Mahindra Thar Review: Pros and Cons of the Off-Roader
Mahindra Thar's latest iteration has been a huge success in the Indian market. It has surely lived up to the legacy of Thar. So, if you are planning to book one for yourself, take a look at all the pros and cons of Mahindra Thar that you will have to face while buying the off-roader for yourself. Let's start with the pros of Mahindra Thar:
Mahindra Thar offers three engine options:
mHawk 130 CRDe Diesel: 131ps @3,750 RPM | 300 NM @1,600-2,800 RPM
D117 CRDe Diesel: 118.5ps @ 3,500 RPM | 300 NM @ 1,750-2,500 RPM
Stallion 150 TGDi Petrol: 150ps @ 5,000 RPM | 300 NM @ 1,250-3,000 RPM (Manual) | 320 NM @ 1,500-3,000 RPM (automatic)
These three engines come paired with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. You also get an optional 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission and two drivetrain options: RWD and 4WD.
| Departure angle | 36 degrees |
|---|---|
| Ramp over angle | 26.2 degrees |
| Approach angle | 41.2 degrees |
| Ground clearance | 226 mm |
| Water wading capacity | 650 mm |
Mahindra Thar offers unmatched off-roading capabilities that offer a great setup for someone seeking adventure as well as loaded tech. It also gets off-roading essentials such as an electric driveline disconnect on the front axle for 4WD, advanced electronic brake locking differential for 4WD, mechanical locking differential, washable floor with drain plugs, welded tow hook in front and rear, and tow hitch protection.
Mahindra Thar offers a good list of features that you will love, such as a touchscreen infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, cruise control, steering-mounted controls, tyre pressure monitoring system, semi-digital instrument cluster, rear parking sensors, electric ORVMs, remote-less key entry, and much more.
Mahindra Thar has scored a 4 by 4 rating at the Global NCAP crash testing. It means a 4-star rating for the adult as well as the child occupancy. This makes Mahindra Thar one of the safest cars in India. It has safety features such as dual front airbags, ESP with roll-over mitigation, hill-hold and descent control, ABS with EBD, brake assist, speed sensing door locking, ISOFIX child seat anchorage, and panic braking signal.
With all the features, performance, and off-roading abilities, the Thar should be a pricy affair. Well, not at all! The whole discussion about Mahindra Thar's advantages and disadvantages might end at this point for many buyers. Mahindra has ensured to price the Thar at the lowest bracket for its range. The cost is only 9.99 lakhs (ex-showroom) for the base variant. As for the top variant, you will have to pay 14.2 lakhs (ex-showroom).
You want to go on an adventurous trip in your Thar. Well, you should have booked it at least four months ago! Yes, that's right, as the Mahindra Thar currently has a waiting period of around 4 months. If you are in need of a car urgently and plan to buy Mahindra Thar, it may not be possible to acquire it immediately.
Mahindra has improved the driving experience of Thar with this iteration by leaps and bounds. But, still, you cannot expect the same level of easy driving and comfort as that of an SUV that is built specifically for rough roads and terrains. The ladder-on-frame chassis along with suspension meant to keep the car afloat in off-roading conditions might feel a bit rigid and result in a rugged driving experience.
Features like ventilated seats, rear parking camera, electric sunroof, and projector LED headlights are missing on this SUV. These features are not a big deal but do add to the convenience of a car if present.
At the moment, there is no option for a 6 or 7-seater version or a 5-door variant. The current 3-door variant with only 4 seater capacity makes it NOT a good choice for families with 5 or more members.
Because Mahindra Thar has very few cons, some buyers might not even consider its low mileage being much of a deal. On the other hand, the Thar does offer a lot in terms of advantages and features. So, it's up to you. If you're looking for a performance-based SUV with off-roading abilities and can be okay with not having a few convenience features, Thar might be the best choice for you.
Want to know how Mahindra Thar fares against its rivals? Or do you want to know more about the specifications of the SUV? Visit the Park+ website for more information on cars, to check challans, insurance renewals, FASTags, parking spaces, and more. Download Park+ App.