New Mahindra Thar’s Three Top Roof Options Detailed

The new Thar comes with a soft top, convertible soft top and a hard top

Update (02/10/2020): Mahindra has launched the second-gen Thar with prices beginning from Rs 9.80 lakh (ex-showroom). Read more about it here.

The next-gen Mahindra Thar SUV features three different types of roofs from the factory: fixed soft top, convertible and hard top. While the soft top was also offered in the outgoing model, the convertible soft top and hard top are offered for the first time straight from the factory. The fixed soft top is only offered on the entry-level Thar while the other two options are available on both the AX (optional) and LX variants but with different engine options. But first, let’s look at how these roof options differ.

Related: 2020 Mahindra Thar First Look Review

Fixed Soft Top

As the name suggests, it’s a canvas roof similar to the one Mahindra offered with the previous-gen model. You can take the soft top off but it would require a lot of effort compared to a convertible soft top and you’d also have to find a place to store it. Since it is the least practical option, Mahindra is only offering it with the entry-spec AX variant aimed at adventure enthusiasts.

Convertible Soft Top

This is also a soft top for the Mahindra Thar but with some clever engineering for a wind-in-the-hair experience. The ‘windows’ on the rear half of the cabin are kept in place with zippers and velcro including the rear windscreen. Just unzip and unstick them and you’re left with just a soft top which can be folded down. Up front, you simply undo a few latches from inside the cabin and the whole canvas roof can be lifted upwards and backwards, folding itself into a neat bundle along the folding frame so that it tucks up just above the tailgate. This way, most of the roof is still connected to the car and you can take it down or put it back up with relative ease. The process requires at least two persons. Just remember where you keep those rear windows.

Hard Top

A first for the Mahindra Thar, it will get a hard top version from the factory. These panels aren’t exactly welded to the jeep’s frame but are fixed firmly in place and the design is well integrated too. The rear half of the cabin has fixed glass while the rear windscreen, which has a defogger too, gets gas struts to hold it open and close it gently.

Here are the variant-wise top options for the 2020 Thar:

Also read: New Mahindra Thar: What The 3 Variants Have To Offer

Mahindra will be launching the new Thar on October 2 for an expected price of Rs 9.5 lakh to Rs 13 lakh (ex-showroom). Its closest rival will be the Force Gurkha but in terms of pricing, it’ll also take on compact SUVs such as the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.