Mahindra's Wrangler Knockoff Thar Is Now Available In RWD From $12k In India

The Mahindra Thar, known as the Indian copycat of the Jeep Wrangler, just got even more affordable thanks to the addition of RWD variants in the previously 4WD-only range.

The most affordable trim of the Mahindra Thar is the RWD diesel starting from ₹999,000 ($12,243) benefiting from the low tax bracket of the new smaller-displacement 1.5-litre diesel engine. For comparison, the cheapest 4WD is petrol-powered and starts from ₹1,359,101 ($16,641), while the most expensive 4WD diesel automatic is priced at ₹1,629,100 ($19,947). Still, this is only a fraction of the price of a genuine Jeep Wrangler Unlimited which starts from ₹5,785,000 ($70,871) in India, although it only comes in a four-door guise, unlike the two-door Mahindra Thar.

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Mahindra didn't change anything on the exterior of the RWD Thar compared to the more expensive 4WD, setting aside the lack of the 4x4 badge. However, you can only buy a hard-top RWD Thar, with the soft-top option reserved for 4WD models. Inside, the Thar RWD has a small storage compartment in place of the 4x4 selector, and a few repositioned controls, retaining the 7-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The Mahindra Thar RWD is available with two powertrain options. The smaller 1.5-liter diesel produces 117 hp (87 kW / 118 PS) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol produces 150 hp (112 kW / 152 PS) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque, exclusively mated to a six-speed torque converter automatic.

The 4WD model is available with the same 2.0-liter petrol engine but gets a larger-displacement 2.2-liter diesel producing 130 hp (97 kW / 132 PS). For 2023, Mahindra upgraded the Thar 4WD with a new electronic brake locking differential from Bosch, keeping the old mechanical locking differential as an option in the flagship diesel-powered trim. Additionally, all Mahindra Thar variants are now available with two new color options – Blazing Bronze, and Everest White.

Deliveries for the updated Mahindra Thar range – including the RWD variants – will start in India on January 14. As reported by Autocar India, the aforementioned prices are only applicable for the first 10,000 orders, so if you want a dirt-cheap Wrangler lookalike you should act fast.