2026 Mahindra Thar has been launched in India with a starting ex-showroom price of ₹10.32 lakh. The updated three-door SUV gets changes to its engine options, styling, suspension, steering, cabin and safety equipment.
The new Thar lineup is available in AXT, LXT and ZXT trims. Mahindra has also added more off-road equipment, including an electronic rear differential lock, along with additional safety features.
2026 Mahindra Thar Gets New Engine Options
The entry-level AXT variant is powered by a 1.5-litre D117 CRDe diesel engine paired with a manual gearbox. The engine produces 87.2 kW, or around 116.9 bhp, and 300 Nm of torque.
The larger 2.2-litre mHawk diesel and 2.0-litre mStallion turbo-petrol engines are available with the LXT and ZXT trims. The diesel engine produces 150.1 bhp and 330 Nm, while the petrol engine generates 159.6 bhp and 330 Nm.
Both larger engines receive increases in power and torque. A notable addition is the rear-wheel-drive configuration with the 2.2-litre diesel and automatic transmission, giving buyers an option for an automatic Thar without four-wheel drive.
New Suspension and Steering Technology
A major mechanical change is the introduction of Mahindra’s M_GLYDE 4G platform with Watt-Link Pentalink rear suspension. The SUV also gets DaVinci damping with frequency-dependent damping technology.
According to Mahindra, these suspension changes are designed to improve ride comfort and body control, particularly on rough roads.
Electric power steering is another significant update. Mahindra says it reduces steering effort, improves straight-line response and allows the steering to return more easily.
The company also says the idle noise level is 42 dBA for the petrol model and 45 dBA for the diesel model. Changes have also been made to reduce cabin noise, vibration and rattles.
2026 Mahindra Thar Gets More Cabin Features
Inside, the updated SUV gets truffle brown leatherette seats, soft-touch door panels and stitched trim. A front armrest and wireless charging are also available.
The familiar dashboard layout has been retained, while Mahindra has focused on improving the materials and overall finish. The top ZXT trim gets 15 additional features.
Off-Road Equipment Gets Major Updates
The updated Thar gets an electronic locking differential on the rear axle. It can be activated using a button and locks the rear wheels together to help maintain traction when the wheels encounter different levels of grip.
Sand, Snow and Mud terrain modes adjust the vehicle’s traction control, steering assistance and accelerator response. In automatic versions, the selected terrain mode also changes the transmission shift pattern.
The SUV also features front and rear brake-locking differentials and a transfer case with 4H and 4L modes. Equipment availability varies depending on the selected variant and drivetrain.
New Thar Gets Updated Design and Safety
The updated three-door Thar retains its familiar silhouette and tailgate-mounted spare wheel, but receives several styling changes. These include a five-slot grille with Thar badging, LED headlamps and C-shaped LED DRLs.
LED ice-cube fog lamps and cornering lamps are also offered. New front and rear bumpers, LED tail-lamps and new 19-inch alloy wheel designs further update the SUV’s appearance.
Mahindra has also highlighted a wider track, giving the SUV a broader stance while retaining its three-door body design.
Safety equipment has also been expanded. The hard-top model gets six airbags, including front airbags and four HPTS airbags designed to provide protection for occupants in both rows.
Other safety features include disc brakes on all four wheels and front parking sensors. The standard ESP 9.3 system includes Vehicle Dynamics Control, Traction Control, Roll Over Mitigation, Hill Hold Control and Hill Descent Control.
Mahindra has also listed Brake Disc Wiping and Electronic Brake Prefill among the updated safety systems.
