Let's compare Mahindra Thar AXT RWD Diesel vs Force Gurkha 3 Door

Compare Mahindra Thar AXT RWD Diesel vs Force Gurkha 3 Door price, specifications, mileage, features and performance to find the best car for you.

Mahindra Thar AXT RWD Diesel
Mahindra Thar
Force Gurkha 3 Door
Force Gurkha
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Car comparison placeholder
Here is a detailed comparison of price:

Mahindra Thar AXT RWD Diesel

Price

₹ 11.26 Lakh

On-Road Price New Delhi

EMI

₹ 20,594/month

Force Gurkha 3 Door

Price

₹ 18.52 Lakh

On-Road Price New Delhi

EMI

₹ 33,880/month

From the above comparison, we can conclude that Mahindra Thar feels light on the pocket compared to Force Gurkha by ₹7,26,328.

Dimensions & Seating

Body Type

Suv

Suv

Length

3985 mm +20

3965 mm

Width

1820 mm

1865 mm +45

Height

1850 mm

2080 mm +230

WheelBase

2450 mm +50

2400 mm

Ground Clearance

226 mm

233 mm +7

Seating Capacity

4

4

Fuel Tank Capacity

57 Liters

63.5 Liters +6.5

Boot Space

-- Liters

500 Liters

Engine & Transmission

Fuel Type

Diesel

Diesel

Mileage (KMPL)

15.2 Km/l +5.7

9.5 Km/l

Range

866 Kms +326

540 Kms

Engine Type

D117 Crde

Fm2.6 Cr Cd

Powertrain Assistance

No

--

Emission Standards

Bs Vi

Bs Vi

No. of Cylinders

4

4

Displacement

1497 cc

2596 cc +1099

Max Power

117 bhp @ 3500 rpm

138 bhp @ 3200 rpm +21

Max Torque

300 Nm @ 1750-2500 rpm

320 Nm @ 1400 rpm +20

Transmission Type

MT

MT

Gear Box

6-MT

5-Speed M

Drive Type

RWD

4X4

Top Speed

155 +5

150

Steering and Suspension

Tilt Adjust

Yes

Yes

Telescopic Adjust

--

Yes

Turning Radius

5.5

5.5

Front Suspension

Independent Double Wishbone

Independent double wishbone with coil spring

Rear Suspension

Multilink solid Rear Axle

Multi-link with Pan hard rod & coil spring

Front Brakes

Disc

Disc

Rear Brakes

Drum

Drum

Safety & Security

Airbags

2

2

Seatbelt Warning

Yes

Yes

Over Speeding Warning

Yes

Yes

Anti-lock Braking System

Yes

Yes

ESP

Yes

--

Brake Assist

Yes

--

Tyre Pressure Monitor System

No

Yes

Reverse Camera

No

No

360 Camera

No

No

Hill Assist

Yes

--

Hill Descent Control

Yes

No

Child Lock

Yes

Yes

Isofix Child Seat Mount

Yes

Yes

Engine Immobilizer

--

Yes

ADAS

No

No

Comfort & Convenience

Power Windows

Only Front

Only Front

ORVM Adjustment

Manual

Manual

Request Sensors

--

--

Push Button Start

No

No

Cruise Control

No

No

Keyless Entry

--

--

Steering Mounted Control

--

--

Climate Control

--

--

Rear AC Vents

No

No

Adjustable Steering Column

Yes

Yes

Interior Features

Upholstery

Fabric

Fabric

Adjustable Front Seats

Yes

Yes

Height Adjustable Driver Seat

Yes

Yes

Rear Armrest

Yes

Yes

Rear Cup Holders

--

--

Front Cup Holders

Yes

--

Cooled Glovebox

No

No

Exterior Features

Sunroof

Not Compatible

No

Wheels

Steel Rims

Alloy

Fog Lights

No

Yes

Tyre Size

245 / 75 R16

255/65 R18

Daytime Running Lights

--

--

Headlight Type

Halogen

Projector

Tailgate

Manual

Manual

Roof Rails

No

No

Rear Wiper

No

No

Infotainment & Telematics

Touch Screen

--

Yes

Screen Size

--

9 inch

USB Port

Yes

Yes

Navigation System

No

No

Speakers

--

4

Remote App Control

No

No

Wireless Charging

No

No

Smartphone Connectivity

No

Yes

Telematics

Analogue-Digital

Digital

Connectivity & Internet

USB Port

Yes

Yes

Navigation

No

No

Smartphone Connectivity

No

Yes

Mahindra Thar Vs Force Gurkha Colors
Mahindra Thar STEALTH BLACK

STEALTH BLACK

Force Gurkha Black

Black

Mahindra Thar STEALTH BLACK

STEALTH BLACK

Force Gurkha Black

Black

Mahindra Thar Vs Force Gurkha Expert Opinions
Design and Aesthetics
Features and Specifications
After Sales Support
Brand Value
Resale Value
Likes
Dislikes
Design and Aesthetics
Features and Specifications
After Sales Support
Brand Value
Resale Value
Likes
Dislikes
Mahindra Thar Vs Force Gurkha FAQs

The 3-door Mahindra Thar was launched in October 2020, and it remains in production. It has become one of the most iconic off-road SUVs in India, combining retro style with modern tech.

The Thar is built on a ladder-frame / body-on-frame chassis, not a monocoque. That means a separate rigid frame under the vehicle supports the body. This style gives it strength and toughness — excellent for off-road use, rugged terrain, uneven surfaces. The flip side? It tends to have more body roll, slightly less smooth ride at highway speeds compared to crossover SUVs, and more weight. But if your road includes broken stretches, streams, mud, or even adventure trails, ladder frame is gold.

Thar has many things working in its favor. First, its looks: round headlamps, seven-slot grille, boxy rugged shape — retro but cool. Second, it taps into nostalgia: Mahindra’s lineage of Jeeps (CJ, MM540) is legendary. Third, it offers real off-road capability in a licensed SUV package (4×4, high ground clearance, robust chassis) at prices many can reach. Fourth, media, film and owner stories have made the Thar more than a car, it’s identity, rebel car, adventure car. It’s that vehicle people imagine driving through desert dunes, forest trails, or Chennai monsoon roads and living to tell about it.

The first generation Thar (launched around 2010) grew out of Mahindra’s legacy of producing rugged “jeep-like” vehicles (e.g. MM540). The old Thar had simpler features: basic interiors, fewer comfort features, analogue dials, basic doors or soft tops. The current 2020 Thar upgrades a lot: modern suspension (independent front double wishbone, multi-link rear with coil springs instead of older leaf/composite springs), better ride comfort, features like touchscreen infotainment, LED lighting, safety equipment, more variants (petrol/diesel, manual/auto), removable tops (hard top, soft top, convertible style). So the Thar evolved from rugged utilitarian off-roader to “rugged + somewhat civilized” adventure SUV.

MM540 was one of the ancestors of Thar. Mahindra produced the MM540 from around 1985 to 2005 (varied by model), which itself was an evolution of Mahindra’s Jeep licence lineage (CJ, etc.). MM540 was very basic, almost military/off-road focused: leaf springs, minimal creature comforts, rugged and simple. Thar inherits that DNA: it’s part nostalgia, part engineering. But modern Thar is far more than just MM540 with a stereo.

Yes, design conflict has been a thing. Jeep’s parent companies (Stellantis / FCA) have alleged that Mahindra’s Thar too closely resembles the Jeep Wrangler or Jeep’s design trademarks — things like the front grille, bumper style, small design cues. In some markets (Australia among them), Jeep has taken Mahindra to court arguing that Mahindra is infringing intellectual property rights. Mahindra has responded sometimes by saying no immediate plan to launch in those markets, or has removed teaser images, etc. So there is legal tension. Thar is iconic, but because certain design cues are globally recognized, copying or resembling too closely invites trouble.

Because of its look, its roar, and how it is often used. Thar has appeared in films, in crime-stories, in rural strongman legends, in city stories as “that SUV that can drive anywhere”. Some people believe owning a Thar projects power: seeing it drive up means attrition of smaller cars, road space, etc. In some regions, Thar owners have been associated with overconfidence, performing reckless driving. Media reports of accidents or misbehaviour sometimes focus on Thar drivers. So it has “notorious” status in popular culture — partly romantic, partly real, partly exaggerated.

Should buy if you value off-road capability, want a car that can take mud, water, and rough terrain, like adventure weekends, beach drives, or need to go to remote areas. If you want strong road presence and don’t mind compromises on comfort, fuel cost, space. Also good for enthusiasts, younger people who want a fun weekend ride more than a plush city drive. Avoid if your drive is mostly smooth city roads, frequent traffic jams, parking tight, you want high fuel efficiency, or comfort as priority over ruggedness. If your back complains easily, Thar’s ride can be firm.

Thar got 4 stars for adult and child occupant protection in the 2020 Global NCAP test, when tested in basic spec with two airbags. The updated Thar Roxx version has gone further, earning 5 stars in both adult and child safety in Bharat NCAP. This shows Mahindra has worked to improve safety with stronger structure and more safety tech.

Because Thar is tall, high clearance, and body-on-frame, it has a higher centre of gravity than many other SUVs. That increases risk in sharp turns or fast evasive manoeuvres. However, standard driving, responsible speeds, avoiding overloading, and features like ESC reduce that risk significantly. Official crash tests noted “unstable dynamic behaviour” in some scenarios, so driver caution is required. There is no large public record (in tests) of design being proven unsafe in normal conditions.

The Gurkha 3 Door starts around ₹16.75 lakh (ex-showroom) in many cities. On-road in Delhi it comes near ₹19.9-20 lakh depending on variant, taxes, RTO, etc.

Under its hood sits a 2.6-litre diesel engine (FM 2.6 CR CD), making about 138 bhp @ 3200 rpm and 320 Nm torque between ~1,400-2,600 rpm. Transmission is 5-speed manual, and drivetrain is 4WD with mechanical lockers/differentials for serious off-road grip.

The Gurkha 3 Door measures ~3,965 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width, and 2,080 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,400 mm. Ground clearance is about 233 mm. Boot space is ~500 litres.

Owner-reported real-world mileage is about 12 kmpl in mixed city driving. ARAI certified or claimed mileage is a bit higher depending on variant and driving conditions.

This is not a city slicker. Gurkha 3 Door shines when you hit rough roads, off-road trails, mud, water crossings (with snorkel optional or standard in some trims), mountain roads with steep inclines, or remote forest tracks. If your daily commute is potholes, inclines, rough surfaces, or if you live somewhere with seasonal rough terrain, then Gurkha makes sense.

Buy it if you love adventure more than comfort, want a car that looks badass and can take a beating. If your roads are bad, or your trips include off-road escapes or needing 4×4, this is your kind of car. If you want luxury tech or rear-seat softness, maybe less so.

You get basics like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, heavy duty chassis, good brakes front, durable rear, steel wheels, big tyres (255/65 R18 in many trims), good ground clearance, and rugged suspension setup. It isn’t plush, but built to endure.

Let’s estimate: assume you drive ~15,000 km per year (75,000 km in 5 yrs). If average is ~12 kmpl, fuel cost = For 75,000 km, you need ~6,250 litres (75,000 ÷ 12 ≈ 6,250). If diesel is ₹90/litre (approx), fuel cost = ₹5,62,500 over 5 years. Add in maintenance, tyres (thick tyres + offroad wear), insurance, tax = maybe another ₹1.5-2 lakh or more depending on use. So 5-year ownership could easily touch ₹7-8 lakh+ (fuel + servicing + insurance etc) for heavy offroad use. For mild city & highway mix maybe less.
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