Mahindra Thar OG Comparison

Introduction to the Mahindra Thar OG

Mahindra launched the Thar OG in September 2026, bringing several hardware, styling, and safety upgrades to the table. The Thar OG competes with the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and Force Gurkha 3-door in the relatively niche mass-market off-roader segment.

The Thar OG, Jimny, and Gurkha 3-door all have their unique strengths and weaknesses, making for an interesting comparison. In terms of size, the Thar OG and Jimny are longer than the Gurkha 3-door, with the Jimny having the longest wheelbase.

Size and Ground Clearance Comparison

The Gurkha rides the highest off the ground, followed closely by the Thar OG with its 226mm clearance. Both the Thar OG and Gurkha offer 18-inch wheels, while the top-spec Thar OG ZXT trim comes with 19-inch units. The Jimny, on the other hand, comes with 15-inch wheels only.

• Thar OG: 226mm ground clearance, 18-inch wheels (19-inch on ZXT trim)
• Gurkha: highest ground clearance, 18-inch wheels
• Jimny: 15-inch wheels, longest wheelbase

Approach, Departure, and Rampover Angles

The Thar OG has a 40-degree approach angle, while the Gurkha and Jimny have 39 degrees and 36 degrees, respectively. The Jimny has the highest departure angle at 46 degrees, followed by the Gurkha at 37 degrees and Thar at 36 degrees.

The Gurkha has the best rampover angle at 28 degrees, compared to 26.4 degrees for the Thar and 24 degrees for the Jimny. The Gurkha also has the highest water-wading depth at 700mm, followed by the Thar at 650mm and the Jimny at an estimated 310mm.

Engine and Gearbox Comparison

The Mahindra Thar OG offers the widest choice of powertrains, with three engines available. The 162hp 2.0-litre petrol engine is the most powerful, while the 2.2-litre diesel engine makes the highest torque output.

The stronger turbo-petrol and diesel engines of the Thar OG can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox, offering the choice between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive (4WD) layouts. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is available in the rear-wheel drive guise, with transmission duties handled solely by a 6-speed manual gearbox.

• Thar OG: three engine options, 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox, RWD or 4WD
• Jimny: 1.5-litre diesel engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearbox, 4WD as standard
• Gurkha: 2.2-litre diesel engine, 5-speed manual gearbox, 4WD

Off-Roading Features Comparison

The Thar OG and Gurkha 3-door both use independent double-wishbone front suspension, while the Jimny gets a 3-link rigid-axle setup at both ends. At the rear, the Thar uses a five-link setup with a Watt’s link, while the Gurkha gets a multi-link setup with a track bar.

In terms of off-road equipment, the Thar has an advantage with terrain modes available in 4WD, a feature that the Jimny and Gurkha do not offer. Both the Thar and Jimny use electronic locking differentials in 4WD, while the Gurkha gets a manual locking differential.

DaVinci Dampers and Frequency Dependent Damping

With its September update, the Thar OG also gains Mahindra’s DaVinci dampers, which is standard fitment across the range. The range-topping ZXT trim goes a step further by adding frequency dependent damping (FDD) to this setup.

Pricing Comparison

When it comes to base trims, the Thar OG is the indisputable winner, with prices starting at Rs 10.32 lakh for the Thar OG AXT diesel 2WD MT. This is Rs 2.27 lakh more affordable than the base-spec Jimny Zeta Pro MT and a whopping Rs 5.94 lakh lower than the Gurkha.

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Coming to the top trims, the Thar OG ZXT diesel 4WD AT trim is the most expensive at Rs 17.75 lakh, pricier by Rs 1.49 lakh than the Gurkha and Rs 3.23 lakh than the Jimny Alpha AT.

• Thar OG: Rs 10.32 lakh (base), Rs 17.75 lakh (top trim)
• Jimny: Rs 12.59 lakh (base), Rs 14.52 lakh (top trim)
• Gurkha: Rs 16.26 lakh (single trim)

Implications for Readers in India

The Mahindra Thar OG is an attractive option for those looking for a capable off-roader in India. With its wide range of engine options, advanced off-roading features, and competitive pricing, it is sure to appeal to adventure-seekers and off-roading enthusiasts.

What to Watch Next

As the off-roader segment continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the Thar OG and its rivals adapt to changing market trends and consumer preferences. With the increasing demand for SUVs and off-roaders in India, manufacturers are likely to introduce new models and updates to existing ones, making the segment even more competitive.

Expert Perspective

According to industry experts, the Mahindra Thar OG is a significant improvement over its predecessor, with its advanced features and competitive pricing making it a strong contender in the off-roader segment.

Timeline of Updates

The Mahindra Thar OG was launched in September 2026, with several updates and improvements over the outgoing model. The company has also announced plans to introduce new models and updates to existing ones in the coming years.

Background and History

The Mahindra Thar has a long history in India, with the first generation model launched in 2010. Since then, the company has introduced several updates and improvements, with the Thar OG being the latest iteration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Mahindra Thar OG is a capable off-roader with advanced features and competitive pricing. With its wide range of engine options, advanced off-roading features, and attractive pricing, it is sure to appeal to adventure-seekers and off-roading enthusiasts in India.