BHPian NayanArora07 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:Mahindra Thar RWD 1.5 Diesel Ownership Review: “Everest”IntroductionI’ve been a fanboy of the Mahindra Thar ever since it first launched in 2010. From the moment I saw its rugged, two-door Jeep-style design, I knew I wanted one. Fast forward to June this year and that dream finally became a reality when I brought home my very own 2024 Mahindra Thar RWD 1.5, which I named “Everest.” Here’s my honest take after 3000km of driving this beauty.Exterior DesignWhat I love most about the Thar is its undeniable sexiness. The two-door design, the classic Mahindra front grille, and the Everest White colour make “Everest” a true head-turner. Every time I see it parked, I can’t help but smile. There’s something about the Thar’s rugged vibe that sets it apart from everything else on the road. What I Love:Iconic Jeep-style design that screams adventureEverest White paint job that gives it a clean yet tough lookRugged, muscular stanceMinor Gripes:As much as I love its bulky stance, manoeuvring it in tight city parking can be a challengeInterior & ComfortThe interior of “Everest” is pretty much what I expected: rugged and functional, just like I like it. It’s not about luxury in here, it’s about durability. The black-and-grey theme complements the adventurous spirit of the Thar perfectly, and the high seating position gives you that commanding view of the road. What I Love:The no-nonsense, easy-to-clean interior-perfect for when I take it off the beaten pathHigh seating that gives me a real king-of-the-road feelingThe infotainment system with Apple Carplay is decent for me and gets the job done for now, may upgrade it in future to a bigger screenMinor Gripes:It’s not the most spacious cabin, especially with the limited boot space when the rear seats are up. But hey, that’s the price you pay for this compact design!Performance & EngineNow, let’s talk about what matters-the driving experience. The 1.5L diesel engine in this RWD Thar has been a solid performer. Sure, it’s not the 4×4 variant that the purists go for, but for my mix of city driving and occasional adventure trips, it more than holds its own. What I Love:That low-end torque is great for city driving, and it pulls away smoothlySurprisingly decent fuel efficiency-I’ve been getting around 14.5 km/l in the City & around 17.5 km/l on highways.The RWD adds a bit of fun when you’re taking it on loose gravel or dirt roadsMinor Gripes:If I’m being honest, part of me still wishes I had gone for the full-blown 4×4 experience. But for now, the RWD fits my needs perfectly.Ride & HandlingFor a rugged SUV, the ride quality in “Everest” is impressive. It’s no luxury sedan, but it handles rough roads well, and the suspension does a good job of smoothing out bumps. You feel like you’re driving a true-blue SUV, with all the thrills (and occasional bounciness) that come with it. But I’m planning to upgrade to Toughdog suspension in future. What I Love:The way it handles potholes and uneven roads-it just powers through without breaking a sweatLight steering makes it surprisingly easy to drive in city traffic.Minor Gripes:There’s a bit of body roll when cornering at speed, but that’s to be expected with this kind of vehicle.Off-Roading & Adventure PotentialOkay, I’ll admit it-the Thar’s rugged look and off-road vibe are what made me fall in love with it back in 2010. While “Everest” is an RWD variant, I’ve still managed to take it on some light off-road trails, and it has been an absolute blast. What I Love:The high-ground clearance gives me the confidence to take on dirt roads and steep slopesRear-wheel drive is still fun for adventure seekers like me, even without the 4x4Minor Gripes:As a true fan, part of me can’t help but wonder what the full off-roading experience would be like in a 4x4Features & TechnologyLet’s be honest-the Thar isn’t known for its high-end tech, but it has enough to keep you comfortable and connected. The touchscreen infotainment system is intuitive, and pairing it with my phone is a breeze. What I Love:7-inch touchscreen with seamless smartphone integrationUseful features like cruise control and rear parking sensorsSteering-mounted controls make life easierMinor Gripes:A bit more tech wouldn’t hurt, like automatic climate control or additional safety featuresOwnership ExperienceOwning “Everest” has been a dream come true. From the moment I brought it home, it’s been nothing short of awesome. Driving this iconic SUV in the city gets a lot of attention, and it’s always an adventure when I take it out on weekends. What I Love:Decent fuel efficiency for a vehicle this size I’m getting around 14.5 km/l)Servicing has been smooth so far-Mahindra’s service centres in Bengaluru have been great.Minor Gripes:None major, though the upkeep can get pricey if you start customizing heavily (which I plan to do)ConclusionOwning a Mahindra Thar has been on my bucket list for years, and “Everest” has lived up to all my expectations. Whether it’s for the daily commute, weekend road trips, or just showing off that classic Jeep-style design, I couldn’t be happier. The Thar’s rugged charm and its practicality in the RWD version make it the perfect choice for someone like me-a long-time fanboy of this iconic SUV.Final Ratings (out of 5):Exterior: 5Interior Comfort: 3.5Performance: 4Off-Road Ability (RWD): 3Features & Tech: 3.5Value for Money: 4.5What do you think of the Mahindra Thar RWD? Are you as much of a fan as I am? Let me know This was the pre-delivery inspection (PDI) day, the first time I saw “Everest” The Delivery Day First day with our “Everest” I have plans to upgrade the lighting setup to LED soon Installed REDTIGER F7N 4K Dual Dash Cam as the first accessory on Thar I’m planning to enjoy the stock grill setup for some time, but yes, I will change the front grill to something aggressive in the future. Our first drive to the mild offroad trail to Kailasagiri Hills near Bengaluru, sharing some photos from that trip Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
