The Mahindra Thar offers three engine choices tailored for low-end grunt. The lineup includes a D117 CRDe (diesel) producing 118 hp and 300 Nm of torque from as low as 1,750 rpm, and an mHawk 130 CRDe, a 2,184cc diesel generating 131 hp and 300 Nm.

Alongside these diesel options, petrol buyers get the mStallion 150 TGDi, which delivers 152 hp of power alongside 300 Nm of torque with the 6-speed manual, or 320 Nm with the 6-speed automatic.

To effectively put this engine to the ground, the Thar is built on a body-on-frame chassis and utilizes an independent double-wishbone front suspension and a multilink solid rear axle.

Working in tandem with this setup, four-wheel drive variants further benefit from a low-ratio transfer case for crawling over difficult terrain, backed by an Electronic Brake Locking Differential for maximum traction on slippery surfaces.

The Mahindra Thar's official ARAI-certified fuel efficiency ranges between 9 kmpl and 15.2 kmpl, depending on the engine, drivetrain, and transmission. The rear-wheel-drive diesel is the most frugal option, while the 4WD automatic petrol is the least.

To support these varying efficiency levels, fuel storage capacity also differs across the range. The smaller D117 diesel gets a 45-litre fuel tank, while the mHawk 130 diesel and mStallion 150 petrol both carry a larger 57-litre tank. The diesel variants also require a 20-litre Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) reservoir, an additional running cost to factor in.

Given its heavy body-on-frame construction and boxy aerodynamics, in real-world conditions, consistent off-road use will noticeably reduce efficiency compared to any claimed figure.

The Thar's cabin is built around a redesigned dashboard with a 26.03 cm HD touchscreen supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (wired on AXT, wired and wireless on LXT). The instrument cluster features a TFT multi-information display, and the Adventure Statistics Gen II system adds an altimeter, compass, and roll-and-pitch meter, genuinely useful for off-road use.

Also, the front seats are contoured and sporty and the driver's seat is height adjustable. Rear seats are front-facing with a 50:50 split-fold.

Other interior features include roof-mounted speakers, rear AC vents (available, but only on the LXT variant), centrally placed power window controls, a rear wiper, door bottle holders and a lockable glovebox round out comfort. Upholstery is variant-dependent, with vinyl on AXT and fabric on LXT.

The Thar's silhouette consists of round headlamps, seven-slat grille, boxy two-door body, which has remained its defining identity across generations.

Building on this classic foundation, the 2025 version adds a body-coloured grille, fender-mounted LED DRLs, and retro-styled LED tail lamps.

Filling out the wheel arches below, LXT variants ride on 45.72 cm (R18) alloy wheels with 255/65 R18 all-terrain or highway-terrain tyres, while AXT gets steel wheels with 245/75 R16 rubber.

This specific wheel and tire setup contributes directly to its trail-readiness, ground clearance stands at 226 mm, with an approach angle of 41.2 degrees, departure angle of 36 degrees, a 26.2-degree ramp-over angle and water wading depth of 650 mm.

Finally to protect the bodywork during such off-road use, the exterior is equipped with dual-tone bumpers with unpainted outboard ends to minimize visible scratch damage, alongside side footsteps, and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel.

The Mahindra Thar was tested by Global NCAP and holds a 4 star safety rating for adult occupant protection (12.52 out of 17.00) and holds a 4 star for child occupant protection (41.11 out of 49.00), tested at 64 km/h. The bodyshell was rated stable although the footwell area was rated as unstable. However, this test was published in 2020 on an earlier configuration with 2 airbags.

The current Thar's confirmed safety kit includes dual front airbags, 4-channel ABS with EBD and brake assist, ESP with rollover mitigation, hill hold with descent control, a roll cage, 3-point rear seatbelts, ISOFIX child seat anchorages, tyre pressure monitoring, and a rear-view camera.

Notably absent from the safety list are side and head airbags, as well as any advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

The Mahindra Thar’s closest direct competitors in the Indian market are the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and the Force Gurkha.

The Jimny holds a clear advantage in everyday practicality with its standard five-door layout and six airbags. However, the Thar leads with significantly more powerful engines, a diesel powertrain option, and multiple roof configurations.

The Force Gurkha excels in extreme terrain, boasting front and rear mechanically locking differentials and a 700 mm water-wading depth. In contrast, the Thar holds its own by offering a petrol engine, automatic transmissions, and a more refined cabin.