The tyres on the test vehicle were not proper off-road ones, though their grip was quite satisfactory. It would be better if Mahindra offered proper off-road tyres as an option.
However, the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels of the Thar are rather bad. The engine might feel refined compared to the overall vehicle, but, being an open vehicle with no roof, you can hear every single note the engine produces, which can be irritating after driving it for some time. As for the vibrations and harshness, the less said the better, for our V-Box test unit fell off the windscreen because of the vibrations. The brakes were devoid of the strong bite that essentially inspires confidence in the driver. Mahindra may consider improving them as brakes are a crucial component in a vehicle.
The design, on the other hand, is one thing that will work for the Thar sales. Being based on the MM 540 and having almost the same aesthetic appeal, the Thar is actually able to make heads turn. However, a cursory glance at its interior and you are bound to be disappointed. It may be meant to be basic, but the quality of the fit-and-finish is very poor. The switchgear near the steering is so close to the dashboard that every time you want to switch the wipers on, you have to grope around, which can distract you while driving. The Thar that we got for testing had a broken internal door handle on the front passenger seat, so if we wanted to get out, we had to roll down the window and open the door from the outside. Clearly, the overall fit-and-finish of this car needs serious improvement if Mahindra intend to sell it as a lifestyle vehicle.
In the end I would say that Mahindra have rekindled nostalgia with the Thar. Unfortunately, many bits and pieces still leave much to be desired, such as the interior which is made of low-quality plastic and does not make you feel comfortable. The engine has good power and torque, but the suspension set-up at the back has not been configured well and can be quite uncomfortable. The missing roof can (and does) make you sweat a lot during the hot afternoons. Besides, leaving the Thar in a public parking leaves you worried. A soft-top roof can be made standard instead of an optional item.
The price of the CRDe model ranges from Rs 5.97 lakh to Rs 6.28 lakh (ex-showroom), which, I feel, is steep considering the fact that the vehicle has neither a standard roof nor an air-conditioner. Overall, we would say that the Thar is an average off-roader and not a lifestyle vehicle. Until Mahindra take steps to rectify the aforesaid shortcomings, it is likely to remain a good option only for the people who like their vehicle raw.
CAPTIONS
1] The broken door handle is the evidence of poor interior quality
2] The 4X4 shifter is placed such that fingers tend to get stuck while shifting
3] The wiper on/off switch also needs slim fingers in order to operate it smoothly
4] The engine is a powerful unit, however, it lacks somes refinement needed to enjoy the drive
5] The dashboard is made from low quality plastics and the fit and finish are also compromised with
BLURB
The design, on the other hand, is one thing that will work for the Thar sales
