Mahindra Thar and Maruti Jimny are both rugged off-roading SUVs. The Mahindra Thar was launched in 2010 and has been one of the most popular SUVs in India till date. It is available with the 1.5-litre diesel, 2.0-litre turbo petrol, and 2.2-litre diesel engine options. Jimny was first introduced in 2023 and is available with only one 1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated (NA) petrol engine. The best ARAI mileage for Mahindra Thar is 12.4 km/l for petrol and 15.2 km/l for diesel variants.
The manual variants of Jimny offer a mileage of up to 16.94 kmpl which is the best ARAI mileage in its line-up. Jimny comes with a standard 4×4 drivetrain and offers 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic gearbox options. Mahindra Thar is available in both Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD) options. When it comes to gearbox, it comes with 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission options. In this blog, we will compare Mahindra Thar vs Maruti Jimny on the basis of the real-world mileage they offer across their drivetrains.
Table of Contents
Mahindra Thar vs Maruti Jimny Specs
The key specifications of Mahindra Thar and Maruti Jimny are compared in the below table:
| Specification | Mahindra Thar | Maruti Jimny |
| Engine | 1.5-litre Turbo-Diesel 2.2-Litre mHawk Diesel engine2.0-litre mStallion Petrol engine | 1.5-litre K15B 4-Cylinder NA petrol engine |
| Displacement | Petrol: 1997 cc Diesel: 1497 cc / 2184 cc | 1462 cc |
| Power | Petrol: 152 PSDiesel: 132 PS | 103 bhp |
| Torque | Petrol: 320 NmDiesel: 300 Nm | 134.2 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual transmission (MT)6-speed torque converter TC (automatic) | 5-speed manual4-speed automatic |
| Drive layout | Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) and 4WD | 4 Wheel Drive |
| Kerb weight | 1660 kg to 1845 kg (depending upon the variant) | 1205 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | RWD: 47 litres4WD: 57 litres | 40 litres |
The engine options offered by Mahindra Thar are much more powerful as they generate higher torque and power than Maruti Jimny models. Jimny comes with a naturally aspirated petrol engine which is actually used for higher mileage. However, it is still used as an off-roader because of its lightweight frame. Due to these factors, we can expect the Jimny to offer better mileage for both city and highway driving.
Mahindra Thar vs Maruti Jimny: ARAI Mileage Figures
The Automotive Research Association of India or ARAI conducts mileage tests to analyse and certify the fuel-efficiency of cars. As these tests are conducted in a lab-controlled manner, the ARAI mileage figures tend to be higher than the real-world mileage of cars. The claimed ARAI mileage by different powertrains of Jimny and Thar are specified in the below table:
| Engine & Transmission | Fuel Type | Mahindra Thar – ARAI Mileage (km/l) | Maruti Jimny- ARAI Mileage (km/l) |
| 1.5-litre K15B NA Petrol with 5-speed Manual | Petrol | – | Up to 16.3 km/l |
| 1.5-litre K15B NA Petrol with 4-speed Automatic (Torque Converter) | Petrol | – | Up to 14.1 km/l |
| 2.0-Litre mStallion Turbo-Petrol with 6-speed manual | Petrol | 15 km/l | – |
| 2.0-Litre mStallion Turbo-Petrol with 6-speed automatic | Petrol | 13 km/l | – |
| 1.5-litre diesel with 6-speed MT | Diesel | 15.2 km/l | – |
| 2.2-litre diesel with 6-speed MT | Diesel | 15.2 km/l | – |
| 2.2-litre diesel with 6-speed TC (automatic) | Diesel | 13 km/l | – |
If we compare the ARAI mileage figures of both these cars, Jimny seems to be the more fuel-efficient cars with both manual and automatic gearbox configurations. The claimed mileage of Mahindra Thar is quite similar across the powertrains and it doesn’t lag behind the mileage figures offered by the Jimny cars by much.
Mahindra Thar vs Maruti Jimny: Real-World Mileage
Now, let’s compare the real-world mileage of Mahindra Thar and Maruti Jimny cars:
| Mahindra Thar (2.0-litre Petrol) | Maruti Jimny (1.5-litre NA Petrol) | |
| City | Manual: 10 km/lAutomatic: 9 km/l | Manual: 10.86 km/lAutomatic: 10.04 km/l |
| Highway | Manual: 13 km/lAutomatic: 12 km/l | Manual: 14.74 km/lAutomatic: 13.56 km/l |
| Average | Manual: 11.5 km/lAutomatic: 10.50 km/l | Manual: 12.8 km/lAutomatic: 11.8 km/l |
| Tank range | 450 km | 475 km |
| Mahindra Thar (2.2-litre Diesel) | Maruti Jimny Diesel (Not Available) | |
| City | Manual: 12 km/lAutomatic: 11 km/l | – |
| Highway | Manual: 13.5 km/lAutomatic: 12.5 km/l | – |
| Average | Manual: 12.75 km/lAutomatic: 11.75 km/l | – |
| Tank range | Up to 720 km | – |
| Mahindra Thar (1.5-litre Diesel) | Maruti Jimny Diesel (Not Available) | |
| City | 13 km/l | – |
| Highway | 17 kmpl | – |
| Average | 15 kmpl | – |
| Tank range | 650 km | – |
The Jimny cars offer a higher real-world mileage than the real-world mileage offered by Thar petrol models. The diesel variants of Thar, especially with the 1.5-litre diesel engine deliver higher mileage than the petrol variants of Thar. They also exceed the mileage offered by the Jimny. Therefore, while Jimny proves to be a more fuel-efficient car if we compare it with the petrol variants of Thar, the Thar diesel variants with the 1.5-litre diesel engine prove to be the clear overall winner. The 2.2-litre diesel variants of Thar manage to deliver higher tank range than the 1.5-litre diesel models because of their bigger fuel tank capacity.
Also Read: Mahindra Thar Mileage: 9 Tips to Increase Mileage
Mahindra Thar vs Maruti Jimny: Fuel Cost Comparison
The above table shows the real-world mileage comparison of Mahindra Thar vs Maruti Jimny. Now, we will use these figures to tally the monthly, yearly, and 5-yearly fuel costs applicable to both these vehicles. To simplify the calculations, we have assumed that both cars run 1500 km every month. The latest petrol price of Rs. 111.52 and diesel price of Rs. 98.18 are considered while calculating the period fuel costs of each car:
| Mahindra Thar 2.0-L Petrol | Maruti Jimny 1.5-L Petrol | Mahindra Thar 1.5-litre Diesel | Maruti Jimny Diesel (Not Available) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 136 L | 122 L | 100 L | – |
| Average Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 15,166 | ₹ 13,605 | ₹ 9815 | – |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹ 1.82 lakh | ₹ 1.63 lakh | ₹ 1.17 lakh | – |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹ 9.1 lakh | ₹ 8.15 lakh | ₹ 5.85 lakh | – |
| Mahindra Thar 2.2-L Diesel | Maruti Jimny Diesel Not Available | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 122 L | – |
| Average Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 11,974 | – |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹ 1.43 lakh | – |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹ 7.15 lakh | – |
Maruti Jimny saves more fuel costs when we compare it with the petrol variants of Mahindra Thar. Though Maruti Jimny offers slightly higher mileage than the 2.2-litre diesel variants of Thar, the lesser diesel prices translate to higher fuel cost savings, especially in the long run. The 1.5-litre diesel variants of Thar prove to be the most fuel cost saving options because of their higher real-world mileage. Here also, Mahindra Thar seems to have an advantage over the Jimny.
Also Read: Mahindra Thar Mileage Comparison: Petrol vs Diesel
Mahindra Thar vs Maruti Jimny Price
Mahindra Thar’s ex-showroom prices from base-to-top models are compared with the Maruti Jimny’s ex-showroom prices from base-to-top models in the below table:
| Model | Variant (Base to Top) | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
| Mahindra Thar | AXT RWD Diesel to LXT 4WD Diesel AT | ₹ 10.32 to ₹ 17.80 lakh |
| Maruti Jimny | Zeta Manual to Alpha Dual Tone AT | ₹ 12.54 to ₹ 14.67 lakh |
Mahindra Thar is not only an off-roader but is also celebrated as a lifestyle car in India. On the other hand, Maruti Jimny is a rugged off-roader. Therefore, there are some clear differences in their price range. Though the base model of Thar is offered at a lesser price than the base model of Jimny, it gets more expensive towards the top-spec models. On the other hand, the top-models of Jimny are much more economically priced than the top-models of Thar.
Summary
Jimny can prove to be the better option for pure off-roading enthusiasts because of its innate ability to conquer difficult terrain. Though Mahindra Thar 4WD models prove to be a rugged off-roader, they are not as fuel-efficient as Jimny. However, if you want a better mileage on the highway, the 1.5-litre diesel models of Thar could prove to be the better choice. Jimny also turns out to be a better option in the city because of its smaller dimensions and fuel-efficient petrol engine. In short, those who commute 50 to 70 km daily can go for the diesel variants of Thar and those who want a car for pure off-roading fun or for practical city driving can explore the Jimny models.
Related Blogs:
Maruti Brezza vs Kia Sonet Real World Mileage Comparison
Tata Safari vs Mahindra XUV700: Real World Mileage Comparison
Maruti Dzire vs Honda Amaze: Real World Mileage Comparison
FAQs About Mahindra Thar vs Maruti Jimny Mileage
Q. Which car offers better mileage on off-roading terrains: Mahindra 2.2-litre diesel or Maruti Jimny?
Jimny is a comparatively much lighter SUV than Thar. Therefore, it crawls smoothly over the off-roading obstacles without exerting any load on the engine. Though Mahindra Thar can climb steep hills without much throttle, its higher displacement leads to faster fuel consumption. This means that Jimny can prove to be a more fuel-efficient option than Thar while driving through the off-roading terrains.
Q. Which car offers better mileage on the highway: Maruti Jimny or Mahindra Thar 1.5-litre diesel cars?
The Mahindra Thar 1.5-litre diesel cars offer a real-world mileage of up to 17.5 km/l while driving on the highway. On the other hand, Jimny offers a real-world mileage of up to 15 km/l on the highway. Therefore, purchasing a Mahindra Thar 1.5-litre diesel car makes more sense if you want a reliable and fuel-efficient car for highway driving.
Q. Should I prefer a Maruti Jimny or a Mahindra Thar if my driving is restricted to the city boundaries?
The compact dimensions of Jimny along with its fuel-efficient engine makes it a better option for city driving than Mahindra Thar.
Q. How much monthly fuel costs should I expect after purchasing a Maruti Jimny?
You can expect a monthly fuel cost of around ₹ 13,605 after purchasing a Maruti Jimny.
Q. How much monthly fuel costs should I expect after purchasing a petrol variant of Mahindra Thar?
You can expect a monthly fuel cost of around ₹ 15,166 after purchasing a petrol variant of Mahindra Thar.
