The Mahindra Thar has never been about having everything. It has always prioritised the essentials of a hardcore off-roader, even if that meant giving up some of the finesse offered in modern SUVs. The second-generation model, launched in 2020, followed the same philosophy. Mahindra has now tried to bring the Thar closer to the times with a second facelift, dubbed the Thar OG. It gets a longer list of equipment and some technical updates over the earlier model. But there are still some features that the Thar OG misses out on.
1. Automatic climate control
Offers manual climate controls and rear vents as standard
The Thar OG continues with a rudimentary climate control system. There is no automatic climate control on any variant. On the positive side, Mahindra offers rear AC vents as standard across the range, which should be convenient for rear-seat passengers who do not get openable windows.
2. Powered or ventilated seats
Driver and co-driver seats are manually adjustable
The front seats are manual across the range, with no electric adjustment or ventilation even in the top-spec ZXT. The driver gets height and fore/aft adjustment, while the co-driver’s seat can only be adjusted for reach. The mechanism that allows the co-driver’s seat to be tilted and slid forward for access to the rear seats is manual as well.
3. 360-degree camera
Offered with a rear parking camera but only on the top ZXT trim
Parking assistance is another area where the Thar OG falls short among SUVs offered in a similar price range. The Thar OG is available with only a rear parking camera, and that too exclusively on the top-spec ZXT. The AXT and LXT trims get rear parking sensors instead.
4. Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) suite
No driver assistance system is offered, unlike the larger Thar Roxx
The Thar OG also does without an ADAS suite. Driver assistance features have become increasingly common across the SUV market, including among several midsize and sub-4m SUVs. The larger Thar Roxx gets these features, but Mahindra has not brought them to the Thar OG.
5. Digital instrument cluster
Continues to offer analogue dials and a coloured MID
While the Thar OG gets a fairly large 10.25-inch touchscreen, the instrument cluster retains a more traditional layout. There are two analogue dials for the speedometer and tachometer, with a multi-information display sitting between them. The AXT goes a step below with a monochrome MID instead of the colour unit offered on higher variants.
6. Branded audio system
Gets 6 roof-mounted speakers
The Thar OG gets a six-speaker audio system, but there is no branded audio setup on offer. All six speakers are mounted on the roof, while other Mahindra SUVs get branded systems from the likes of Harman Kardon or Sony.
7. Wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity
Wireless smartphone connectivity is limited to Android Auto users
The Thar OG gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen from the mid-spec LXT onwards, but wireless smartphone connectivity isn’t equally convenient for Android and iOS platforms. Android Auto works wirelessly, while Apple CarPlay still requires a wired connection.
8. Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror (IRVM)
A manual day/night-adjustable IRVM is offered as standard
The inside rearview mirror is another piece of equipment that remains fairly basic. The Thar OG gets a conventional manual day/night-adjustable IRVM across its variants rather than an auto-dimming unit that automatically reduces glare from tailing vehicles.
9. Electronic parking brake
Manual handbrake is offered on all trim levels
The Thar OG also sticks with a conventional mechanical handbrake across the range. There is no electronic parking brake, even on the top-spec ZXT. While it is not a glaring miss, an electronic parking brake, at least with the automatic variants, would have definitely made the Thar OG feel a bit more modern.
Uday Singh
Glenn Noronha
