With the launch of the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, the lifestyle off-roader SUV segment in India has become extremely competitive, leaving many people confused between the Jimny and the previous champion, Mahindra Thar. Both of these SUVs are highly capable off-roaders and have faced numerous challenges on uncharted terrains in the country in the last few months. Both models have been vying to prove which one is better at off-roading, and recently, a video was shared where the new Jimny could be seen outperforming the Mahindra Thar in an off-road course.
The video, showing the Mahindra Thar getting stuck during an expedition while the Maruti Suzuki Jimny easily crosses the same terrain, has been shared on YouTube by rt_auto_catalyst on their Instagram page. In the video, a red modified Mahindra Thar with aftermarket off-roading alloy wheels and tires can be seen getting stuck in an obstacle. The obstacle where the Thar gets stuck is a small drop-down and slope terrain. After entering it, the Thar slips its rear axle and starts spinning, causing the rear of the car to drift towards the right side.
It is worth noting that despite trying for a good few minutes, the Thar could not come out of the obstacle and remains stuck. Following this debacle, in the next clip, another red Maruti Suzuki Jimny, modified with aftermarket off-road alloy wheels and tires, can be seen attempting to cross the same obstacle. This time, due to its lightweight, the Jimny can be seen crawling over the same obstacle quite easily. This small off-road test demonstrates that the Jimny, because of its smaller size, can overcome some obstacles that its heavier rival, the Mahindra Thar, could not.
In this particular test, the Maruti Suzuki Jimny passes with flying colors, while the Mahindra Thar fails in a disappointing way. However, both cars cannot be judged solely based on the merit of this single test. In general, when it comes to off-roading capabilities, both the Maruti Suzuki Jimny Petrol Automatic and the Mahindra Thar Petrol Automatic offer impressive performance. The Jimny’s compact size, optimized angles, and advanced 4WD system make it a highly maneuverable and capable off-roader.
On the other hand, the Thar’s powerful engine options, remarkable water wading capability, and versatile design set it apart. Ultimately, the choice between the two vehicles depends on individual preferences and requirements. Adventure seekers looking for a compact off-roader with excellent maneuverability may gravitate towards the Jimny, while those seeking a rugged and versatile off-road vehicle with ample power and water wading capability may find the Thar more appealing. However, for those who prefer a lighter off-roader, they will prefer the Jimny over the Thar. Another advantage the Jimny has is its practicality. Despite being smaller in overall dimensions, the Jimny is a more practical vehicle due to its five-door layout.