Mahindra Thar vs Maruti Jimny: Who should buy what

The Maruti Jimny is the latest entrant into the compact 4×4 SUV segment. Both the Jimny and the Mahindra Thar are currently the most popular SUVs among customers who love off-roading. Detailed reviews of both these SUVs are available on our website as well as our YouTube channel. Both have their own fan followings in India and around the world. In this article, we compare the Mahindra Thar with the new Maruti Suzuki Jimny to determine which one might suit you better.

If you prefer diesel: Thar!

If you’re someone who wants a 4×4 SUV with a diesel engine, then the Mahindra Thar is going to be your only option. While other options exist in the market, Maruti Suzuki does not offer a diesel engine with the Jimny. The diesel version of the Mahindra Thar is powered by a 2.2-liter turbocharged engine that generates 130 Bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque. In contrast, the Maruti Suzuki Jimny uses a 1.5-liter, naturally aspirated engine that generates 103 Bhp and 134 Nm of peak torque.

If you desire better ride quality: Jimny

If you’re looking for an SUV with good ride quality, the Jimny offers it better. Both these SUVs use a ladder-on-frame setup; however, the ride quality of the Jimny feels superior. Its suspension simply soaks up bumps on and off the road, keeping the occupants more comfortable compared to the Mahindra Thar.

A practical off-roader for daily use: Jimny

It’s common knowledge by now that the Jimny available in India is different from the international version. The 5-door version was specifically developed for the Indian market as the internationally sold 3-door version was deemed impractical. The India-spec 5-door version makes the Jimny a lot more practical, thanks to its 5 doors. Even with the second-row seats up, the Jimny offers more boot space than the Thar.

If you seek outright pep: Thar Petrol MT/AT

Unlike the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, Mahindra offers the Thar with both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol engine used in the Thar is larger and much more powerful too. The Thar petrol is available with both manual and automatic transmission options. The 2.2-liter mStallion turbo petrol engine generates 150 bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque. The Thar petrol feels much more spirited to drive when compared to the Jimny with its smaller 1.5 NA engine.

Convertible experience: Thar

Mahindra also happens to be the only manufacturer to offer the 4×4 SUV with multiple roof options from the factory. There is a soft top, a soft-top convertible, and a hardtop roof option available with the Thar. However, its rival, the Jimny, is only offered with a hardtop. So, if you’re looking for a convertible experience in your SUV, then the Thar is the SUV to go for.

On a tight budget but want an SUV for city and highway use with no off-roading: Thar RWD

If you want to buy an SUV but feel that 4×4 SUVs are too expensive, then you can opt for the Mahindra Thar RWD. The starting price for the Mahindra Thar RWD version is Rs 10.98 lakh, ex-showroom. This makes the Mahindra Thar a lot more accessible. The RWD variant of the Thar can be chosen by customers who would never take the SUV off-road and would use it mostly for highway or city drives.

Better off-roader: Jimny

The weight of the SUV is quite crucial when it comes to off-roading. The Jimny weighs around 1,200 kg, while the Mahindra Thar, on the other hand, weighs over 1,700 kg. Besides, the Jimny is narrower, which would allow you to drive this SUV through narrow trails where the Thar cannot go. Both the Mahindra Thar and the Jimny excel at off-roading. In fact, the Mahindra Thar might seem better on paper; however, the small and lightweight Jimny is overall a better off-roader among the two.

Street Presence: Thar

There is no denying the fact that the Mahindra Thar offers a butch and imposing road presence. People actually give way to the Mahindra Thar on the road because of its muscular and imposing appearance. The Maruti Jimny, with its bright color options, looks rather cute on the road.