Mahindra Thar vs Force Gurkha in Himalayas [Video]

Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha are the only proper 4×4 mass-market SUVs right now in the Indian market. There have been many debates on the internet on which one is better. Here, we have a video in which there is a convoy going through the Himalayas. The convoy includes a couple of Mahindra Thars and Toyota Innova Crystas. There is also a Force Gurkha. In the video, the host explains which one is better.

The video is uploaded on YouTube by DCV Expeditions. In the video, the host can be seen driving a Gurkha. It seems like, before Gurkha, the host owned a Mahindra Thar. The host says that he has crossed this portion of the road several times in his Thar and now he is doing it in the Gurkha.

Also read: Buying a pre-owned Mahindra Thar is better than buying a new one: 5 reasons

He reports that Thar’s suspension used to bottom out on bad rocky patches whereas Gurkha just gobbles them up. Moreover, he had to slow down his Thar on rough roads whereas with Gurkha he can just keep on going. Another thing is that one of the Thar started showing DPF error which many BS6 diesel vehicles are facing. No such issues were faced on the Gurkha.

Force Gurkha

Force updated the Gurkha last year. It got a host of cosmetic upgrades and the engine got BS6 compliant. It is a 2.6-litre diesel engine that produces 91 hp of max power and 250 Nm of peak torque. It comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox only. The engine is tuned for bottom-end grunt and the SUV comes with a 4×4 drivetrain, low range gearbox and front and rear locking differentials. It is priced at Rs. 14.10 lakhs ex-showroom.

Mahindra Thar

Mahindra launched the Thar in 2020 and it was an instant hit in the Indian market. The manufacturer was not expecting the SUV to be such a big hit. It is offered as a soft-top convertible and a hardtop. Engine options include a 2.2-litre diesel engine and a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. A 4×4 drivetrain and low-range gearbox are offered as standard on both engines.

The petrol engine produces 150 PS of max power and 300 Nm of peak torque whereas the diesel engine produces 130 PS of max power and 300 Nm of peak torque. Gearbox options are a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. If you get the petrol engine with the automatic transmission then the torque output is bumped up to 320 Nm. The prices of the Thar start at Rs. 13.17 lakhs ex-showroom and goes up to Rs. 15.53 lakhs ex-showroom.

As of now, it is the Thar that is more comfortable for city duties because Mahindra specifically focused on improving the comfort levels of the Thar. Moreover, there is also now an automatic transmission available that makes it even more convenient to use the SUV in bumper to bumper traffic. The Gurkha on the other hand still remains a hardcore off-roader that people are preferring for its immense road presence and off-road abilities.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500