Here Are The 7 Key Differences Between The 5-Door Maruti Jimny And The Mahindra Thar

Which of the two is bigger, more powerful, better equipped and more capable (on paper)? Let’s find out

After years of waiting and hoping, Maruti has finally revealed the five-door Jimny for India. Four years after the legendary Gypsy was discontinued, Maruti is getting back into the off-roader scene to take on the latest version of its long time rival, the Mahindra Thar.

Both are purpose-built off-roaders; but it turns out they are less alike than you might think. Here are the seven key differences between the ‘real SUVs’, on paper.

Which Is Bigger?

Even with the two extra doors, the Jimny and Thar are of the same length, but the Maruti’s wheelbase is considerably longer for improved legroom. The Mahindra SUV is wider and taller, which could translate to more cabin space in those directions. The Thar’s additional 16mm (around half a inch) of ground clearance may not sound like much for regular driving, but it’s a noteworthy advantage in the off-roading realm in order to conquer difficult terrains.

In case you thought it was unfair to pit a five-door against a three-door, keep in mind that the bigger and more practical Thar will be, well, bigger and a lot pricier. Meanwhile, the Jimny remains a sub-4 metre offering and would still be more affordable than the three-door Thar.

Easier access for the rear seats

Both are essentially four-seater SUVs. In the case of the Thar, there’s no door for the rear seat passengers, so they’ll have to enter after adjusting the front seat. Jimny simply offers the convenience of a door for the rear. This situation will change once the five-door Thar is in picture which will have two more doors and will be able to seat five people.

No Soft Top Option

While the Maruti Gypsy used to offer the choice of metal and fabric tops, the Jimny is only available with a fixed metal top. The Mahindra Thar has a more lifestyle appeal with the choice of a convertible soft rooftop or a plastic-composite hard top.

Naturally Aspirated vs Turbocharged

Powering the Jimny is a humble 1.5-litre petrol engine, which comes with either a five-speed manual or Maruti’s old-school four-speed automatic. 4WD is standard here, for now.

The Thar is much more powerful with a bigger 2-litre turbo-petrol engine, which develops 45PS and up to 180Nm more than the Maruti. Here, you can choose between 4X4 and 4X2 variants, depending on your purpose. Then there’s the option of a torquey diesel engine, a preference among off-roading enthusiasts, but a fuel type that Maruti has cut all ties with. Mahindra’s engines also come with the six-speed manual and automatic transmissions that make them suitable for highway cruising as well.

Off-Road Technology

The Thar's approach angle is better than the Jimny but the latter's shorter rear overhang gives it a better departure angle. The comparatively shorter wheelbase of the Thar offers the benefit of a higher breakover angle than the five door Jimny, which is good news for its underbody.

Both of them get shift-on-fly 4WD with a low range transfer case, which basically allows you to shift between 4High and 4Low on the go. Both off-roaders also get brake locking differentials as standard while the top-spec diesel variant of the Thar gets the choice of a mechanical locking differential. The latter is better suited for hardcore off-roading.

Feature-rich Cabins

The Jimny offers auto LED headlamps, auto AC, a bigger touchscreen system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a rear camera, and six airbags over the Thar. On the other hand, it misses out on height adjustable driver’s seat, TPMS, and real time adventure statistics feature compared to the Thar.

Price Wars

The Jimny is expected to dominate the Thar in this criteria. Maruti’s off-roader is expected to start from around Rs 10 lakh while the Thar’s petrol 4WD variants are priced from Rs 13.59 lakh. For reference, the diesel 4WD variants are priced from Rs 14.16 lakh . However, the Thar’s rear-wheel-drive variants, priced from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 13.49 lakh, will be a closer competitor to the five-door Jimny.

(all prices are ex-showroom)

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