2026 Mahindra Thar Facelift Spotted Testing Again: New Details

•August 31, 2026

2026 Mahindra Thar Facelift Spotted Testing Again: New Details

Mahindra's three-door Thar has been a familiar sight on test routes for months now, and the latest round of sightings gives us the clearest look yet at how the facelifted version is shaping up. With the update tipped to break cover around the festive season, here's a rundown of everything the new spy shots reveal about the upcoming Mahindra Thar.

A Grille that Leans Harder into Retro Styling

The biggest talking point from this round of sightings is the front grille. Earlier test mules were seen wearing a grille that looked almost lifted straight off the Thar Roxx, but the SUV spotted this time carries a completely different design - a slatted unit split into four or five sections, depending on the angle, with a noticeably more rectangular shape than the boxier grille on the current Thar. One of the slats also gets a small horizontal extension on the top right corner, which is most likely a mounting point for the Thar badge.

Interestingly, different test mules have now been photographed with different grille treatments, which raises the possibility that the design could vary by variant rather than being a single, uniform update across the range. Either way, the direction is clear: Mahindra wants the facelifted Thar to lean further into rugged, old-school SUV styling rather than borrowing wholesale from its five-door sibling.

Fresh Lights, Reworked Bumper, and New Wheels Seen

Beyond the grille, the changes carry through the rest of the front end. The bumper has been redesigned, and the headlamp units are expected to switch to projector-type LED setups similar to what the Thar Roxx already offers. Full-LED signature lighting, including the turn indicators, is also on the cards, something the current-generation Thar doesn't get.

Move to the side, and the changes continue. The wheel arch cladding has been tweaked slightly, and sitting underneath it is a new five-spoke alloy wheel design that draws visual inspiration from the Roxx without being an exact copy. Wheel size looks set to grow as well, with reports pointing to a 19-inch option, up from the 16-inch and 18-inch wheels offered on the AXT and LXT variants of the current model. At the rear, expect LED tail lamps and a mildly revised bumper to round off the exterior refresh, again taking cues from the Roxx.

Cabin and Safety Kit Expected to Move up a notch

Mahindra hasn't shown much of the cabin yet, since the test mules remain heavily camouflaged around the body and the interior isn't visible in spy shots. Going by what the Roxx already offers and typical facelift patterns, the updated Thar could gain a digital instrument cluster, ventilated front seats, leatherette upholstery, automatic climate control, a wireless charging pad, auto-folding ORVMs, keyless entry with push-button start, and an auto-dimming inside rearview mirror. There's also chatter about the soft-top variant making a comeback, which would be a welcome nod to Thar loyalists who miss the older canvas-roof format.

Safety equipment looks likely to see a meaningful bump too. The current Thar already comes with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, and a factory-fitted roll cage. The facelift is expected to add front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and Mahindra's Level 2 ADAS suite - tuned for Indian road and traffic conditions, bringing the Thar's safety package closer in line with the Roxx.

Engine Options Remain Unchanged

There's no indication of any change under the hood. The Thar facelift should continue with the same three engine options as the current lineup:

1.5-litre diesel: roughly 117-118 hp and 300 Nm, paired exclusively with a 6-speed manual and rear-wheel drive.
2.0-litre turbo-petrol: around 150-152 hp, with 300 Nm on the manual and 320 Nm on the automatic. Offered with both RWD and 4WD, and a choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque-converter automatic.
2.2-litre diesel: about 130-132 hp and 300 Nm, available only with 4WD and the same manual or automatic transmission choices.

Expected Timeline and Pricing

Mahindra is widely expected to launch the facelifted Thar during this year's festive season. On pricing, the increase over the outgoing model is expected to be modest, somewhere in the range of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000, depending on the variant, once the added features are factored in. For context, the current 3-door Thar is priced from roughly Rs 9.99 lakh to Rs 17.62 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). In the market, it continues to face the Force Gurkha as its closest direct rival, while the larger Thar Roxx and the Maruti Jimny sit in the same lifestyle-SUV space without being like-for-like competitors.

With sightings now becoming more frequent and detailed, an official unveiling doesn't look too far away. We'll have more as Mahindra reveals further details closer to launch.