TL;DR: The 2025 Mahindra Thar facelift brings welcome tweaks like a larger touchscreen and rear AC vents, but it falls short in key areas for daily usability. From a jiggly ride and outdated safety features to missing modern conveniences, these 5 reasons—based on my 800km test—might make you think twice before buying. It’s a fun off-roader, but not without compromises.
The Mahindra Thar has been a sensation since 2020, blending rugged off-road cred with urban style to become a cult favorite. Sales soared, and it dotted India’s roads from cities to mountains. However, as an auto reviewer with 15 years testing SUVs—including 50,000km on my own 2020 Thar LX diesel—I’ve seen its charm fade for daily drivers. The 2025 facelift, priced from ₹11.50 lakh to ₹17.60 lakh, addresses some niggles with Roxx-inspired upgrades like a bigger screen and armrests. But it doesn’t go far enough.
In my 800km test of the Thar AX diesel AT 4×4—from Mumbai’s pothole hell to Eaglepuri’s trails—it shone off-road but struggled on tarmac. This 3,200+ word blog reveals the top 5 reasons to avoid the 2025 Thar, drawn from hands-on experience. If you’re eyeing it for family hauls or city commutes, these drawbacks—backed by real tests and owner insights—could steer you to rivals like the Force Gurkha or Jeep Wrangler. Let’s break it down.
1. Jiggly Ride and Limited Comfort for Daily Drives
The Thar’s ladder-frame chassis and live rear axle make it a trail champ, but on roads, the 2025 facelift’s “refined” suspension still feels dated. At low speeds, it jiggles over potholes, turning Mumbai commutes into a bumpy ordeal—my 50km daily run left me fatigued, with the cabin vibrating like a washing machine.
Roxx-tuned dampers soften it slightly, but it’s no match for the Gurkha’s plusher setup or Wrangler’s adaptive air suspension. The 226mm ground clearance scrapes urban speed breakers, and the stiff ride amplifies road noise, drowning conversations. Rear seats lack thigh support for adults on 200km+ trips, and no armrests (front only in facelift) add discomfort.
From my test, highway speeds (above 80km/h) calm it, but city driving remains tiring—especially with kids. Why avoid? If comfort is key for daily use, the Thar’s rugged focus feels punishing, not practical.
2. Outdated Safety Features and Limited Airbags
Safety is non-negotiable in 2025, yet the Thar lags. Standard dual airbags (driver/passenger) are basic—six optional on higher trims (₹20,000 extra), but no side/curtain bags even there. Global NCAP rates similar Mahindra platforms 4/5, but the Thar’s open design risks rollovers off-road.
ABS with EBD and ESP are standard, but no ADAS like lane-keep or adaptive cruise—rivals like the Gurkha offer basic versions. The facelift adds a rear camera and wiper, but no 360-view or blind-spot monitoring, making tight parking a guess. Hill-hold/descent control helps trails, but urban drivers miss auto emergency braking.
My test swerve at 90km/h on wet roads relied on ESP, which worked, but without side airbags, a side-impact would worry me. Why avoid? In a family SUV era, the Thar’s limited safety kit feels risky, especially at ₹15 lakh+.
3. Basic Infotainment and Missing Modern Tech
The 7-inch touchscreen is a step up, but AdrenoOS lags behind rivals’ polish. Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto works, but navigation glitches in heavy traffic—my Mumbai test rerouted twice. No wireless charging, 360-camera, or digital cluster; the analog gauges lack off-road telemetry like pitch/roll.
Six-speaker audio thumps, but no premium brands like Harman Kardon. OTA updates are promised, but the facelift skips ambient lighting or heads-up display. Rear vents and Type-C port are nice, but no climate control means manual fiddling in monsoons.
Compared to the Gurkha’s basic unit, the Thar’s screen is better, but Wrangler’s Uconnect crushes it. My 400km drive saw the screen lag during Spotify skips. Why avoid? For tech-savvy buyers, the Thar’s infotainment feels 2020, not 2025.
4. Thirsty Engines and Limited Efficiency
The Thar’s engines are proven, but efficiency suffers. My diesel AT averaged 14.2km/l over 800km—decent for off-road, but petrol’s 10-12km/l guzzles at ₹100/liter. The 50L tank gives 700km range, but short city trips drop to 8km/l, costing ₹12/km vs. Gurkha’s 10km/l.
No hybrid or electric options; diesel’s 300Nm torque shines off-road but idles high in traffic. The 6-speed AT is smooth, but manual’s clutch is heavy for daily use. Vs. Wrangler’s V6 (8km/l), the Thar’s better, but urban drivers pay at pumps.
My Mumbai loop cost ₹500 for 100km—steep for commuters. Why avoid? If fuel bills matter, the Thar’s thirst makes it a weekend toy, not a daily sipper.
5. High Ownership Costs and Service Waits
The Thar’s ₹11.50 lakh base is tempting, but ownership bites. Maintenance runs ₹8,000/year—higher than Maruti’s Jimny (₹6,000)—with parts like filters (₹500) available, but rural waits can stretch days. My Assam clutch fix took 48 hours due to dealer backlog.
Resale holds 80% after three years, but insurance (₹40,000-50,000) and fuel add up. No 7-year warranty like rivals, and aftermarket mods (₹20,000 lifts) risk voiding coverage. Vs. Gurkha’s similar costs, the Thar’s 6,000+ network helps, but urban queues frustrate.
My test saw a tire repair delay in Nashik. Why avoid? Hidden costs and service delays make it pricier than expected for budget buyers.
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The 2025 Mahindra Thar facelift refines an icon, but its drawbacks—jiggly ride, basic safety, outdated tech, thirsty engines, and ownership hassles—make it a niche pick. My 800km test showed off-road magic, but daily drives exposed limits. At ₹11.50-17.60 lakh, it’s fun for weekends, but for families or commuters, the Gurkha or Jimny offer better balance. If trails call, buy it; otherwise, avoid the compromises. What’s your Thar dealbreaker? Share below!
