Last week, Force Motors launched its new updated off-road SUV, the Gurkha, in India. Force has released this Gurkha in two variants namely 3 Door and 5 Door. The Gurkha’s competition in India has been Mahindra’s off-road SUV Thar. Let’s compare the price, size and features of the current Thar and the new updated Gurkha models.
Mahindra Thar vs Force Gurkha:
Mahindra offers several variants of the Mahindra Thar with different engine options, 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive. However, the Gurkhao has been released with only one engine, with the 4 wheel drive model as standard.
However, Force Motors has also introduced a new 5-door variant in the Gurkha. Thus, there are two options, 3-door and 5-door. On the other hand, Thar currently only sells the 3-door version. However, Mahindra is planning to introduce a 5-door version soon.
Mahindra Thar vs Force Gurkha: Sizes
| Mahindra Dhar | Force Gurkha 3 tor | Force Gurkha 5 tor | |
| length | 3985 mm | 3965 mm | 4390 mm |
| width | 1855 mm | 1865mm | 1865mm |
| height | 1855 mm | 2089 mm | 2095mm |
| Wheelbase | 2450 mm | 2400 mm | 2825 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 226 mm | 233 mm | 233 mm |
| Water wading ability | 650 mm | 700 mm | 700 mm |
| Climb Konama | 41.8 degrees | 39 degrees | 39 degrees |
| Angle of descent | 36.8 degrees | 37 degrees | 37 degrees |
The Gurkha 3-door is shorter in length, wider and taller than the Thar 3-door. The 5-door model adds an extra row of seats, so everything from length to wheelbase is extra. When Thar 5 Tor is released, as well as Gurkha 5 Tor can be compared.
The Force Gurkha has 7mm more ground clearance and 50mm more water wading capability than the Mahindra Thar. However, the Thar lags behind the Gurkha in the approach angle. At the departure angle, the two cars are almost side by side.
Mahindra Thar vs Force Gurkha: Engine and Gearbox
The Gurkha model is available as standard with only one engine, only one gearbox and only one drive option. Both the Gurkha 3-door and 5-door variants are powered by a four-cylinder, 2.6-litre diesel engine. The tuned engine churns out 138hp of power and 320Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and 4-wheel drive as standard. Also, the facility of manually locking the front and rear differentials is also provided.
On the other hand, the Mahindra Thar comes in 3 different engine options. Customers are offered three engine options – a 2.2-litre turbo diesel that churns out 130hp of power and 300Nm of torque, a 2.0-litre turbo petrol that churns out 150hp of power and 300Nm of torque, and a 1.5-litre turbo petrol.
It comes with 2.2-litre turbo diesel and 2.0-litre turbo petrol engines, with 4-wheel drive as standard and two gearbox options – 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic. The 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and rear wheel drive option only.
Also, along with the 4-wheel drive option, there is an ESC-based brake locking differential at the front and an auto-mechanical locking differential at the rear.
Mahindra Thar vs Force Gurkha: Features
Gurkha gets 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital instrument cluster, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, roof-mounted rear AC vents with manual AC, four power windows, dual airbags, ABS with EBD, TPMS, shift- On-fly 4 wheel drive system is provided.
The Thar gets halogen headlamps with LED DRLs, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, a semi-digital cluster and a lockable glovebox.
Mahindra Thar vs Force Gurkha: Price
The Force Gurkha 3-door model is priced at Rs 16.75 lakh ex-showroom and the 5-door model is priced at Rs 18 lakh ex-showroom. The Mahindra Taro, on the other hand, is priced between Rs 11.25 lakh and Rs 17.6 lakh ex-showroom.
With smaller engine, offering less than 4 meter length of tar without 4 wheel drive leads to cheaper tar. Also, it turns out to be a plus point of the Thar model.
