A New Beginning for India’s Most Popular Off-Roader
The Mahindra Thar is a classic lifestyle SUV that has been used by adventurers and city explorers for a long time. The Thar was brought back to life in 2020, and it quickly became a best-seller in India’s off-road and lifestyle SUV market. Now that the Mahindra Thar has been on the market for five years and is doing well, the company has released the 2025 model. This model has been carefully improved based on customer feedback over the years. The new Thar starts at ₹9.99 lakh and is designed to offer even more value and features.
Pricing and variant structure: value meets flexibility
Highlights of the Launch Price
- The base AXT RWD MT starts at ₹9.99 lakh (ex-showroom) and has a 1.5L Turbo Diesel engine.
- The LXT 4WD AT petrol model is the best of the best, with a top price of ₹16.99 lakh. It has premium features and full-time four-wheel drive.
Variant-wise Price & Specifications (Ex-Showroom)
| Variant | Engine / Layout | Transmission | Price (Ex-showroom) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXT RWD MT | 1.5L Turbo Diesel (RWD) | MT | ₹9.99 lakh |
| LXT RWD MT | 2.0L Turbo Petrol (RWD) | MT | ₹12.19 lakh |
| LXT RWD AT | 2.0L Turbo Petrol (RWD) | AT | ₹13.99 lakh |
| LXT 4WD MT (Diesel) | 2.2L Turbo Diesel (4WD) | MT | ₹15.49 lakh |
| LXT 4WD AT (Gasoline) | 2.0L Turbo Petrol (4WD) | AT | ₹16.25 lakh |
| LXT 4WD AT (Diesel) | 2.2L Turbo Diesel (4WD) | AT | ₹16.99 lakh |
The mid-level MX trim from the 2020 lineup is not part of the new 2025 variant hierarchy. This makes it easier to choose between the AXT and LXT trims
Upgrades to the Outside: Tough but Classy
The changes Mahindra made to the outside of the 2025 Thar balance style and function:
- The Thar’s bold, off-road look is back with dual-tone bumpers.
- The keyhole for the fuel-filler cap is no longer there; instead, there is an internal mechanism that makes it easier to use.
- The spare wheel on the back now has an alloy finish and a rear-view camera, just like the Thar Roxx model.
- A rear washer and wiper system makes it easier to see in wet or dusty weather.
These changes make the Thar’s outside look better and work better in real life.
Improvements to the inside: Comfort and connectivity come together
Mahindra has made a number of smart improvements inside the cabin that make it more comfortable and useful:
- Grab handles on the A-pillar make it easier to get in and out, which is especially helpful on steep or off-road terrain.
- The new steering wheel, which is also used in the Thar Roxx and Scorpio N, makes it easier to use and gives you better control.
- There is now a sliding section on the front center armrest to make the driver more comfortable, and there is also a hidden storage space underneath.
- Backseat passengers will be more comfortable with rear AC vents.
- Automatic versions come with a dead pedal for more comfort while driving.
- A modern 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay makes it easy to use your smartphone.
- The power window switches are now on the door trims, making them easy to reach.
- The new black-themed dashboard makes the inside of the car look more polished and put together.
- The infotainment screen shows Gen II Adventure Stats, which include off-road data and metrics.
- The instrument cluster’s tire direction monitoring system makes driving safer and more aware.
- USB Type-C ports make it easy to connect and charge your devices.
These improvements to the inside show that Mahindra is dedicated to giving its tough SUV a polished, user-friendly experience.
Engines and Performance: Familiar Engines with More Power
The 2025 Thar still has its tried-and-true engines, but the lineup is better for driving and using:
- 1.5L Turbo Diesel (D117 CRDe)—RWD MT only; it starts at ₹9.99 lakh and has a lower GST tax slab.
- 2.0L mStallion Turbo Petrol—You can choose between RWD and 4WD layouts, and you can choose between MT and AT options.
- 2.2L mHawk Turbo Diesel—Standard with 4WD and available with either an MT or AT gearbox.
Specifications for performance:
- 2.0L mStallion Petrol: 112 kW at 5,000 rpm and 300 Nm (MT) or 320 Nm (AT) of torque.
- 2.2L Hawk Diesel: 97 kW at 3,750 rpm and 300 Nm of torque on both MT and AT options.
- D117 CRDe Diesel: 300 Nm of torque and 87.2 kW at 3,500 rpm.
With this engine lineup, Thar owners can pick the one that best fits their needs, whether they want good gas mileage, off-road ability, or fast performance.
FAQs: All the Information You Need
Q1: How much does the 2025 Mahindra Thar cost to start?
A1:The base AXT RWD MT model, which has a 1.5L Turbo Diesel engine, costs ₹9.99 lakh (ex-showroom).
Q2: What are the different trim levels and drivetrain choices?
A2: There are two trims for the 2025 Thar: AXT and LXT. AXT is the base model, and LXT is the top model. There are two types of drivetrains: RWD and 4WD. Depending on the engine choice, the gearbox can be manual (MT) or automatic (AT).
Q3: What kind of engines do the 2025 Thar have?
A3: There are three engines:
- 1.5L Turbo Diesel D117 CRDe (only for RWD and MT)
- 2.0L mStallion Turbo Petrol (comes with either RWD or 4WD, MT or AT)
- 2.2L mHawk Turbo Diesel (4WD, MT, and AT)
Q4: What are the most important changes to the outside of the 2025 model?
A4: Some of the most important improvements are dual-tone bumpers, the removal of the fuel-filler cap keyhole, an alloy spare wheel with a built-in rear camera, and a rear washer-wiper system.
Q5: What new or improved features are there inside?
A5: Some of the upgrades are A-pillar grab handles, a new steering wheel, a sliding front armrest with storage, rear AC vents, a dead pedal (in AT models), a 10.2-inch infotainment system that works with smartphones, window switches that are in a new place, a black-themed dashboard, Adventure Stats, tire-direction monitoring, and USB Type-C ports.
Q6: Is the 2025 Thar better for off-road driving?
A6: Yes, especially with the 4WD versions, built-in Adventure Stats, tire-direction monitoring, and better ergonomics and visibility all make it easier to use off-road.
Q7: Is the 2025 lineup going to have the mid-level MX trim?
A7: No. The 2020 model’s MX trim is no longer available in the 2025 model, which now only has AXT and LXT trims.
Q8: Why is the starting price lower for the 1.5L Turbo Diesel model?
A8: The GST 2.0 reforms put the 1.5L Turbo Diesel engine in the B-Segment SUV category, which means it pays less tax and has a more appealing starting price of ₹9.99 lakh (ex-showroom).
Conclusion: A Well-Rounded Evolution with the Customer in Mind
The 2025 Mahindra Thar is not just a mid-life refresh; it is a well-thought-out evolution based on user feedback and meant to improve comfort, capability, and connectivity. The Thar is still the best lifestyle SUV in India, with a competitive starting price of ₹9.99 lakh, a simplified variant lineup, significant upgrades to the exterior and interior, and a choice of engines and drivetrains.
The 2025 Thar is a great choice for both experienced off-roaders and city explorers because it has a good mix of toughness, modern technology, and value. If you want to know more about comparisons, ownership experiences, or buying advice, just ask!