The new iteration of the iconic Mahindra Thar not only comes with cosmetic changes and new features, but there are some significant mechanical upgrades too
The new Mahindra Thar OG has finally been launched for our market and I recently got the opportunity to spend some quality time with it to bring you a thorough review of all that it has to offer. We know that the Thar is already the most successful off-roading machine under the Rs 20-30 lakh bracket. There is simply no other vehicle capable enough to wear the crown of an outright hardcore off-roader. Over the years, Mahindra has ensured that the modern amenities don’t elude the otherwise barebones workhorse. As a result, it comes with the latest styling, new-age tech and safety and powerful mills in addition to the sophisticated off-tarmac components. Let us check out the kind of changes you would find on the new Mahindra Thar OG.
New Mahindra Thar OG – Price
The new Mahindra Thar OG starts at an introductory price of Rs 10.32 lakh and goes up to Rs 18.99 lakh, ex-showroom. Note that there are three powertrains on offer – 1.5-litre turbo diesel, 2.0-litre turbo petrol and 2.2-litre turbo diesel, with manual and automatic transmission options. The variant-wise price list is as follows:
| Variant | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXT | 1.5L Diesel | 6-speed MT | RWD | ₹10.32 lakh |
| LXT | 1.5L Diesel | 6-speed MT | RWD | ₹12.99 lakh |
| LXT | 2.0L Turbo Petrol | 6-speed AT | RWD | ₹14.77 lakh |
| LXT | 2.0L Turbo Petrol | 6-speed MT | 4WD | ₹15.60 lakh |
| LXT | 2.2L Diesel | 6-speed MT | 4WD | ₹16.43 lakh |
| LXT | 2.2L Diesel | 6-speed AT | RWD | ₹16.49 lakh |
| LXT | 2.0L Turbo Petrol | 6-speed AT | 4WD | ₹17.23 lakh |
| LXT | 2.2L Diesel | 6-speed AT | 4WD | ₹18.00 lakh |
| ZXT | 1.5L Diesel | 6-speed MT | RWD | ₹13.99 lakh |
| ZXT | 2.0L Turbo Petrol | 6-speed AT | RWD | ₹16.09 lakh |
| ZXT | 2.0L Turbo Petrol | 6-speed MT | 4WD | ₹16.60 lakh |
| ZXT | 2.2L Diesel | 6-speed MT | 4WD | ₹17.49 lakh |
| ZXT | 2.2L Diesel | 6-speed AT | RWD | ₹17.49 lakh |
| ZXT | 2.0L Turbo Petrol | 6-speed AT | 4WD | ₹17.75 lakh |
| ZXT | 2.2L Diesel | 6-speed AT | 4WD | ₹18.99 lakh |
New Mahindra Thar OG – Exterior and Styling
At first glance, the new Thar OG retains the unmistakable silhouette of the three-door Thar. However, look closer and there are quite a few changes. The biggest update at the front is the new, wider grille. The previous Thar had a smaller grille, and many owners used to replace it with aftermarket alternatives. Mahindra has now addressed that directly by giving the OG a wider and more prominent factory-fitted grille. The Mahindra branding remains, while Thar lettering has also been incorporated into the design.
The headlamp setup continues with an LED treatment, but the C-shaped LED DRLs give the front a more modern appearance. The bumper has also been redesigned and, importantly, the Thar now gets front parking sensors. This is a small but meaningful addition, considering the relatively upright and boxy shape of the vehicle. The new LED fog lamps are another highlight, with Mahindra referring to their design as the “Ice Cube” format.
Moving towards the side, the 19-inch alloy wheels are new and are paired with 80-profile tyres. There is also new Thar OG badging. At the rear, Mahindra has given the canopy a more Thar-like treatment instead of the previously plain surface. The spare wheel also gets a new alloy design. Overall, the changes are evolutionary rather than radical, but they give the three-door Thar a fresher and more premium appearance while retaining its familiar identity.
New Mahindra Thar OG – Interior, Cabin Space and Features
The cabin of the Thar OG follows the same philosophy as the exterior. Mahindra hasn’t completely redesigned it, but there are several changes that make the vehicle feel more modern and, importantly, more comfortable to use every day. The touchscreen is now larger, while a wireless charger has also been added. The dashboard trims, door pads and seats have been updated, giving the cabin a more contemporary appearance.
The feature list has also been expanded. The Thar OG gets Snow, Sand and Mud driving modes, while rear-seat ergonomics and support have been revised. One of the biggest safety updates is the addition of six airbags as standard. This means the occupants in both the front and rear benefit from additional side protection compared with the earlier setup.
However, my favourite update isn’t the larger touchscreen or the new trims. It is the addition of a dead pedal. This may sound like a small thing on paper, but it makes a significant difference to driving comfort, particularly on longer journeys. The previous Thar lacked this feature, and after spending considerable time with the older model, I always felt this was something Mahindra should have addressed. It finally has, and it makes the driving position feel more complete.
There is still one ergonomic limitation. The driver’s footwell remains somewhat cramped, and taller or broader-built drivers may find their knees coming into contact with the dashboard during extended driving. This isn’t a deal breaker, but it is something Mahindra could have improved while making the other changes to the cabin.
Another notable omission is ADAS. Considering Mahindra already offers Level 2 ADAS on some of its other SUVs, features such as blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning could have made the Thar even more complete, particularly on the higher-end variants.
New Mahindra Thar OG – Specifications
The biggest mechanical change is that Mahindra has retained the existing engine family but extracted more performance from the larger engines. The 1.5-litre diesel, 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines have been carried forward. However, the 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel now produce more power and torque. Both engines develop 330 Nm of peak torque, while the petrol engine gains 9 bhp and the diesel gets an additional 20 bhp over the previous model.
The source material specifically confirms that the six-speed automatic transmission continues to be offered and describes its shifts as reasonably smooth for this type of vehicle. More importantly, the additional torque is noticeable in real-world driving, with the Thar now pulling more cleanly from lower RPMs. The diesel automatic is also said to be more than a second quicker in the tested acceleration run, which highlights the effect of the powertrain updates.
Mahindra has also made significant changes underneath the skin. The suspension has been revised, with new suspension components and dampers, while the vehicle is based on a revised fourth-generation platform. The company has also introduced its patented DVinci technology to a ladder-frame vehicle for the first time, along with work on NVH.
Another important change is the move to an electronic slip differential. The earlier manual differential-locking mechanism has been replaced by a software-controlled system. Combined with the new Snow, Sand and Mud modes, this should make the Thar easier to exploit in different off-road conditions.
New Mahindra Thar OG – Driving Impressions
This is where the Thar OG really starts to make sense. The first thing you notice is that it feels more refined than the outgoing model. It is still a proper ladder-frame off-roader, so there is some inherent ruggedness and rawness to the experience, but Mahindra has managed to reduce the rough edges considerably. The diesel engine, in particular, feels much smoother, and the usual diesel clatter is far less noticeable inside the cabin at lower RPMs.
The additional torque is another major improvement. The engine pulls more cleanly from lower RPMs, making the Thar feel more effortless during everyday driving. The six-speed automatic continues to work reasonably well, and the overall powertrain feels better integrated than before.
But the biggest improvement, in my opinion, comes from the suspension. Body roll was one of the most common criticisms of the older Thar, and Mahindra has clearly worked on it. The new suspension and dampers make the vehicle ride flatter and feel more controlled through corners. Of course, some body movement remains because this is still a ladder-frame off-roader with long-travel suspension characteristics, but the difference is noticeable. The result is a Thar that feels considerably more comfortable on longer drives and should leave occupants less fatigued.
Braking has also improved with disc brakes on all four wheels. The previous Thar wasn’t necessarily under-braked, but the sharper response from the rear discs is something you can feel. All these changes come together to make the Thar OG feel more mature without removing its traditional character.
And then there is the off-road ability. This remains the Thar’s biggest strength. During the off-road session near Jodhpur, the vehicle demonstrated the kind of capability that has made the three-door Thar so popular among enthusiasts. Whether it is sand, snow, steep climbs or articulation, the Thar continues to be designed around serious off-road use. The new electronic slip differential and terrain modes further improve its ability to tackle loose surfaces.
What I particularly like about the Thar OG is that Mahindra hasn’t tried to turn it into something it isn’t. It remains a compact, rugged three-door off-roader, but the company has addressed several of the older model’s shortcomings. The suspension is better, the engines are more powerful, NVH has improved, braking is sharper and the cabin is more comfortable.
The new Thar OG therefore feels less like a completely new generation and more like a comprehensive maturation of the original formula. It retains the ruggedness and off-road ability that made the Thar a cult product, while becoming more refined and easier to live with on the road. The three-door layout still limits practicality compared with the five-door Thar ROXX, but for someone who prioritises compact dimensions, serious off-road capability and the unique character of the original Thar, the OG remains a very interesting proposition. The fact that Mahindra has retained the starting price at ₹10.34 lakh makes the update even more significant.
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