Mahindra Thar 3-Door Facelift Spied With a New 5-Slot Grille and Revised Front End Ahead of a Festive Season Launch
By Anmol Kumar
Published August 31, 2026
The Mahindra Thar 3-door facelift has been spied testing with a noticeably updated front end. This is the more substantial rework that was expected after the minor October 2025 update, and it has been a while coming.
The facelift was originally rumoured for Mahindra's Independence Day event in August, but that did not happen. A festive season 2026 debut now looks likely, with prices expected to come in slightly above the current Rs 10.32-18 lakh (ex-showroom) range.
Also Read – Next Generation Tata Nexon Project Garud Spotted Testing
What the Spy Shots Reveal Up Front
The test mule wears a new 5-slot grille, with one slot having a small horizontal extension on the right side, most likely to accommodate the Thar badge. Earlier test mules had shown a 6-slat grille far closer to the Thar Roxx's design, and the switch raises a reasonable question. Mahindra may be planning different grille designs across trim levels, though that is not confirmed.
The circular LED headlamps carry over, with projector units reportedly inside them. The front fenders appear reshaped and now carry position lamps. New 5-spoke alloys are also on the test mule.
Powertrain and What Else to Expect
The engine lineup is expected to stay unchanged. A 119hp 1.5-litre diesel covers the 4x2 variants, while the 132hp 2.2-litre diesel and 152hp 2.0-litre turbo-petrol are available with 4x4 as well. All three get a 6-speed manual as standard, and the larger two engines also offer a 6-speed automatic.
Also Read – Best Rugged 4x4 and AWD SUVs You Can Buy
Electric power steering is expected to replace the current hydraulic setup. Anyone who has driven the Thar 3-door in city traffic knows the steering gets heavy at low speeds, so this would make daily use noticeably more comfortable.
Interior updates including a digital instrument cluster, ventilated front seats, and ADAS have been reported earlier but are not visible in these spy shots.
Image Source: @thepathfinder722 (IG)
Table of Contents
- What the Spy Shots Reveal Up Front
- Powertrain and What Else to Expect
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