The Mahindra Thar OG’s new electric power steering makes it genuinely easy to park in a crowded lane for the first time, but Autocar India’s first drive found that same rack gives up real feedback the moment you take it off road. At ₹10.32 lakh to ₹18.99 lakh (ex-showroom) across 15 trim and drivetrain combinations, the Thar OG is a different vehicle underneath its familiar round headlamps, and the one you actually want is not the cheapest or the most expensive.
What Actually Changed Underneath
The Spec’d covered the launch price and the six-airbag variant gating when the Thar OG arrived (see our launch report) and later ran it against its 5-door sibling (see our Thar OG vs Thar Roxx comparison). This piece looks at what the first drives actually found behind the wheel, and which variant is worth your money. This is not a facelift with a bigger screen bolted on: the Thar OG sits on the same M_Glyde 4G platform as the 5-door Thar Roxx, which Mahindra says is stiffer than the old ladder frame. Autocar India’s first drive called out noticeably better ride quality between 40-100 kmph, where expansion joints now land as a dull noise instead of the old Thar’s thud through the seat. Evo India’s first drive agreed the engine feels “quieter and a smidge more refined,” and praised the new electric steering for easier parking. The trade-off both outlets flagged: that same electric rack has less weight and precision off road than the old hydraulic setup used to offer.
Engines: What You Actually Get
| Engine | Power / Torque | Gearbox / Drive |
| 1.5L D117 diesel | 119 PS / 300 Nm | Manual only, RWD only |
| 2.2L mHawk diesel | 152 PS / 330 Nm | Manual or auto, RWD or 4WD |
| 2.0L mStallion turbo-petrol | 162 PS / 330 Nm | Manual or auto, RWD or 4WD |
Mahindra quotes 10.2 seconds to 100 kmph for the petrol automatic and 12.0 seconds for the 2.2 diesel, both capped at 155 kmph. One thing missing entirely from the brochure: Mahindra has not published an ARAI mileage figure for any Thar OG engine, and no outlet has independently tested real-world fuel efficiency yet. That is not a gap this site is filling with a guess, it genuinely does not exist. Buy on the engine’s character right now, not a kmpl number.
Claimed vs Real: What the First Drives Found
| Mahindra claims | What Autocar India and Evo India found |
| Lighter electric power steering | Easier in city traffic, but less feel rock crawling or on loose surfaces |
| Improved ride comfort | Better at highway speed; potholes and speed breakers still cause body-on-frame sway |
| Easier rear-seat access | Evo India says getting in back “still requires a fair bit of gymnastics” |
The Cabin: A Real Upgrade, One Genuine Catch
The old Thar’s 7-inch touchscreen is gone, replaced by a 10.25-inch unit from the Thar Roxx with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a wireless charging pad, a real jump for a vehicle that used to feel a decade behind on tech. The catch is space, not tech. This stays a strict 4-seater behind just two doors, and boot space is minimal until you fold the 50:50 rear bench flat, which gets you to 600 litres. If you regularly carry four adults and their luggage, the 5-door Thar Roxx does that job better.
Which Variant Should You Actually Buy
| Variant | Engine / Drive | Price |
| AXT | 1.5L diesel, MT, RWD | ₹10.32 lakh |
| LXT | 1.5L diesel, MT, RWD | ₹12.99 lakh |
| LXT (best value) | 2.2L diesel, MT, 4WD | ₹16.42 lakh |
| ZXT (top) | 2.2L diesel, AT, 4WD | ₹18.99 lakh |
Buy the LXT with the 2.2-litre diesel, manual gearbox and 4WD at ₹16.42 lakh. It is the only combination giving you the stronger engine and genuine low-range four-wheel drive, Mahindra’s shift-on-the-fly system with an Eaton locking rear differential, without paying for the ZXT’s styling kit you do not need off road. Autocar India’s own variant guide reaches the same conclusion. The ₹10.32 lakh AXT headline price is locked to the weaker 1.5-litre engine, RWD only, with no automatic and dual airbags instead of six, a city-only runabout rather than the real Thar experience.
The Six-Airbag Catch Nobody Headlines
Dual front airbags are standard on the AXT and LXT range. The full six-airbag HPTS setup is reserved for the ZXT’s higher combinations, not the whole lineup. There is no ADAS at any price, worth knowing if you are cross-shopping a Creta or Seltos where adaptive cruise is creeping into mid-spec trims. The outgoing 3-door Thar scored 4 stars for adults from Global NCAP in 2020; the Thar OG itself has not been crash tested in this form, though its 5-door sibling, the Thar Roxx, scored 5 stars from Bharat NCAP in 2024 on a related structure.
Who Should Actually Buy This
This suits someone who wants genuine low-range four-wheel drive and will live with two doors and a firm ride in exchange. If your real use case is daily commuting with no actual off-roading, run the numbers on the Thar OG vs Thar Roxx comparison first, since the 5-door Roxx trades some compact charm for real rear-seat space without losing the 4WD system. Check exact EMIs on the Thar OG EMI calculator before booking, since the gap between the AXT and the recommended LXT 4WD diesel is over ₹6 lakh ex-showroom.
The Thar OG is the most complete this nameplate has been on tarmac, and Mahindra has not blunted what made it a genuine off-roader. The trade is steering feel for city manners, one most buyers will welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Mahindra Thar OG get six airbags on every variant?
No. Dual front airbags are standard on the AXT and LXT range. The full six-airbag HPTS setup is limited to the ZXT’s higher-spec combinations.
What is the ARAI mileage of the Mahindra Thar OG?
Mahindra has not published an ARAI mileage figure for any Thar OG engine as of launch, and no outlet has published a real-world efficiency test yet either.
Which is the best-value Mahindra Thar OG variant?
The LXT with the 2.2-litre diesel engine, manual gearbox and 4WD, priced at ₹16.42 lakh ex-showroom, gives the stronger engine and genuine low-range 4WD without the ZXT’s premium for features you do not need off road.
