Mahindra Thar Review
Mahindra Thar
A rugged, lifestyle-oriented off-roader from Mahindra that blends traditional 4x4 capability with modern urban-friendly features and refinements.
How This Score Is Calculated
- Sources analysed: 16 reviews
- Raw weighted average: 8.2
- Formula: Σ(score × weight) ÷ Σ(weight)
- Consensus bonus +0.3: 85% agreement
- Final score: 8.2/10
- Most reviewed featureOff-road capability (16/16)
- Most praisedOff-road performance
- Most criticisedRide quality
- Reviewer consensus levelHigh
- Value for moneyGood Value (7.5/10)
The Mahindra Thar is widely regarded as the definitive Indian off-roader, successfully balancing its rugged, trail-ready DNA with modern cabin refinements. While it remains a niche vehicle with a bouncy ride and limited boot space, recent updates to infotainment and ergonomics have significantly improved its daily usability. It is an ideal choice for buyers who prioritise road presence, off-road performance, and a unique lifestyle statement over pure sedan-like comfort.
🔧 Key Specifications
- Display: 10.25-inch infotainment system
- Features: Rear AC vents, electronic fuel-lid opener, rear wiper/washer
- Powertrains: Petrol and Diesel options
- Transmission: Manual and Automatic options
- Capability: 4x4 drivetrain
💲 Price Range
₹9.99 Lakh – ₹23 Lakh (estimated range across variants)
📊 What Reviewers Say — Feature by Feature
16 features evaluated across 16 sources.
👍 Key Strengths
- Exceptional off-road capability
- Punchy, refined powertrain options
- Commanding road presence
- Improved modern interior features
👎 Key Weaknesses
- Bouncy ride quality
- Limited luggage and boot space
- Challenging rear seat access
- High fuel consumption
💰 Value for Money Analysis
Reviewers generally consider the Thar good value given its dual nature as both a lifestyle statement and a capable off-roader. While some argue the higher trims are pricey, the overall package is viewed as a compelling investment for enthusiasts.
⚡ Where Reviewers Disagreed
- Daily Usability: Some reviewers praise it as a daily driver, while others caution that its bouncy ride and limited space make it impractical for regular road conditions.
🎯 Who This Product Is For
🛠️ Best Use Cases
- Off-Roading Exceptional performance on trails and varied terrain. Great
- Highway Cruising Capable, but prone to aerodynamic noise and ride bounce at speed. Good
- Daily Commuting Improved ergonomics help, but ride quality remains a challenge. OK
🔀 Alternatives Mentioned by Reviewers
- Maruti Suzuki Jimny — A more compact, practical alternative that prioritises city-friendly driving and everyday usability over the Thar's raw power and road presence. Choose this if you value head-over-heart practicality.
- Mahindra Scorpio N — A more family-oriented SUV that shares mechanical similarities with the Thar but offers significantly more interior space, comfort, and versatility for long tours.
- Mahindra Thar Roxx — The 5-door sibling that addresses the 3-door model's space and accessibility concerns while retaining the rugged 4x4 DNA.
🛒 Buyer's Guide
✅ Buy This If…
- You prioritise off-road capability and road presence.
- You want a vehicle that makes a strong lifestyle statement.
- You appreciate the punchy power delivery of modern diesel/petrol engines.
❌ Skip This If…
- You need a practical family car with easy rear seat access.
- You require a plush, luxury-car-like ride quality.
- You are on a strict budget and need high fuel efficiency.
📈 Sentiment Trends Over Time
Reviews span from 2020 to 2025. The following changes were detected:
- Usability — Consistent refinements to the cabin and infotainment have successfully bridged the gap between a niche off-roader and a liveable daily vehicle.
The Mahindra Thar remains the benchmark for off-road performance in India, now bolstered by meaningful ergonomic and feature updates. While it demands compromises in ride comfort and space, its character and capability are unmatched at its price point. It is the definitive choice for enthusiasts who want a rugged adventure vehicle that is now finally comfortable enough for daily use.
Top Alternative: Maruti Suzuki Jimny — Choose this if your priority is compact city practicality over raw off-road presence.
Reviewer Perspectives & Source Breakdown
Mahindra Thar Review & Pictures | The Automotive India - theautomotivein...
Price: Rs. 7.69 Lakh
The Mahindra Thar is a rugged, off-road focused vehicle that prioritizes adventure capabilities over luxury and comfort. While it excels in off-roading, it lacks modern amenities, interior refinement, and high-speed stability.
Pros
- Excellent off-road capability
- Powerful turbocharged CRDe engine
- Light and easy steering for city maneuvering
- Good low-end torque
Cons
- Poor interior quality and lack of features
- Uncomfortable rear bench seats
- Significant turbo lag below 2000rpm
- High body roll and unstable at high speeds
- Cramped pedal placement
Who should buy Mahindra Thar Roxx & who shouldn't: My long-term review |...
The Mahindra Thar Roxx is a powerful, off-road-ready SUV that delivers raw torque, though it suffers from poor fuel efficiency and inconsistent service center quality. While the vehicle offers a great driving experience, potential owners should be prepared for potential hardware issues and meticulous maintenance requirements.
Pros
- Excellent raw diesel torque for driving
- Capable performance on high altitudes and highways
- Good aesthetic and road presence
Cons
- Poor fuel efficiency of 12-13 kmpl
- Underwhelming and unprofessional service center experience
- Presence of surface rust on new chassis
- Initial 4x4 actuator hardware malfunctions
Mahindra Thar first drive review, now live! | Motoroids - Part 6 - motor...
Price: 6 Lakh
The Mahindra Thar is a capable, lifestyle-oriented vehicle designed for enthusiasts who appreciate 4x4 performance. It successfully rekindles interest in off-road capable Mahindra vehicles.
Pros
- Capable off-road machine
- Powerful CRDe engine performance
- Appealing lifestyle vehicle positioning
Cons
- Basic door panels lacking luxury
- Slightly pricey at the given segment
2020 Mahindra Thar Review: First Drive | autoX - autox.com...
Price: 11.35 Lakh
The 2020 Mahindra Thar is a significantly improved vehicle that successfully blends rugged off-road capability with modern urban-friendly features and comfort. It offers a vastly superior interior and refined driving experience, making it a compelling package for both adventure enthusiasts and daily commuters.
Pros
- Muscular and attractive modern design
- Significantly improved interior comfort and quality
- Excellent off-road capability
- More urban-friendly driving dynamics
- Wide range of standard safety features
Cons
- Lack of a dead pedal in manual models
- Reduced headroom for tall drivers
- Minimal storage space in the boot
- Interior not as plush as luxury SUVs
Mahindra Thar Petrol AT Off-Road Review | autoX - autox.com...
Price: Rs 13.55 Lakh
The Mahindra Thar Petrol AT is an exceptionally capable off-roader that matches the diesel variant's performance while offering superior refinement. It stands out as a versatile choice for both trail enthusiasts and daily commuters.
Pros
- Off-road performance matches the diesel variant
- Excellent engine refinement
- Effortless daily driveability
- Strong torque delivery
Cons
- High fuel consumption
- Lacks a dead pedal
- Light steering feel at times
- Low radiator placement
Mahindra Thar Roxx Diesel MT Review: The 5-door SUV to Buy? | autoX - au...
Price: Rs 12.99 lakh (base RWD) to estimated Rs 22-23 lakh
The Mahindra Thar Roxx successfully blends rugged off-road capability with family-friendly practicality and modern features. Despite some minor ride quality issues on city roads, it stands out as a compelling, well-rounded SUV for those needing both adventure and comfort.
Pros
- Significantly improved interior space and cabin quality
- Feature-rich cabin with a panoramic sunroof
- Highly capable off-road performance with new tech
- Easy ingress and egress with 90-degree door opening
- Smooth and powerful diesel engine performance
Cons
- Bouncy ride quality on uneven city roads
- Vague steering feel requires careful input
- Small door pockets with limited storage space
- ADAS systems require further refinement
- Light-colored interior prone to getting dirty easily
Mahindra Thar Roxx Long Term Review, February 2025 Report | autoX - auto...
The Mahindra Thar Roxx is a capable and powerful SUV that excels off-road while remaining comfortable for highway driving. Despite its impressive performance, the ownership experience is slightly marred by erratic wireless connectivity issues.
Pros
- Punchy engine performance
- Capable off-road features
- Strong road presence
- Comfortable on long highway drives
Cons
- Erratic wireless Android Auto connectivity
Mahindra Thar Roxx Long Term Review, January 2025 Report | autoX - autox...
The Mahindra Thar Roxx is a highly practical and commanding SUV that offers excellent road presence and improved comfort. It successfully addresses previous space concerns while maintaining the iconic Thar appeal.
Pros
- Commands significant attention from others on the road
- High seating position offers excellent visibility
- Improved suspension and NVH levels
- Diesel automatic powertrain offers good fuel efficiency
Cons
- The name Roxx is considered tacky
- Limited testing in highway conditions so far
Mahindra Scorpio N 2022 Review | Is it a better option than the Thar & X...
Price: Rs. 13,49,000 to Rs. 24,95,000
The Mahindra Scorpio N is a robust and powerful SUV that offers a compelling blend of performance, features, and safety at its price point. It serves as a versatile option for families, touring, and off-road driving.
Pros
- Powerful engine performance
- Excellent road stability and braking
- Spacious and comfortable interior
- Available 4x4 capability for off-roading
- Value for money features and power
Cons
- Fuel efficiency varies significantly between variants
- High-end variants significantly more expensive
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