Mahindra Thar Vs Force Gurkha: Which Offers The Better Overall Package?

However, this can't be said about the Force Gurkha, as the SUV appeals more to hard-core off-road enthusiasts than lifestyle buyers.

In this comparison, we will compare the new Mahindra Thar and the new Force Gurkha in terms of the overall package.

1. Design

In terms of design, a majority of people will like the design of the Mahindra Thar as it has the more iconic design language that dates back to the Willys Jeep.

This does not mean that the Force Gurkha is a bad-looking SUV. In fact, the design roots of the Force Gurkha can be traced back to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Overall, the design of both SUVs are iconic, but one's preference for any design over the other depends on their personal taste.

2. Interior & Features

The new Mahindra Thar trumps the Force Gurkha in terms of interior design, overall feel and features.

Stepping inside the new Mahindra Thar, it feels like an SUV that is at least two generations ahead with its upmarket feeling dashboard, 7-inch infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and many more such features.

Though the new Force Gurkha has a better interior than its predecessor and also features a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the interiors still look very basic and spartan in comparison.

3. Seating & Space

Though both the new Mahindra Thar and the new Force Gurkha can seat four adults, the Force Gurkha can do it better as it offers captain seats with armrests for second-row passengers as well.

Apart from that, in the new Force Gurkha, second-row passengers can get to their seats through the rear tailgate. This makes ingress and egress a lot more convenient for second-row passengers.

Moreover, thanks to the higher roofline, the new Force Gurkha also provides a bit more headroom to its occupants.

4. Powertrain

The new Mahindra Thar is available with a choice of one petrol and one diesel engine. The 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces 150bhp and 320Nm of torque, whereas the 2.2-litre diesel engine produces 130bhp and 320 Nm of torque. Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The new Mahindra Thar also comes with a shift-on-the-fly 4X4 system, a mechanical locking differential and brake locking differential for hardcore off-roading.

On the other hand, the new Force Gurkha is powered by a tried-and-tested 2.6-litre Mercedes derived common rail, direct-injection, turbocharged diesel engine. This engine produces 91bhp and 250Nm of torque. Which is quite low compared to

Unlike the new Mahindra Thar, the sole gearbox option in the new Force Gurkha is a 5-speed manual transmission. However, the Force Gurkha comes with locking differentials on both the front and rear axles for extreme off-road ability.

Apart from that, the new Force Gurkha comes with a factory-fitted snorkel as standard and has an official water-wading capacity of 700mm.

5. Price

According to Mahindra's official website, the Thar range starts from Rs 13.17 lakh (ex-showroom) for the AX Optional variant, whereas the LX variant starts from Rs 13.79 lakh (ex-showroom).

On the other hand, the Force Gurkha pricing starts from Rs 14.10 lakh (ex-showroom, India).

Both Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha are excellent off-road SUVs. However, the Mahindra Thar offers a far more appealing package with its powerful engine options, attractive and feature-loaded interiors.

However, the Force Gurkha offers slightly more luggage space and better seating for all its occupants. This makes the Force Gurkha better suited for long trips and overall a better package.

So, if you are a young couple looking for an off-road SUV, the Mahindra Thar will be a better option. On the other hand, if you are looking for a slightly more spacious option, the Force Gurkha will be better suited for your needs.