Mahindra dropped the 2025 Thar facelift yesterday, October 3, and it’s already stirring up the off-road crowd. This isn’t a full redesign. Think of it as a smart tune-up for a vehicle that’s been tearing through trails since 2020. The core stays the same: that boxy, Jeep-like silhouette built for mud, rocks, and everything in between. But the updates? They’re thoughtful, focusing on daily usability without softening the Thar’s wild side. Prices kick off at Rs 9.99 lakh ex-showroom, a slight dip from the old base model, making it easier to snag one without the sticker shock. Let’s dive in to understand what’s changed, what shines, and whether it’s worth trading in your current Thar.
Exterior: Subtle Polish, Zero Compromise
Spot a 2025 Thar from across the lot, and you might not clock the facelift right away. Mahindra kept the seven-slat grille, projector headlights, and LED tail-lamps intact. They are timeless for this breed. The real tweaks are in the details: a body-colored grille that ditches the black plastic for a cleaner look, paired with a dual-tone front bumper that adds a touch of flair. Side steps on higher trims make hopping in less of a workout, and the 18-inch alloys (up from 16-inch steels on the base) give it a planted stance.
Colors get a refresh too. Tango Red replaces the old red shade—brighter, bolder, like a desert sunset on wheels. Battleship Grey joins the palette, a stealthy option for those who want to blend into the terrain. No soft-top at launch, just hardtops across the board, which suits the premium vibe they’re chasing. Overall, it’s evolutionary: the Thar still screams adventure, but now with a hint of sophistication that won’t turn heads for the wrong reasons.
Interior and Comfort: Finally, a Nod to Everyday Life
Step inside, and here’s where the facelift flexes. The cabin swaps its dated vibe for a sleek all-black dashboard, trimmed with faux carbon-fiber accents that feel sporty without trying too hard. The new flat-bottom steering wheel grips nicely, with thicker padding for long hauls. Rear AC vents are a game-changer—previous models left backseaters sweating in traffic. Power window switches moved to the doors free up console space, and individual armrests for driver and passenger come with hidden storage bins. Even the A-pillar grab handle and electronic fuel-lid button sound small, but they make life smoother.
Seating? Front buckets are supportive, with bolsters that hug you through rough patches, though thigh support could use more cushion. Rear space is generous for a three-door, but ingress is tricky—expect some contortions, especially if you’re not a gymnast. The all-black theme looks sharp, but in India’s heat, it’ll absorb sun like a sponge; dark fabrics help, but a lighter option might’ve been smart. On comfort, it’s improved: height-adjustable driver’s seat on most trims, and the dead pedal for automatics lets left-foot drivers chill without cramping.
Convenience: Small Touches That Add Up
Mahindra nailed the little things here. Keyless entry is standard from the base AXT, so no fumbling for fobs in the rain. Cruise control on LXT variants means highway legs without fatigue, and electrically adjustable ORVMs fold with a button—handy for tight parking. Steering-mounted audio controls keep your eyes on the road, and the central armrest storage swallows phones and wallets easily. Rear defogger clears fog fast, and that new fuel-lid opener? It’s right by the wheel, intuitive as hell.
What this really means is the Thar feels less like a weekend toy and more like a daily that can handle weekends. No revolutionary tech, but these tweaks bridge the gap between trail basher and urban crawler.
Entertainment: Screens and Sounds That Keep Pace
Gone is the old 7-inch screen; enter a 10.25-inch HD touchscreen on LXT trims, crisp and responsive with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It’s not just bigger—it’s smarter, with a Gen II off-road suite that logs your adventures: pitch, roll, altitude, even customizable gauges for racing vibes. Pair it with the six-speaker audio system, and you’ve got decent tunes thumping through the cabin, though bass could punch harder on dirt roads.
Base AXT skips the screen entirely, sticking to basics, which keeps costs down but might frustrate tech lovers. Still, for what it is—a rugged SUV—the entertainment setup holds its own. Stream podcasts on a trail run, or map out the next water crossing. It’s practical fun, not overkill.
Ride Quality and Performance: Tough as Ever, Smoother on Pavement
Powertrains carry over unchanged, which is fine because they’re proven. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol makes 152hp and up to 320Nm in auto guise—peppy for city sprints, with minimal turbo lag. The 2.2-litre diesel (132hp, 300Nm) is the torque king for towing or crawling, while the new 1.5-litre diesel (119hp, 300Nm) slots in for RWD efficiency. Gearboxes? Six-speed manuals across, plus torque-converter autos on select 4WDs. Fuel economy hovers around 10-13kmpl, depending on your foot and terrain.
Ride-wise, it’s a revelation. The suspension soaks up potholes without drama, and there’s zero body roll in corners—feels planted, almost car-like on tarmac. NVH levels are hushed; the diesel auto whispers along, shifts buttery smooth. But let’s be real: this isn’t a cushy sedan. It’s bouncy over big hits, and wind noise creeps in at speed. Off-road? Pure joy. 4-Low mode conquers slush, axle twisters, and waist-deep water like it’s nothing. Power routes to the grippiest wheel, keeping you moving when lesser SUVs would spin out. Early drives confirm it’s as capable as before, just with better on-road manners.
Handling stays neutral—steering’s direct, brakes bite hard. Ground clearance at 226mm and approach angle of 41.8 degrees mean it’ll go where others fear to tread. If you’re splitting time between blacktop and backcountry, this balance hits sweet.
Safety: Solid Foundations, Incremental Gains
Safety was never the Thar’s weak spot, and the facelift builds on it. Dual front airbags are standard, backed by electronic stability control, rollover mitigation, hill-hold, and descent control. ABS with EBD and brake assist round out the basics. New for 2025: a rear wiper and washer for better visibility in muck, plus a reverse camera integrated into the spare wheel—dynamic guidelines make parking less of a guess.
LXT trims add tyre pressure monitoring and direction systems, alerting you to flats mid-trail. No ADAS yet—Mahindra’s saving that for bigger SUVs—but for off-roading, the low-speed crawl control and diff locks (on 4WDs) are lifesavers. It’s not bulletproof, but it prioritizes what matters: keeping you upright when the going gets gnarly.
Pricing and Variants: Accessible Entry, Premium Payoff
Mahindra structured this smartly around AXT and LXT trims, with RWD for urbanites and 4WD for purists. Here’s the breakdown (ex-showroom, India):
• AXT RWD 1.5 Diesel MT: Rs 9.99 lakh – Bare-bones essentials, steel wheels, no screen.
• LXT RWD 1.5 Diesel MT: Rs 12.99 lakh – Adds alloys, touchscreen, cruise.
• LXT RWD 2.0 Petrol AT: Rs 13.99 lakh – Auto comfort for city petrol heads.
• LXT 4WD 2.0 Petrol MT: Rs 14.69 lakh – Off-road ready.
• LXT 4WD 2.2 Diesel MT: Rs 15.49 lakh – Torque for trails.
• LXT 4WD 2.0 Petrol AT: Rs 16.25 lakh – Smooth shifts in the wild.
• LXT 4WD 2.2 Diesel AT: Rs 16.99 lakh – Top dog, fully loaded.
That’s a Rs 32,000 drop at entry versus the old model, but toppers rose by Rs 38,000 for the extras. On-road? Add 10-15% for insurance, registration. Waiting lists might stretch weeks, given the hype.
Wrapping It Up: The Thar You Didn’t Know You Needed
The 2025 Thar facelift isn’t reinventing the wheel—it’s just making sure it rolls smoother. Exterior tweaks keep it iconic, while interior upgrades and that big screen turn it into a viable daily driver. Ride quality impresses on and off pavement, safety covers the bases, and pricing undercuts rivals like the Jimny without skimping. If your old Thar feels dated inside, this is the upgrade path. For newcomers, it’s the rugged lifestyle SUV that finally comforts without compromise. Head to a showroom; you might not look back.