The Mahindra Thar is a bit of an outlier among these three options. It’s the only 3-door model, the only one built on a tough body-on-frame chassis, and the only one that comes with a diesel engine. Going for a diesel SUV is absolutely fine, in fact, the lack of diesel options in the Taigun and Kushaq petrol variants can be a disadvantage if you value fuel efficiency and torque for highway or off-road driving.

If the Thar is going to be your second or third car that will be used occasionally for off-road trips or wilderness drives, then it’s a compelling choice, and the 1.5-litre diesel is significantly cheaper too.

However, in terms of refinement, comfort, driveability, and on-road sophistication, the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are far superior. They are smoother, more comfortable, and easier to drive daily, making them better all-rounders for city and highway use.