Mahindra Thar

The Mahindra Thar is a vehicle built for real off-roading. Its ability to negotiate rough terrain is genuine but it’s not an ideal everyday vehicle. The Thar is available with two diesel engine options. Do note: the next-gen Thar is in the works and promises to be a more rounded vehicle.

The Mahindra Thar is a vehicle built for real off-roading. Its ability to negotiate rough terrain is genuine but it’s...

The Mahindra Thar is a vehicle built for real off-roading. Its ability to negotiate rough terrain is genuine but it’s not an ideal everyday vehicle. The Thar is available with two diesel engine options. Do note: the next-gen Thar is in the works and promises to be a more rounded vehicle.

The Mahindra Thar’s shape has timeless appeal but the cabin on the DI versions is absolutely basic. There’s a bit more kit on the CRDe but if you want creature comforts, you’d better look elsewhere. Quality is basic, the ergonomics are off and the side-facing rear seats are uncomfortable. The soft-top also tends to flap about and doesn’t offer much by way of security.
The base Thar’s 63hp, 2.5-litre diesel engine lacks grunt. Four-wheel drive is an option on the DI engine but standard fit with the more powerful 2.2-litre CRDe unit. The 105hp CRDe unit is the nicer of the two engines and even feels reasonably peppy. Still, the Thar is not an easy SUV to drive in town and also tends to bounce about on its leaf-spring rear suspension. Where the Thar is in its element is in the rough. It’ll tackles obstacles with ease and the lockable rear differential on the CRDe makes it more capable still.

The Mahindra Thar’s shape has timeless appeal but the cabin on the DI versions is absolutely basic. There’s a bit mor...

The Mahindra Thar’s shape has timeless appeal but the cabin on the DI versions is absolutely basic. There’s a bit more kit on the CRDe but if you want creature comforts, you’d better look elsewhere. Quality is basic, the ergonomics are off and the side-facing rear seats are uncomfortable. The soft-top also tends to flap about and doesn’t offer much by way of security.
The base Thar’s 63hp, 2.5-litre diesel engine lacks grunt. Four-wheel drive is an option on the DI engine but standard fit with the more powerful 2.2-litre CRDe unit. The 105hp CRDe unit is the nicer of the two engines and even feels reasonably peppy. Still, the Thar is not an easy SUV to drive in town and also tends to bounce about on its leaf-spring rear suspension. Where the Thar is in its element is in the rough. It’ll tackles obstacles with ease and the lockable rear differential on the CRDe makes it more capable still.

There’s no denying the Thar is expensive for what it is. But if you want a hardcore off-roader, it’s still among the best options you can have. Our pick of the range is the top-spec Thar CRDe. It’s got the more sophisticated front suspension, the added power comes handy both on and off the road, and it’s also the one with the slightly nicer finished cabin. Air conditioning is part of the CRDe’s equipment list but there’s little else.

There’s no denying the Thar is expensive for what it is. But if you want a hardcore off-roader, it’s still among the ...

There’s no denying the Thar is expensive for what it is. But if you want a hardcore off-roader, it’s still among the best options you can have. Our pick of the range is the top-spec Thar CRDe. It’s got the more sophisticated front suspension, the added power comes handy both on and off the road, and it’s also the one with the slightly nicer finished cabin. Air conditioning is part of the CRDe’s equipment list but there’s little else.