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The Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar are two of the most popular off-road SUVs in India, and they are built for adventure seekers and rough terrains. Each vehicle has solid off-road capabilities, but the two differ in pricing, features, performance, and practicality.
If you are considering buying any of these off-road vehicles, you should analyse their engine specs, features, warranty, pros and cons, and other crucial aspects. Here is a detailed Force Gurkha vs Mahindra Thar comparison to help you decide.
Here, if you looking to buy car insurance online you can check for these 2 models. The premiums are calculated as per the model and details given below.
| Insurance Premium | Force Gurkha | Mahindra Thar |
| 1 year Own damage & 3 year Third party | ₹ NA | ₹ 27,259 |
| Consideration | Model- Force Gurkha 2.6 CR 4X4 BSVI premium excluding GST, City - New Delhi, No Add-ons, IDV - Lowest available. Month - February-2025. | Model- Mahindra Thar Diesel CDRe, premium excluding GST, City - New Delhi, No Add-ons, IDV - Lowest available. Month - February-2025. |
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The main key differences between Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar are mentioned below in this table:
| Criteria | Force Gurkha | Mahindra Thar |
| Ex-Showroom Price* | Starting ₹16.75 Lakh | Starting ₹11.50 Lakh |
| No. of Variants | 2 | 19 |
| Fuel Type | Diesel | Diesel/Petrol |
| Type of Tyre | Radial, Tubeless | Tubeless All-Terrain |
| Mileage (ARAI) | 12 Kmpl | 10 kmpl |
| Body Type | SUV | SUV |
| Top Speed | 140 kmph | 155 kmph |
Note: *Ex-showroom prices are mentioned as per Delhi and can differ across cities.
The engine-related specifications of Force Gurkha vs Mahindra Thar are differentiated below:
| Criteria | Force Gurkha | Mahindra Thar |
| Acceleration (0-100 kmph)Â | NA | 12.98 seconds |
| Engine Cubic Capacity (cc) | 2596 cc | 2184 cc |
| Engine Type | FM 2.6 CR CD | 2.2L 14 mHawk 130 |
| Fuel Type | Diesel | Diesel/Petrol |
| Maximum Power | 138 bhp at 3200 rpm | 130 bhp at 3750 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 320Nm at1400-2600rpm | 300 Nm at 1600-2800 rpm |
| Drivetrain | 4WD / AWD | 4WD / AWD |
| Transmission | Manual - 5 Gears | Automatic (TC) - 6 Gears, Manual Override |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2 | BS6 Phase 2 |
| Turbocharger / Supercharger | Turbocharged | Turbocharged |
| Valve/Cylinder (Configuration) | 4, DOHC | 4, DOHC |
Comparisons between Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar in terms of dimensions and capacity are listed below:
| Criteria | Force Gurkha | Mahindra Thar |
| Length | 3965 mm | 3985 mm |
| Width | 1865 mm | 1820 mm |
| Height | 2080 mm | 1850 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2400 mm | 2450 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 233 mm | 226 mm |
| Doors (Doors) | 5 | 3 |
| Seating Capacity (Person) | 7 | 4 |
| Boot space | 500 Litres | 600 Litres |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 63.5 Litres | 57 Litres |
Details related to types of suspension, brakes, steering, and tyres between Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar:
| Criteria | Force Gurkha | Mahindra Thar |
| Front Suspension | Independent Double Wishbone with Coil Spring | Independent Double Wishbone Suspension with Coil Over Damper & Stabiliser Bar |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Pan Hard Rod & Coil Spring | Multi-link solid Rear Axle with Coil spring & Stabiliser Bar |
| Front Brake Type | Disc | Disc |
| Rear Brake Type | Drum | Drum |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 6.3 | Â |
| Steering Type | Power-assisted (Hydraulic) | Power-assisted (Hydraulic) |
| Wheels | Alloy Wheels | Alloy Wheels |
| Spare Wheel | Steel | Alloy |
| Front Tyres | 255 / 65 R18 | 255 / 65 R18 |
| Rear tyres | 255 / 65 R18 | 255 / 65 R18 |
| Colour | 4 Colours: Green, Black, White, Red | 6 Colours: Everest White, Rage Red, Deep Forest, Desert Fury, Stealth Black, Deep Grey |
The safety features of Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar are listed below:
| Criteria | Force Gurkha | Mahindra Thar |
| Overspeed Warning | 1 beep over 80 kmph, Continuous beeps over 120kmph | 1 beep over 80 kmph, Continuous beeps over 120kmph |
| Lane Departure Warning | Yes | No |
| Emergency Brake Light Flashing | No | Yes |
| NCAP Rating | Not Tested | 4 Star (Global NCAP) |
| Airbags | 2 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger) | 2 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger) |
| Rear Middle Three Point seatbelt | No | Yes |
| Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) | Yes | Yes |
| Child Seat Anchor Points | No | Yes |
| Seat Belt Warning | Yes | Yes |
| Central Locking | Yes | Remote |
| Child Safety Lock | Yes | No |
| Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock | Yes | Yes |
| Advance Safety Features | Follow Me Home And Lead Me To Gurkha, One Touch Lane Change Indicator, Brake Type (Dual Circuit Hydraulic Brake, Vacuum Assisted | Front Axle, Rear Axle, Hub Lock, Brake Specification, Diesel Exhaust Fluid Tank, etc. |
| Keyless Entry | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Defogger | - | Yes |
| Engine Immobilizer | Yes | Yes |
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Braking and traction features of the Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar are noted below:
| Criteria | Force Gurkha | Mahindra Thar |
| Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) | Yes | Yes |
| Brake Assist (BA) | No | Yes |
| Electronic Stability Program (ESP) | No | Yes |
| Four-Wheel-Drive | Manual Shift - Electronic | Manual Shift - Lever |
| Hill Hold Control | No | Yes |
| Hill Descent Control | No | Yes |
| Traction Control System (TC/TCS) | No | Yes |
| Locking Differential | Both Axles | Driven Axles |
Go through the manufacturing warranty of Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar:
| Criteria | Force Gurkha | Mahindra Thar |
| Warranty (in years) | 3 | 3 |
| Warranty (in kilometres) | 300000 | Unlimited |
Pros of Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar are listed below:
| Force Gurkha | Mahindra Thar |
| The new Force Gurkha is user-friendly and competitive due to improved interiors and augmented amenities. | It has a 4-star rating from Global NCAP, providing security for both adult and child passengers. |
| The shift-on-the-fly 4X4, coupled with a low range, differential locks, and 233 mm ground clearance, helps to cover challenging terrains. | The price gap between the petrol and diesel variants is minimal, ranging from ₹21,000 to ₹31,000. |
| It has a 5.5-meter turning radius and offers smoother handling than competitors. | This turbo 2.0L petrol engine provides 130 bhp at 3750 rpm power alongside torque starting from 1600 rpm. |
| The 500L storage space in the 3-door model is enough for family road trips. | The Thar measures under 4 meters, allowing a larger stance while off-roading. |
| The new model has upgraded features, including LED headlamps, a 9-inch touchscreen display, power and eco launch modes, TPMS, and rear air conditioning vents. | The Thar also offers airbag protection, Android and Apple Car Play, cruise control, and a touch screen for the ultimate on-road experience. |
Check out the disadvantages of the Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar:
| Force Gurkha | Mahindra Thar |
| In opposition to the Thar, it does not come with petrol engines, automatic transmissions, or soft tops and convertible body styles. | There has been a drastic rise in the Thar’s prices since launch, particularly after the base 6-seater variants were removed to increase safety ratings. |
| The audio system, camera display, and plastic interiors are done poorly. | The convertible model's manually folding fabric roof causes significant highway noise, making long trips uncomfortable. |
| Key missing features include the six airbags, electronic stability program (ESP), sunroof, automatic headlamps, driver's seat adjustments, hill descent/ascent control, and electrically folding ORVMs. | The automatic models are ₹1.5 Lakh, which is more expensive than the manual options. |
| Without additional holders, it becomes a hassle to put the luggage as the captain seats in the third row of the five-door version cannot be folded. | There could have been a 2-wheel drive variant or a smaller 1.5-turbo petrol engine for daily drivers. |
The Force Gurkha and the Mahindra Thar appeal to different market segments, and each one shines in their respective domain. Gurkha is a hardcore adventurer’s vehicle that scores high in off-road performance, is equipped with pre-installed fittings, and has adequate boot space.Â
Thar, on the other hand, blends safety with modern technology and elegant looks. It is a jack of all trades, performing decently in terms of off-road capability and daily driving.Â
Thus, you can make your final pick based on your requirements and budget. Â
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