In the final ten years, I have visible infinite SUVs. Driven them, watched them sell, and watched a few collapse too. But when the discussion turns to Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha, it stops being a simple spec-sheet evaluation. This one is set attitude. About what you clearly assume from a vehicle.
Park a Thar in a showroom and it almost winks at you. The Gurkha stands quietly in a corner, as if pronouncing, if you have the braveness, include me.
Design and Road Presence Showmanship vs Simplicity
The Thar is straight away recognisable. Round headlamps, huge stance, that familiar Mahindra mindset. Honestly, it grabs greater attention within the city. People word it. People talk about it.

The Gurkha plays a special game. Tall, directly, no cosmetic drama. No greater chrome, no shouting layout. I bear in mind preventing at a roadside dhaba in Rajasthan as soon as. People had been busy clicking pictures round a Thar. Near the Gurkha, most effective an aged man walked up and stated, this seems like a actual jungle car. That single line explains the Gurkha flawlessly.
Engine and Driving The Real Story
On paper, the Mahindra Thar diesel seems robust. And yes, on the dual carriageway, it's far amusing. Good pickup, clean overtakes. But in crowded metropolis traffic, the equal engine can feel jerky at instances, specifically within the automatic. Feels like the gearbox and software program aren't always at the identical web page.
The Gurkha’s engine does not impress with numbers. Whatever the employer claims, velocity isn't always its power. But at low speeds, on rocks, in slush, where you need to power with out overthinking, the Gurkha behaves in a different way. On a Ladakh journey, I once noticed a Thar burn its seize on a problematic stretch. The Gurkha crawled thru the identical direction with out drama. The driver simply smiled and said, this vehicle likes sluggish work.
Off-Roading Less Talk, More Action
The Thar has grow to be extra consumer-pleasant now. Electronic aids, force modes, all that. For new shoppers, that is comforting. But those same functions can every so often get in the manner. Sensors, warning lights, sudden electricity cuts. During a media drive, I individually saw sand mode confuse the system and stall development mid-section.
The Gurkha has none of that fuss. Manual differential locks. Pure mechanical sense. If something is going wrong, it's far the driver’s mistake. The system does no longer interfere. That is why old-school off-roaders still recognize the Gurkha.
Also read : Force Gurkha 5 Door Review Is This Indias Ultimate Off-Road Beast?
The Cabin Comfort vs Toughness
The Thar’s cabin is far higher than before. Touchscreen, nicer guidance wheel, first rate seats. Daily workplace runs are attainable. But the rear seat still feels compromised. Long trips at the again can be uncomfortable.

Step inside the Gurkha and every body will inform you, this cabin is not built to impress. Seats are firm. Dashboard is apparent. But the wonder comes on broken roads. Nothing rattles. Everything remains solid. This kind of toughness most effective makes experience after years of ownership.
Service and Trust Beyond Brochures
Mahindra’s carrier network is big, no question. But now not each provider centre offers the same enjoy. I as soon as spoke to a Thar proprietor in Delhi. After a software program replace, the mileage dropped further. The technician truely shrugged and said, that’s how it's far.
Force Motors has a smaller community. Gurkha consumers usually understand this before signing the cheque. In Pune, I met a dealer who himself drove a Gurkha. He informed a purchaser very honestly, this car isn't for everybody. If you need city consolation, don’t buy it. That kind of honesty is rare nowadays.
Also read : Mahindra Thar 4x4 Review: King of Off-Road or City Roads?
So Which One Should You Choose
Let me be blunt. The Mahindra Thar is for individuals who want style, emblem value, and weekend journey. You need pix for social media and popularity inside the workplace parking zone. The Force Gurkha is for folks who don’t care about attention. Who definitely experience hard roads. Who recognize that this vehicle will take time to recognize you, however as soon as it does, it's going to not will let you down.
For me, the query isn't always which SUV is higher. The real query is what sort of character you are. Because the Thar and the Gurkha are not simply automobiles. They are conduct.



