Hold onto your seats, Thar enthusiasts! The highly anticipated Mahindra Thar facelift has been caught on camera again, giving us our best look yet at its refreshed front and Thar interior. These Thar facelift spy shots follow earlier glimpses of the SUV’s rear, and it’s clear Mahindra is refining its iconic off-roader with some subtle yet significant tweaks. Many of the updates seem to draw inspiration from its bigger sibling, the Thar Roxx, hinting at a more premium feel for the New Mahindra Thar.
A Fresh Look Inside the Cabin
This is actually the very first time we’re getting a clear view of the Thar 3-door cabin changes. The good news is it’s sticking with that rugged all-black theme, which perfectly suits its off-road character. While the overall dashboard layout remains familiar, a big upgrade is the larger Mahindra Thar 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, borrowed directly from the Thar Roxx.
Look closely at these Thar facelift interior details, and you’ll spot analog dials in the instrument cluster on this particular test vehicle. However, it’s widely expected that the production model will feature a fully digital 10.25-inch driver’s display – a nice modern touch for the Thar features. Another practical change is the repositioning of the power window switch control panel; it’s moved from the lower center console to the front door panel, which should be much more convenient. This test mule also has manual AC, but we anticipate the final version will come with automatic climate control. Other elements, like the toggle switches, manual gear knob, and seat upholstery, appear to be mostly unchanged.
Exterior Tweaks and Tech Upgrades
For the first time, we’re also seeing the Mahindra Thar facelift front design. It sports a revised grille that clearly shows Thar Roxx inspiration, giving it a refreshed face. Don’t worry, the signature circular headlamps are still there, though they’re likely to be upgraded to LED projector units with new internal elements. Earlier spy shots also hinted at updated LED tail lamps and fresh 5-spoke alloy wheels, promising a sleeker look for the New Mahindra Thar.
Beyond the larger infotainment screen, expect the Mahindra Thar facelift to pack in more modern amenities. This includes features like auto AC and a revamped premium sound system. It’ll also carry over all the existing goodies like steering-mounted controls, remote keyless entry, a height-adjustable driver seat, and cruise control.
Safety is getting a significant boost too. We’re anticipating 6 airbags as standard, along with a 360-degree camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and an auto-dimming internal rearview mirror (IRVM). Crucially, existing safety features like electronic stability control (ESC), hill start and hill assist control, and a roll cage will continue to be part of the package.
Powertrain and Market Position
While Mahindra hasn’t spilled the beans on the exact powertrain details for the updated Thar 3-door, it will likely continue to offer a range of robust Thar engines. The current model provides choices like a 2-liter turbo-petrol, a 1.5-liter diesel, and a 2.2-liter diesel, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. Both rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) options are expected to remain available, ensuring it maintains its strong off-road prowess.
The Thar launch for this facelifted model is anticipated sometime in 2026. As for the Thar price, it’s expected to be a bit higher than the current model, which ranges from ₹11.50 lakh to ₹17.62 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India). Once it hits the market, the Mahindra Thar facelift will continue its rivalry with the 3-door Force Gurkha and serve as a compelling alternative to the Mahindra Thar Roxx, Maruti Jimny, and the 5-door Force Gurkha.
