Mahindra Thar top model diesel automatic is priced at Rs 16.99 lakh. Updated SUV gets many cosmetic changes inside out.
03 Oct 2025 | 9761 Views | By Akbar Merchant
The long awaited Mahindra Thar facelift has just gone on sale with prices starting at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom for the entry-level variant going upto Rs 16.99 lakh for the top spec Mahindra Thar diesel automatic. Mahindra has given the hugely popular Thar 3-door its first facelift since the second-gen ...
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The long awaited Mahindra Thar facelift has just gone on sale with prices starting at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom for the entry-level variant going upto Rs 16.99 lakh for the top spec Mahindra Thar diesel automatic. Mahindra has given the hugely popular Thar 3-door its first facelift since the second-gen model’s debut in 2020. The updates may be subtle on the outside, but they bring some key feature additions and refinements inside the cabin.
At first glance, the 2025 Thar looks much like the 2020 model as It continues with the same seven-slat grille which is now finished in body colour. The dual-tone bumper, which was introduced in the 2020 model but removed a little later, makes a comeback. Lighting remains unchanged with halogen headlamps and fog lamps, LED DRLs and LED tail-lamps. The SUV continues with the same 18-inch alloys wrapped in chunky 255-section all-terrain tyres.
New additions include a rear wiper tucked behind the spare wheel and a camera integrated into the spare wheel cover. Mahindra has also added two new shades from the Roxx’s palette – Tango Red and Battleship Grey – to the Thar’s colour options.
On the inside, The updated Mahindra Thar’s cabin carries forward its all-black theme, but with several useful updates. The familiar dashboard is retained, though it now gets the Roxx’s steering wheel and control stalks. An adjustable armrest with storage has been added to the centre console, and the power window switches have been relocated to the doors. Automatic variants now come with dead pedal, while an internal fuel-lid release has also been introduced replacing the one that opened with a key.
Rear occupants benefit from AC vents, a Type-C USB port and a 12V socket. The A-pillars now feature grab handles for easier ingress.
The biggest update is a 10.25-inch infotainment screen borrowed from the Thar Roxx, replacing the ancient 7-inch unit. It comes with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with the updated Adventure Stats off-road telemetry. Other new features include a much needed rear washer-wiper and a rear-view camera.
On the safety front, the Thar continues with dual airbags, ABS, ESP with roll-over mitigation, hill hold and descent control, ISOFIX mounts and a roll cage. Curtain airbags are still not part of the package.
On the powertrain front, the entry-level 118hp 1.5-litre diesel (RWD only), the 132hp 2.2-litre diesel, and the 152hp 2.0-litre turbo-petrol continue as is. All engines are available with a 6-speed manual, while the larger two also get a 6-speed torque-converter automatic. Four-wheel drive continues to be offered with the bigger diesel and petrol engines.
Mahindra says it has fine-tuned the suspension setup of the Thar three-door over the years to improve on-road comfort, while off-road hardware – including low range and a brake-locking differential remains unchanged.
The facelift is aimed at keeping the 3-door fresh against growing competition in the lifestyle SUV segment, while also aligning it more closely with the newer Thar Roxx. Five years since the second-gen model’s launch, the Thar continues to be one of Mahindra’s strongest performers, having sold over 2.59 lakh units so far.
|
Variant |
Drivetrain |
Transmission |
Engine |
Price_Lakhs |
Power |
Torque |
|
AXT RWD MT |
RWD |
MT |
D117 CRDe Diesel |
9.99 |
87.2 kW @3500 r/min |
300 Nm@ 1750-2500 r/min |
|
LXT RWD MT |
RWD |
MT |
D117 CRDe Diesel |
12.19 |
87.2 kW @3500 r/min |
300 Nm@ 1750-2500 r/min |
|
LXT RWD AT |
RWD |
AT |
2.0 mStallion Petrol |
13.99 |
112 kW @5000 r/min |
320 Nm@ 1500-3000 r/min |
|
LXT 4WD MT |
4WD |
MT |
2.2L mHawk Diesel |
15.49 |
97 kW @3750 r/min |
300 Nm@ 1600-2800 r/min |
|
LXT 4WD MT |
4WD |
MT |
2.0 mStallion Petrol |
14.69 |
112 kW @5000 r/min |
300 Nm@ 1250-3000 r/min |
|
LXT 4WD AT |
4WD |
AT |
2.2L mHawk Diesel |
16.99 |
97 kW @3750 r/min |
300 Nm@ 1600-2800 r/min |
|
LXT 4WD AT |
4WD |
AT |
2.0 mStallion Petrol |
16.25 |
112 kW @5000 r/min |
320 Nm@ 1500-3000 r/min |
Building on Success
The refreshed Thar's launch builds upon a remarkable success story that has transformed Mahindra's position in India's lifestyle SUV segment. Since the second-generation Thar's introduction on October 2, 2020, the model has achieved unprecedented commercial success, crossing the 300,000 sales milestone by September 2025. This achievement represents a fundamental shift in the Indian SUV market, where the Thar evolved from a niche off-road vehicle to a mainstream lifestyle choice.
The three-door Thar accumulated 225,709 units in sales over nearly five years, establishing a strong foundation for the brand. The model's success stemmed from its ability to balance authentic off-road capability with modern amenities, attracting both traditional enthusiasts and new buyers seeking distinctive vehicles. This dual appeal helped Mahindra create an entirely new market segment between utilitarian off-roaders and urban SUVs.
The September 2024 launch of the five-door Thar Roxx marked a strategic expansion of the brand. In just 11 months, the Roxx variant sold over 71,000 units, quickly accounting for approximately 25% of total Thar brand sales. This rapid adoption demonstrated strong market demand for a more practical, family-oriented version of the iconic SUV while validating Mahindra's decision to expand the Thar lineup.
The combined success of both variants has contributed significantly to Mahindra's broader performance. The company achieved its best-ever monthly sales of 56,233 SUVs in September 2025, with the Thar brand playing a crucial role in this achievement. The momentum positions Mahindra to potentially reach 600,000 annual SUV sales, a milestone that seemed distant just a few years ago.