In 2020, Mahindra’s second-generation Thar became a cultural moment, a declaration of identity. A boxy, mud-slinging reminder that purpose-built didn’t have to mean compromise on style and presence. Five years later, the 2025 Thar arrives, carrying that same raw DNA but wrapped in a more evolved, more comfortable skin. Mahindra hasn’t torn down the fortress it built. It’s more of a refinement, executed with restraint.

Familiar Shape, Finer Details

At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking little has changed. The stance remains unmistakable — wide, upright, and unapologetically rugged. Props to Mahindra for resisting the temptation to overdesign it. The Thar has presence because of its simplicity, and the facelift respects that lineage. 

But the details is where things have changed. The alloys are new, the lighting signature has been reworked with LED elements, and the silhouette remains proudly old-school. The body-coloured grille, redesigned dual-tone bumper with silver inserts and two new hues — Tango Red and Battleship Grey — round up the updates on the body of the car.

The Cabin, Finally Civilised

Step inside, and you immediately sense where Mahindra has invested. For years, the Thar’s cabin was a lesson in compromise. This time, it feels more thoughtful. There’s a 10.25-inch touchscreen — crisp, responsive, and finally worthy of a car that commands so much attention. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

But the most welcome change is in the ergonomics. Power window switches have migrated from the centre console to the doors, where they always belonged. Rear AC vents now acknowledge that passengers exist in the back. There’s a sliding centre armrest, individual rests for the front occupants, and a grab handle on the A-pillar that makes ingress less of a workout. Even the steering wheel is new — borrowed from Mahindra’s newer fleet, it feels chunkier and more premium.

These aren’t headline-grabbing features, but they make the Thar feel like a car you could live with every day. The original’s charm lay in its rugged honesty; the facelift’s success is in adding sophistication without softening that honesty.

Same Grit Under The Hood, Smarter Package

Mahindra hasn’t touched the core mechanicals, and that’s a good thing. The Thar continues with three tried-and-tested powertrains — the 1.5-litre diesel, the 2.2-litre diesel, and the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol — paired with 6-speed manual and automatic gearboxes. Both 2WD and 4WD configurations remain available, depending on how serious your off-roading ambitions are.

The Sweet Spot Between ROXX and Retro

It’s impossible to talk about the facelift without mentioning the Thar ROXX, Mahindra’s new five-door sibling. While the ROXX is positioned as the more family-friendly, urban-oriented SUV, the three-door Thar remains the purist’s pick. Yet, there’s a clear trickle-down of ideas.

The new steering wheel, the repositioned switches, the improved connectivity — all borrow cues from the ROXX. It’s as if Mahindra is gently aligning the two, letting buyers choose their flavour of adventure. Want something practical with backseat comfort and highway manners? That’s the ROXX. Want something with character, nostalgia, and soul? That’s still the three-door Thar.

And that’s precisely what makes the facelift clever. It bridges the emotional gap between rugged authenticity and modern comfort, without cannibalising its own sibling.

A Bit More Civil, Still Wild at Heart

There’s a danger, with any update, of sanding down too many edges. Cars like the Thar survive because of their imperfections — the heavy clutch, the tall climb into the cabin, the slightly floaty feel on sharp corners. Mahindra’s design and engineering team seems acutely aware of this. The facelift doesn’t chase refinement to the point of sterility. It still feels mechanical, tactile, alive.

That’s not to say everything is perfect. The soft-top version — beloved by purists — hasn’t returned yet. The rear seats, though better cooled, still feel tight for long journeys. And the top-end variants stretch well past the ₹16 lakh mark, making those options more of a lifestyle indulgence than an everyman’s 4x4.

But to criticise the Thar for these things is to miss the point. This is not a car built to tick boxes — it’s built to start conversations. It’s an SUV that makes strangers smile, kids point, and seasoned drivers turn their heads. The facelift simply ensures that when they get close, they find more to admire than to forgive.

The Verdict

In a world obsessed with electric futures and AI-assisted driving, the Thar continues to be refreshingly analogue. You feel its weight through the steering, hear its turbo whistle through the cabin, and sense its suspension working hard under you. It’s a vehicle that demands attention — not from onlookers, but from you, the driver.

And now, it gives a little more back for that attention. A cabin that’s finally well-appointed. Tech that makes sense. Comfort that doesn’t compromise character. The 2025 Thar doesn’t try to be something it isn’t. It simply learns, improves, and grows — like all good icons do.