Mahindra is an automaker not often talked about in the United States. However, over in India and parts of South Asia, it is one of the most popular manufacturers of off-road capable vehicles. Back in the old days, vehicles similar to Mahindra products were looked down upon due to poor quality, less technology, and in many cases, poor knockoff attempts of other famous vehicles.
Recently, however, such brands have been catching up. They might not be at the level of European, Japanese, and American vehicles yet, but they are certainly much further ahead than they used to be. With this in mind, it would only make sense to compare the Mahindra Thar against the base model Jeep Wrangler Sport. Is the Thar as close to the American Jeep in terms of capabilities as its looks suggest? Or is it just another cheap copy?
What Are The Roots Of The Mahindra Thar?
The Thar name dates back to 2010. Back then, the vehicle looked incredibly similar to an old Jeep CJ5. It is interesting to think that in 2010, a 4x4 that looked so retro and old-school existed. The Thar appears to have had very little safety equipment. Furthermore, underneath it combined independent suspension with leaf springs. This is a marriage mostly seen on pickups and isn’t the best option when it comes to off-roading (a normal CJ5 had leaf-sprung front and rear axles which are more capable off-road).
The Thar might not have had the abilities or the history of a CJ5, but it was a fair bit cheaper. (Although the Thar nameplate might not have the history, Mahindra itself does have a long history of building jeeps as they were a licensed manufacturer to assemble CJ5s) Back when it was released, this vehicle only cost the equivalent of $13,300 - $14,000; therefore, its old-school technology can be excused.
However, in 2020 the Thar received a major update that drastically changed the vehicle. Once again, it is suspiciously similar to a Jeep but this time to a new one. Let’s take a closer look at what this latest model vehicle has to offer.
The New Mahindra Is A Jeep Wrangler For Less Than Half The Price
The new Thar is completely different from the one it replaces due to the fact that it is now a more mainstream model. If you have a look at the exterior, you will notice a much more modern design thanks to thicker pillars (for safety), plastic cladding, plastic bumpers, modern headlights, and generally, a much trendier look.
Engines For The Thar Include:
Engine: mHawk CRDE Diesel 130 | Engine: mStallion 150 TGI Petrol | Engine: D117 CRDe Diesel |
Engine Capacity: 2.2 liters | Engine Capacity: 2.0 liters | Engine Capacity: 1.5 liters |
Max Power: 130 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque | Max Power: 150 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque | Max Power: 117 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque |
On the inside, the new Thar can seat four people while the old one could carry eight (thanks to side-mounted bench seats). The new model even has an infotainment screen that displays off-road information and can even notify the driver of off-road tricky off-road situations.
The Thar Is A Capable Off-Roader
The changes Mahindra made to the new Thar don’t stop at the exterior, interior, and engines. The underside of the vehicle is also completely new thanks to a new frame and suspension. Thankfully, this new design is more capable than before thanks to a coil-sprung multi-link solid rear axle and a coil-over double-wishbone front. This is a very similar setup to a 4Runner.
Mahindra Thar Off-Road Numbers
- Ground Clearance: 226mm
- Approach Angle: 41.2 degrees
- Departure Angle: 36 degrees
- Breakover Angle: 26.2 degrees
- Water Wading Depth: 650mm
The Thar cruises around town or the highway in rear-wheel-drive mode. When needed, the driver can switch to four-wheel drive for a 50-50 split between the front and rear axles. Sadly, the Thar does not offer differential locks on either axle to ensure power is sent to all four wheels in crossed-up situations. Still, its stubby dimensions, low-range transfer case, and great off-road angles make it a genuinely capable off-roader
A Jeep Wrangler Costs More, But It Also Offers More
There is no denying the legend behind the Wrangler. A car doesn’t simply gather such a fan base by being mediocre. The Wrangler is a great vehicle, but how does it compare to its $15,000 clone? Well, sadly (for Mahindra) the competition here is tough. Firstly, the 2023 Wrangler offers a wide range of engines that are more powerful than all of Mahindra’s offerings.
All Engines Currently Available With The Wrangler
- Standard on the Wrangler Sport is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque
- The same 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine is now available with a mild-hybrid eTorque system that bumps up power to 305 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque
- A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder with 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque
- A plug-in hybrid variant with the same 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine but paired with two electric motors for a total output of 370 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque
- Wrangler four-door models offer a 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel engine rated at 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque
- A four-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 featuring a 6.4-liter V-8 HEMI engine, rated at 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque
But wait, there is more. Even though the Thar is a capable off-roader, it is still no match for the Wrangler. You see, the Wrangler sits on an amazing platform with an incredibly capable suspension setup. The Jeep features coil-sprung solid axles front and rear which is the best setup when it comes to tough off-road obstacles as it provides incredible articulation and superior durability.
This means that the Wrangler Sport will be more capable when the going gets tough. Sure, neither of the two vehicles have lockers However, the fact that the Wrangler will keep it wheels on the ground for longer means that it will be able to find traction for longer.
Jeep Wrangler Sport Off-Road Angles
Approach Angle | 41.4 degrees |
Breakover Angle | 25.0 degrees |
Departure Angle | 35.9 degrees |
Worth mentioning is the fact that due to its slightly smaller size, the Mahindra offers very competitive off-road angles that in some cases surpass those of a base model Wrangler Sport. This, of course is a point towards the Thar; however, it is not enough to offset the possibilities provided by having a solid axle vehicle on proven axles that can be modified for big tires and extremely tough terrain.
The Wrangler Can Be Modified To Your Hearts Content
There is no denying that modifications for the Thar exist; however, the extent to which each of the two vehicles can be modified differs widely. (the Thar too has a big community and the mods possible are endless) A Wrangler can be made into whatever you want it to be. If you fancy a mild lift with some slightly larger tires, you can have it. If, on the other hand, you want to go crazy with long travel suspension, larger axles, huge 40-inch tires, and even a 1000 horsepower V-8 you can also do so. Everything is available and anything can be done to a Wrangler.
The Wrangler does come through as the better vehicle. But that was expected, it is far more expensive than the Thar, and, in some ways, Mahindra tried to recreate the Wrangler but in a much cheaper package.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with that. The only problem is that the company might be facing lawsuits once again as the design of the Thar is incredibly similar to the Wrangler. No panels or components are interchangeable, and the Mahindra is much smaller. However, arguments regarding the similarities between the two vehicles have certainly been raised.