Ladder-frame SUVs, especially boxy ones, aren’t meant to be driven fast on-road. But thanks to the exhaustive road tests we put every car we can get our hands on through, we have performance data for the Mahindra Thar 4×4 and the Maruti Jimny. These off-roaders take different approaches overall, with the Maruti SUV having a weight advantage and the Mahindra 4×4 boasting powerful engines. Let’s find out how the manual and automatic Jimny fare against the Thar 4×4 petrol-AT, diesel-MT and diesel-AT.

Mahindra Thar 4×4 vs Maruti Jimny specifications and price

Jimny weighs up to 588kg less than the Thar; Mahindra engines have more than double the torque

The Jimny’s 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine outputs are much smaller than those of the Thar’s turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, especially in terms of peak torque figures, which are more than double the Maruti’s. On the other hand, the Maruti 4×4 weighs up to 588kg – well over half a tonne – less than the Mahindra, which is why the Jimny leads the Thar in terms of power-to-weight ratio. Mahindra’s off-roader still leads in the torque-to-weight department. Both SUVs come with a four-wheel-drive system. It should be noted that the Maruti is priced quite a bit lower than the Mahindra, with the manual costing over Rs 3 lakh less than the diesel-MT and the Jimny automatic priced Rs 1.8 lakh less than the Thar petrol-AT.

Mahindra Thar 4×4 vs Maruti Jimny 0-100kph acceleration test

Thar diesel-MT is 1.07 seconds quicker than the Jimny MT

Taking a look at the manual gearbox versions first, the Thar diesel-MT’s 300Nm torque figure helps it post a 0-100kph time that is 1.07 seconds quicker than the Jimny MT. While the Mahindra is slower to the 20kph mark by 0.11 seconds, it quickly overtakes the Maruti by 40kph, and extends its lead to 3.08 seconds by the time 120kph shows up on our GPS-based testing equipment.

Jimny AT is 7.27 seconds slower than Thar petrol-AT

Comparing the performance data of the automatic versions of the two 4x4s, we can see that the Mahindra Thar charges far ahead of the Maruti Jimny, especially with its powerful 152hp petrol engine.  The Thar diesel-AT manages to sprint to 100kph in a respectable 13.52 seconds (just 0.16 seconds slower than the manual), while the petrol-AT does the same in a quick 10.2 seconds. Meanwhile, the Jimny automatic’s slow-shifting and older 4-speed torque-converter gearbox, combined with the lack of engine output, means it takes a lethargic 17.47 seconds to reach 100kph; 3.95 seconds after the Thar diesel-AT and a massive 7.27 seconds after the petrol-AT.

Mahindra Thar 4×4 vs Maruti Jimny 20-80kph acceleration

Jimny AT 3.86 seconds quicker than MT, but Thar automatics are quicker still 

The Jimny’s comparative lack of torque makes itself felt in the in-gear acceleration tests. The manual takes 2.88 seconds more than the Thar diesel-MT to sprint from 20-80kph in 3rd gear, showing just how much underpowered the Maruti would feel compared to the Mahindra.

Meanwhile, the rolling acceleration tests showed the Jimny AT is 3.86 seconds quicker than its manual counterpart. However, the Thar diesel-AT and petrol-AT are 1.37 seconds and 2.56 seconds quicker than the Maruti automatic SUV, respectively. 

Mahindra Thar 4×4 vs Maruti Jimny 40-100kph acceleration

Jimny AT nearly halves manual’s time, but Thar automatic is quicker by over 2 seconds

The Thar diesel manual takes a significant 17.38 seconds in the 40-100kph in 4th gear acceleration test, as it takes a while for the engine to get into the meaty part of the torque band. However, the Jimny with the manual gearbox is slower still, taking a lazy 25.73 seconds to do the same; 8.35 seconds slower than the Mahindra 4×4. 

In the 40-100kph rolling acceleration tests, the Jimny automatic is 12.35 seconds quicker than its manual counterpart, taking 13.38 seconds. Again, the Thar ATs are quicker still, posting 40-100kph times that are 2.8 seconds (diesel) and 5.61 seconds (petrol) more than the Jimny.

Autocar India’s testing standards

Before we conduct our performance tests, we check and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendation and ensure the car has a full tank of fuel. The car is then tested in a controlled environment with two people on board, and the data is collected via highly accurate GPS-based timing equipment.

All prices are ex-showroom, India.

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