The 2020 Mahindra Thar went on sale last year and has received a massive response in terms of sale. The long waiting period of up to seven months proves the success of this 4X4 SUV. The new Thar comes as a well-balanced package of modern tech and rugged off-roading characteristics. On the other hand, The Suzuki Jimny test mule has been spotted on various occasions hinted at its launch soon. The version we will get in India is the five-door version especially to cater to the consumers looking for an SUV for the family. However, given the success of the three-door Thar, Suzuki might launch the three-door sibling of the Jimny as well.
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Both Mahindra and Suzuki make a compelling case for their respective off-roading offerings. However, there are some Pros and Cons to both the products. Let’s have a look at what they are.
Mahindra Thar Pros: Design
While the Thar looks similar to the Jeep Wrangler, its boxy, beefy and muscular look give it a true SUV stance. It has an immense road presence and will get heads turning when you roll up and stop at the traffic signal.
Off-Roading Prowess
Off-roading is instilled in Thar’s DNA making it a force to be reckoned with. Throw the harshest of road conditions at the Thar and it will always come up as the winner. The figures below will give you an idea of what the Thar is capable of.
| Off-road Requirements | Values for Thar |
| Ground Clearance | 226 mm |
| Approach Angle | 42 Degrees |
| Brake-Over Angle | 27 Degrees |
| Departure Angle | 37 Degrees |
| Water-Wading Capacity | 650 mm |
The Thar also gets the brake-locking differential that cuts off power from free-spinning wheels and directs it to the wheels which require it the most. Thar’s mechanical locking differential give it an edge over its competition.
Powerful Petrol and Diesel Engines:
The Thar is available in two engine options. In fact, it is the only one in this comparison to offer a diesel powertrain. Along with both the engine, options are a part-time four-wheel-drive system and a manual-shift transfer case.
| Engine | Power | Torque | Transmission |
| 2.0 mStallion Turbo Petrol | 152 bhp | 300/320 Nm | 6-speed manual/auto |
| 2.2 mHawk Diesel | 132 bhp | 300 Nm | 6-speed manual/auto |
Safety
The Thar gets ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, ISOFIX mounts, ESP, hill hold and hill descent controls as standard across all variants. It also gets an inbuilt roll cage for better stability and safety.
Features
The New Thar is loaded with features to appeal to urban car buyers. Below is a list of all the features it offers:
-7” Touch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple Car Play
-Washable cabin with dedicated plugs
-Weatherproof buttons
-Dedicated screen for off-road driving information
-Steering mounted media and telephony controls
-Cruise control
-Optional convertible (soft top) offering
-SmartWatch and phone connectivity with Blue Sense
-Tyre pressure monitoring system
-6-speaker music system with roof-mounted speakers
-Rear parking sensors
-LED DRLs
Mahindra Thar Cons:
The Mahindra Thar is a fun-lovable SUV. However, there are some things about it that you would not like. We have listed them below.
-The Thar is a heavy SUV weighing approx. 1700 kilograms which results in a lower power to weight ratio. This also affects the fuel consumption of the vehicle, delivering a lower fuel average.
-The three-door car is not very practical for consumers who want to use it for family trips. Getting into the second row is a bit tricky on the 4-seater variant. It could prove difficult to get in and out of the car for the senior members of the family. The boot of the car is small and simply isn’t enough to carry luggage for your weekend trips
-The ride quality of the Thar is not something you would long for. It’s not the smoothest even on the tarmac. Its high-speed stability is not very confidence-inspiring.
-The premium variants of the Thar are priced very high and lack features like reverse parking camera, auto IRVM, auto headlamps, LED headlamps, etc. which are offered in similarly priced cars.
Suzuki Jimny Pros: Design
Like the Thar, the Jimny is a looker. If the Thar looks like the Jeep Wrangler, one could call the Jimny a baby Mercedes G-Class (Geländewagen). Its squared-boxy shape also reminds us of the old Gypsy which it replaces.
Off-Roading Prowess:
With a legacy of over 50 years, the Jimny is one of the most potent off-roaders. Like the Thar, the Jimny too gets a partial four-wheel drive option that can be triggered whenever required. It gets a brake locking differential and a shift-on-fly transfer case.
| Off-road Requirements | Values for Jimny |
| Ground Clearance | 210 mm |
| Approach Angle | 37 Degrees |
| Brake-Over Angle | 28 Degrees |
| Departure Angle | 49 Degrees |
| Water-Wading Capacity | 320 mm |
Fuel Efficient Petrol Engine:
The Jimny gets a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder engine which is high on fuel efficiency. This could also have the mild-hybrid tech we see in other Maruti cars. The lower weight of the Jimny adds as a plus to maintain its power-to-weight ratio.
| Engine | Power | Torque | Transmission |
| K15B 1.5L Petrol | 103 bhp | 138 Nm | 5-speed manual |
Safety
The Jimny gets ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, ISOFIX mounts, ESP, hill hold and hill descent controls as standard across all variants. The higher variants of the Jimny also get additional curtain airbags.
Features
Like the Thar, the Jimny is loaded with features. In fact, it has a few more that are missing in the Thar.
-8” Touch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple Car Play
-Full LED headlamps and fog lamps with DRLs
-All four power windows
-Cruise control
-Steering mounted controls
-Rear parking sensors with camera
-Automatic climate control
-Lane departure warning
-Autonomous braking
-High beam assist
Suzuki Jimny Cons:
The Jimny, besides all of its glorious features, has a few chinks in its armour.
–Since Maruti Suzuki is going to be offering only petrol cars in India, the Jimny lacks a diesel engine offering.
–Though we haven’t seen the interiors of the Jimny that will be offered in India, the one that is offered globally carries a basic dashboard and instrument control.
–The four-wheel-drive option is limited only to the higher variants and the lower ones will get their power from the front wheels.
–Lower ground clearance and a smaller tyre size limits Jimny’s off-roading capabilities to an extent.