Mahindra Thar OG 2026: Price, Variants, Engines, Features & Safety Explained

What if the Thar you’ve been eyeing finally stopped punishing you on the daily commute? That’s the whole pitch behind the new Thar OG, which Mahindra launched on 22 September 2026 at ₹10.32 lakh.

The badge is new, the looks are a little sharp, but what’s really happening underneath is a sturdier platform, improved rear suspension, electric power steering, and six airbags for the top variant. However, the price of the car has increased to ₹18.99 lakh, and all safety updates haven’t made it into the lower variants.

Here’s everything that’s really worth knowing before you actually book, without the brochure gloss or the showroom pressure.

What Is the Mahindra Thar OG 2026 and Why the New Name?

The Thar OG is the latest update to the three-door Thar that debuted in 2020. Mahindra describes it as a complete reimagination that succeeds the 2020 model. It’s the second update for this generation. It rides on the M_Glyde 4G platform that also underpins the bigger Thar Roxx, and it gets the Roxx’s Pentalink rear suspension with a Watts Link.

But then why OG? There doesn’t seem to be an official reason why in Mahindra’s launch press release. The suffix generally means “original,” implying this is the genuine three-door Thar rather than the five-door Roxx. Another review mentioned that the suffix didn’t really mean much to him, and I understand that point. Branding becomes meaningless when you’re sitting behind the steering wheel. Engineering takes precedence. Mahindra claims that the Thar has already reached over 4 lakh sales. Deliveries begin on 11 October 2026, and the prices apply until 30 November.

What changed, at a glance:

• A stiffer M_Glyde 4G platform and Roxx-style rear suspension
• Electric power steering instead of the old hydraulic setup
• More power from the 2.0-liter petrol and the 2.2-liter diesel
• Rear Wheel Drive option for the 2.2-liter diesel, a first
• A new top ZXT trim with six airbags and all-wheel disc brakes
• Two new colors, Artemis Silver and Jeans Blue

Thar OG Price and Variants (AXT, LXT, ZXT)

The headline Thar OG price runs from ₹10.32 lakh to ₹18.99 lakh, ex-showroom. The cheapest is the 1.5-liter diesel AXT with Rear Wheel Drive, and the most expensive is the 2.2-liter diesel ZXT with 4WD and an automatic. These are introductory numbers, so treat them as a window, not a promise. The Thar OG variants come in three trims. The lineup is AXT, LXT, and the new ZXT. Once you count engines and drivetrains, that adds up to 15 variants. Here’s the full price sheet, introductory and ex-showroom:

Different listings show this ZXT petrol 4WD automatic at either ₹17.45 lakh or ₹17.75 lakh. Confirm with your dealer.

Now, the Thar OG on-road price, which is what you’ll actually pay. RTO, insurance, and other charges get added on top. In Mumbai, the on-road range works out to about ₹12.5 lakh to ₹23.07 lakh. That’s roughly a fifth above ex-showroom, though your city and accessories will shift the figure.

What each trim gets

The Thar OG AXT LXT ZXT ladder is easy to follow:

• AXT: No touchscreen, vinyl seats, two airbags, and ESP. Good for people who plan to modify and personalize.
• LXT: Adds a 10.25-inch touchscreen, cruise control, fabric seats, and alloy wheels. 4WD versions also get the electronic locking differential and Mud, Sand and Snow modes.
• ZXT: LED headlamps, 19-inch alloys, leatherette seats, a wireless charger, a rear camera, front parking sensors, and four extra airbags.

My take: the LXT is the value pick. But if safety tops your list, only the ZXT gives you the full set.

Engines, Transmissions and 2WD/4WD Options

The Thar OG engine options carry over from the old car, with real upgrades. The bigger petrol and diesel make more power, and the 1.5-liter diesel stays as it was. For the first time, the larger diesel is also offered with Rear Wheel Drive.

Some listings quote the same outputs in horsepower, roughly 117, 150 and 160 hp.

How the combinations work?

• The 1.5 diesel is RWD manual only, from AXT to ZXT.
• The 2.2 diesel and 2.0 petrol get RWD with an automatic, or 4WD with either gearbox.
• Petrol starts at the LXT. There’s no petrol AXT.
• 4WD cars get the electronic locking differential and Mud, Sand and Snow modes, while some RWD versions get Terrain Assist.

For real off-road numbers, the Thar OG has 232 mm of ground clearance, a 40-degree approach angle, a 26.4-degree breakover angle, a 36-degree departure angle, and 650 mm of water wading. It also keeps the brake-locking differential and automatic hub locks.

Design and Interior Changes

Nobody will mistake this for a different car, and that’s deliberate. The front gets LED projector headlamps borrowed from the Roxx, a new grille with Thar lettering on the right, and fog lamps that have moved up into the fenders. Those fog lamps now use LEDs and include a cornering function. The bumpers are redesigned with silver inserts, the tail lamps are slimmer LED units, and the new 19-inch dual-tone alloys are standard. One catch: you need the ZXT to get the larger wheels and full LED lighting, so the AXT looks plainer.

Colors now number eight, with Artemis Silver and Jeans Blue joining Everest White, Tango Red, Stealth Black, Battleship Grey, Galaxy Grey and Deep Forest. Inside, the cabin is still upright and honest. You get brown leatherette upholstery, the same round AC vents and toggle-style switches, and new rear armrests with cupholders. Mahindra has also added extra NVH insulation.

Tech in the cabin:

• A 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and wired Apple CarPlay, from the LXT up.
• A six-speaker sound system, also from the LXT.
• A wireless charger on the ZXT only.
• No infotainment on the AXT. You’d buy an accessory unit or an aftermarket one.

Safety: Six Airbags, All-Disc Brakes and ESP

This is where the small print really counts. Mahindra proudly boasts the Thar OG with six airbags. Yes, it is, but only on the top-spec ZXT. The trims AXT and LXT have only two. The four extra airbags in the ZXT are HPTS type, protecting the head, pelvis, thorax, and shoulder. AWD disc brakes are also offered only for the ZXT. I believe all trims should have them.

The ZXT also gets ESP 9.3 and tyre pressure monitoring. Crash ratings are the open question. The 2020 Thar scored four stars at Global NCAP in its two-airbag form. Reviewers expect a similar score for the new car, but I haven’t seen an official test of the OG yet. Wait for that result if safety drives your decision.

Ride, Steering and Platform Updates

Anyone who has been behind the wheel of the older Thar knows the criticisms the old car used to receive – poor ride quality, weighty handling, a wandering rear axle. Mahindra has fixed those issues with the new car. The M_Glyde 4G platform is more rigid than its predecessor; the rear has a Pentalink Suspension with a Watts Link, and the DAVINCI Damping with frequency-dependent dampers.

The electric power steering has taken over the hydraulic one, which will ease parking and U-turning. Some purists may miss the heavy steering, but not many other drivers would. The off-road capabilities of the e-locker, which electronically locks the rear axle to distribute the power to the wheel with the maximum traction, are vital. Together with the driving modes, it will make off-roading on slippery terrain much more accessible in the 4WD variants. Warning: according to Mahindra, it is the best-handling and riding Thar ever, while initial reports say it is also softer. Independent long-term testing hasn’t come out yet, so you better do a test drive yourself.

Thar OG vs Thar Roxx

The Thar OG vs Thar Roxx question is really three doors versus five.

The Roxx earned five stars from Bharat NCAP and offers Level 2 ADAS on higher trims. Its boot is around 447 liters, which is far more useful than the OG’s cramped load area. The OG’s edge is simple. A shorter wheelbase helps the breakover angle on extreme trails. It’s also cheaper to get into. If you carry four adults regularly, the Roxx is the smarter buy.

Thar OG vs Maruti Jimny and Force Gurkha

The Thar OG vs Jimny debate is really about personality. The Jimny is smaller, lighter, and easier to live with. The OG is 225 mm wider and much more powerful. The Gurkha is the old-school, no-frills option.

The Suzuki Jimny offers wireless Apple CarPlay, auto headlamps and a longer wheelbase with an extra set of doors, which makes it more practical. But its four-speed automatic feels dated. Reviewers found the OG’s six-speed gearboxes far better for highway use. The Gurkha has slightly better breakover and departure angles, a snorkel and 700 mm wading capacity. It also feels rawer and more industrial. The Thar OG wins on features, safety kit, and engine choice. Buy the Gurkha only if you crave that unfiltered, tractor-like character.

Who Should Buy the Thar OG?

Buy the Thar OG if:

• You want a lifestyle SUV for weekends and occasional trails, and mostly ride solo or as a pair.
• You want real 4WD hardware without stretching into Roxx money.
• You plan to modify. The AXT is a cheap, honest starting point.
• You like petrol or diesel choices and both manual and automatic gearboxes.

Look elsewhere if:

• You often carry four or five adults. Get the Roxx.
• You want ADAS, a panoramic sunroof or a big boot. Again, the Roxx.
• You’re on a tight budget and want the safest possible car. The lower trims still have only two airbags.
• You need something compact and easy for city parking. The Jimny suits that better.

My pick: the LXT for value, the ZXT if you want six airbags and better lighting.

Conclusion

Honestly, the Thar OG isn’t reinventing the icon, and that’s precisely why it makes sense. The boxy design stays the same, problems from the old car have been sorted out, and the starting price has been kept at ₹10.32 lakh. For those who need an option in between, the LXT would be the ideal compromise; for those wanting six airbags, the ZXT should be the choice, and the Roxx will always be the solution for family use. An independent crash test if safety is what you are after. A test drive on a bumpy road before buying.

FAQs