Mahindra Thar broke the covers on August 15, 2020. In the new-gen avatar, it looks scintillatingly beautiful while keeping intact the original lines and silhouette of the first-gen model. Apart from the aesthetics, the distinction between the two generations of the Thar continues on the spec-sheet as well. Notably, the differences between the specifications of the two models have grown too wide in comparison to any other 2-consecutive generations of any Mahindra car.
2020 Mahindra Thar Exterior and Interior Review in Walk-Around Video
To start with, the new-gen Thar endorses a bigger footprint in comparison to the last-gen model. It measures 3,985 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width, and 1,920 mm in height. In comparison, the last-gen model’s length, width, and height were tapped at 3,920 mm, 1,726 mm, and 2430 mm, respectively. The wheelbase of the all-new Thar is measured at 2,450 mm, which in comparison to the last-gen model is longer by 20 mm. Also, the contact patch has increased now, as the new-gen Thar gets 255-section tyres draped on 18-inch rims, while the last-gen model came with 16-inch rims shod with 235-section tyres.
| Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Tyres | Ground clearance | Approach angle | Departure angle | Breakover angle | |
| Last-gen Thar | 3920 mm | 1726 mm | 1930 mm | 2430 mm | 235/70 16-inch | 200 mm | 44° | 15° | 27° |
| New-gen Thar | 3985 mm | 1855 mm | 1920 mm | 2450 mm | 245/75 16-inch or 255/65 18-inch | 226mm | 41.8° | NA | 27° |
Apart from the dimensions and tyres, the new-gen Thar boasts of improved off-roading credentials. It now sits 226 mm above the ground, whereas the last-gen Thar’s ground clearance was measured at 200 mm only. The new-gen Thar gets an approach angle of 42 degrees, a departure angle of 27 degrees, while the water wading depth is capped at 650 mm.
To lug all of this heft on and off the paved roads, the new-gen Thar comes with 2 powerful engine options – 2.0L turbo-petrol and 2.2L turbo-diesel. The last-gen Thar, however, came with 2.5L turbo-diesel only. The 2.0L turbo-petrol motor is tuned to produce a peak power output of 150 Bhp and max torque of 320 Nm. It comes mated to a 6-speed MT or a 6-speed AT. However, with the manual gearbox in place, the max torque is restricted at 300 Nm only.
| Last-gen Thar | New-gen Thar | New-gen Thar | |
| Engine | 2.5L turbo-diesel | 2.0L turbo-petrol | 2.2L turbo-diesel |
| Gearbox | 5-speed MT | 6-speed MT & 6-speed AT | 6-speed MT & 6-speed AT |
| Power | 106 Bhp | 150 Bhp | 130 Bhp |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 300 Nm(MT) / 320 Nm(AT) | 300 Nm |
| Layout | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
2020 Mahindra Thar 4-Door Rendered Digitally
Talking of the oil burner, new-gen Thar’s 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel puts out 130 Bhp of peak power and 300 Nm of peak torque. The transmission options include a 6-speed MT and 6-speed AT. The last-gen Thar’s diesel engine, on the other hand, was capable of belting out 106 Bhp of peak power and 247 Nm of max torque, and it came mated to a 5-speed MT only. A low-range transfer case and mechanically-locking rear differential remain standard fitment on both the models.