Mahindra Thar 2023 Review

There are more than 10 variants of the 2023 Mahindra Thar available in India, with prices starting from the equivalent of $19,900 and climbing to just over $30,000 in flagship LX spec we’ve driven here.

It’s not available in Australia because Jeep parent Stellantis has successfully argued through the courts that the Thar copies the iconic design of the Wrangler, so the proposed launch back in 2021 was scuppered.

Only a major redesign could place the Thar back on the agenda and carsales understands that Mahindra is working on a new model that could eventually come to Australia. It’s also developing a larger five-door variant due next year and a fully electric Thar EV, based on the Mahindra Vision Thar.e unveiled in August.

A closer competitor to the Suzuki Jimny (from $30,490 plus ORCs) and perhaps the GWM Tank 300 (from $46,990 drive-away) in Australia than the Wrangler (from $81,450), the Thar uses a rugged ladder-frame chassis, solid-axle rear suspension, part-time four-wheel drive system (with low-range gearing), a locking rear differential and hill descent control.

Key features on the LX 4x4 model we tested include 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain rubber, four seats clad in a mix of fabric and vinyl, rubber floor mats, single-zone climate control and LED tail-lights.

A 7.0-inch central touch-screen includes satellite navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, while a four-speaker sound system comes standard. The driver also gets a small colour digital display in the instrument binnacle, wedged between the usual analogue dials.

The Thar has only basic safety equipment, including dual front airbags, ESC and ABS, and received a four-star safety rating from Global NCAP in 2020 – which has less-stringent testing protocols than those used in Australia (ANCAP) or Europe (Euro NCAP).

The Thar on test is powered by a detuned version of the same 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel employed by the larger Mahindra Scorpio, in this case producing 97kW of power at 3750rpm and 300Nm of torque from 1600-2800rpm. It’s mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Other powertrain options for the Thar include a 112kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol (manual or auto) as well as an 87kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel, the latter only available in rear-wheel drive format with a six-speed manual.

Just as the adorable Suzuki Jimny has captured the hearts of many Australians, the Mahindra Thar has a loyal following of 4x4-lovers in India.

And a moment behind the wheel is all it takes to see why.

Hurl yourself into the rough-and-ready cabin of the 2023 Mahindra Thar – which, as expected, is kitted out in durable plastics, rubber floor mats and hard-wearing materials – and it’s an interior that feels ready to withstand whatever you can throw at it: mud, dogs, kids, sand, goats… you name it.

The second row is surprisingly accommodating for two large adults, and it feels generally more spacious inside the cabin compared to the three-door Jimny.

Boot space also appears to favour the Thar – perhaps only marginally – and although Mahindra doesn’t list a boot capacity on its spec sheet, it wouldn’t be difficult to beat the Jimny’s tiny 85-litre compartment.

There’s plenty of adjustment for the driver’s seat to suit people of most sizes, and it’s a thoughtful cabin with all key controls laid out neatly and intuitively.

Price is sure to be a big drawcard for the Thar if it ever makes it Down Under, combined with its clear off-road ability. Proper four-wheel drive credentials make this jacked-up four-seater a rock-crawling whiz.

As well as the 4WD spec we’ve already mentioned, the circa-1780kg Thar LX has a 226mm ground clearance, 41.2-degree approach angle, 36-degree departure angle, 26.2-degree rampover angle and a 650mm wading depth.

Even without hard-core rubber (our car was fitted with all-terrain tyres), the Thar’s impressive traction through slippery mud and its ability to launch itself out of deep ruts – in second gear with full throttle, no less – built plenty of confidence early on.

But that was before the accident…

Okay, it wasn’t an accident as much as it was a large rock that left our 2023 Mahindra Thar stranded, teetering on its sturdy underbody panels, awaiting a winch.

Mostly to blame was the monsoon weather that swept through Chennai just as company officials granted us access to a small fleet of Thar 4x4s, normally reserved for the ‘Mahindra Adventure’ off-road academy. With the latter, anyone can pay a fee in exchange for a day of four-wheel-driving fun in Mahindra’s dedicated 4x4 playground.

But it wasn’t long before the weather became all too much for the little Thar.

Measuring 3985mm long, 1820mm wide and with a 2450mm wheelbase, the Thar struggled to gather grip in tricky (read: very slippery) situations – and there were plenty of these when the rains came through and the muddy track we’d devoured in a Mahindra Scorpio 4x4 earlier in the day quickly developed into pools of brown goo.

Admittedly, Mahindra’s 4x4 course was one of the most challenging this reviewer – and many others on the trip – had ever come up against.

Elsewhere, there’s clearly a question mark over how well the Thar will perform under more rigorous ANCAP testing protocols compared to the more lenient Global NCAP – for what it’s worth, the Jimny and Wrangler both have inferior three-star ANCAP ratings based on testing in 2018 and 2019 respectively – while the whole copycat styling saga is also an obvious setback for the Thar.

As Mahindra tells it today, a partnership between Willys and Mahindra dating back to 1949 (in which Mahindra assembled vehicles supplied by Willys Jeep under licence) practically makes the two brands “cousins”.

It’s a relationship that lasted through to the 1980s but has since disintegrated as Jeep took Mahindra to court over the Thar’s clear Wrangler styling cues – led by the trademark seven-slot grille and round indented headlights.

A high-ranking executive told us that people in India don’t care about the fact that the Thar looks a lot like another vehicle on the market, doubling down and describing the Thar as “cute” during a briefing with Australian media last week.

“It’s there, it’s all over India, nobody cares [that it looks similar to a Jeep],” said the engineer, who added: “Sometimes, someone sees a Jeep and says, ‘Oh, that looks like a Mahindra’.”

As we’ve detailed, the 2023 Mahindra Thar isn’t available in Australia, which is a bit of a shame because we think lots of Aussies would be drawn to it.

Our brief test drive of the compact off-roader was evidence enough that the Thar could significantly boost Mahindra’s presence Down Under, particularly considering the popularity and cult status of baby off-roaders like the Suzuki Jimny.

With some work on its design and safety, the Thar could be a real hit in our market.

2023 Mahindra Thar at a glance:
Price: From $29,000 est (plus on-road costs)
Available: In India only, for now
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 97kW/300Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 6.6L/100km (ARAI Combined)
CO2: 175g/km (ARAI Combined)
Safety rating: Four-star (Global NCAP 2020)