The new Mahindra Thar OG is an all-new take on one of India’s most recognizable lifestyle SUVs, with pricing starting at about $10,700 and reaching around $18,500. The model continues Mahindra’s Thar story while combining its rugged design with updated suspension, off-road technology and three engine options.
A New Chapter for the Mahindra Thar
The Thar traces its story to Mahindra’s first iteration, introduced in 2010 and based on the Mahindra MM540, a nameplate that has been in production in India since the 1980s.
The first-generation Thar was much closer to the classic Jeeps. However, when the second generation was introduced in 2010, the model essentially became a more affordable Jeep Wrangler.
Mahindra’s connection to the Jeep design dates back decades. The company had a license to create its own version of the Jeep CJ, establishing the look in Mahindra’s history since the 1940s. Mahindra also won a court case that allowed it to sell another off-roader in the U.S. despite similarities between it and another Jeep model.
Mahindra Thar OG Design
Mahindra describes the Thar as an “Indian icon,” saying in a press release, “Reimagining a legend was never about rewriting its story. It is about honouring its spirit while making it relevant for a new era. Since inception, the Thar has evolved from being just an SUV into an Indian icon, inspiring a unique Thar Life built around exploration, freedom, and self-expression.”
The redesigned SUV features a bold new grille and headlights, along with 19-inch alloy wheels, rugged front and rear bumpers and a wider track. It retains the three-door body style and boxy aesthetic, similar to the Suzuki Jimny.
The new Thar OG is built on the M_Glyde 4G platform and uses a rear Pentalink suspension with a Watts Link designed for better cornering stability and control. Mahindra also offers its Davinci Damping Technology with Frequency Dependent Damping as an adaptive suspension feature intended to enhance the ride.
Off-Road Features and Engine Options
The Thar OG comes with several off-road-focused features. Even at its price point, the SUV offers an Electronic Locking Differential, Terrain Modes for Mud, Sand and Snow, and three engine options.
The entry-level engine is a CRDe diesel producing 116 horsepower and 221 ft-lbs of torque. The D22 mHawk Diesel increases output to 150 horsepower and 243 ft-lbs of torque.
At the top of the range is the G20 TGDi mStallion gasoline engine, which produces 159 horsepower and 243 ft-lbs of torque. Not every trim will be equipped with four-wheel drive.
The Thar OG does not offer an electrified hybrid system, but its pricing remains below $20,000 at the top end, with the model starting at about $10,700.
The new Mahindra Thar OG brings together the model’s established rugged styling with updated suspension technology, multiple engine choices and dedicated off-road features, while remaining priced at around $18,500 or less.
