Mahindra Thar 4×2

Our 4×2 Thar in black is the smart-money pick of the Thar lineup. You get every bit of the Thar's design language — the bonnet, the stance, the photo-ready Rajasthan-against-blue-walls aesthetic — for ₹500/day less than the 4×4 version. And if your trip is 90% tarmac, you genuinely don't need the four-wheel-drive system anyway.

Under the bonnet is the same 2.0-litre diesel as the 4×4 Thar, tuned to a relaxed 132 hp with 300 Nm of torque from low revs. Without the 4×4 hardware, the car is also about 80 kg lighter, which means better fuel economy (we're consistently seeing 13–15 km/L on highway runs) and slightly quicker acceleration. Cabin equipment is identical to the 4×4: 9-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, cruise control, full safety stack including ESP.

On the highway it cruises at 110 km/h without complaint, and around town it's marginally easier to manoeuvre than the 4×4 since it doesn't have the heavier locking-diff rear axle. Climate AC works through the cabin, and the back seat fits two adults for shorter trips, kids for longer ones. Boot space with the rear seats up is small (~150L) — fold the rear bench and you have proper cargo capacity for two people's week-long luggage.

We service this car after every long trip and check tyres on every handover. Black paint shows desert dust quickly; we keep a microfibre cloth in the car for quick wipedowns before photos.