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March 21, 2025
Mahindra has launched the updated three-door Thar OG in India, and the pricing is arguably the most headline-worthy part of the package. The entry-level AXT still starts at Rs 10.32 lakh, unchanged from the outgoing model, even though the SUV has moved to a new platform, gained revised suspension hardware and picked up electric power steering. For U.S. off-road fans, the Thar name carries real credibility, even if this Indian-market body-on-frame 4x4 is not part of Mahindra’s official American lineup.
The key shift for the Thar OG is underneath. Mahindra has quietly switched the three-door model to a newer platform and reworked the suspension, with the goal of improving highway composure without compromising the rugged character that made the Thar a cult favorite. The addition of electric power steering is also significant because it makes low-speed trail work and tight parking maneuvers easier than the earlier setup. These are exactly the kind of changes that usually push prices north, which makes the unchanged starting figure stand out even more.
Mahindra’s Indian-market pricing remains aggressive. The Thar OG’s base variant, the AXT, is offered with the 1.5-litre diesel engine in rear-wheel-drive form and starts at Rs 10.32 lakh. At current exchange rates, that works out to roughly $12,000, though Indian auto prices are not directly comparable to U.S. prices because taxes, road regulations and equipment levels differ sharply.
The bigger talking point is that even the top end of the Thar OG range has only seen a modest increase over the previous model. Mahindra has added substantial content and structural updates, yet the brand has not used the launch as a reason to reset the entire price ladder. For buyers in India, that makes the Thar OG look like better value than the model it replaces.
The lineup starts with the AXT and moves through the LXT and ZXT trims. The LXT and ZXT can be specified with a wider spread of engines and gearboxes, including a new automatic transmission, while the base AXT keeps things simple with the entry diesel and rear-wheel drive.
| Variant | Powertrain | Drive layout | Ex-showroom price (Rs lakh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXT | 1.5d MT | RWD | 10.32 |
| LXT | 1.5d MT | RWD | 12.99 |
| LXT | 2.2D AT | RWD | 16.40 |
| ZXT | 1.5d MT | From this trim level | 13.90 |
| ZXT | 2.2D MT | From this trim level | 17.40 |
| ZXT | 2.2D AT | From this trim level | 18.90 |
| ZXT | Petrol AT | RWD | 16.09 |
| ZXT | Petrol AT | 4WD | 17.70 |
Mahindra notes that 4WD is available on the LXT and ZXT trims, which means buyers are not locked into a single drivetrain configuration once they step up the range. The AXT, by contrast, is positioned as the accessible rear-drive entry point for buyers who want the Thar look and basic off-road ability without paying for the full 4WD system.
The Thar OG can be specified with three engine options across the range: the new 1.5-litre diesel, the larger 2.2-litre diesel and a petrol unit. Each engine is matched to either a manual gearbox or the newly added automatic, depending on trim.
The 1.5d is clearly the efficiency-focused entry option. It pairs with rear-wheel drive in the AXT and with the same layout in the LXT, giving urban buyers a comfortable and relatively fuel-conscious way into the Thar brand. The 2.2D, meanwhile, is the heavier-duty diesel choice for those who want stronger low-end response on trails and for highway touring.
Buyers looking for the petrol experience are directed to the ZXT trim. The petrol automatic is available with rear-wheel drive at Rs 16.09 lakh and with 4WD at Rs 17.7 lakh. That pricing keeps the petrol automatic below the most expensive diesel automatic, which tops the Thar OG range at Rs 18.9 lakh in ZXT form.
The Thar OG is not a ground-up all-new model in the usual sense; it is a major refresh of the three-door Thar that first built Mahindra’s modern off-road reputation. By carrying the “OG” suffix, Mahindra is signaling that this is the original, compact Thar for enthusiasts, as opposed to the larger five-door Thar Roxx that launched in India in 2024.
The Roxx was Mahindra’s attempt to broaden the Thar family into a more practical, family-friendly SUV. The Thar OG keeps the two-door, short-wheelbase formula that made the nameplate a trendsetter in the Indian market. That positioning gives Indian buyers a clear choice: the bigger and more usable Thar Roxx for daily family duty, or the more focused and compact Thar OG for those who simply want the toughest version of the silhouette.
American readers should not expect to see the Thar OG in a Mahindra dealership near them anytime soon. Mahindra’s current U.S. footprint is centered on the Roxor, a side-by-side recreational vehicle, not a federally certified highway SUV. The Thar OG is engineered for India’s right-hand-drive roads and tailored to that market’s pricing, tax structure and consumer preferences.
That said, the Thar’s reputation travels well beyond India. It is the kind of compact, ladder-frame 4x4 that resonates with enthusiasts who track models such as the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Land Cruiser. Because the Thar OG is not federalized for the U.S., a private import would face significant hurdles, including crash certification, emissions compliance and the long-standing 25-year import rule for vehicles that do not meet U.S. standards.
Mahindra’s decision to hold the base price at Rs 10.32 lakh is the most revealing detail of the launch. The Thar OG gains a new platform, revised suspension and electric power steering, yet the starting price has not moved. Even the higher trims appear to have been adjusted only mildly, which strengthens the value argument considerably.
For Indian buyers, the Thar OG remains one of the most affordable ways into a legitimate body-on-frame off-roader with serious 4WD hardware. For U.S. enthusiasts, the launch is another reminder that Mahindra is still building no-nonsense, accessible 4x4s abroad. The Thar OG may not be sold in America, but its engineering priorities and price positioning make it one of the most interesting compact off-road launches happening outside the U.S. market. Watch for the first road-test reviews from India to see whether the new platform and suspension changes translate into the on-road refinement Mahindra is promising.
