While the Thar is fantastic, there are other ladder-frame SUVs in 2025 that offer either a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) setup, catering to varying needs for ruggedness and practicality.

Let’s take a quick look at the 2025 Mahindra Thar 3-Door’s current ex-showroom prices for reference:

Mahindra Thar 3-Door: Rs. 11.50 Lakh – Rs. 17.40 Lakh (ex-showroom)

Here are 5 robust SUV alternatives that also boast a ladder-frame construction and offer either RWD or 4WD, presenting compelling choices for different types of buyers:

1. Force Gurkha 3-Door

The Force Gurkha 3-Door is perhaps the most direct rival to the Thar 3-Door. It’s built for serious off-roading enthusiasts who value function over frills, offering a rugged and no-nonsense approach to adventure.

Price: Rs. 16.75 Lakh (ex-showroom)

Key Features:

• Tough, boxy design resembling classic off-roaders.
• Powered by a strong 2.6L diesel engine.
• Comes with proper 4×4 (4WD), including factory-fitted front and rear differential locks for extreme off-roading.
• Standard snorkel allows for deep water wading.

Pros Over Mahindra Thar 3-Door:

• More Hardcore Off-road Capability: Standard differential locks give it an edge in challenging terrains.
• Better Visibility: Larger windows all around generally offer better visibility from the cabin.
• Utilitarian Focus: Designed purely for rugged use, appealing to hardcore off-roaders.

Cons Over Mahindra Thar 3-Door:

• Less Refined On-Road: The ride quality on regular roads is a bit firmer compared to the Thar.
• Niche Appeal: It has a smaller sales and service network, making it more of a specialist vehicle.
• Fewer Modern Features: The interior does not offer as many comfort and tech features as the Thar.

2. Maruti Suzuki Jimny

While the Maruti Suzuki Jimny comes with 5 doors, its core appeal as a nimble, lightweight, and capable off-roader makes it a strong alternative to the Thar 3-Door. It also features a robust ladder-frame chassis and proper 4WD.

Price Range: Rs. 12.76 Lakh – Rs. 14.81 Lakh (ex-showroom)

Key Features:

• Compact and lightweight design, making it agile on and off-road.
• Powered by a reliable 1.5-litre normal petrol engine.
• Features ALLGRIP PRO 4×4 system with a low-range transfer case.
• Classic, retro styling with a charming appeal.

Pros Over Mahindra Thar 3-Door:

• More Practical: The 5-door setup offers much easier access to the rear seats, making it more family-friendly.
• Maruti’s Reliability & Service: Benefits from Maruti Suzuki’s extensive service network and reputation for low maintenance costs.
• Nimble Off-road: Its smaller size can be an advantage in tight trails.
• Comfortable Daily Driver: Generally offers a more comfortable ride for city and highway use.

Cons Over Mahindra Thar 3-Door:

• Less Powerful Engine: The naturally aspirated petrol engine has less outright power and torque compared to the Thar’s turbo-petrol and diesel options.
• No Diesel Option: Only available with a petrol engine.
• Smaller Road Presence: Doesn’t have the same imposing look as the Thar.
• Fewer Premium Features: Lacks some of the higher-end comfort and tech features found in top-end Thar variants.

3. Mahindra Scorpio-N

If you love the idea of a ladder-frame SUV with serious capability but need more space for family or friends, the Mahindra Scorpio-N is an excellent choice. It offers both RWD and a highly capable 4WD system.

Price Range: Rs. 13.99 Lakh – Rs. 24.89 Lakh (ex-showroom)

Key Features:

• Spacious interior with 5 doors and 6- as well as 7-seater configurations.
• Offers powerful turbo petrol and diesel engine options.
• Available with both Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) for urban use and 4WD for serious off-roading.
• More refined ride quality and premium features compared to traditional ladder-frame SUVs.

Pros Over Mahindra Thar 3-Door:

• Significantly More Practical: Much more interior space, easier access to rear seats, and a usable third row (in 7-seater versions).
• Enhanced Comfort: Offers a more comfortable and refined driving experience for daily commutes and long journeys.
• Feature-Loaded: Comes with a long list of modern comfort, convenience, and safety features.

Cons Over Mahindra Thar 3-Door:

• Larger Size: Its bigger dimensions can make it less agile in extremely tight off-road situations where the compact Thar excels.
• Higher Price: The top-end 4WD variants are significantly more expensive than the Thar.
• Different Image: While rugged, it doesn’t carry the same dedicated “lifestyle off-roader” image as the Thar 3-Door.

4. Mahindra Bolero

If you want something a lot more affordable than the Thar 3-Door but 4WD isn’t a priority, you may want to consider Mahindra’s legendary workhorse, the Bolero. Known for its sheer robustness and practicality, it’s a no-frills, highly dependable SUV built on a strong ladder-frame chassis that offers a rear-wheel drivetrain (RWD).

Price Range: Rs. 9.79 Lakh – Rs. 10.91 Lakh (ex-showroom)

Key Features:

• Extremely robust and durable build, designed for tough Indian roads.
• Simple, no-nonsense interior.
• Reliable diesel engine.
• High seating position for commanding view.

Pros Over Mahindra Thar 3-Door:

• Much More Affordable: Significantly lower starting price, making it accessible to a wider audience.
• Highly Practical: Offers a more traditional SUV body style with a usable boot and multiple seating options.
• Utilitarian Focus: Designed more for practical use, carrying people and cargo.

Cons Over Mahindra Thar 3-Door:

• Basic Features: Lacks modern comfort, convenience, and safety features found in the Thar.
• No 4WD Option: Only RWD, not designed for serious off-roading like the Thar.
• Outdated Design: The design is quite old-school compared to modern SUVs.
• Less Refined: The driving experience is more utilitarian and less refined.

5. Mahindra Bolero Neo

If the utilitarian Bolero isn’t your cup of tea, you could consider the Bolero Neo. This SUV is a more modern take on the Bolero name, offering better comfort and features while still retaining its tough ladder-frame chassis and RWD setup. A significant facelift is expected to debut in 2025, bringing substantial changes.

Expected Price Range: Rs. 9.95 Lakh – Rs. 12.15 Lakh (ex-showroom)

Key Features:

• More modern exterior design with a promising update coming soon.
• Retains the robust ladder-frame chassis.
• Primarily Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD).
• Expected to get a more refined interior and updated features after the facelift, possibly including 6 airbags.
• Offers a 7-seater option (jump seats in the rear).

Pros Over Mahindra Thar 3-Door:

• More Practical: Offers proper 5-door access and a 7-seater option for family use.
• Better On-Road Manners: More comfortable and refined for city and highway driving compared to the original Bolero.
• More Affordable: A generally lower price point than the Thar.
• Improved Safety (Facelift): Expected to get 6 airbags in the upcoming facelift.

Cons Over Mahindra Thar 3-Door:

• No 4WD Option: Primarily RWD, limiting its serious off-road capability compared to the Thar.
• Less Lifestyle Appeal: Does not carry the same adventurous, lifestyle image as the Thar.
• Fewer High-End Features: While improving, it might still lack some of the premium tech of top-end Thar variants.

6. Mahindra Thar ROXX

Last but not least, you could consider the Thar’s biger brother, the Thar Roxx, if budget isn’t your concern. The Mahindra Thar ROXX is essentially a 5-door, feature-packed version of the Thar itself. It builds on the same solid ladder-frame platform as the Scorpio-N and offers 4WD, aiming for those who want even more out of their Thar experience.

Price: Rs. 12.99 Lakh – Rs. 23.09 Lakh (ex-showroom)

Key Features:

• Maintains the iconic Thar styling but with additional rugged body elements.
• Offer the same powerful turbo petrol and diesel engine options as the Thar.
• Comes with robust 4WD capabilities.
• Gets enhanced features like a larger touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, advanced audio systems, including Dolby Atmos, different interior themes, and more comfort and tech features.

Pros Over Mahindra Thar 3-Door 

• More Features: Come with a higher level of comfort and tech features.
• Enhanced Ruggedness: Offer additional protective cladding and off-road accessories.
• 5-Door Practicality: 5 doors offer much more practicality.

Cons Over Mahindra Thar 3-Door:

• Higher Price: Costs substantially more than a similarly equipped Thar 3-Door.
• Less Compact: Since it’s a 5-door variant, it loses the compact advantage of the 3-door in extremely tight trails.

Ultimately, the best alternative to the Mahindra Thar 3-Door depends on your specific needs. If you prioritise pure off-road capability in a compact package, the Force Gurkha is your closest match. For a more practical yet capable off-roader with Maruti’s reliability, the Jimny stands out. And if space, comfort, and powerful engine options are high on your list, without compromising on ladder-frame toughness, the Mahindra Scorpio-N and Thar Roxx are strong contenders.

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