Mahindra Thar OG Road Test Review: Does the Upgraded 3-Door Finally Drive Like a Modern SUV?

There is a reason the Thar has crossed 4 lakh sales across its generations. It looks tough, it climbs almost anything and it makes a statement wherever it parks. But ask any long time owner and they will tell you the same thing: living with it daily was never easy. The steering was heavy, the ride was bouncy and the cabin noise on the highway was, let's say, a character building experience.

The new Mahindra Thar OG is the answer to those complaints. Priced from Rs. 10.32 lakh to Rs. 18.99 lakh (ex-showroom), this is the second update to the 3 door Thar in just over a year and this time the changes go well beyond cosmetics. A new platform, a revised suspension, electric power steering, more powerful engines and all round disc brakes are on the list. So we did what matters most for a car like this. We looked at how it actually drives.

Engine and Performance

The Thar OG continues with three engine options, but Mahindra has quietly fixed the weakest links in the lineup. The entry level 1.5 litre diesel stays as it was, making 119 hp and 300 Nm and it is paired only with a 6-speed manual on the base AXT trim. The real action is in the other two. The 2.2 litre mHawk diesel now makes 152 hp and 330 Nm, which is 18 hp and 30 Nm more than before. The 2.0 litre mStallion turbo petrol makes 162 hp and 330 Nm, a gain of 10 hp and up to 30 Nm.

So what does that mean on the road? Interestingly, the biggest difference is not in how quickly it gets off the line, but in how relaxed it feels once you are moving. On the highway, the extra torque gives you that confident shove when you need to overtake a truck, without you having to hunt for the right gear. Long intercity runs feel far less tiring than they did in the old Thar. Both the diesel and the petrol are available with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic, in either RWD or 4WD form depending on the variant.

Steering and City Drivability

If we had to pick one change that matters most for daily life, this is it. The Thar OG finally ditches the old hydraulic power steering for an electric power steering (EPS) setup and the difference is immediate.

To our surprise, the steering feels almost butter smooth at low speeds. In slow city traffic, you honestly forget that you are driving such a big, boxy SUV. U turns, tight parking spots and bumper-to-bumper crawls, which used to be a workout in the old Thar, are now genuinely easy. That alone could win over a lot of buyers who loved the Thar's looks but were scared of driving it every day.

The steering wheel itself is still the same chunky unit we know, which suits the Thar's rugged personality just fine.

Ride Quality: Finally a Thar That Settles Down

Here is where the Thar OG really surprised us. The 3 door Thar now rides on Mahindra's M_Glyde 4G platform, first seen on the larger Thar Roxx, which brings higher structural stiffness. Mahindra has also added a rear Pentalink suspension with a Watts Link and the DAVINCI damping technology is standard across the range. The top ZXT trim goes a step further and adds Frequency Dependent Damping (FDD), the same kind of tech we saw on the XUV 7XO.

In simple words, the suspension is now much smarter. Over broken patches and sudden bumps, the old Thar used to bounce and wobble around for a while. The Thar OG still moves, because it is a tall ladder frame SUV and physics does not go away. But the movement does not last. The body settles quickly and the ride feels far more controlled and comfortable. Another thing we noticed is that fewer vibrations from the wheels make their way into the cabin, which makes a big difference over long drives.

Handling and Body Control

Let's be realistic. A 3-door ladder frame SUV is never going to corner like a hatchback and nobody should expect it to. But compared to the old Thar, the improvement is clear.

When you change direction suddenly, say to avoid a pothole or a stray cow (we all know that scenario), the old model would sway quite a bit, both front to back and side to side. The Thar OG does not eliminate that movement, but it cuts it down significantly. The rear Watts Link is specifically meant to control lateral movement of the rear axle and you can feel it working. The car feels more planted, more predictable and far more confidence inspiring at speed. It is a much more sorted SUV on the road than it ever was and that is something we did not expect to say about a Thar.

Braking

This is where the trim you choose really matters. The top spec ZXT now gets disc brakes on all four wheels and the braking performance is a clear step up from before. There is more bite, more confidence and a much larger safety margin, especially when you are driving a heavy SUV downhill or at highway speeds.

Here is the catch, though. The AXT and LXT trims continue with front discs and rear drum brakes, as before. Safety focused buyers should keep that in mind. An ESP 9.3 suite with rollover mitigation, traction control, hill hold control and vehicle dynamics control is standard from the AXT trim upwards, which is a very welcome addition at this price. Official braking distance figures are not available yet and we will add them once we have them.

Highway Cruising and NVH

Noise, vibration and harshness has always been the Thar's biggest pain point and honestly, we went in with low expectations. Mahindra claims lower NVH levels than the previous model and on the road, we agree.

At around 80 km/h on the highway, wind noise is noticeably lower than what we remember from the older 3 door Thar. Interestingly, the difference is easy to feel even without a direct side by side comparison. Combine that with the reduced vibrations, the stable feel of the new suspension and the extra torque from the engines and you get a Thar that is genuinely comfortable on long journeys. It is not a luxury sedan, of course, but it no longer feels like a punishment either.

Off Road Test

A Thar that only drives well on tarmac would be missing the point, so we took it off the beaten path too. The big addition here is the new Electronic Locking Differential (ELD), which replaces the old hydraulic setup. The system locks the rear axle electronically, sending power to the wheel with the most grip.

What impressed us is the response time. There is practically no delay. When a wheel lifts in the air or loses traction, the power shifts almost instantly, which pulls you out of sticky mud situations quickly. For first time off roaders, that is a huge confidence booster. We also noticed better torsional rigidity and improved axle articulation, which make the Thar OG even more capable than before. The 4WD variants of the LXT and ZXT trims also get dedicated Mud, Sand and Snow terrain modes. Do note that the ELD and these terrain modes are limited to the 4WD variants.

Practicality on the Move

Some things have not changed and it is only fair to mention them. Getting into the rear seat still means pulling a lever and sliding the front seat forward and taller passengers will find the knee room and footwell a bit tight. The upgrade here is the new second row armrests with built in cupholders and rear AC vents on all trims.

The boot is the real trade off. With the rear seats upright, there is only enough space for a few small bags. If you are planning a long family trip with luggage, you will need to get creative or leave someone behind (kidding, mostly).

Who Should Buy the Thar OG?

So, has the Thar finally got better over its predecessor? Mostly, yes. The electric steering, the smarter suspension, the lower NVH and the all round discs (on the ZXT) make this the most livable 3-door Thar ever. And with a starting price of Rs. 10.32 lakh, the same as the outgoing base variant, it is hard to argue with the value. Introductory pricing runs until 30 November 2026 and deliveries begin on 11 October.

Here is our honest take. If you want a second or third car for weekend adventures and off-roading, the Thar OG is a fantastic choice. If you want one car that handles daily commutes, family comfort and plenty of luggage, the Thar Roxx still makes more sense, although it costs more. Rivals like the Force Gurkha and the Maruti Suzuki Jimny also play in this body-on-frame space, but none of them offer this mix of road manners and off road ability right now.

Our pick? If you can stretch the budget, go for the ZXT. The disc brakes, the FDD suspension and the extra safety kit make the biggest difference on the road. Either way, the Thar OG proves that you no longer have to suffer to enjoy a proper 4x4.