When Mahindra took the wraps off the all-new Thar in August this year, everyone went running around with their arms lifted in the air and saying, “the new Thar is a baby Jeep Wrangler”. Yes, we did too. Well, there’s some evidence to support that. In fact, there’s a lot. But, if you’re getting a proven recipe in a smaller, more value-friendly package, how can that be a bad deal? And what backs that up? The prices. Here they are:

For the very first time, Mahindra’s offering a petrol engine, automatic transmission and the flexibility of removable doors with the Thar. That means it has not only grown up in size but also in personality. Choose the AX variants, and you’ll get a fixed soft-top. The AX (O) variants rope-in the options of a convertible soft-top or a hard-top (diesel only). The only colour choices available for all AX-marked variants are Napoli Black and Red Rage.

Coming to the LX variants, one can have a convertible soft-top but only with the automatic transmission (weird!). The hard-top, on the other hand, is available with all derivatives. Even the list of colour options also expands, with four additional shades – Mystic Copper, Galaxy Grey, Rocky Beige and Aqua Marine.

On the mechanical front, you can have the new Thar with a 2.2-litre diesel engine or a 2.0-litre petrol engine. Their power/torque figures are 130bhp/300Nm and 150bhp/320Nm, respectively. As standard, they come coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. Optionally, however, you could have either of them with a 6-speed torque converter (automatic) as well. Interestingly, the petrol-MT combination offers the same power but 20Nm less torque.

Mahindra’s done a fine job at the list of standard features. It includes manual air-conditioning with heater, central locking, four-wheel-drive system, dual airbags, ABS and rear parking sensors. Predictably, the AX (O) trim level gets a bit more stuff, like a roll cage, height-adjustable driver’s seat, front-facing rear seats and keyless entry. The LX iterations justify their prices with additional equipment such as 18-inch alloy wheels, ESP, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, LED DRLs and tyre pressure monitoring system.

The Thar was never a family car. It was always a toy to explore the unexplored. The new one, which receives its price list on Mahindra’s 75th anniversary, is much more rounded. It has the equipment and design to tackle the roughest of terrains out there. But, with a broader list of creature comforts, it can also pass as a family car. Mahindra has opened bookings today and promises deliveries to commence from November 1, 2020. What’s your take on the new Thar?