Not too long after a significant update, Mahindra has given the Thar yet another shot in the arm. The Thar OG now gets a whole new set of upgrades to the design, interior and, mainly, under the skin. A new suspension, new steering and added features are all part of the aim to make it more liveable and urban-friendly while retaining the Thar’s butch and bullyish character. Have they succeeded?

Mahindra Thar OG exterior design and engineering – 9/10

The design is why the Thar stands out, so Mahindra has not done much to change its character. However, it now gets some modern touches. At the front, the halogens are replaced with LED headlamps with C-shaped LED DRLs, along with LED fog lamps. The grille has been redesigned, with the Thar logo forged into it, and so has the front bumper. Look closer, and you will also see front parking sensors now, while the track has been widened for more stability.

What you don’t see is the new platform the Thar sits on. The OG is now based on the Gen 4 chassis, dubbed M-Glyde, which also serves the Roxx.
The side profile flaunts new 19-inch wheels with AT tyres, the Thar OG badge and a new design for the cladding.

The rear continues with the LED treatment, with C-shaped taillamps, a new bumper and another OG logo. A closer look reveals a rear camera in the centre of the spare wheel.

Overall, the imposing, butch design remains, with new modern touches.

Mahindra Thar OG interior space and comfort – 6/10

Compared to the exterior, the changes on the inside are a lot more subtle. The new top-spec ZXT trim gets leatherette upholstery finished in a shade of brown, which looks premium with the exposed stitching. There is a new wireless charger and two new switches on the centre console: one for the terrain modes and the other to engage the electronic locking differential.

The Thar received a facelift around a year ago, when the cabin was brought up to date with a new steering wheel, touchscreen and dashboard, and these features have been carried over to the OG. The seats are broad and comfy but miss out on ventilation. The two dummy buttons on the centre console will hopefully be used for this feature soon.

The steering wheel is also the same as before, as is the analogue instrument cluster with an MID in the centre. The plastics, however, feel low-rent, especially when you consider the rivals in the same price bracket.

At the rear, space remains as it was, and it is exclusively a two-seater. However, the addition of AC vents, a USB-C port and soft-plastic armrests with cupholders has enhanced comfort. The backrest can recline, and short drives should be easy once you settle in.

The boot space remains a weak point too, with barely any room for an airport run. Large suitcases will require folding down the second row.

Mahindra Thar OG features and safety – 7/10

The Thar OG isn’t on par with rival mid-size SUVs but does get the essentials this time around. There are grab handles, manual AC controls, a USB-A port for Apple CarPlay since it isn’t wireless, and a USB-C port for charging. Android Auto gets wireless connectivity.

Crucially, the ZXT trim gets six airbags now, with the launch of the new HPTS airbags, which stand for Head, Pelvis, Thorax and Shoulder. There are front parking sensors with a reversing camera now, although, given the Thar’s off-road bias, a 360-degree camera would have been a lot more useful.
The ESP also gets a retune for better response, and then there are the big mechanical updates under the skin.

Mahindra Thar OG performance and refinement – 8/10

Powering the Thar OG is the same powertrain lineup as before, but with a bump in power and torque for the turbo-petrol engine and the bigger diesel. We had the 2.2-litre diesel engine on test with the six-speed automatic gearbox. The engine now produces 152hp and 330Nm, which is 18hp and 30Nm more than the outgoing unit.

To be honest, the jump in performance is not evident initially, as Mahindra engines have always had a good off-the-line response. Where the power comes in is in the second half of the rev band. Highway cruising at triple-digit speeds is a bit more effortless now, but you wouldn’t enjoy rushing the Thar. Sedate cruising is what it does best.

What Mahindra has also improved is NVH, and the cabin is a bit more muted now. You still hear the diesel drone past 2,500rpm, but overall sound damping has been improved.

The gearbox, too, likes to pace itself, and quick overtakes come at the cost of engine noise. The shifts are smooth but relaxed, and even in manual mode, you don’t get much better response. Enthusiastic driving is not something the Thar enjoys, contrary to the infamous videos circulating online.

Mahindra Thar OG ride comfort and handling – 7/10

The biggest advances to the Thar OG have taken place under the body. The stiffer Gen 4 chassis is paired with a new Pentalink suspension at the rear, with a Watts linkage and DAVINCI dampers. Frequency-dependent damping, however, is only available on the top-spec trim. But has that improved the Thar on the road? The simple answer is yes.

The Watts linkage is responsible for adding stability at the rear. Imagine you’re pushing a shopping trolley. If one wheel suddenly moves sideways while you hit a bump, the trolley gets wobbly. The Watts linkage basically tells the axle: “You can go up and down, but please stay in the middle.” The effect is less bouncing over uneven highways and bad patches.

Then there is the DAVINCI damping that was seen on the XUV 7XO. The thuds coming from sharp, low-speed bumps are now not as harsh and, while it will still toss you around, if you hit a bad bump, it won’t unsettle the car. To add even more comfort with the bigger 19-inch wheels, the ZXT trim also gets frequency-dependent dampers along with the DAVINCI setup. Over a rough patch, you can tell they are working full-time to keep the cabin unfazed.

Now, as sophisticated as all of this is, the Thar OG is still a hardcore body-on-frame SUV at the end of the day. The new tech has certainly improved its on-road manners, but if you want a plush, supple ride, the Thar won’t cut it. A long drive will now be more comfortable, but you will still get knocked awake from your snooze.

The new EPS, however, has made a huge difference. The amount of effort needed to steer and turn the Thar is no longer a game of might. Under 20kph, the steering is light enough to twirl with just one finger, but as the speed rises, it gains heft so as not to feel uncomfortably light at speed. So, there is no need to wrangle with the steering to make a three-point turn anymore.

Also new and exclusive to the ZXT trim are rear disc brakes, which have added to the stopping power. The bite is stronger, and the Thar feels a lot more confident when slowing down now.

Mahindra Thar OG price and verdict – 8/10

With a starting price of Rs 10.32 lakh, the Thar OG is rather tempting. However, for most of the new bells and whistles, you will have to opt for the top-spec ZXT trim, which starts at Rs 13.99 lakh for the 1.5-litre engine with RWD. The diesel-AT version we drove will set you back Rs 18.99 lakh, so you need to be sure of what you want. The Thar OG is mighty capable, has a lot of character and is a lot better in every area than before. But as an everyday car, you’d still want some more practicality, creature comforts and refinement. However, if you are someone who likes to off-road or even just take the long way home with little regard for plushness, there is nothing like the Thar OG under Rs 65 lakh.