Mahindra Thar Facelift launched, prices start at Rs 9.99 lakh

Mahindra has launched an updated and ‘facelifted’ version of its popular 3-door Thar. Prices start at ₹9.99 lakh for the RWD Diesel (offered only with an MT) and ₹13.99 lakh for the RWD Petrol (offered only with an AT). Pricing for the 4x4 versions start at ₹14.69 lakh for the Petrol MT, ₹15.49 lakh for the Diesel MT, and the automatic variants for both the powerplants are priced at ₹16.25 and ₹16.99 lakh, respectively. All are ex-showroom prices. The starting price for the facelift is the same as the pre-facelift version.

The Mahindra Thar 3-Door was originally launched in 2020 and was long overdue an update, especially since the launch of the Thar Roxx in 2024 moved the goal posts for the Thar brand considerably. While this is the first major update of sorts Mahindra has given the 3-door Thar, and while it will be termed a facelift in general, the overall look of the Thar, including the likes of the front grille, alloy wheels and bumpers stays exactly the same. While the grille now comes in a body coloured cowl and its body coloured vertical slats, that about sums up the changes on the exterior. 

You also get a fuel filler door that now has an internal release as compared to a key slot in the flap that needed one to physically give the key every time it needed opening, and a rear wiper/washer setup. The Thar also gets no upgrade in terms of headlamps, which is frankly strange considering the Roxx does have LED lighting on the higher spec versions. Mahindra should have really also added the Roxx’s front grille to give the family a more balanced look. 

There are some thoughtful updates on the interior though - grab handles on the A-Pillar (finally) and a new centre arm rest that is adjustable independently. The update also brings about a new larger touchscreen infotainment setup that is much crisper than the outgoing screen. A rear parking camera also comes along with the package but Mahindra have given the 360-degree camera a miss. 

The Thar is mechanically unchanged offering two diesel engine options, a singular petrol engine, both manual and automatic gearbox options and of course, the popular rear wheel drive option too. It still gets the iconic manual shift lever for engaging four wheel drive, an act that is one of the last bastions of automotive satisfaction in our opinion. Fans of the soft top though will be disappointed as Mahindra has pulled the plug on that variant, offering the Thar only in a hard top configuration moving forward citing lack of sales. 

While this is being touted as a facelift, honestly, this is more like a model year update, one that Mahindra should have ideally done a while ago. While the next generation Thar is still a few years away, the popularity of the Thar 3-door (and the Roxx too) will ensure die hard fans continue buying them.