The Mahindra Thar is an iconic off-road vehicle that has become a symbol of rugged adventure and tough performance in India. Launched in its current avatar in 2020, the Thar has gained a loyal following due to its blend of off-road capability, retro styling, and modern features. It is a true off-road SUV that appeals to adventure seekers, enthusiasts, and even those looking for a unique lifestyle vehicle. Here’s a detailed look at the Mahindra Thar and what makes it stand out in the SUV market.
Introduction to the Mahindra Thar
The Mahindra Thar, originally launched in 2010, was reimagined in 2020 to offer better performance, more comfort, and a modernized design while retaining its rugged, no-nonsense character. The new Thar carries forward the Thar legacy, combining off-road prowess with features suited for everyday driving. It blends a retro-style design with advanced technologies, creating a robust package for adventure enthusiasts.
With its distinctive design, the Thar appeals to those who prefer something unconventional. Its off-road capability, along with the modern comforts and performance enhancements, make it suitable for urban environments and challenging terrains alike.
Design and Exterior Features
The Mahindra Thar features a classic and rugged design inspired by its predecessors but with a contemporary twist. It maintains its iconic Jeep-like appearance, with wide wheel arches, a boxy silhouette, and a bold, imposing front grille with the Mahindra logo prominently displayed.
Key Design Features:
- Front Grille: A seven-slat grille, characteristic of Mahindra’s off-road vehicles, gives the Thar a tough look.
- Round Headlamps: Retro-styled round headlights with LED DRLs add to the vehicle’s rugged appearance.
- Wide Wheel Arches: The flared wheel arches are designed to accommodate larger, off-road tires, enhancing the Thar’s off-road capability.
- Removable Roof: A unique feature of the Thar is its convertible roof options—both hard-top and soft-top versions are available, giving the vehicle an open-air experience when desired.
- Body Colors: The Thar is available in a range of bold colors, including red, black, white, and the new Rocky Beige, among others.
The Thar’s design is a mix of retro and modern elements, with a bold, aggressive stance that is immediately recognizable. This combination makes it not just a vehicle, but a statement on the road.
Interior Features and Comfort
The interior of the Mahindra Thar is where the SUV shines in terms of comfort and technology, compared to its earlier iterations. While it still retains its rugged off-road vehicle roots, Mahindra has significantly upgraded the cabin to cater to modern-day needs.
Interior Features:
- Seating Capacity: The Thar is now available in both 4-seater and 2-seater configurations, offering flexibility based on buyer preferences. The 4-seater version has comfortable rear seats, a major upgrade compared to its previous models.
- Infotainment System: The Thar comes equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, providing seamless connectivity and entertainment.
- Upholstery: The new Thar features modern, durable, and comfortable upholstery in a choice of fabric or leatherette, giving it a more refined look.
- Climate Control: Automatic climate control is available, enhancing comfort during long drives in varied weather conditions.
- Driving Position: The Thar offers an elevated driving position that gives the driver an excellent view of the road and terrain, a feature appreciated by off-road enthusiasts.
- Storage and Boot Space: The boot space in the Thar is practical for a compact SUV. However, it’s worth noting that the Thar is more suited for adventure than family trips due to its limited cargo capacity, especially in the 2-door version.
Engine and Performance
The Mahindra Thar comes with both petrol and diesel engine options, offering a good balance between on-road performance and off-road capability. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The new Thar is built for off-road driving, and Mahindra has ensured that it retains the rugged performance that the brand is known for.
Petrol Engine:
- Engine Capacity: 2.0L Turbocharged mStallion Petrol engine
- Power: 150 PS @ 5000 rpm
- Torque: 320 Nm @ 1500-3000 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic
- Fuel Efficiency: The petrol engine offers a decent fuel efficiency of around 12-13 km/l under normal driving conditions.
Diesel Engine:
- Engine Capacity: 2.2L mHawk Turbocharged Diesel engine
- Power: 130 PS @ 3750 rpm
- Torque: 300 Nm @ 1600-2800 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic
- Fuel Efficiency: The diesel engine is more fuel-efficient, offering around 16-17 km/l under regular conditions.
Both engines are paired with 4WD (four-wheel drive) and come with an option of manual or automatic transmission, making the Thar an excellent choice for both city driving and rough terrains.
Off-Road Capabilities
The Mahindra Thar is built with off-road enthusiasts in mind. With its high ground clearance, 4×4 capabilities, and superior approach and departure angles, it is perfectly suited for tackling rugged terrain, water crossings, steep inclines, and more.
Key Off-Road Features:
- Four-Wheel Drive (4WD): The Thar is equipped with a BorgWarner’s 4×4 system, which allows the driver to engage 4WD on demand, providing optimal traction on challenging surfaces like mud, snow, and sand.
- Locking Differentials: The Thar offers both manual and automatic locking differentials that ensure maximum traction, making it suitable for tough off-road challenges.
- High Ground Clearance: The Thar offers 226 mm of ground clearance, which is more than enough to tackle rocky paths, deep water crossings, and rough trails.
- Approach and Departure Angles: With a 42-degree approach angle and a 37-degree departure angle, the Thar can climb steep inclines and descend steep hills with ease.
These off-road capabilities make the Thar a true adventurer’s SUV, ready to take on the toughest terrain, whether it’s rocky trails, forests, or desert landscapes.
Safety Features
While the Thar is an off-road vehicle, Mahindra has ensured that it also provides a good level of safety for urban and highway driving. The new Thar comes equipped with a wide range of safety features:
- Dual front airbags
- ABS with EBD
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
- Roll-over mitigation
- Front seat belt reminders
- Child safety locks
- Rear parking sensors
- Reverse parking camera (on higher variants)
Additionally, the Mahindra Thar has also performed well in crash safety tests, ensuring a good level of protection for its occupants.
Price and Variants
The Mahindra Thar is available in multiple variants, including AX (Adventure Series) and LX (Luxury Series), with the price ranging from ₹10.50 Lakhs to ₹15 Lakhs (Ex-Showroom, depending on the variant). The price varies based on features, drivetrain options (2WD or 4WD), and roof type (hard-top or soft-top).
