The 2026 Mahindra Thar is a rugged SUV. It comes from India. This model is a facelift from 2025. It launched at Rs 9.99 lakh ex-showroom. The top variant costs Rs 17.19 lakh. In Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, on-road prices start from Rs 11 lakh. They go up to Rs 20 lakh. This includes taxes and insurance. The Thar competes with Hyundai Venue and Tata Nexon. It also fights Suzuki Jimny. In India, buyers want off-road ability and style. The Thar offers both. For Jharkhand roads, ground clearance is key. It has 226 mm. This helps on potholes. Fuel costs matter here. Mileage is up to 15.2 kmpl. Service is good in cities like Jamshedpur. But parts are affordable. This review uses 2026 info from sources. The Thar sells well in SUVs. Mahindra grew sales in 2025. Now, they add new colors like Tango Red. In towns like Jamshedpur, it looks tough. Highways to Kolkata feel stable. Weekend trips are fun. Cargo fits gear. Safety is strong. It has 6 airbags. For Indian families, it seats four. Rear is cozy for two.
The Thar is a 3-door model. It has RWD and 4WD options. In India, it suits adventure seekers. The design is classic. But updates make it fresh.
Quick Spec Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L Diesel / 2.0L Petrol / 2.2L Diesel |
| Power | 117 PS / 150 PS / 130 PS |
| Torque | 300 Nm / 320 Nm / 300 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed Manual / Auto |
| Mileage | 15.2 kmpl ARAI diesel |
| Ground Clearance | 226 mm |
| Cargo Space | 500 liters |
| Seating | 4 |
| Price (ex-showroom) | Rs 9.99-17.19 lakh |
| Safety Rating | Aims 5-star GNCAP |
Exterior Design
The 2026 Thar looks bold and iconic. The front has a new grille. It is body-colored. Headlights are LED. They are round. DRLs are integrated. Bumper is dual-tone. This adds style. Fog lamps are halogen. Sides have flared fenders. They fit wide tires. Wheels are 18-inch alloys. They are black on some. Roof is hardtop or soft top. Doors have grab handles. Ground clearance is 226 mm. Approach angle is 41.2 degrees. Departure is 36.1 degrees. This climbs rocks.

Rear has LED tail lights. They are clear. Spare tire mounts on tailgate. Bumper is black. Colors include Stealth Black and Deep Forest. New Tango Red and Battleship Grey. Paint resists scratches. In monsoon rains in Jharkhand, no rust. Design is timeless. Not sleek like rivals. Compared to old Thar, grille is tweaked. Profile is upright. Aerodynamics are okay. Wind noise is present at speed.
LXT trim has chrome accents. This looks premium. Overall, exterior scores high. It feels adventure ready. In Indian traffic, it stands out. The boxy shape adds character. Users say it draws compliments. The grille has air vents. This cools engine. Wheels have off-road tires. This grips mud. Roof removes. This opens cabin. The soft top folds back. This is quick. Hardtop has panels. This stores easy. The design is modular. Good for customization. In sunny Rajasthan, open top is fun. In cold Himalayas, hardtop keeps warm. The updates add new colors. But keeps classic look. In tests, it looks premium. Some want dual-tone options. The LED lights are bright. They light dark roads. Tow hooks are strong. This pulls stuck vehicles.
The exterior has skid plates. This protects underbody. Bumpers have recovery points. This aids winching. The fenders have vents. This cools brakes. The spare tire carrier swings out. This accesses cargo. The tailgate has a flip glass. This grabs items quick. The design is functional. Not just style. In Jharkhand forests, it blends in. The high stance helps visibility. This good on uneven paths.
Interior and Comfort
Inside, the Thar feels durable and simple. Dashboard is all-black. It has sporty design. Materials are soft touch. Some plastics are hard. Fit is solid. No rattles on rough roads. Seats are leatherette. Front seats adjust manual. In hot Jharkhand summers, no ventilation. Rear seats face forward. They are bench style. Legroom is okay. Headroom is good with top on. Shoulder space tight for three.

Climate is manual AC. Auto on top variants. Vents in rear. No ambient lights. Sunroof no. But open top feels like one. Cargo is 500 liters with seats up. Expands with folds. Lip is high. Spare under floor. Steering wheel has controls. Console has charge ports. USB ports two. Cabin is washable. For muddy trails, easy clean. For long drives, seats support okay. Users say no back pain.
Storage is basic. Door bins small. Glovebox locked. Armrest optional. ISOFIX for kids. Overall, interior suits adventurers. It beats rivals in toughness. In India, fabric breathes in heat. No leather base. Black interior standard. This looks rugged.
Front seats have support. This holds in off-road. Rear has headrests. Armrest no. Power outlets in back no. Quiet on highway. In tests, noise is average. Cupholders are few. But secure. Storage bins are useful. No false floor in cargo. But nets secure items. Overall, comfort is good for short trips. The four-seat layout fits most. No third row. This keeps it compact. Fabric is tough. Leather optional on LXT. This feels premium. Grab handles everywhere. This aids rough rides. Slim vents blend in. This looks clean. Controls are physical. This easy with gloves. Rotary dial no. Shifter is manual style.
The interior has red accents on Rubicon like. Wait, Thar has silver accents. This adds contrast. Washout floors optional. This drains water. Soft surfaces on dash. This boosts quality. In cold winters, no heated seats. The design is functional. Good for trails. Families like the space. It fits 2 suitcases. Or camping gear. Fold-flat seats make flat floor. This loads easy. Pets have room in back. Or bikes with seats down. The screens are 9 inch. This shows info clear. The console has storage. This holds phones.
Also Read 2026 Mahindra XUV 3XO Review: Is This Compact SUV a Smart Import Option for American Buyers?
Engine and Performance
The 2026 Thar has engine choices. Petrol is 2.0L turbo mStallion. It makes 150 PS. Torque is 320 Nm. Diesel is 1.5L for RWD. It gives 117 PS. Torque is 300 Nm. 2.2L mHawk for 4WD. It produces 130 PS. Torque is 300 Nm. All pair with 6-speed manual or auto.
Petrol does 0-100 in 12 seconds. Diesel in 13 seconds. Top speed 155 kmph. Braking 100-0 in 40 meters. Ride is firm. Suspension handles rocks. Off-road it excels. 4WD has low range. Locking diffs optional. Sway bar disconnect no. Towing up to 1500 kg. This hauls trailers.
Fuel needs regular. Mileage ARAI is 15.2 kmpl diesel. Petrol 12 kmpl. Real city 10 kmpl. Highway 15 kmpl. Tank is 57 liters. Range 600-800 km. Users like diesel torque. No lag in turbo.
Platform is ladder frame. Performance is off-road focused. Not highway cruiser. In tests, it climbs 40-degree slopes. Water fording 650 mm. The diesel has common rail. This boosts efficiency. No hybrid. Performance suits trails. In rainy areas, 4WD helps. Users report no issues.
The engine is refined. No vibration. Transmission shifts smooth. Sport mode no. But manual is fun. In hills, it pulls strong. Torque peaks low. This helps loaded. No CVT. 6-speed is reliable. In hot weather, no overheat. Cooling is good. The petrol is punchy. Good for highways. The 1.5 diesel is efficient. Good for city. The auto is AISIN. This is smooth.
Ride and Handling
Ride is bumpy on roads. Suspension is leaf spring. This jars on potholes. But trails it shines. Highway stable at 120 kmph. Handling okay. Steering loose. Body roll high. Corners slow. Brakes disc front. Drum rear. ABS quick. Tires all-terrain. Wet grip okay. Ground clearance 226 mm. Handles bad roads in Jharkhand. Speed bumps okay. Trails excellent.
Users say capable. Better than Jimny in space. But rough on daily drives. 4WD modes like 4H and 4L. This helps mud. In monsoon, it grips. Overall, adventure ready. Not luxury smooth.
No adaptive dampers. But tunes for off-road. Eco mode no. In tests, flex high. Water crossing easy. In rainy Kerala, it performs. Users love the capability. Daily it’s tolerable. For families, it’s fun on weekends.
The ride height helps visibility. This good in traffic. Steering feedback is good. This adds confidence. In rain, no hydroplane. Tires are Goodyear. This boosts grip.
Features and Technology
Features are updated. Screen is 10.25 inch touch. It has wireless Android Auto. Apple CarPlay wired. Cluster is 10.25 inch digital. It shows off-road info. Voice control. Arkamys sound. 6 speakers. Wireless charge. Keyless entry. Push start. Power tailgate no. Sunroof no. Ventilated seats no. AC manual.
In India, tech is good. But menu simple. ADAS no. Cruise control optional. Rain wipers auto no. Lights halogen base. LED on top. Parking sensors rear. Camera rear. My Mahindra app tracks car.
Audio is clear. Wi-Fi no. Updates over air no. This basic. The system is fast. No lag. Nav optional. This helps trips. Voice controls AC. This handy. The screens are high res. This shows clear. The app has remote lock. This secures.
Safety
5-star GNCAP expected. 6 airbags optional. ABS EBD. ESC. Traction. Hill hold. TPMS no. ISOFIX. Rear camera. ADAS no.
In India, good prevention. Users feel secure. AEB no. Structure high steel. This protects. In busy cities, ABS helps. Wiper for camera no.
The safety is improved. Electronic parking brake no. But hill hold standard. Rear disc brakes on top. This stops quick.
Pricing and Variants in India
Variants: AXT RWD Diesel Rs 9.99 lakh. LXT 4WD Diesel AT Rs 17.19 lakh. 7 variants total. Ex-showroom. In Jamshedpur, add RTO. Around Rs 11-20 lakh on road.
Rivals Venue Rs 8 lakh. Nexon Rs 8 lakh.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Rugged design.
- Off-road capability.
- Updated features.
- Good engines.
- High clearance.
- Iconic look.
Cons:
- Rough ride roads.
- Low mileage petrol.
- Tight rear.
- No ADAS.
- Basic AC.
FAQs
What is the price of 2026 Mahindra Thar in India?
Starts at Rs 9.99 lakh ex-showroom. Top Rs 17.19 lakh.
Is Thar available in petrol?
Yes. 2.0L turbo petrol.
What is the mileage?
ARAI 15.2 kmpl diesel. Real 12 kmpl average.
Does it have ADAS?
No. Basic safety like ABS.
Is it good for Indian roads?
Yes. 226 mm clearance. Handles potholes.
What colours are available?
Stealth Black, Tango Red, etc.
What is the warranty?
3 years/1 lakh km standard.
What changed in 2026?
New colors. Price hike.
Conclusion
The 2026 Mahindra Thar is a top off-road SUV. It blends style and capability. For Indian buyers in Jamshedpur, toughness matters. Engines are reliable. Ride suits rough roads. Space good for adventures. But rough on daily drives. In 2026, new colors add fresh. Against Venue, pick for off-road. Test drive soon. Worth if love trails. Sales strong for reason.






