The obvious Thar OG changes are its revised lights and cabin details. The more interesting story is underneath. Mahindra has reworked the body-on-frame platform, rear suspension, damping and steering, apparently to address the old three-door Thar’s restless on-road manners without taking away its off-road character.
Mahindra says the new frame is 5% lighter, with higher bending and torsional frequencies. Those figures describe the structure, not a measured improvement in ride comfort. The Watts link at the rear is intended to keep the solid axle more accurately centred as the suspension moves. New damping and an electric power steering system should, in theory, make the SUV less tiring to drive around town and steadier in bends. The top ZXT adds frequency-dependent damping, so an impression formed in that variant may not apply to every Thar OG.
The larger petrol and diesel engines also gain output. The 2.0L turbo petrol now makes 162PS, while the 2.2L diesel makes 152PS; both are listed at 330Nm. The 1.5L diesel remains a different, lower-output option. For a buyer who mainly wants the Thar’s appearance and occasional rough-road ability, the entry powertrain may still make sense. Someone who drives long highway distances or often carries passengers should compare the stronger engines in an actual test drive.
Equipment also depends heavily on the trim and drivetrain. The rear electronic differential lock and Mud, Sand and Snow modes apply to specified 4WD variants, while six airbags, four disc brakes and front parking sensors are listed for the ZXT. Ask for the exact variant sheet before assuming a launch highlight is standard.
The question for a returning Thar buyer is whether the new hardware has changed the experience that bothered them most. Drive it on the kind of broken road, turn and parking manoeuvre you use every week. V3Cars explains the chassis and suspension changes; the claimed benefits still deserve a proper road test.
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