Mahindra Thar vs. Maruti Jimny: “A Comprehensive Comparison”
THAR or JIMNY : "Who is Best?"
India’s off-road vehicle market has grown significantly in recent years, with the Mahindra Thar and Maruti Jimny emerging as two of the most popular contenders. Both vehicles tap into the growing lifestyle and adventure-oriented SUV segment, offering compact size, rugged styling, and exceptional off-road capabilities. While both are built to tackle challenging terrains, they cater to different audiences and offer distinct features. In this article, we’ll compare the Mahindra Thar and Maruti Jimny in terms of design, performance, off-road capabilities, features, pricing, and target audience.
DIMENSIONS AND SIZE
MAHINDRA THAR 
| Length | 3,985 mm (3-door version) |
| Width | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,844 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,450 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 226 mm (for the top-spec variant) |
The Thar is significantly larger and wider than the Jimny, giving it a more substantial road presence. This extra size not only contributes to its muscular design but also offers more cabin space and better comfort for passengers.
MARUTI JIMNY
| Length | 3,985 mm (5-door version) |
| Width | 1,645 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,590 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 210 mm |
The Jimny, especially in its five-door variant, has a longer wheelbase than the Thar, which improves interior space but remains narrower and shorter in height. The compact dimensions of the Jimny make it more suitable for tight urban environments and narrow off-road trails, where easy to use ability is key.
VERDICT: The Thar is larger and bulkier, offering more space and a commanding road presence, which may appeal to buyers looking for a more spacious vehicle. The Jimny’s smaller size gives it an edge in agility and easy to use ability, especially in urban environments or tight off-road paths.
DESIGN AND AESTHETICS
MAHINDRA THAR
The Mahindra Thar has long been known for its rugged, Jeep-inspired design. The latest generation (launched in 2020) retains its iconic boxy silhouette, wide fenders, and upright stance that evoke a sense of off-road capability and adventure. The Thar offers a modern yet retro appeal, especially with its seven-slot grille, round headlamps, and flat bonnet. With its muscular build, larger dimensions, and road presence, the Thar has a more aggressive and commanding appearance compared to other compact SUVs.
MARUTI JIMNY
The Maruti Jimny, particularly in its latest five-door version introduced in India, follows a similar boxy design philosophy but with a smaller, more compact frame. The Jimny’s design is more quirky and playful, featuring round headlamps, a clamshell bonnet, vertical slat grille, and a smaller footprint that make it look more like a mini-adventure SUV. While the Jimny lacks the imposing road presence of the Thar, its charming, retro-inspired design is distinctive and appealing to those who prefer a more understated look. The Jimny’s design is functional, compact, and purposeful, targeting urban dwellers and off-road enthusiasts alike.
VERDICT: Design preferences are subjective, but the Thar has a more robust and imposing look, appealing to those who want a powerful road presence. The Jimny, on the other hand, is smaller and has a more fun, retro look, making it ideal for those who want something quirky yet capable. For urban environments, the Jimny’s compactness gives it an edge, while the Thar is better suited for a more rugged and muscular persona.
INTERIOR FEATURES AND COMFORT
MAHINDRA THAR
The latest Mahindra Thar offers a more refined and comfortable cabin than previous generations. The interior includes features such as a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control, and forward-facing rear seats. The Thar also provides a relatively spacious cabin with better ergonomics and materials than its predecessors, making it more suitable for longer journeys and everyday use. However, the three-door layout restricts rear-seat access and cargo space.
MARUTI JIMNY
The Jimny’s interior is more utilitarian in design, focusing on functionality and practicality. The dashboard is simple, with easy-to-use controls and a smaller 7-inch infotainment system. The five-door version of the Jimny offers better accessibility to the rear seats, making it more practical for families or those needing extra space. Despite its compact size, the Jimny’s cabin is well-designed, with ample storage spaces and durable materials that can handle off-road conditions.
VERDICT: The Thar’s cabin is more feature-rich and spacious, making it a better option for buyers looking for more comfort and convenience. The Jimny’s interior is functional and compact but lacks the level of luxury that the Thar offers. However, the five-door Jimny’s practicality makes it a more versatile option for daily use.
POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE
MAHINDRA THAR
The Thar is available with two engine options
2.0-liter mStallion Petrol Engine: Produces 150 BHP and 320 Nm of torque.
2.2-liter mHawk Diesel Engine: Produces 130 BHP and 300 Nm of torque.
Both engines are available with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Thar’s engines provide a good balance of power and torque, making it capable of handling both off-road adventures and highway cruising with ease.
MARUTI JIMNY
The Jimny is equipped with a single engine option
1.5-liter K15B Petrol Engine: Produces 105 BHP and 134 Nm of torque.
The Jimny’s engine is mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. While it’s less powerful than the Thar, the Jimny’s lighter weight and smaller engine provide adequate performance for both on- and off-road driving, but it is better suited for shorter, more leisurely adventures rather than long highway drives.
VERDICT: The Thar offers more powerful engines with greater torque, making it better suited for tougher off-road conditions and long-distance travel. The Jimny’s engine is sufficient for casual off-roading and city driving but lacks the power for more demanding conditions.
OFF-ROAD CAPABILITIES
MAHINDRA THAR
The Thar is built for serious off-road enthusiasts, featuring a 4×4 drivetrain with a low-range transfer case. It also comes with a mechanically locking rear differential, brake-locking differentials, and impressive approach (41.8°) and departure (36.8°) angles. The Thar’s robust ladder-frame construction and ample ground clearance allow it to tackle tough terrains such as rocky trails, dunes, and mud with ease.
MARUTI JIMNY
The Jimny also features a part-time 4×4 system with a low-range transfer case. It comes with Suzuki’s AllGrip Pro technology, which enhances its off-road performance. The Jimny’s short wheelbase, lightweight construction, and compact size make it highly easy to useable on tight off-road trails, and it boasts impressive approach (37°) and departure (49°) angles. Despite its smaller size, the Jimny’s off-road capabilities are formidable, making it a worthy contender for serious off-roading.
VERDICT: Both the Thar and Jimny excel off-road, but they approach it differently. The Thar is more powerful and better suited for tackling extreme terrains and long overland journeys. The Jimny’s smaller size and lighter weight give it an advantage on narrow trails and in tricky, technical off-road situations. Enthusiasts looking for a more serious off-road machine may prefer the Thar, while those wanting an agile, playful off-roader might lean toward the Jimny.
PRICING AND VALUE FOR MONEY
MAHINDRA THAR
The Mahindra Thar is priced between ₹13 lakh and ₹16.8 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the variant and configuration. For the price, the Thar offers powerful engines, modern features, and serious off-road capability, making it good value for money in the lifestyle SUV segment.
MARUTI JIMNY
The five-door Maruti Jimny is expected to be priced between ₹12 lakh and ₹14 lakh (ex-showroom). While slightly more affordable than the Thar, the Jimny offers less power and fewer features but compensates with its compact design and all-around off-road capability.
VERDICT: The Thar offers more power and features for its price, making it a better choice for those seeking a feature-packed, rugged off-roader. The Jimny is more affordable and appeals to buyers looking for a compact, versatile vehicle that can handle both urban commutes and off-road adventures without breaking the bank.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the Mahindra Thar and Maruti Jimny are two very capable off-roaders, but they serve slightly different purposes.
The Mahindra Thar is designed for those who want a powerful, muscular off-roader that can handle extreme terrains and long drives. Its larger dimensions, more powerful engine options, and spacious interior make it a great choice for adventure enthusiasts who want a rugged vehicle with a commanding presence on and off the road.
The Maruti Jimny, on the other hand, is a more compact and quirky option that excels in tight spaces and technical off-roading. It is better suited for buyers who want a practical, lightweight, and affordable off-roader that can also handle daily urban commutes. The Jimny’s smaller size and playful
For booking or other information you can visit the official website
URL (Mahindra Thar) – https://auto.mahindra.com/suv/thar/THRN.html
URL (Maruti Jimny) – https://www.nexaexperience.com/jimny
For any complaint/quarry, here is the contact details
Talk to Mahindra
1800-209-6006 (Toll free no.)
Talk to Maruti
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Team Autosports India
