Mahindra Thar: Prices & Variants explained

7 min read

By now, you all would have seen the capabilities of the Mahindra Thar. Be it online or offline, it’s hard to miss the Mahindra Thar. The Thar remains one of the most distinct models in the market and boasts capabilities that few others can even comprehend, let alone match. And that’s why more than just another SUV, the Thar has itself become a cultural icon, featuring often in popular culture – films, music videos, you name it. Whether you are looking for a striking daily commuter that stands out in the corporate parking lot or a hardcore off-roader built to plunge into riverbeds, the Mahindra Thar has

got you covered. Reasons to buy are many, but it’s also easy to get a bit confused by all that’s going on – petrol versus diesel, manual versus automatic, and 2WD versus 4WD. But you’re in the right place. Read on to decode exactly what avatar of the Thar belongs in your garage.

Why a Mahindra Thar?

All of us would agree that the automotive landscape today is highly saturated with look-alike front-wheel-drive monocoque hatchbacks masquerading as SUVs. That’s why, wherever you look, a Thar will always stand out. It’s not just the butch proportions, but everybody can sense its ability, even if it’s parked next to a footpath. Let’s list out a few more reasons:

• Unmissable styling: With its muscular proportions, round headlamps, signature grille, and aggressive, wide stance, the Thar offers a towering road presence.
• Body-on-frame construction: All Mahindra SUVs possess a structural toughness that ordinary crossovers simply cannot match. The Thar is engineered to absorb heavy impacts and irregular roads without breaking a sweat.
• Go-anywhere ability: An incredible 226 mm of ground clearance paired with exceptional approach, break-over and departure angles progresses the abilities of the Thar. A 650 mm water-wading depth further proves why the Thar remains one of the best vehicles for all-year driving.
• Varied powertrain options: It would be wrong to put down the Thar as a one-trick pony. With a variety of powertrain options, there’s a Thar for everyone.

Lifestyle appeal:

What really makes the Thar an all-rounder is the convenience features that make it easy to live with. While many others focus on unnecessary feature additions, the Thar brings absolutely what you need in a package that remains supremely reliable years down the line. Step inside, and you’ll believe what we are saying.

• Adventure-ready cabin: The all-black interior is a thing to behold. But furthermore, the interior features completely washable bits and drainage plugs, allowing you to literally hose down everything.
• Roof-mounted speakers: What is a drive without good music, and when a manufacturer thoughtfully positions everything, the experience is multiplied. The overhead speakers create this dome of sound that everyone can enjoy, whether seated in the front or rear.
• Modern tech suite: A large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment is the centrepiece of a functional dashboard. Alongside that, you get standard steering-mounted controls, cruise control, rear-view camera, and rear AC vents. For stat nerds, the Thar offers all kinds of information right on the display – temperature gauge, steering angle, pitch and roll angles, and altimeter.

Petrol vs diesel:

One of the varied reasons the Thar stands out is that it doesn’t lock you into a single lifestyle. It offers three distinct, turbocharged engine choices engineered to balance brute power with daily drivability.

• 2.0 L mStallion turbo-petrol (TGDi): This is unique in its own class. Putting out a blistering 112 kW (150bhp) of power and up to 320 Nm of torque (AT) or 300 Nm (MT), this is a high-revving masterpiece. On the other hand, as expected from a petrol engine, it remains incredibly silent and refined, while supporting you wholeheartedly, whether you’re cruising on a highway or driving within city limits on smooth paved roads. If your use case falls into these categories, a petrol Thar looks the part and drives like others won’t believe.
• 1.5 L mHawk turbo-diesel: Delivering 87.2 kW (117bhp) of power and 300 Nm of torque, this compact powerhouse is the efficiency king amongst the range. Available exclusively in the rear-wheel-drive (2WD) configuration, it offers incredibly tractive low-end grunt while keeping your wallet happy at the fuel pump. Whether you drive mostly in the city, regular highways, or rough roads, this engine is suited to all terrains.
• 2.2 L mHawk turbo-diesel: If you’re the uncompromising kind, this heavyweight unit is for you. It produces 97 kW (130bhp) of power and 300 Nm of torque. It’s built to take abuse, haul heavy loads, and conquer high altitudes with ease.

Automatic vs manual gearbox

Both the 2 L petrol and 2.2 L diesel powertrains can be had with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The choice depends on the kind of terrain you drive on and your personal preference.

If you regularly drive through city traffic, an automatic gearbox is the better choice. The Thar’s automatic also performs exceptionally well off-road, freeing you from constant clutch use. On the other hand, the manual gearbox offers classic mechanical engagement, precise control in low-traction situations, and a slightly lower purchase price.

2WD vs 4WD

Deciding between Rear-Wheel Drive (2WD) and 4WD comes down to your lifestyle.

For office commutes, weekend outings, and highway cruising, the 2WD lineup provides the same iconic Thar experience without the added weight and reduced fuel efficiency of a 4WD system. However, if you enjoy exploring trails, sand, river beds, or slush, the 4WD models with a low-range transfer case and Electronic Brake Locking Differential (BLD) are essential.

Variants overview

Now that you've decided on the powertrain, let's look at the available variants. The trims are designed to suit different budgets and lifestyle requirements.

AXT

This is the entry-level variant, built for enthusiasts who want to customize their Thar or enter the Thar family under the ₹10 lakh mark. It is available in diesel RWD with a manual gearbox.

LXT

The LXT lineup is the top-end range, offering multiple powertrain options along with premium comfort, technology, Electronic Brake Locking Differential (BLD), and dedicated 4x4 crawl mode.

• LXT Diesel 2WD (MT): The ideal daily driver, combining the efficient 1.5L mHawk engine with premium LX comfort features.
• LXT Petrol 2WD (AT): Perfect for city driving, offering a refined turbo-petrol engine with the convenience of an automatic transmission.
• LXT Petrol 4WD (MT)/(AT): Designed for enthusiasts who want strong performance along with genuine off-road capability.
• LXT Diesel 4WD (MT)/(AT): The ultimate choice for overlanding and serious off-roading, powered by the renowned 2.2L mHawk diesel engine.

TL;DR: Which Mahindra Thar should you go for?

• On a strict budget? Choose the AXT Diesel 2WD (MT). It offers legendary Thar capability at an attractive starting price of ₹10,32,000.
• City dweller? The LXT Petrol 2WD (AT) delivers a quiet, smooth driving experience, premium features, and automatic convenience at ₹14,76,500.
• Want efficiency in a rugged SUV? The LXT Diesel 2WD (MT) combines premium features with the fuel-efficient 1.5L mHawk engine at ₹12,99,000.
• Want maximum off-road capability? Choose the LXT 4WD variant with either petrol or diesel, available in manual or automatic. Prices start at ₹15,59,500 for the petrol MT and go up to ₹17,99,500 for the diesel AT.