Mahindra Thar OG Variants Explained: AXT vs LXT vs ZXT

The Mahindra Thar OG is offered across three variants: AXT, LXT, and ZXT. Unlike a lot of SUVs where the difference between trims is mostly cosmetic, the jump between Thar OG variants also changes what the vehicle can actually do off-road. The base variant is limited to RWD and one engine, while the top variant unlocks 4WD across all three engine options, along with a much longer features list.

If you’re trying to decide which Thar OG variant makes sense for you, this post breaks down exactly what each one offers, what changes as you move up the range, and which one is worth the extra money.

Engine and Transmission Options on the Thar OG

Before getting into variant-specific features, it helps to understand the engine lineup, since not every engine is available on every variant.

• D117 CRDe (1.5L diesel): 87.2 kW and 300 Nm. RWD only, with a 6-speed manual gearbox. No automatic option.
• mHawk (2.2L diesel): 111.9 kW and 330 Nm. Available in RWD (automatic only) and 4WD (both manual and automatic).
• mStallion (2.0L TGDi petrol): 119 kW and 330 Nm. Available in RWD (automatic only) and 4WD (both manual and automatic).

Here’s the important bit: the 1.5L CRDe diesel is the only engine available on the base AXT variant, and it only comes with RWD and a manual gearbox. If you want the mHawk diesel or the mStallion petrol engine, or if you want 4WD at all, you have to move up to the LXT or ZXT.

This engine-variant mapping matters more than it might seem, because it effectively splits Thar OG buyers into two groups: those who just want the Thar’s road presence and character at an entry price, and those who actually plan to take it off-road and want the mechanical bits (locking differential, terrain modes) that only come with the bigger engines and 4WD.

Mahindra Thar OG AXT: The Entry-Level Variant

The AXT is the base variant and is priced from Rs 10.32 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). It comes only with the 1.5L CRDe diesel engine, RWD, and a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Even at this price point, Mahindra hasn’t stripped out the basics. The AXT includes:

• R18 steel wheels
• Halogen headlamps with LED taillamps
• Vinyl seats
• Height adjustable driver seat
• Rear AC vents and rear demister
• Electric Power Steering
• Push button start
• Dual airbags and a roll cage
• Brake Locking Differential
• Internally opening fuel lid
• Tubular side footstep
• Front disc and rear drum brakes
• ESP with rollover mitigation

What the AXT doesn’t get is just as important to know. There’s no touchscreen infotainment system, no alloy wheels, no cruise control, no 4WD, and no option for the bigger diesel or petrol engines. The seats are vinyl rather than fabric or leatherette, and the instrument cluster display is monochrome instead of colour.

The AXT works well if your priority is the Thar’s boxy design and basic off-road capability at the lowest possible price, and you don’t mind doing without creature comforts or the option to go 4WD later.

Mahindra Thar OG LXT: The Mid-Spec, and the One That Opens Up 4WD

The LXT is the mid-spec variant, and it’s the first one where things get genuinely interesting. Prices start at Rs 12.99 lakh for the CRDe diesel and climb to around Rs 18 lakh for the mHawk diesel in 4WD automatic guise.

Over the AXT, the LXT adds a long list of features:

• R18 alloy wheels
• Embossed fabric seats
• Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
• Cruise control
• 26.03 cm touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Colour MID (multi-information display) in the instrument cluster
• Electrically adjustable ORVMs
• Dual-tone bumpers
• Moulded side footstep
• Rear wiper and washer
• Tyre Direction Monitoring System
• Adventure Statistics Gen II (altimeter, compass, roll and pitch meter)

Here’s where it gets important for anyone planning to actually off-road their Thar. If you pick the LXT with the mHawk diesel or mStallion petrol engine in 4WD, you also unlock:

• Electronic Locking Differential, which forces both rear wheels to spin at the same speed to pull you out of ruts and sand
• Dedicated Terrain Modes for Mud, Sand, and Snow
• Washable floor with drain plugs, useful if you’re wading through water or mud regularly

None of these three features are available on RWD variants, regardless of trim. So if off-road capability is the whole point of buying a Thar for you, the LXT with 4WD is really the minimum sensible variant to consider, not the AXT.

The LXT is priced anywhere from roughly Rs 12.99 lakh to Rs 18 lakh depending on which engine and drivetrain combination you pick, which is a wide spread, so it’s worth deciding on the powertrain first before locking in a budget.

Mahindra Thar OG ZXT: The Fully Loaded Variant

The ZXT sits at the top of the range, priced from Rs 13.99 lakh for the CRDe diesel and going up to around Rs 19 lakh for the top-spec 4WD automatic combinations.

Over the LXT, the ZXT adds:

• R19 alloy wheels with a diamond-cut finish
• New LED headlamps and LED front fog lamps with a cornering function
• Embossed leatherette seats instead of fabric
• Wireless charging pad
• Disc brakes on all four wheels (the AXT and LXT use rear drum brakes)
• Rear view camera and front parking sensors
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
• 6 airbags in total, including 4 HPTS (Head, Pelvis, Thorax, Shoulder) airbags for both front and rear occupants

The safety upgrade is the single biggest reason to consider the ZXT over the LXT. Going from 2 airbags to 6, and from a mixed disc-drum brake setup to all-round discs, is a meaningful step up, not just a trim-level nicety. The rear view camera and front parking sensors also make the Thar OG noticeably easier to live with day to day, since the SUV’s boxy shape and limited rear visibility can make reversing tricky without them.

Cosmetically, the ZXT also looks the most premium of the three, with the diamond-cut alloys and the new LED lighting setup front and rear.

Which Mahindra Thar OG Variant Should You Buy

There’s no single right answer here, it depends on what you actually want from the Thar OG.

If budget is the main constraint and you want the Thar look and basic capability at the lowest entry price, the AXT gets you there for Rs 10.32 lakh. Just go in knowing you’re limited to RWD, a manual gearbox, and the smaller diesel engine, with none of the off-road hardware like the locking differential or terrain modes.

If you actually plan to off-road the Thar OG, the LXT in 4WD is where the vehicle starts to make real sense as an off-roader, since that’s the point where the Electronic Locking Differential and Terrain Modes become available. This is also a reasonable pick if you want the touchscreen, cruise control, and better seats without paying for the ZXT’s cosmetic and safety extras.

If safety features and a fully loaded cabin matter most to you, or you simply want the best version of the Thar OG on offer, the ZXT is worth the extra Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh over the equivalent LXT variant. The jump to 6 airbags and all-wheel disc brakes alone makes a strong case for it, especially if you’ll be carrying rear passengers regularly.

For most buyers cross-shopping the Thar OG against other lifestyle SUVs, the LXT 4WD strikes the best balance between price and capability, while the ZXT is the one to pick if you don’t want to compromise on safety kit or features.

FAQs

Does the Mahindra Thar OG AXT get 4WD? 

No. The AXT is only available with RWD, paired with the 1.5L CRDe diesel engine and a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Which Thar OG variant has 6 airbags?

 Only the ZXT comes with the full 6-airbag setup, including 4 HPTS airbags for front and rear passengers. The AXT and LXT get 2 airbags.

Can I get the mStallion petrol engine on the base AXT variant? 

No. The mStallion petrol and mHawk diesel engines are only offered on the LXT and ZXT variants, not the AXT.

Which Thar OG variant is the first to offer 4WD? 

The LXT is the entry point for 4WD, available with either the mHawk diesel or mStallion petrol engine.

What is the price difference between the LXT and ZXT? 

Depending on the engine and drivetrain combination, the ZXT costs roughly Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh more than the equivalent LXT variant.

Does the AXT variant get alloy wheels? 

No. The AXT comes with R18 steel wheels. Alloy wheels are only available from the LXT variant onwards, with the ZXT getting larger R19 diamond-cut alloys.