Twice in three months — that is how often Mahindra has quietly adjusted the Thar’s price tag in 2026, and this second round hits harder than the first. If you have been sitting on the fence about booking one, this April 2026 revision is the clearest sign yet that waiting only costs you more money.
Mahindra has confirmed a price hike of up to ₹43,500 (ex-showroom) on select Thar variants, effective April 2026. This follows the January 2026 hike of up to ₹20,000, meaning certain variants have now become meaningfully more expensive in just 90 days. Here is everything you need to know, variant by variant.
What Changed and What Did Not
The most interesting detail in this revision is what Mahindra chose not to touch. The base AXT 1.5L Diesel RWD variant still sits at ₹9.99 lakh (ex-showroom), completely untouched across both price hike rounds. That entry price is a deliberate anchor — it keeps the Thar’s headline number aspirationally accessible while the upper trims absorb the full burden of the revision.
All the increases are concentrated in the LXT trim. Whether you are looking at the petrol, diesel, manual, or automatic version, every LXT variant now costs more. The hike scale is proportional — smaller engines and rear-wheel-drive options get lower increases, while four-wheel-drive automatics take the steepest jump.
Full April 2026 Price Table — Old vs New
| Variant | Old Price (Ex-sh) | New Price (Ex-sh) | Hike |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXT 1.5L Diesel RWD MT | ₹9.99 lakh | ₹9.99 lakh | No change |
| LXT 1.5L Diesel RWD MT | ₹12.39 lakh | ₹12.69 lakh | ₹30,500 |
| LXT 2.0L Petrol RWD AT | ₹14.19 lakh | ₹14.49 lakh | ₹30,500 |
| LXT 2.0L Petrol 4WD MT | ₹14.89 lakh | ₹15.26 lakh | ₹37,500 |
| LXT 2.2L Diesel 4WD MT | ₹15.69 lakh | ₹16.08 lakh | ₹39,500 |
| LXT 2.0L Petrol 4WD AT | ₹16.45 lakh | ₹16.86 lakh | ₹41,500 |
| LXT 2.2L Diesel 4WD AT | ₹17.19 lakh | ₹17.62 lakh | ₹43,500 |
The Top-Spec Variant Takes the Biggest Hit
The LXT 2.2L Diesel 4WD AT — arguably the most desirable configuration for serious off-road enthusiasts who also want convenience — now commands ₹17.62 lakh (ex-showroom). That is a ₹43,500 jump from its earlier ₹17.19 lakh sticker. For buyers who had been comparing quotes from three months ago, the difference is real and it matters.
The LXT 2.0L Petrol 4WD AT is not far behind, moving up ₹41,500 to reach ₹16.86 lakh. Even the entry-level LXT diesel has seen a ₹30,500 increase, landing at ₹12.69 lakh. There is no LXT variant that escaped the April revision.
A Facelift Is Coming — And That Changes the Calculation
Here is where the buying decision gets genuinely complicated. Mahindra is working on a Thar facelift that has been under testing for a while now, and the changes look meaningful. The updated model is expected to carry over design elements from the Thar Roxx, including new LED headlights, C-shaped LED DRLs, revised bumpers, and larger 19-inch alloy wheels.
On the inside, the facelift is expected to bring a 10.25-inch digital TFT instrument cluster, ventilated front seats, and auto climate control — features that would genuinely upgrade the ownership experience. Testing has been running for some time and a launch in the coming months looks plausible.
So I find myself torn between two scenarios right now. If you book the current Thar today, you lock in the vehicle at a known price before any further hikes but miss out on what could be a genuinely refreshed product. If you wait for the facelift, you get more features but almost certainly pay a higher launch price — and potentially face another round of price adjustments after that.
Why Mahindra Keeps Raising Prices
Two price hikes within 90 days signal something beyond routine calendar adjustments. Input costs, commodity pricing, and strong demand all play into how Mahindra calibrates its price strategy. The fact that the AXT base price has been protected suggests Mahindra is deliberately keeping the Thar’s entry point competitive while extracting more margin from buyers moving up the spec ladder — which is where most real-world sales happen anyway.
Since its 2020 launch, the Thar has never really struggled with demand. Waiting periods have been a fixture of the ownership journey for most variants, and that gives Mahindra confidence to make these moves without worrying too much about buyer resistance. The brand equity is doing the heavy lifting here.
My Take on Timing Your Booking
If the current-generation Thar meets your needs and you have been thinking about it seriously, I would not wait too long. Two hikes in three months is a clear pattern, and with a facelift incoming, a third adjustment once that model launches would not surprise anyone. The base AXT at ₹9.99 lakh remains one of the most compelling entry points in the lifestyle SUV space — that number might not stay untouched forever either.
Head to your nearest Mahindra dealership, get a fresh quote on the variant you want, and weigh it against what the facelift might bring. The best time to buy the Thar you can afford today is probably before the next notification lands in your inbox. Do not let another ₹40,000 slip past you while you think about it.
