Thar 4x4 vs 4x2: Which One Should You Buy?

The choice between a Mahindra Thar 4x4 and 4x2/RWD largely depends on how you plan to use the SUV. The 4x2 versions are aimed at buyers who primarily drive in the city, on highways and on regular roads, while the 4x4 versions add a low-range transfer case and hardware designed for demanding off-road conditions.

For buyers who do not regularly drive through mud, sand, slush, steep trails or other low-traction terrain, the RWD Thar can avoid the additional cost and mechanical hardware of 4x4. For serious off-roading, the 4x4 system becomes the more relevant configuration.

Is it better to buy a Thar 4x2 or 4x4?

Neither configuration is universally better. The right choice depends on whether you need the Thar primarily as a lifestyle SUV or as an off-road vehicle.

Mahindra itself describes the RWD versions as suitable for daily and lifestyle use, while its 4WD versions are designed for buyers who want to explore tougher terrain.

The biggest difference is the drivetrain. 4x2/RWD sends power to the rear wheels, whereas the 4x4 version can drive all four wheels and includes additional off-road hardware.

Which Mahindra Thar model is best to buy?

Mahindra currently offers the 3-door Thar with petrol and diesel powertrains, along with RWD and 4WD configurations. The company's current lineup starts at ₹10.32 lakh ex-showroom and goes up to ₹17.99 lakh ex-showroom, according to Mahindra's June 2026 variant guide.

The choice can be broken down by usage rather than simply choosing the most expensive variant.

For mostly city driving

A petrol RWD automatic makes more sense if convenience and smoothness are priorities. Mahindra describes the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol as a refined option suited to city and paved-road use.

For better fuel efficiency

The 1.5-litre diesel RWD manual is the efficiency-focused configuration in the current 3-door Thar range. Mahindra quotes 117 bhp and 300 Nm for this engine and says it is available exclusively with RWD.

For serious off-roading

The 4x4 diesel is the configuration designed for buyers who actually intend to use the Thar off-road. The 2.2-litre mHawk diesel is paired with the 4x4 system, with manual and automatic options available depending on variant.

What is the engine difference between Thar 4x4 and 4x2?

The answer depends on the specific powertrain. The current Thar range does not simply use the same engine with a different drivetrain in every variant.

Mahindra lists three engine choices: a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and 2.2-litre diesel. The 1.5-litre diesel is RWD-only, while the larger 2.2-litre diesel is used for the more capable 4x4 configuration.

*Mahindra's current variant guide gives different output figures for the 2.0-litre petrol depending on transmission.

This means buyers comparing a 1.5 diesel RWD with a 2.2 diesel 4x4 are not only choosing between two drivetrains; they are also choosing between different engines.

Which Thar gives better mileage: 4x4 or 4x2?

The 4x2/RWD generally has the fuel-efficiency advantage because it does not carry the additional 4x4 hardware and mechanical components. Mahindra itself describes the 1.5-litre diesel RWD as the efficiency-focused option.

Mahindra's current guidance puts the 2.2-litre diesel at around 14–15 kmpl, compared with approximately 9–10 kmpl for petrol, although real-world mileage varies significantly with traffic, driving style, transmission and terrain.

Owner reports also show considerable variation. Recent Reddit discussions include 3-door diesel owners reporting roughly 10–14 kmpl depending on city/highway usage, but these are individual experiences rather than standardized test results.

So, mileage should not be compared using a single owner's figure.

Thar 4x4 vs 4x2: Which is better for daily use?

For a Thar that will spend most of its time on city roads and highways, RWD can be the simpler choice.

Mahindra notes that RWD models avoid some of the additional weight and mechanical friction associated with the 4WD system. That can help with efficiency and purchase cost.

However, the Thar remains a lifestyle-oriented SUV even in RWD form. Buyers should not expect it to behave like a conventional urban crossover in terms of ride comfort, rear-seat accessibility and overall practicality.

Is the Thar 4x4 worth buying?

The 4x4 system is worth considering when you have a genuine use for it.

If your regular driving includes mountain trails, loose sand, mud, slush, rocky tracks or other challenging surfaces, the additional capability can be useful. Mahindra's 4x4 system includes a low-ratio transfer case and electronic brake-locking differential, features intended for low-traction and off-road conditions.

If the vehicle will almost exclusively be driven on paved roads, those capabilities may remain unused for much of the ownership period.

That does not make a 4x4 Thar unsuitable for road use; it simply means the additional hardware should be considered against how frequently you expect to use it.

What are the disadvantages of the Mahindra Thar?

The Thar's strengths also create some compromises.

1. Rear-seat practicality

The 3-door body makes rear-seat access less convenient than a conventional 5-door SUV. Mahindra itself describes the standard Thar as a 4-seater, while the larger Thar ROXX is a five-door, five-seater model.

2. Ride and everyday comfort

The Thar's rugged construction and off-road-focused design mean it does not prioritize everyday comfort in the same way as a conventional crossover.

3. Fuel consumption

Petrol versions can consume considerably more fuel than smaller conventional SUVs. Mahindra's own current guidance puts petrol mileage around 9–10 kmpl versus around 14–15 kmpl for the diesel.

Actual owner experiences can be lower or higher depending on usage. Some recent Thar owners on Reddit have reported city figures around 10–12 kmpl for diesel variants, while petrol owners have reported lower figures.

4. 4x4 adds cost and complexity

The 4x4 hardware is useful when needed, but it adds mechanical components and increases the purchase price compared with equivalent RWD configurations.

5. Not the most practical family SUV

If your priority is easy rear access, generous rear-seat space and everyday family practicality, the 3-door Thar's design has inherent compromises.

What about the 2021 Thar 4x4 vs 4x2?

The 2021 Thar should not be compared directly with the current 2026 lineup, because Mahindra has changed the available engines, variants and configurations over time.

The current Thar includes the 1.5-litre diesel RWD alongside larger petrol and diesel engines, while older Thar variants had a different combination of powertrains and equipment.

Therefore, if you are specifically considering a used 2021 Thar, the exact year, engine, transmission and 4x4/RWD configuration need to be checked separately.

What does Reddit say about Thar 4x4 vs 4x2?

Owner discussions generally focus on the same practical distinction: RWD for road-focused use and 4x4 when off-road capability is actually needed.

In one recent r/MahindraThar discussion, an owner considering roughly 70% city and 30% highway use said they did not expect to do hardcore off-roading and were debating whether the extra cost of 4WD made sense. Other Reddit discussions similarly distinguish between lifestyle/city use and regular off-road use.

These discussions are useful for understanding ownership experiences, but they should not replace official specifications or standardized mileage figures.

Thar 4x4 vs 4x2: Which one should you choose?

Use this simple checklist:

1. Mostly city + highway: Consider RWD.
2. Want lower purchase cost: Compare the RWD variants first.
3. High annual running: Compare diesel RWD and 4x4 diesel based on your actual route.
4. Regular mountain or off-road trips: Consider 4x4.
5. Sand, mud and difficult trails: 4x4 hardware becomes more relevant.
6. Want an automatic for city use: Compare the petrol RWD automatic with the diesel 4x4 automatic based on your running and budget.
7. Buying a used 2021 model: Compare the exact engine and variant rather than using today's specifications.

Thar 4x4 vs 4x2: Price, mileage and engine comparison

Current prices and configurations are based on Mahindra's June 2026 Thar variant information and can change with updates, taxes or variant revisions.

Q&A: Thar 4x4 vs 4x2

Which Thar is better, 4x4 or 4x2?
For mostly city and highway driving, RWD is the simpler configuration. For regular off-roading, 4x4 provides the additional drivetrain hardware and low-range capability required for tougher terrain.

Which Thar gives better mileage?
The RWD versions generally have the mileage advantage. The 1.5-litre diesel RWD is specifically positioned by Mahindra as the efficiency-focused variant.

Is Thar 4x4 worth buying?
It becomes more relevant if you regularly drive on difficult terrain. If you rarely leave paved roads, the additional 4x4 capability may not be necessary for your usage.

What is the main disadvantage of the Thar?
The 3-door layout, rear-seat access, ride comfort and fuel consumption can be compromises for buyers looking for a conventional family SUV.

Our Take

The Thar 4x2 and 4x4 are designed around different use cases rather than simply being two versions of the same car. RWD makes more sense for buyers attracted to the Thar's design and lifestyle appeal but who mainly drive on paved roads, while 4x4 is the configuration to consider when off-road capability is a genuine requirement.

The key is not to buy 4x4 simply because it sounds more capable. If you will rarely use the additional hardware, comparing the RWD variants can leave more of your budget available while still giving you the core Thar experience.