Mahindra Thar vs Maruti Suzuki Jimny - Which One Should You Buy
Mahindra Thar vs Maruti Suzuki Jimny Comparison at CarHP India. Compare Mahindra Thar and Maruti Suzuki Jimny Prices, Mileage, Features, Specs, Colours and much more.
The Mahindra Thar is available in 7 variants, while the Maruti Suzuki Jimny comes in 6 variants. The Thar price starts at ₹9.99 Lakh and goes up to ₹17.60 Lakh. The Jimny is priced between ₹12.31 Lakh and ₹14.45 Lakh. The Thar comes with a large 2184cc diesel engine that produces 130.07bhp and a strong 300Nm of torque. It uses a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD system. The Jimny uses a 1462cc petrol engine making 103bhp and 134.2Nm of torque. This engine is paired with a 4-speed automatic and 4WD. The Thar feels very powerful and heavy on the road. The Jimny is much lighter and easier to handle. Both SUVs have seating for 4 people. The Jimny provides 211 litres of boot space for small bags or groceries. Inside the Thar, there is a digital cluster, cruise control, and keyless entry. Its exterior is very rugged with a hard top, side foot steps, and all-black bumpers. The Jimny offers more features like automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and bright LED headlamps. It also has an engine start-stop button for better efficiency. Safety is a major difference, as the Jimny provides 6 airbags while the Thar has 2 airbags. Both cars come with ABS, ESC, and hill assist. The Thar also adds a tyre pressure monitoring system. Driving in metro traffic is easier with the Jimny because it is narrow and fits into tight parking spots. The Thar is much wider and can be difficult to manage in heavy city traffic. While the Thar is excellent for highway power and road presence, the Jimny is more practical for daily office travel and family needs. The Jimny is the better recommendation for city dwellers who want a comfortable and safe lifestyle vehicle. Book a test drive through this service before making a final decision to get exclusive benefits, special discounts, and the best available offers.
₹ 10.32 Lakh

₹ 12.39 Lakh



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Smart Summary for Car Selection
Why choose
- The 2.0-litre petrol produces 150PS and 300Nm, and the 2.2-litre diesel produces 130PS and 300Nm; both are substantially ahead of the Jimny's single petrol option
- The 6-speed torque-converter automatic is available with the petrol engine, offering genuine two-pedal comfort for buyers who want off-road capability without a clutch in traffic
- 4WD with a low-range transfer case is standard on 4WD variants, and water wading depth of 650mm is among the highest in this segment
- Carries a 5-star rating from Global NCAP for adult occupant protection, which is a meaningful safety credential for a body-on-frame vehicle
- A diesel option exists for buyers who prioritise fuel economy on long highway stretches
Why not choose
- The body-on-frame construction and short 3-door wheelbase make it noticeably bouncy on broken roads at highway speeds, which some owners describe as tiring on three-hour journeys
- Rear seat occupant comfort is poor: the bench is flat, legroom is limited, and ingress requires athleticism on the 3-door body
- Fuel economy from the petrol is poor by any measure, and the automatic version worsens this; owners who bought it for daily city use often report regretting the running costs
- A persistent complaint across owner threads is that the soft-top convertible variant lets in road and wind noise at speeds above 80kmph to a degree that makes music inaudible
- Larger dimensions than the Jimny mean parking in dense urban areas requires more planning
Why choose
- The 5-door body gives it a more practical cabin than the Thar's 3-door, with four proper doors and marginally better rear access for daily passengers
- AllGrip Pro 4WD with a low-range transfer case comes as standard on every variant, so every buyer gets full off-road capability without paying a premium
- Significantly lighter than the Thar, which makes it more maneuverable in tight trails and urban lanes where size is a constraint
- Maruti's service network is the widest in the country, and spare parts costs are lower than Mahindra's for routine maintenance
- More predictable and composed on-road behaviour than the Thar, particularly in cornering, because the narrower body and lower centre of gravity reduce the roll that Thar owners report
Why not choose
- The 1.5-litre petrol producing 103PS is the only engine available; no diesel and no turbo option, which puts it at a clear disadvantage on highways where the Thar simply pulls harder
- The 4-speed automatic is noticeably sluggish in RWD mode around town, and the gearbox's limited ratios mean it hunts for gears on mild inclines; owners consistently flag this as the car's biggest weakness in daily use
- Holds a 3-star rating from Global NCAP for adult occupant protection, which is lower than the Thar and is a genuine concern for safety-conscious buyers
- Boot space at 211 litres is very tight, and carrying camping gear for a weekend trip requires discipline in what you pack
- No turbo-petrol or diesel means that above 90kmph the engine is working audibly harder than it should, and overtaking manoeuvres require planning well ahead
Mahindra Thar
The Thar is the better choice for buyers who want serious off-road performance and are willing to accept the daily-use compromises that come with body-on-frame construction. The diesel manual is the version for buyers who split their time between highways and trails, since 300Nm makes loaded uphills effortless and the fuel economy is more tolerable than the petrol's.
Those who need an automatic for city use should take the petrol torque-converter, accepting the fuel penalty. The trap with the Thar is buying it as a primary daily driver without knowing that the 3-door rear seat is genuinely uncomfortable for adult passengers on any journey longer than 45 minutes. The 5-star safety credential is real and meaningful, particularly against the Jimny's 3-star rating. Buyers who want rugged capability and can accept the compromises should shortlist the Thar.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny
Buyers who want a proper 4WD off-roader that is also practical enough for daily urban use will find the Jimny's 5-door body a more liveable solution than the Thar's 3-door. Every Jimny leaves the showroom with a low-range transfer case and Maruti's nationwide service support, which removes the off-road configuration decision entirely.
The engine is the honest limitation: 103PS is adequate for trails and comfortable town driving, but it feels stretched on fast highways and the 4-speed automatic makes those situations worse. Anyone who expects to spend significant time at highway speeds or wants overtaking confidence on open roads should try the Thar instead. The Jimny suits buyers for whom manageable size, Maruti's service depth, and daily practicality matter more than outright engine performance.
Engine and Performance
Fuel Specifications
Dimensions and Design
Interior Specifications
Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Brakes & Steering
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Interior Features
Comfort & Convenience
Infotainment Features
Exterior Features
Brochure
EMI Cost Comparison
Assuming 20% down payment, 9.5% interest, 60-month tenure
Pros & Cons Comparison
Things We Like in Mahindra Thar
- India's only mass-market SUV combining body-on-frame construction, low-range 4WD, and an electronic brake-locking differential.
- Three distinct engine options, including India's only TGDi petrol in this segment.
Things We Like in Maruti Suzuki Jimny
- ALLGRIP PRO with Low Range Transfer Gear enables high off-road capability.
- Six airbags, ESP, Hill Hold, and Hill Descent Control are standard.
Things We Don't Like in Mahindra Thar
- The 2020 NCAP test showed an unstable footwell and marginal knee protection, with no updated results available.
- Side body and curtain airbags are absent across all variants.
Things We Don't Like in Maruti Suzuki Jimny
- Seating is strictly limited to four occupants with no 3-row or 5-seat option..
- Only a 4-speed automatic is offered.
Mahindra Thar Comparisons
Maruti Suzuki Jimny Comparisons
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