Thar 2026 Review: The Good & The Bad Bits
By Gaurav Cyril • Published on 23 Sept 2026The major disappointment with the new 2026 Mahindra Thar top model is that it still misses out on a 360-degree camera system. For an off-road SUV with...

The major disappointment with the new 2026 Mahindra Thar top model is that it still misses out on a 360-degree camera system. For an off-road SUV with massive road presence, wide wheel arches, and significant blind spots, relying solely on a traditional rear camera and parking sensors feels like a missed opportunity.

Despite that omission, Mahindra has transformed the 2026 Thar into a far more refined and modern daily driver compared to its predecessor. Built on the upgraded M_Glide 4G platform with new Pentalink rear suspension and Frequency Dependent Damping (FDD), the signature bouncy ride quality of the old Thar has been drastically tame.

On the outside, it steps up its visual appeal with a redesigned grille, full-LED headlamps featuring C-shaped DRLs, LED fog lamps, and bold 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.

Here are the 10 features of the ZXT variant that makes thar worth considering:
|
No. |
Feature |
What it offers |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
10.25-inch Touchscreen |
Crisp display with wireless Android Auto and wired Apple CarPlay |
|
2 |
6 Airbags |
Improved cabin protection compared with the previous dual-airbag setup |
|
3 |
Electronic Locking Differential |
Transfers power to the wheels with better traction on slippery or uneven surfaces |
|
4 |
Terrain Modes |
Snow, Sand and Mud modes adjust throttle and traction control for different surfaces |
|
5 |
Electric Power Steering |
Makes low-speed city manoeuvring lighter and easier than the previous hydraulic setup |
|
6 |
Wireless Phone Charger |
Charges compatible smartphones without the need for cables |
|
7 |
Push-Button Engine Start |
Adds keyless engine-start convenience |
|
8 |
Front Parking Sensors |
Helps detect obstacles while parking or manoeuvring in tight spaces |
|
9 |
All-Wheel Disc Brakes |
Provides more consistent braking performance compared with rear drum brakes |
|
10 |
Leatherette Seats |
Truffle Brown leatherette upholstery with embossed branding adds a more premium cabin feel |
For the 2026 Mahindra Thar OG, the powertrain matrix is quite simple once you separate the base AXT from the LXT and ZXT. Mahindra offers three engines, with the 1.5-litre diesel limited to MT 2WD, while the LXT and ZXT get the wider 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel combinations.
|
Variant |
Engine |
Transmission |
Drive |
Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AXT |
1.5L Diesel |
6-speed MT |
2WD |
Buyers who want the Thar look and basic capability at the lowest entry price |
|
LXT |
1.5L Diesel |
6-speed MT |
2WD |
Daily users who want a better-equipped Thar without spending heavily |
|
LXT |
2.0L Turbo Petrol |
AT |
2WD |
City users who want automatic convenience and smoother petrol performance |
|
LXT |
2.0L Turbo Petrol |
MT |
4WD |
Petrol buyers who actually plan to use the Thar off-road |
|
LXT |
2.0L Turbo Petrol |
AT |
4WD |
Buyers wanting an easier, more comfortable 4WD Thar |
|
LXT |
2.2L Diesel |
AT |
2WD |
Highway users wanting diesel torque with automatic convenience |
|
LXT |
2.2L Diesel |
MT |
4WD |
Serious off-road users who prefer manual control |
|
LXT |
2.2L Diesel |
AT |
4WD |
Buyers who want diesel torque, 4WD and automatic convenience |
|
ZXT |
1.5L Diesel |
6-speed MT |
2WD |
Buyers wanting the top trim's features without needing 4WD |
|
ZXT |
2.0L Turbo Petrol |
AT |
2WD |
Urban buyers who want the top-spec cabin and automatic convenience |
|
ZXT |
2.0L Turbo Petrol |
MT |
4WD |
Enthusiasts wanting top-spec features with manual 4WD |
|
ZXT |
2.0L Turbo Petrol |
AT |
4WD |
Buyers wanting the full-featured petrol 4WD experience |
|
ZXT |
2.2L Diesel |
AT |
2WD |
Highway users wanting top-spec features, diesel torque and an automatic |
|
ZXT |
2.2L Diesel |
MT |
4WD |
Enthusiasts wanting top-spec equipment and serious off-road hardware |
|
ZXT |
2.2L Diesel |
AT |
4WD |
Buyers wanting the most fully equipped Thar OG with diesel, automatic and 4WD |
Which Thar OG variant is for whom?
|
Buyer type |
Variant to consider |
Why |
|---|---|---|
|
I simply want a Thar |
AXT 1.5 Diesel MT 2WD |
Cheapest way into the new Thar OG. You get the basic Thar experience without paying for hardware you may never use. |
|
I want a Thar for daily city use |
LXT 1.5 Diesel MT 2WD |
Adds useful equipment while retaining the economical 1.5 diesel and 2WD setup. |
|
I mostly drive in the city and hate manual gearboxes |
LXT 2.0 Petrol AT 2WD |
Automatic convenience makes more sense for stop-go traffic, while 2WD avoids paying for off-road hardware. |
|
I want a Thar for weekend trails |
LXT 2.0 Petrol MT 4WD |
Gives you 4WD and manual control without jumping to the most expensive versions. |
|
I want serious off-road ability |
LXT 2.2 Diesel MT 4WD |
Diesel torque, manual gearbox and 4WD make this the more purpose-focused combination. |
|
I want 4WD but also drive it every day |
LXT 2.2 Diesel AT 4WD |
Combines diesel torque and 4WD with the convenience of an automatic. |
|
I want the features more than the off-road hardware |
ZXT 1.5 Diesel MT 2WD |
Gives you the ZXT equipment package without paying for 4WD. |
|
I want the most premium city-friendly Thar |
ZXT 2.0 Petrol AT 2WD |
Top trim, automatic and 2WD make sense if your Thar will spend most of its life on roads. |
|
I want the complete Thar experience |
ZXT 2.2 Diesel AT 4WD |
Combines the top trim with the larger diesel, automatic gearbox and 4WD. |
4WD is not automatically the better choice for every Thar buyer. If the vehicle will spend 95% of its life on city roads, a 2WD version can be the more logical configuration. The 4WD versions make more sense when off-road driving is actually part of the ownership plan.

























