2026 Mahindra Thar facelift spied testing with Roxx-Inspired Exterior

Mahindra is ready to expand its Thar portfolio in India. The brand has recently spied testing the upcoming Mahindra Thar Facelift with an all-new front fascia. The camouflaged prototypes reveal a bolder face, upgraded cabin tech, and meaningful comfort additions, all while retaining the rugged stance and off-road-ready proportions that have helped the Thar become a cult favorite in India.

Fresh spy images from public roads and test facilities confirm Mahindra is fine-tuning the three-door Thar facelift for a 2026 launch window, likely following a debut towards late 2025. The updated SUV appears to blend styling cues and features from the newer Thar Roxx with the familiar three-door body style. Let’s check out the latest characteristics of the upcoming Thar Facelift.

Redesigned Exterior with Roxx-Inspired Stance

The facelifted Thar is expected to receive an all-new front fascia with a Roxx-style grille featuring double-stacked or six-slat elements, a reshaped bumper, and revised fog lamp housings for a stronger visual identity.

New LED headlamps with C-shaped DRL signatures and redesigned LED tail lamps, along with fresh 5-spoke alloy wheel designs, sharpen the SUV’s road presence while keeping its boxy silhouette intact. Spy shots also hint at new rear bumpers and possibly additional exterior color options, helping distinguish the facelift from the current model on Indian roads.

Major Interiors Upgrades

Inside, the 2026 Thar facelift will make a big leap with a new dashboard layout housing a larger, free-standing 10.2–10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, likely borrowed from the Thar Roxx and other newer Mahindra SUVs. The system is expected to support wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while other visible changes include a new steering wheel and relocated power window switches on the doors.

Higher variants are likely to add automatic climate control, a branded multi-speaker audio system, ambient lighting, a 360-degree camera, and possibly ventilated front seats to elevate comfort and perceived premiumness.

​2026 Mahindra Thar Facelift: Updated Safety Aids

​Mahindra is expected to strengthen the Thar’s safety package with six airbags on more variants, rear disc brakes, and expanded electronic driver aids, in line with newer SUVs in its portfolio. Other additional features might include radar- and camera-based Level 2 ADAS, which has been reported as under consideration for the Thar facelift, which would significantly modernize its driver-assistance credentials if offered.

Engine Specifications

Under the hood, the 2026 Thar facelift is expected to carry forward the current engine lineup: a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol and 1.5-liter and 2.2-liter mHawk turbo-diesels, paired with 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque-converter automatic transmissions.

Both rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations should continue, ensuring the Thar remains attractive to lifestyle buyers and serious off-roaders alike.

Also Read: Mahindra XUV 7XO Pre-Bookings Started: Here’s Everything You Need To Know About The Booking Process

Market Outlook

Industry reports and community sightings indicate that the Thar facelift will debut towards late 2025, with a market launch confirmed for 2026 alongside the updated XUV 700.

CarBike360 Says

With these updates, the 2026 Mahindra Thar facelift aims to stay ahead of emerging lifestyle 4x4 rivals while reinforcing its status as one of India’s most desirable, authentic off-roaders.