The 5-door Mahindra Thar has been in the news for quite some time, although there was no clarity on when it would be launched. Finally, Mahindra is set to unveil the much-anticipated 5-door version of its popular Thar SUV on August 15, 2024. The date aligns with India’s Independence Day, continuing a tradition that began in 2020 when Mahindra unveiled the second-generation Thar.
The 5-door Thar, being the elongated version of the 3-door model, will have a longer wheelbase along with two extra doors. These changes are expected to increase the SUV’s practicality quotient, making it more suitable as a family SUV as well as a lifestyle adventure vehicle.
Although its design will remain largely similar to the existing Thar, previous spy shots have suggested some revisions such as circular LED headlights and a redesigned grille. It’s also expected to get a fixed metal top option, which is not available on the 3-door Thar.
The new and enlarged Thar will also sport more features than the regular 3-door Thar. Based on the test mule spy shots, we are expecting it to be offered with a larger touchscreen infotainment system, auto AC and a sunroof. It will also get more safety features, likely including six airbags and a 360-degree camera.
The Mahindra Thar 5-door is expected to get the same 2-litre turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines as its 3-door iteration, likely with increased outputs similar to that of the Mahindra Scorpio models. Both engines should get manual and automatic transmission options. The Thar 5-door will also offer a choice of both rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) options.
We believe the Mahindra Thar 5-door could be launched in the final quarter of 2024. Its prices could start from Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom). It will be a larger alternative to the Maruti Suzuki Jimny while rivaling the 5-door Force Gurkha.