KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Mahindra Thar was first launched in 2010 as a successor to the Mahindra Legend.
- 2nd generation Thar offers three engines to choose from, whereas the 1st generation was available with only one variant and one engine.
- New Thar starts at Rs 11.35 lakh and goes up to Rs 17.60 lakh.
The name "Mahindra Thar" was first introduced to Indian customers in 2010 as the modern version of the Mahindra Legend SUV. At that time, it was a niche vehicle, chosen by a select group of enthusiasts who loved off-roading. Over the years, as the SUV craze began to take hold, Mahindra realized that their off-road king was gaining attention from families.
In response, they decided to create a new Thar for a new India - one for people who love adventure and are willing to go the extra mile to find answers to all their questions. The second generation of the Mahindra Thar was launched on August 15th, 2020. It changed the landscape of the Indian automotive industry and is largely responsible for why Indians are now head over heels for SUVs.
So today, lets find out how the 1st generation differs from the 2nd generation. Also, make sure to join 91Wheels WhatsApp Community to never miss out on such excting automotive content.
Also Read: Mahindra Thar 3 - Door VS Thar Roxx - Key Differences
Mahindra Thar Design
Comparing these two generations feels like observing how times have changed. The older Thar seems built for a specific use case it can't easily serve as your everyday car. It's not practical, lacks space, and just by looking at it, you can tell it's going to be an uncomfortable ride. On the other hand, the new 2nd generation Thar bears a strong resemblance to the Jeep Wrangler, especially from the front, but it's a massive step forward in terms of design. It's also bigger, which translates to more interior space. Like the previous model, the new one can be configured with either a hard top or a soft top.
Another important design element is that the new Thar comes with R18 alloy wheels as standard on all trims. In contrast, the older model came with smaller 15 Inch alloys, and owners had to visit the aftermarket to get alloy wheels that made it look more striking. Now, let's check out the dimensions to understand these satements.
Dimensions | Mahindra Thar (1st Generation) | Mahindra Thar (2nd Generation) |
Length | 3920 mm | 3985 mm |
Width | 1726 mm | 1820 mm |
Height | 1930 mm | 1855 mm |
Wheelbase | 2430 mm | 2450 mm |
Ground Clearance | 200 mm | 226 mm |
Mahindra Thar Interior
As expected, the interior is also vastly different, with the new Thar having much more character and technological features that are essential in modern cars. Features like automatic climate control, steering-mounted controls, a 7-inch touchscreen, a TFT display, roof-mounted speakers, electrically adjustable ORVMs, and parking sensors make it a vehicle you can use every day.
The older, 1st generation Thar had nothing except a manual AC and an analog speedometer. Additionally, the windows were manually operated.
Mahindra Thar Engines
In the deparment of powertrain, Mahindra hit the ball out of the park with offering two diesel engines and one petrol engine. First one is diesel a 1.5 L CRDe making 118 Ps and 300 Nm of torque, which is only available with a 6-speed manual, and RWD drivetype.
Second one is a powerful 2.2 L mHawk diesel that makes 131 Ps and 300 Nm of torque, where customers can choose between 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic (torque converter). Additionally, 4WD High & Low Reduction Gear arrangement is there with this engine.
The third engine is the 2.0L mStallion, which produces 112 PS and 300 Nm of torque with a manual gearbox, and 320 Nm with an automatic gearbox (torque converter).
Now lets talk about the older Thars engine, which was a 2.5L unit producing 105 bhp and 247 Nm of torque. It came with only a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 4x4 setup.
Mahindra Thar Ride Quality
The best part about the new Thar is its ride quality, and people are amazed at how comfortable it is despite its off-road-heavy nature. People in metropolitan cities like New Delhi and Gurugram take their Thars to work, travel long distances, and feel no discomfort even when stuck in traffic. Talking about the suspensions, the front one is a Double Wishbone With Coil Over Damper & Stabiliser Bar and rear one is Multilink Solid Rear Axle with Coil Over Damper.
The previous generation Thar had an independent suspension at the front and semi-elliptical leaf springs, which were perfect for extreme off-roading but highly uncomfortable on regular roads. This was a major reason why it was such a niche vehicle back then.
Mahindra Thar Price
The 1st generation Thar used to cost Rs 7.79 lakh ex-showroom, while the new one starts at Rs 11.35 lakh. The top model, which comes after 14 additional variants, costs Rs 17.60 lakh. This represents a significant price jump, but it's important to remember how different the new and older Thars are in every aspect.
Also Read: Tata Safari Old VS New: How It Has Become More Premium
Verdict
Mahindra Thar is not just an SUV now; it is a part of Indian pop culture. It is more popular than many celebrities, and every kid dreams of owning it. This is due to how Mahindra has changed the game of SUVs in India and created an outstanding lifestyle product in a market dominated by family-friendly vehicles. Now, with the recent launch of the Mahindra Thar Roxx, the 5-door version, this segment is taken to a whole new level. Kudos to Mahindra for doing the unexpected and creating cars that push the limits of the Indian automotive sector.