2025 Mahindra Thar vs Force Gurkha 3-door: Which Off-road SUV Is Better?

The 2025 Mahindra Thar was recently launched with minor updates inside and out, along with a few new features. The Thar 3-door goes up directly against the Force Gurkha 3-door, which is also a very capable off-roader and comes equipped with all the essential features. Let’s check out how these two off-road SUVs stack up against each other in terms of specifications and features on paper.

Price Range

All prices are ex-showroom pan-India

• The 2025 Mahindra Thar’s entry-level variant undercuts the Force Gurkha by a big margin of nearly Rs 6 lakh. But do note that the Thar’s entry-level variant gets a smaller 1.5-litre diesel engine and is offered with rear-wheel drive only. 

• Even the Diesel LXT 4WD manual variant of the 2025 Thar, priced at Rs 15.49 lakh, is Rs 46,000 more affordable than the Gurkha 3-door. 

• In the top-spec diesel automatic trim, the 2025 Thar is Rs 1.04 lakh more expensive than the Gurkha.

If you want to check out the variant-wise prices for the 2025 Mahindra Thar, head here.

Dimensions

• While the 2025 Mahindra Thar is 20 mm longer than the Gurkha 3-door, the latter is 45 mm wider and up to 225 mm taller than the Thar.

• The Thar also has a 50 mm longer wheelbase than that of the Gurkha.

• The Force Gurkha, however, has 7 mm of higher ground clearance compared to the Thar.

Off-road Parametres

• While the Mahindra Thar offers a better approach angle for steep inclines, the Gurkha has a slight advantage in departure and breakover angles.

• The Gurkha also has 50 mm of higher water wading capacity compared to the 2025 Thar. This is mainly due to the provision of a snorkel in the Force. 

Also Check Out: 2025 Mahindra Thar: EMI Buying Guide

Powertrain Options

AT - Torque converter automatic transmission

• If you are specifically looking for a diesel offroader, the Gurkha makes more power than both diesel engines offered with the Thar.

• However, the Thar petrol is the most powerful off-road SUV in this test, which makes 12 PS more power than the Gurkha diesel.

• But the Thar is the clear winner here as it offers a host of powertrain options, catering to a wider range of audience. 

• The  Thar can also be had with rear-wheel-drive (RWD) drivetrain (with 1.5-litre diesel and 2-litre turbo-petrol AT), while Gurkha only comes with a 4-wheel-drive (4WD) option.

• You can also opt for both 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission options with the Thar, whereas Gurkha only comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

We have also detailed the variant-wise engine and transmission options for the 2025 Mahindra Thar.

Features

•  The 2025 Mahindra Thar is way ahead of the Force Gurkha in terms of features. Mahindra offers the Thar with amenities like rear AC vents, height adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, and electrically adjustable ORVMs (outside rear view mirrors) all of which are absent in the Gurkha.

• However, the Gurkha gets tilt and telescopic steering wheel, whereas the Thar only comes with tilt adjustable steering wheel.

• The Thar gets a bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen which supports wireless Android Auto and wired Apple Carplay. The Gurkha has a smaller 9-inch touchscreen, but it supports wireless connectivity for both Apple and Android smartphones.

• In terms of safety, both 2025 Thar and Gurkha get dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and a rear parking camera. The Thar additionally also gets hill hold and hill descent control, rear wiper and washer, rear defogger, and roll-over mitigation.

Final Takeaway

With the recent updates, the Mahindra Thar comes out as a more value for option as it not only undercuts the Force Gurkha in terms of prices, but offers extra amenities. To name a few, cruise control, rear AC vents, electrically adjustable ORVMs, hill hold and hill descent control are some important misses in the Gurkha, all of which are present in the Thar. Moreover, the Thar offers more powertrain options, including the convenience of an automatic transmission.  

But, if you crave diesel grunt and serious off-road prowess, the Gurkha has the upper hand. It offers better breakover and departure angles, along with 50 mm higher water-wading capability than the Thar. However, the Gurkha is still limited to a manual gearbox. 

If you are looking for a SUV that combines a macho stance and offroad capabilities with modern features and multiple powertrain choices, especially an automatic, the Thar is the one to go for. But if you live for raw power and love taking on the wild, the Gurkha is in a league of its own.

You can also check out how the 2025 Mahindra Thar fares against the Maruti Jimny in terms of specifications and features.