Mahindra unveiled the new Thar on August 15th 2020. The homegrown automaker has planned to launch the new off-roader in India on 2nd October 2020. The new Thar is bigger and better. At the same time, the internet is full of reports, articles and comments that the new Thar resembles the Jeep Wrangler. But what is the real truth? Has the Mahindra Thar got something in common with the American offroader? We find out in this one! Thar vs Wrangler – the off-roading showdown!
Thar vs Wrangler | Dimensions
The new Mahindra Thar 2020 has got a high ground clearance of 226mm. If we compare this to the jeep Wrangler’s 217mm, Thar clearly has en edge here. The A/T tyres are standard across the Thar range and the top-of-the-line variant gets 18-inch wheels just like the Wrangler! Moving on to another factor, the Thar vs Wrangler comparison takes us to the water wading depth. The new Thar cab wade through 650mm of water while the Jeep Wrangler easily wades through an extra 110mm. Want to cross rivulets and streams, Wrangler will surely be a better pick for you.
Read 2020 Mahindra Thar | Variant-wise features explained
Dimensions Comparison
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| Mahindra Thar 2020 | Jeep Wrangler Unlimited | |
| Length (mm) | 3985 | 4882 |
| Width (mm) | 1855 | 1894 |
| Height (mm) | 1920 | 1848 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2450 | 3008 |
Thar vs Wrangler | Engine & Specs
Continuing our article about Thar vs Wrangler, we come down to the engine and powertrain comparison. Talking about the engine and the powertrains, both off-roaders are powered by engines with the same displacement. However, Wrangler’s engine has still got a slight edge over the Thar. While Wrangler’s performance might be better but it still fails to appeal some part of the audience as the only automatic transmission is offered. On the other hand, the new Mahindra Thar comes with both manual and automatic transmission options!
Engine Specifications
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| Mahindra Thar | Jeep Wrangler | |
| Engine | 2.0-litre Turbo | 2.0-litre Turbo |
| Power | 152hp | 271hp |
| Torque | 300Nm/320Nm (AT) | 400Nm |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Manual & Automatic | 8-Speed Automatic |
Thar vs Wrangler | Offroading Capabilities
This is the most awaited section of the article. Both of them are meant for offroading. However, we have compared the basics like the ground clearance and the water wading capacity in the first section, there is a lot more left!
Read Jeep Wrangler Rubicon launched in India at Rs 68.94 lakhs
Continuing the Thar vs Wrangler offroader battle, we come down to the Thar gets a shift-on-the-fly low-range transfer case with three modes on offer: 2H, 4H and 4L. A mechanical locking differential adds on to the offroading capabilities. That’s not all, the new Thar gets electronic brake locking differential, and an electric driveline disconnect function for the front axle for an easier shift from 2WD to 4WD. It’s the 2020 Thar, therefore, gets some modern-day assists as well. These include ESP with rollover mitigation, hill-hold and hill descent. The Thar matches the offroading capabilities of the Jeep Wrangler in terms of greater ground clearance and almost equal departure angle of 36.8 degrees which is 37 degrees for the Wrangler.
While the departure angle is almost equal, the Wrangler has an edge in terms of the approach angle. The Thar has got an approach angle of 41.8 degrees while the Wrangler gets a 43.9-degree figure! The Wrangler has a greater water wading figure too and its Selec-Trac 4×4 system makes it stand out! This feature is capable of analysing the terrain by itself and provides torque accordingly. Intelligent! Isn’t it? Further, the Smart Lock function also helps you enjoy the 4×4 experience in mud, snow, sand and other difficult terrains.
Thar vs Wrangler | Conclusion
While the Mahindra Thar 2020 resembles the Jeep Wrangler, many people on the internet have started comparing the offroaders. We, ourselves have done that above but just to let you know, both these offroaders belong to a different price segment. Hence, comparing what Mahindra is giving you in the affordable price range to what Jeep delivers in a premium segment, would be a bit unfair.
The slat grille, round headlamps and the boxy design might make the Thar look like the Wrangler but these two have got very less in common when it comes to the in-depth comparison. This was our thought on Thar vs Wrangler. What’s your take? Is the Thar Desi Wrangler for real? Let us know in the comments section below!
