Head to head

Mahindra Thar vs Maruti Suzuki Jimny: what owners and experts say

Based on 255 statements from 23 owner and expert reviews

Reviewers rate the Jimny better for ride comfort, fit & finish and off-road capability, and there is no area where the Thar is clearly ahead. On handling, boot space and driving position there is little to separate them. The Thar starts at ₹10.32 lakh and the Jimny at ₹12.54 lakh ex-showroom, so the Thar is about ₹2.22 lakh cheaper to start with.

Mahindra Thar and Maruti Suzuki Jimny key facts
FactTharJimny
Ex-showroom price₹10.32 lakh to ₹17.79 lakh₹12.54 lakh to ₹14.67 lakh
FuelDiesel, PetrolPetrol
GearboxManual, AutomaticManual, Automatic
Seating44
Reviews we read1013

Where the Jimny does better

Ride comfort

Jimny: Strongly positiveThar: Generally negative

Jimny: “A highlight on the Jimny is ride comfort — low speed ride is nice and absorbent, and even at higher speeds it feels quite planted. Of course the fact that it sits relatively low to the ground makes a big difference here.”

Fit & finish

Jimny: Mixed reviewsThar: Generally negative

Thar: “After about 10,000 km, the seats and roof lining become loose — especially after a ~1,000 km rough mountain-road trip to Spiti; had them retightened at the service center.”

Off-road capability

Jimny: Strongly positiveThar: Generally positive

Jimny: “In a low speed setting as this it hasn't really posed a problem at all over everything we've put it through -- the torque multiplication of course off the gearbox helps, and it just feels very comfortable, very light on its feet.”

Thar: “On the very same path the Thar feels different -- the line in isn't identical, but the tire also does things differently... the Thar's wider track, and I guess the weight, sort of give it a firmer form of footing.”

Area by area

Every area where reviewers said enough about at least one of the two cars. “Too few reviews” means we won’t guess.

Thar and Jimny verdicts by area
AreaTharJimny
Ride comfortGenerally negativeStrongly positive
Fit & finishGenerally negativeMixed reviews
Off-road capabilityGenerally positiveStrongly positive
HandlingGenerally negativeStrongly negative
Boot spaceGenerally negativeMixed reviews
Driving positionGenerally positiveGenerally positive
Rear seat spaceGenerally negativeStrongly negative
Seat comfortGenerally positiveGenerally positive
BrakingMixed reviewsToo few reviews
City drivabilityToo few reviewsStrongly positive
City mileageToo few reviewsMixed reviews
Crash safetyStrongly positiveToo few reviews
Electrical reliabilityStrongly negativeToo few reviews
Engine refinementStrongly positiveToo few reviews
Front seat spaceToo few reviewsGenerally positive
Ground clearanceToo few reviewsStrongly positive
Headlight qualityToo few reviewsGenerally positive
Highway mileageToo few reviewsGenerally negative
Highway stabilityStrongly positiveToo few reviews
Long-term build qualityGenerally positiveToo few reviews
Tight-space drivingToo few reviewsStrongly positive
Touchscreen responsivenessToo few reviewsStrongly positive
Turning radiusToo few reviewsStrongly negative
Tyre qualityGenerally negativeToo few reviews

So, Thar or Jimny?

If ride comfort and fit & finish matter to you, the Jimny is the safer bet. Otherwise it comes down to price, looks and the test drive.

Reviews only tell you how a car has worked out for other people. Whether it suits you depends on your roads, your family and your budget. Answer 11 quick questions and we’ll match you to the cars with the strongest evidence for how you actually drive.

Read the full reviews

Thar vs Jimny FAQs

Which is better, the Thar or the Jimny?

Reviewers rate the Jimny better for ride comfort, fit & finish and off-road capability, and there is no area where the Thar is clearly ahead. If ride comfort and fit & finish matter to you, the Jimny is the safer bet. Otherwise it comes down to price, looks and the test drive.

Which is cheaper, the Thar or the Jimny?

The Thar starts at ₹10.32 lakh and the Jimny at ₹12.54 lakh ex-showroom, so the Thar is about ₹2.22 lakh cheaper to start with.

How did CarDhoondo compare the Thar and Jimny?

We went through 23 owner and expert video reviews of the two cars, tagged every statement by topic, such as mileage or rear seat space, and scored how positive it was. Nobody paid for this comparison and it is not sponsored.

How this page is made: we collect what real owners and expert reviewers say in published video reviews, tag each statement by topic and score how positive or negative it is. A car only counts as doing better in an area when the gap between the two verdicts is clear. Nothing here is paid for by manufacturers or dealers. Prices come from CarDekho and can change, so confirm with a dealer.