side impact, electronic stability control, pedestrian protection and side-head protection.
Like other crash tests, Bharat NCAP carries out more comprehensive testing, including frontal impact testing, side impact testing, side-pole testing, and separate assessments of adult and child occupants.
That means:
A 4-star Thar from 2020 and a 5-star Thar Roxx from 2024 are not simply one star apart.
The crash tests were conducted under different protocols, using different scoring methods and safety requirements.
Is the Mahindra Thar Safe in 2026?
The Mahindra Thar still has several positive safety credentials.
Global NCAP’s 2020 verdict awarded the vehicle 4 stars for adult and child occupant safety and deemed its bodyshell stable. Moreover, the current facelift introduces important active-safety technologies such as ESP and rollover mitigation.
However, buyers should also understand its limitations.
The new 2025/2026 model has not received a new crash-test rating, and the standard Thar still has only two airbags and no ADAS features.
If your priority is a rugged three-door SUV with reasonable safety equipment and proven historical crash-test performance, the Thar still makes a strong case.
If your focus is on the latest crash-test validation, six airbags, and advanced driver-assistance safety features, then the Thar Roxx is the safer choice.
Summary
The Mahindra Thar received 4 stars for adult occupant protection and 4 stars for child occupant protection in Global NCAP testing in 2020, scoring 12.52/17 and 41.11/49 respectively.
Its bodyshell was rated stable, while the footwell was rated unstable.
The newly updated three-door Thar, released in October 2025, still has not undergone rigorous crash testing by August 2026. This means the 4-star rating should be seen as historic rather than current in 2026.
The current Thar does benefit from improved standard safety equipment such as ESP, rollover mitigation, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, ISOFIX mounts and hill-assist systems. However, it still has dual airbags and does not offer ADAS.
Moreover, the Thar Roxx has a prestigious Bharat NCAP 5-star rating and boasts more advanced safety features, including six airbags.
FAQs About Mahindra Thar Safety Rating
Q. What is the Mahindra Thar safety rating?
The Mahindra Thar received 4 stars for adult occupant protection and 4 stars for child occupant protection in Global NCAP testing conducted in 2020.
Q. What was the Mahindra Thar adult safety score?
The Thar scored 12.52 out of 17 for adult occupant protection in its 2020 Global NCAP assessment.
Q. What was the Mahindra Thar child safety score?
The Mahindra Thar scored 41.11 out of 49 for child occupant protection and received a 4-star rating.
Q. Is the Mahindra Thar bodyshell stable?
Yes. Global NCAP rated the Thar’s bodyshell as stable. However, it rated the footwell area as unstable.
Q. Has the 2026 Mahindra Thar been crash-tested?
No separate crash-test result has been published for the refreshed three-door Thar launched in October 2025 as of August 2026.
Q. Does the Mahindra Thar have a Bharat NCAP rating?
The regular 3-door Thar does not currently have a published Bharat NCAP rating. The Mahindra Thar Roxx received a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating.
Q. Is the Thar Roxx’s 5-star rating applicable to the regular Thar?
No. The Thar Roxx is a separate five-door model, and its Bharat NCAP rating does not apply to the regular 3-door Mahindra Thar.
Q. How many airbags does the Mahindra Thar have?
The current 3-door Mahindra Thar comes with two front airbags.
Q. Does the Mahindra Thar have ESP?
Yes. The current AXT and LXT variants get Electronic Stability Programme with rollover mitigation as standard.
Q. Does the Mahindra Thar have ADAS?
No. The regular 3-door Thar does not offer Level 2 ADAS. Selected Thar Roxx variants offer ADAS features.
Q. Which is safer: Mahindra Thar or Thar Roxx?
The Thar Roxx has the stronger current safety proposition because it has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, six airbags as standard and ADAS on selected variants. The regular Thar’s published 4-star score dates back to a 2020 Global NCAP test under an older protocol.
