It seems that Mahindra is planning to bring another mid-life facelift to the popular 3-door Thar in 2026. After the rather minimal updates showcased in the 2025 update, Mahindra seems to want to bring some features from the 5-door Roxx SUV. New spy photographs have surfaced online showing a test mule of the Mahindra Thar 3-door facelift, revealing a series of design and equipment upgrades clearly borrowed from its larger sibling, the Thar Roxx. Although Mahindra hasn’t hinted at a launch date, the facelifted version could launch in 2026, ahead of the festive season period.
2026 Mahindra Thar: Major changes to the design
The spy shots, which were shared by a report from Autocar India, were captured during high-altitude testing. The photos confirm that the 3-door variant is ditching its old-school halogen look for a sharper, more tech-forward appearance.
New lighting:
The most striking update is the adoption of Thar Roxx’s LED lighting suite. This includes circular LED headlamps featuring integrated, C-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs).
A bolder grille:
The test vehicle was seen sporting a newly designed six-slat grille. Unlike the current vertical slats, the new design features horizontal breaks within the slats, giving the SUV a wider and more premium stance.
Aesthetic refinements:
Minor tweaks to the front and rear bumpers, along with new alloy wheel designs, are expected to differentiate the facelift from the current model.
‘Roxx’ treatment for the Thar cabin
While the exterior gets a facelift, the most significant quality of life improvements are expected inside. Industry insiders suggest that Mahindra is porting over Roxx’s modern electronics architecture to the 3-door version, thus making the cabon experience better than before.
The upcoming 3-door Thar is rumoured to feature:
Twin digital screens:
A new 10.25-inch infotainment system (likely featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) paired with a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster.
Upgraded interior:
While the current Thar relies heavily on hard plastics, the facelift may introduce soft-touch materials on the dashboard and new seat upholstery.
Advanced Safety (ADAS):
Mahindra is expected to offer Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) on the top-spec trims, a feature that was previously exclusive to the Roxx and XUV700.
Powertrains: Any change?
Under the hood, Mahindra is expected to maintain its current mechanical dominance. The facelifted Thar 3-door will likely retain its versatile engine lineup:
- 2.2L mHawk Diesel: The workhorse for off-road enthusiasts.
- 2.0L mStallion Turbo-Petrol: Delivering punchy performance for urban driving.
- 1.5L Diesel: Exclusively for the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) variants, allowing for a more competitive entry-level price point.
Transmission duties will continue to be handled by the 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic gearboxes.
Will 2026 Thar 3-door help with sales?
Since the launch of the 5-door Thar Roxx, the standard 3-door model has begun to look slightly dated in terms of features. By updating the 3-door version, Mahindra is catering to a niche segment of buyers who prefer the shorter wheelbase (better for serious off-roading and urban parking) but do not want to sacrifice the luxury features found in the 5-door model.
The facelift is expected to launch in mid-to-late 2026, likely carrying a slight price premium over the current model, which presently starts at approximately Rs 11.35 lakh (ex-showroom).
