The Mahindra Thar has looked the same since its big 2020 relaunch, and buyers still wait months for one. Now Mahindra is close to giving it a first refresh, expected within three weeks. The big question for you: buy the proven ₹10.32 lakh Thar today, or hold on for the update?
Mahindra Thar facelift: what's changing (and what isn't)
Mahindra hasn't shared official photos or a fixed date yet, so treat the details below as expected, not confirmed. This looks like a mid-life facelift, meaning mostly cosmetic and feature tweaks rather than a new car. The tough ladder-frame body and rugged off-road setup are expected to carry over. So is the four-seat layout. Think of it as a freshen-up, not a redesign. If you love how the current Thar looks, little will feel out of place.
Mahindra Thar
SUVExterior: grille, headlamps and new colours, expected changes
The current Thar already has a bold upright stance, round LED headlamps and a slotted grille that nods to the old CJ jeeps. For the facelift, expect small changes like a tweaked grille finish, updated LED daytime running lights (the strip lights that stay on in the day) and possibly new alloy wheel designs. Fresh paint shades are likely too, since buyers keep asking about Thar colours. What almost certainly stays: the removable roof, side-opening tailgate and that classic boxy shape. This is evolution, not a rethink.
Interior and features: touchscreen, cabin tech and safety kit
Inside, the current Thar gets a 7-inch touchscreen, connected car tech and a fairly basic but hard-wearing cabin. The facelift is expected to bring a bigger touchscreen and more features to close the gap with modern rivals. The big thing to watch is safety. Mainstream SUVs now offer six airbags and even ADAS (safety tech that can brake for you on its own). If Mahindra adds these, it would make the Thar an easier buy for daily family use, not just weekend fun. Until Mahindra confirms the kit, this stays a wish list.
Engines and mileage: diesel and petrol likely carried over
Don't expect changes under the bonnet. The diesel makes 117 bhp and returns 15.2 kmpl (ARAI, a government test that runs higher than real driving). The petrol LXT makes 150 bhp with the same 15.2 kmpl claim. In real city driving with the AC on, expect noticeably less. The diesel pairs with a 6-speed manual, while the petrol comes with a manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic (smooth gearbox with no clutch pedal). These proven engines are likely to continue unchanged.
Mahindra Thar — Engine & performance
| Specification | AXT | LXT |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel type | Diesel | Diesel |
| Engine | 1497 cc | 2184 cc |
| Max power | 117 bhp @ 3500 rpm | 130 bhp @ 3750 rpm |
| Max torque | 300 Nm @ 1750-2500 rpm | 300 Nm @ 1600-2800 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Torque Converter Automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD | 4WD (Part-Time) |
| Mileage | 15.2 kmpl | 15.2 kmpl |
Thar price: current variants and expected facelift hike
Right now the range starts at ₹10.32 lakh for the AXT Diesel 6MT (ex-showroom). The LXT diesel is ₹12.99 lakh. The petrol LXT auto is ₹14.76 lakh, and the petrol LXT manual is ₹15.59 lakh, with the range topping out at ₹17.99 lakh. On-road prices will be higher once you add road tax, registration and insurance, and these vary by state, so a Thar in Kerala will cost more than the ex-showroom figure. A facelift usually brings a modest price rise for the added kit. Expect a hike, though Mahindra hasn't announced numbers.
Mahindra Thar — Price by variant
| Variant | Ex-showroom price |
|---|---|
| AXT | ₹10.32 lakh |
| LXT | ₹12.99 lakh – ₹17.99 lakh |
(This is current price as of 18 Sept 2026)
Thar vs Nexon, Sonet, Brezza: why it costs ₹4 lakh more
On paper the Thar looks pricey. The Tata Nexon tops out at ₹14.4 lakh, the Kia Sonet at ₹14.47 lakh and the Maruti Brezza at ₹13.71 lakh. The Thar even starts higher than where those rivals begin. But it's not really the same kind of car. Those are practical, five-seat family SUVs. The Thar is a proper off-roader and a lifestyle statement, with real 4x4 ability and a removable roof they can't match. You're paying roughly ₹4 lakh more for character and capability, not for boot space or rear-seat comfort.
Should you wait 3 weeks or buy the Thar now?
If you want a Thar purely for the drive and the looks, the current ₹10.32 lakh AXT already delivers, and buying now avoids the wait plus a likely price hike. But if safety kit matters to you, waiting three weeks makes sense. Even if you don't like the new car, dealers may discount the outgoing model once the facelift lands. My honest niggle: the Thar is still a four-seater with a firm ride, so it's not the car for a family of five heading to Lonavala every weekend. For a weekend off-roader who wants the icon, the diesel AXT is the value pick. If features tip the scale for you, hold on for the facelift reveal.
References: Mahindra India — official website
