Read through this article to know the top 3 reasons to pick the Mahindra Thar RWD over the 4WD version
With its debut in India in 2020, the second-generation Mahindra Thar has had a significant influence in terms of its popularity. Yet, for a considerable period of time, the Thar was only offered with a full-time 4WD which also contributed to its expensive pricing. Mahindra released an RWD version of the Thar in January 2023 to expand the vehicle’s market appeal.
Performance on Rough terrain
The 4WD Thar and the RWD model variants hardly differ from one another in appearance. Instead of the low-range shift lever where the 4WD badging is there, you now get a convenient cubby hole adjacent to the gear lever inside the cabin. In terms of road presence, this second-generation Thar is fairly impressive, and you do get all of that for a less expensive price. We discovered that the Thar’s capacity to handle rough terrain was not much impacted by moving from 4WD to an RWD setup.
Similar features available with reduced cost
While comparing the higher-spec LX hardtop petrol AT models of the RWD and AWD versions, we saw that there was essentially no difference in terms of features, space, safety, and even the approach, departure, and breakaway angles. The increased cost translates into an additional Rs. 2.68 lakh for just the 4WD hardware.
Introductory price for the entry-level variant
Mahindra promised that the entry-level AX (O) diesel will be available to the first 10,000 buyers at a special price of Rs. 9.99 lakh when the Thar RWD was introduced. With the Thar’s widespread appeal, it did not take much time to cross that limit.
Current Available Powertrain Options
Two separate powertrain options are offered for the Mahindra Thar RWD. The smaller 1.5-litre diesel engine gets a six-speed manual transmission and generates 117 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque. The more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine makes 150 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque, and it only works with a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
The same 2.0-litre gasoline engine is available in the 4WD variant, but it also has a larger 2.2-litre diesel engine that makes 130 horsepower. Mahindra improved the Thar 4WD for 2023 by replacing the outdated mechanical locking differential with a new electronic brake locking differential while preserving the mechanical locking differential as an option in the top-tier diesel-powered trim.