Mahindra Thar: Your Ultimate Off-Roading Adventure SUV
The Mahindra Thar stands out as a top-tier off-roading SUV in its segment. This article covers the details of the Mahindra Thar LX Diesel Automatic variant, a perfect choice for those seeking adventure and capable of handling tough off-road tracks.
Powerful Performance for Any Terrain
The Thar comes with a strong 2.2-liter mHawk diesel engine. This engine offers a good power output of 130 PS and 300 Nm of torque. For drive options, you can choose between a 4×4 system, which is great for off-roading, or a 4×2 rear-wheel drive option. The Thar is available in two main variants: AX Optional and LX.
Striking Exterior Design and Dimensions
The Mahindra Thar boasts a powerful road presence and unique looks. It features the classic Mahindra badging and a grille that can be customized. The front has normal halogen headlights, with indicators and DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) placed on the side and above. Halogen fog lamps are found below.
The front bumper is strong and solid, designed for rugged use. An engine guard is also in place to protect the engine when driving on rough roads or during off-roading. The Thar offers a high ground clearance of 226 millimeters. It also has dual wipers and a washer.
From the side, the Thar shows off its large branding. Its overall design gives it an impressive look on the road. The black color is often the most popular choice for this rugged vehicle. The Thar’s dimensions include a length of 3985 mm, a width of 1855 mm, and a height of 1844 mm. The wheelbase is 2450 mm.
The SUV rides on robust 18-inch alloy wheels, featuring the new Mahindra logo and Thar branding. It has disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. The tire profile is 255/65 R18. Other exterior details include 4×4 badging, 2.2L mHawk diesel engine badging, a power antenna, and electric manual foldable ORVMs (Outside Rear View Mirrors) in a black finish. The fuel lid allows for both diesel and AdBlue/urea.
At the rear, the Thar presents a muscular look, partly due to the large spare alloy wheel mounted on the back door. It features LED taillights with integrated indicators, and a high-mounted stop lamp is located above. A black bumper is present on both sides. The rear suspension setup is designed for rough terrains. The boot opens in two parts; first the door, then the glass panel. The rear seating can be split 50:50, making space for a couple of bags if two people are traveling.
The Thar is offered with a hard-top roof, as seen, and a soft-top option is also available. While 4×4 variants have specific colors, the 4×2 variants offer additional color options like white and bronze.
Comfortable and Feature-Rich Interior
Inside, the Mahindra Thar offers a tough, all-black dashboard. The driver gets good visibility of the road ahead, making it easy to drive even in tough conditions.
The remote central locking key comes with the new Mahindra logo. The door panels are black and include door openers, ORVM controls, and a bottle holder. The seats are fabric and offer both height and recline adjustment.
The automatic transmission variant features standard brake and accelerator pedals. For audio, there are speakers on each side and additional speakers and tweeters placed on the roof.
The steering wheel includes an RPM meter and a speedometer that goes up to 180 km/h. In the center, there is an MID (Multi-Information Display) screen. This screen shows important details like fuel level, driving range, and 4H/4L (Four High/Four Low) information. The steering wheel also has controls for the MID and cruise control. It is tilt-adjustable, allowing drivers to set it to their comfort. Headlight and wiper controls are on stalks behind the steering wheel.
The central console features AC vents and a 7-inch infotainment system. This system supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and USB connectivity. While a reverse parking camera is not standard, it can be added as an accessory. The infotainment screen also provides car information, TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), power and torque readouts, and off-road custom options. Volume controls are located near the screen. Below this, you’ll find AC controls, an airbag on/off switch, a seat belt reminder light, traction control, and hill descent control. A unique lock/unlock button for all doors is also present in this area.
Conveniently located are USB and AUX ports, along with a 12V charging socket. There’s also space to keep a phone or other small items. The vehicle includes an automatic transmission lever and a dedicated 4×4 lever for shifting between 4 High and 4 Low modes for off-roading.
Other interior features include a handbrake, power window controls for the front passengers (as it’s a three-door vehicle), and two cup holders. Two airbags are a standard safety feature. A sturdy grab handle is provided for passengers during off-roading. The glovebox offers minimal space, suitable for documents like the RC and insurance papers. The IRVM (Inside Rear View Mirror) is adjustable. The interior lights are white. In total, there are four speakers and two tweeters for the audio system.
The rear seats are accessed by folding and sliding the front seat forward. The legroom and knee room in the second row are limited, making it more suitable for two people on shorter journeys. The rear seats also have adjustable headrests.
Advanced Safety and Off-Road Capabilities
The Mahindra Thar is equipped with essential safety features. These include ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with dual airbags, reverse parking sensors, a speed alert system, seat belt reminders, and TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System). It also features ESP (Electronic Stability Program), Traction Control, and Hill Descent Control. The 226 mm ground clearance and the 4×4 system make it a capable off-roading vehicle.
Price and Variants
The Mahindra Thar offers various options to suit different needs. The diesel automatic LX variant has an ex-showroom price of ₹16,77,000, with an on-road price in Lucknow of around ₹19,40,000. For those preferring a manual transmission, the diesel manual variant is priced at ₹15,35,000 ex-showroom, with an on-road price in Lucknow of approximately ₹17,80,000. The Thar range starts from an ex-showroom price of ₹13,87,000.
Conclusion
The Mahindra Thar is built for adventure, offering a strong road presence, a powerful diesel engine, and significant off-roading capabilities. It combines rugged design with essential features for a thrilling driving experience.
