Mahindra Thar 2020-2024

One look at the Thar and you know exactly what the car is all about. Whether you opt for the hard top or the soft top convertible, the Thar makes it clear that it does not like to be washed, and would rather wear the muck and dirt on its paint like a badge of honour. The six spoke front grille looks menacing, and the classic, round headlamps are a good throwback to the old Thar it replaces. The 18 inch, five spoke alloy wheels in gunmetal look smashing, but you’ll want to upsize from the 255/65 section tyres for something wider due to the large cladding on the wheel arches. The flat hood and other body panels lend the Thar a clean look and isn’t too showy. The rear is also nearly flat, barring the spare wheel that is stored on the tailgate. The tail lights are also very old-school and very very cool. 

Just like the exteriors, the interiors of the Thar are clearly designed to get dirty. Fit and finish is good, but you do feel a bit short-changed considering the price of the car. The all-black interiors feel premium, even if they make the cabin feel a bit smaller. The large windows help negate this and even the rear seat won’t feel claustrophobic. The use of classic, physical switches rather than touch controls will be welcomed with open arms by purists. There aren’t too many spaces to keep your belongings, and this translates to the amount of boot space you have as you’ll barely be able to store two small bags with the rear seats up. If you need more space, the rear seats fold in a 50:50 ratio. Overall, the interior is a nice place to be if you aren’t too fussed about the latest features.  

While the old Thar was all about being rugged and extremely utilitarian, making for quite an uncomfortable ride, the new Thar shows that you can have an extremely capable off-roader on a budget while being a good commuter as well. The front seats are roomy and you won’t have trouble finding a good driving position. The suspension soaks up bumps well and you’ll find yourself gliding over smaller potholes and speed bumps rather than slowing down. The AC also works well, and does a good job of keeping the cabin cool in both the soft and hard top variants. One drawback are the rear seats — they just aren’t great for long journeys. The underthigh support is poor and the rear in general is quite a cramped space to be in, especially if there are taller passengers in the front seats. A family car this is not. But then, there are some adventures you want to take on either solo or just a plus one, so make of that what you will. If nothing else, you have more room for luggage. 

The Mahindra Thar is available with either a 2.0-litre, 4 cylinder turbo petrol engine producing 150 bhp and 320 Nm, or a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel power unit producing 130 bhp and 300 Nm, and both are four-wheel drive. The Mahindra Thar is also available in a rear-wheel drive configuration for those unlikely to do much off-roading. Whichever variant you choose, there is oodles of fun to be had and both engines are absolute torque monsters. The Petrol is exceptionally smooth and the Thar can really get going when you put your foot to the floor. The suspension handles body roll adequately, but you will find the Thar getting unsettled at higher speeds. 

However, fret not, for the new Thar does not feel like it has a mind of its own over 80 km/h like the old one. You can comfortably cruise at highway speeds and the NVH levels are also kept in check, cutting out road noise to ensure there is no interference while you admire the changing scenery. In the city, the Thar’s steering is light and effortless, but you do have to be careful given the width of the car and the fact that visibility right in front of you on either side isn’t the best. 

When you’re off the beaten track, the Thar comes into its own. The 4x4 variants will handle the most basic off-roading tasks with a simple shrug that says, “sure, why not?”, and seasoned off-roaders will be able to tackle even rougher terrain without having to tinker with the stock setup. It is a car that really enjoys being out in the wild, and you’d be doing it a disservice if you don’t explore the length and breadth of India’s natural habitat. Make sure to use that low ratio gear.    

The Mahindra Thar scored an impressive four stars in the Global NCAP crash tests, and that speaks to the solid build quality. Features like a TPMS, ABS, hill hold assist, traction control, and hill descent control go a long way in making your off-road excursions safe. However, the Thar only has two air-bags, and the top spec should have been equipped with at least four. 

The Thar doesn’t shy away from the fact that it isn’t a car that is loaded with features. It wants you to make your own music while you take on the open roads, but should the perfect stretch of tarmac or dirt road present itself, there is a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with six speakers. The goal of this car might be to get lost out on the open road, but should you get a little too lost, there is also wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay so you can use your maps app and find your way to your destination. You also get steering mounted controls to control the music and cruise control, however, a reverse parking camera does not come as standard. This is quite annoying, not only because of the size of the car and the price tag, but also because the spare wheel covers a substantial amount of the rear glass. 

The Mahindra Thar is for everyone with a thirst for adventure, but will also be a great companion to those who just want the driving dynamics of an SUV in the city and don’t want something as big as a Mahindra Scorpio or Tata Harrier. What the Thar isn’t, is a family car or your one do it all car. There just isn’t enough space for four, let alone five, adults to go on a road trip. And it can get quite cumbersome on narrower city roads. What it is, is the perfect second car if you already own a practical family hatchback or sedan. It is a car that pushes you to go the extra mile, to explore new territories and make new memories. 

The Thar lifestyle off-roader sees up to ₹90,000 GST benefit. For enthusiasts who want rugged looks and weekend fun, the lower price nudges this iconic model closer to many buyers.