2025 Mahindra Thar First Drive Review

2025 Mahindra Thar First Drive Review: Rugged Refinement or Just a Quick Tweak?

Hey, off-road junkies and city slickers alike—if you’ve been eyeing the Mahindra Thar since its 2020 debut, wondering if it’s time to finally pull the trigger on that boxy beast, the 2025 update might just be the nudge you’ve been waiting for. It’s not a full-blown facelift that rewrites the rulebook, but a smart, subtle refresh that crams in creature comforts without diluting the Thar’s go-anywhere DNA. We hit the trails (and tarmac) at Mahindra’s Igatpuri off-road academy in Maharashtra to put this updated icon through its paces—does it finally feel livable enough for daily duties, or is it still best left for weekend warriors? Spoiler: It’s a yes to both, with a side of serious fun.

Launched on October 3, 2025, the 2025 Mahindra Thar starts at ₹9.99 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base AX variant, climbing to ₹15.49 lakh for the top-spec LX hardtop 4×4. That’s a gentle bump from the outgoing model, but the value proposition holds strong in a segment where rivals like the Maruti Jimny command premiums for less power. Mahindra’s move here is clever: While the five-door Thar Roxx (launched last year) stole headlines with its family-friendly vibes, this three-door update keeps the purists happy by borrowing just enough Roxx tech to smooth out the rough edges. Think of it as the Thar saying, “I’m still the tough guy, but now I won’t make your back ache on the commute.”

Exterior: Timeless Boxiness with a Fresh Coat

Pull up to the Thar in its new Battleship Grey or Tango Red hues, and you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for the 2020 model—because, well, it mostly is. The iconic squared-off silhouette, high ground clearance (226mm), and those chunky 18-inch alloys remain untouched, preserving the Jeep Wrangler-lite charm that’s made it a social media darling. Subtle tweaks include a revised front grille with body-colored slats and dual-tone bumpers that add a touch of polish without softening the aggression.

Off-road, it’s pure theater: Approach angles stay at a class-leading 41.8 degrees front and 36.9 rear, perfect for conquering ruts or riverbeds. But here’s the rub—while the Roxx got LED projectors all around, the Thar sticks with halogen headlights on lower trims. It’s functional, but in low-light trails, you’ll crave the upgrade. Overall, the exterior scores high on intimidation factor; it’s the SUV that turns heads at stoplights and clears paths on trails.

Interior: From Spartan to Surprisingly Snug

Step inside, and this is where the 2025 Thar truly shines—or at least stops feeling like a penalty box. The all-black cabin theme gets a modernity boost with a flat, minimalist dashboard lifted straight from the Roxx playbook. Gone are the awkward power window switches on the center console; they’ve been sensibly relocated to the driver’s door pad, making one-handed adjustments a breeze. A-pillar grab handles now grace both sides (not just the co-driver), turning awkward climbs into effortless hops—crucial for that inevitable soft-roader who forgets their step stool.

The star addition? A 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system with AdrenoX connectivity, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and a slick Mahindra steering wheel borrowed from the XUV700. It’s responsive, with crisp graphics for navigation and music, though the sun’s glare on trails can wash it out. Front passengers score a sliding center armrest with a hidden storage bin underneath—finally, somewhere civilized to stash your protein bar. Rear folks aren’t left out: New AC vents ensure the back seat (tight as it is for adults) doesn’t roast on long hauls.

Ergonomics have leveled up too: The steering wheel feels more premium, and seat fabrics on higher trims add a leatherette touch. But let’s be real—this is still a three-door off-roader. Rear access requires Olympic-level contortions, and cargo space maxes at 445 liters with seats up. It’s not a family hauler; it’s a couple’s adventure rig. Safety gets a nod with six airbags standard (up from dual in base models), a 4-star Global NCAP rating, and ADAS Level 1 features like adaptive cruise on top trims.

Engine and Performance: Unchanged Power, Unwavering Punch

Mechanically, the 2025 Thar is a carryover king—no complaints there. Three engine options keep the lineup versatile: A 1.5-liter diesel (118hp/300Nm) for the frugal fleet types, a punchy 2.0-liter turbo-petrol (150hp/320Nm), and the torque monster 2.2-liter mHawk diesel (130hp/300Nm, or 156hp/350Nm in 4×4 guises). All pair with a six-speed manual or torque-converter auto, in 4×2 or 4×4 configs.

We sampled the 2.2-liter diesel auto 4×4, and it’s a riot. Low-end grunt from 1,500rpm catapults you out of corners with effortless shove, hitting 0-100kmph in a claimed 11.7 seconds. The auto shifts smoothly enough for trails but can hunt gears on highways—stick to the manual if you’re a purist. Fuel economy? Expect 10-12kmpl in mixed use, dipping to 8 on off-road romps.

On tarmac, the Thar feels planted at 120kmph, with minimal body roll thanks to its body-on-frame chassis and independent front/multilink rear suspension. Brakes (discs front, drums rear) haul it down confidently, though the lack of rear discs feels dated in panic stops. Wind and road noise are hushed compared to the old gen, but don’t expect library silence—it’s a Thar, after all.

Off-Road Prowess: Still the King of the Crawl

Igatpuri’s mud pits and rocky inclines were the real test, and the Thar aced it like a seasoned pro. Engage 4L low-range, lock the diffs, and watch it conquer 700mm water fords or 45-degree inclines with zero drama. The 650mm wading depth and 41.2-degree ramp-over angle laugh at obstacles that’d swallow lesser SUVs. Crawl ratio hits a ladder-frame-lover’s dream at 69:1 in low-range manual, making technical sections a breeze.

Hill descent control and electronic aids keep novices safe, while the diesel’s torque lets you idle up sheer faces without throttle inputs. One gripe: Rear drums can get clogged in deep mud, but a quick rinse sorts it. Verdict? The Thar remains India’s off-road sultan—more capable than a Jimny, tougher than a G-Wagen pretender.

On the Road: A More Mature Daily Driver?

Back on blacktop, the updates pay dividends. The repositioned armrest and vents make long drives less fidgety, and the infotainment keeps boredom at bay. Ride quality over potholes is compliant, soaking up bumps without the old model’s jarring thud. Steering is light yet communicative, ideal for urban slaloms or highway cruises. But at 1,855kg, it’s no featherweight—parking in tight spots demands patience, and the three-door layout means frequent door gymnastics for rear passengers.

Mileage in our test averaged 11.5kmpl on diesel auto—decent for the segment, but petrol variants thirstier at 9-10kmpl. Service costs? Expect ₹8,000-10,000 annually, with Mahindra’s network covering even remote trails.

Pros and Cons: The Quick Hit

Verdict: The Thar You Crave, Refined for Reality

The 2025 Mahindra Thar isn’t reinventing the wheel—it’s just making sure the originals spin smoother. These tweaks—armrests, vents, relocated switches—fix the niggles that kept it from daily-driver stardom, while preserving the raw thrill that hooked 2 lakh+ owners since launch. If you’re after a Wrangler alternative that won’t bankrupt you, the diesel 4×4 auto is the sweet spot at ₹15 lakh—capable, charismatic, and now comfy enough for the school run (if you squish the kids in back).

Rivals? The Jimny’s lighter and nimbler but underpowered; the Force Gurkha’s tougher but dated inside. For urbanites dipping toes into off-roading, this Thar nails the balance. Book a test drive—before you know it, you’ll be plotting your first monsoon mud bash.

By Sam Michael
October 3, 2025

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