Check Out| IN PICS | Mahindra Unveils All-New Thar SUV - Check Specs, Features, Expected Price And More
Mahindra wants new Thar to expand its audience and also grab some sales from the midsize urban SUVs hence enhancing the design plus lifestyle appeal was important. The new Thar has to appeal to people beyond the off-road lovers and it does so very well. Compared to the old Thar the new one looks much bigger and much more premium yet still maintaining the original classic Jeep design. While it is a compact SUV of sorts being under 4m, the new Thar is wider and taller. You will see new massive 18 inch wheels on this more luxurious LX spec plus the LED DRLs and LED tail-lamps. The paint finish and overall quality is superb also and we noticed even panel gaps and good quality all round. The new Thar has a new version of the grille and that is to avoid looking like the Jeep Wrangler but from the side or even the rear, it does look like it but Mahindra can claim to its Jeep history roots more than Jeep FCA here in India due to its longer history (in India with the Willys Jeep) hence new Thar while an evolution looks fantastic and will get buyers for its looks alone.
The new Thar is based on the new Scorpio chassis but has been updated while the wheelbase is longer now to afford more room. More than the exterior, the interior is the biggest shock. This is by far the most modern and best looking interior we have seen from Mahindra. The quality, features or space is a world apart from the crude and outdated previous Thar. That said the interior is still designed for off-road use and has big controls which can be used easily while the interior is water resistant. By that we do not mean you hose the interior down but the switches can withstand water or even the infotainment system.
Speaking of which you get a 7inch touchscreen with all connectivity functions plus rear parking sensors (no camera, a big miss), powered mirrors, dual airbags, ESP, Hill Hold and hill descent control, tyre pressure monitoring, dual USB ports, lumbar support adjustable for both seats and height adjust for driver, roof mounted speakers for audio system and more. Also now the new Thar gets forward facing rear seats while you can remove doors! Yes the doors are removable plus even the top is since the new Thar is available as a convertible also. There is also a hard-top which we have here. Thought getting the roof down takes a bit of time but you can do it yourself.
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Space is much better now and you have more comfort while the touchscreen along with the audio system- all work very well. Getting into the rear seats though require some effort and even then the seats are only good enough for short journeys. Since the Thar is a 3-door, it is not a proper spacious family SUV and is a 4 seater at best. The boot is small but decent and you have good storage spaces though not many for something of its size. For any current Thar owner, so much change will shock and it is for good whereas any compact SUV buyer will find the Thar well equipped enough with decent features- which is key to get the buyers.
Mahindra is very much focusing the new Thar LX as an every day on-road car rather than just an off-road vehicle. There is another hardcore AX with steel wheels and less features but the LX is the one you buy. Getting in requires some effort but once inside you have a nice and high view of the road ahead while the compact length of the Thar makes it easier to drive. Start it up and the new 2.2l diesel sounds surprisingly refined. Then you realize the Thar has an automatic now! Yes the new Thar comes with both a 2.0 diesel and a 2.2l petrol with an automatic 6-speed available on both the engines. There is a standard 6-speed manual.
We drove the diesel automatic and the way the new Thar drives is very much a change from the old. In the city at low speeds the new Thar rides so much better plus the steering is reasonably light. The massive ground clearance also helps in clearing potholes or bad roads much better than any other SUV at its expected price. That said it is no Creta in terms of ride or handling since the new Thar is still a ladder frame chassis and has the typically unsettled ride that you get on such SUVs but it is much more liveable plus the diesel torque means it goes upto big speeds easily.
Yet Mahindra has not forgotten the roots of the Thar as it has 4x4 and a proper old-school gear lever for use. The new Thar has more off-road capabilities and is more easily accessible for owners. You can mechanically lock the rear differential plus also you can also disconnect the front axle. The tyres and suspension also are good off-road with all the abilities of the old one but with more ease of use. The ground clearance is a massive 226mm and that means you can wade through 650mm water wading plus critical electric components are also placed in a way that water does not seep through. In off-road the approach, departure angle and overall ground clearance is better.
Overall the new Thar manages to meet our expectations in terms of on-road performance. Compared to the old one, the new Thar is a huge change in every department and now you can actually think of driving one daily. That said off-road it is still very good and lives up-to the history and would also appeal to old Thar lovers. Do note the new Thar is not a replacement to your family SUV being a 3-door and it is still inclined towards an off-roader for everyday use and not a Creta/Seltos rival. However it looks brilliant and is capable on-road as well as off-road so for the price you cannot get another experience like this yet.
What we like- design, features, off-road, improved quality and on-road performance
What we do not- lacks some features, not practical, firm ride
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