Mahindra Thar 2025 Facelift: Hidden Benefits for Daily Driving

If you’ve ever wanted an SUV that can handle both city traffic and weekend off-road adventures, the 2025 Mahindra Thar facelift might surprise you. I’ve always loved the Thar for its rugged personality, as it makes you feel like you could climb a hill, ford a stream, and still get to your local cafe without a hitch. Older models had one flaw: the interiors and small conveniences were often missing.

I spent a few days with both the AXT and LXT trims, driving them around the city, highways, and a few light off-road trails. Here’s my real-world take on what’s new, what works, and why this facelift finally feels like a Thar you can live with every day.

First Impressions: The Look and Feel

The facelift didn’t change the Thar’s iconic design, which is a relief. It still looks rugged and adventure-ready. But a few small tweaks make life easier:

• The fuel lid now opens from inside, so you don’t have to fumble with keys in the rain.
• A rear wiper and washer plus a camera in the spare-wheel hub make parking in tight city spaces easier.
• The grille is now body-colored, giving it a cleaner, sharper look.
• New paint options like Tango Red and Battleship Grey feel fresh without changing the Thar’s rugged personality.

Inside, the difference is subtle but noticeable. Sliding armrests with hidden storage, relocated power window switches, and a dead pedal in AT trims all make a bigger impact than you might expect. After a long day in traffic, you notice these small touches.

Interiors: Comfort Meets Practicality

The 10.25-inch touchscreen isn’t just for show. It’s responsive, supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and doesn’t distract you while driving. Rear AC vents and grab handles make the cabin practical for longer trips.

Mechanically, the Thar still has the same suspension, so it’s stiff over potholes. On rough trails, that stiffness works in its favor because it’s predictable, stable, and gives confidence off-road.

Trim Breakdown: AXT vs LXT

AXT

• Great if you want the bare essentials and a rugged SUV
• Steel wheels, vinyl seats, manual AC, basic safety features
• No touchscreen or rear camera

LXT

• Much better for everyday driving
• Fabric seats, cruise control, touchscreen, rearview camera, TPMS
• Alloy wheels, fog lights, dual-tone bumpers, and more comfort features
• 4WD variants handle light off-road trails easily

My experience: Driving both, the LXT felt far more usable for daily life. The AXT is fine if you want simplicity, but the LXT makes traffic, errands, and weekend adventures much easier.

Engines and Real-World Performance

• 1.5L diesel D117, 117–119 PS, RWD manual only
• 2.2L diesel mHawk 130, 132 PS, MT or AT, 4WD optional
• 2.0L petrol mStallion T-GDi, 152 PS, AT version slightly more torque

Here’s what I noticed:

• The 2.2L diesel 4WD is confident on muddy trails but smooth on highways
• Petrol AT is smooth in city traffic but lacks the low-end punch of diesel for tricky trails
• Even the RWD AXT handled light dirt paths well; 4WD isn’t needed unless you’re serious off-road

How It Compares: Thar, Jimny, and Gurkha

Maruti Jimny: Small, refined, better in city traffic, more expensive, and it lacks the Thar’s off-road heritage. It is ideal for buyers who want a compact SUV.

Force Gurkha: off-road, but long drives can feel punishing. Interiors are basic, and daily usability is low.

Thar facelift – Finds the middle ground. Adventure-ready DNA remains, but the cabin and features make it usable daily. City traffic, long drives, weekend trails you don’t feel like you’re compromising.

Competitor Comparison

Feature / Aspect	2025 Mahindra Thar Facelift	Maruti Jimny	Force Gurkha
City Driving	Usable, better interior	Very compact, refined	Low usability
Off-road Capability	Strong, 4WD optional	Moderate, limited	Excellent
Interior Comfort	Comfortable and practical	Basic	Basic, rugged
Long Drive Usability	Good	Moderate	Punishing
Price	Reasonable	Higher	Moderate
Adventure-ready DNA	Yes	Limited	Yes

Real Pros and Cons

What I loved

• Small upgrades like rear camera, wipers, and infotainment make a real difference
• Pricing feels reasonable compared to competitors
• Off-road capability remains intact
• Interiors are more comfortable and practical for daily use

Things I Didn’t Love as Much

• Base AXT feels bare-bones; missing touchscreen and rear camera
• Maneuvering in tight city spots can be tricky; turning radius takes getting used to
• Some modern tech, like 360-degree cameras or advanced driver assists, isn’t available yet

My Take: Which Trim Makes Sense

If I had to choose, the LXT is the one I’d go for. It keeps the Thar’s rugged personality while adding comfort and features that make city driving, errands, and weekend trips easier.

The AXT is still charming if you want a raw, no-frills SUV mainly for adventure. But after a few days with both, the LXT feels like a car you can live with every day. I drove it through traffic, parked in tight spots, and even took it on a muddy trail over the weekend it handled everything without making me feel like something was missing.

At the end of the day, the facelift doesn’t completely change the Thar, and that’s fine. What matters is it’s now comfortable and practical enough for everyday driving without losing the fun and confidence you get off-road. Whether it’s busy city streets or a weekend off-road trip, the 2025 Thar facelift takes it all in stride.