Mahindra Thar Global NCAP Safety Ratings

Posted on: Feb 15, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Mahindra Thar Global NCAP Safety Ratings

The Mahindra Group is a renowned Indian conglomerate founded in 1945. Mahindra & Mahindra, which primarily manufactures farm tractors, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), and trucks, is one of the core subsidiaries of the Mahindra Group. A top player in the Indian SUV segment, Mahindra & Mahindra is they are known for producing safe vehicles. Its Scorpio, XUV300, Marazzo, and XUV700 all have high safety ratings. In 2020, old-school off-roader Mahindra Thar also earned this coveted title.

Global NCAP Safety Ratings

Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) is an initiative to evaluate vehicle safety standards globally. The programme rates the safety of a vehicle based on its performance in crash tests. Car buyers can check these ratings to understand and ensure the safety of a vehicle. Star ratings typically range from 0 to 5, with more stars denoting higher levels of safety performance.

Mahindra Thar: A Brief History

Mahindra Thar - Overview

First-generation Mahindra Thar, launched in 2010, was based on the Mahindra & Mahindra Jeep MM540. Over the years, people’s perception of it changed, they considered it outdated because of its mediocre features. Moreover, it faced fierce competition from Force and Isuzu at the time. In 2020, Mahindra & Mahindra they released the second generation of its Thar the jeep, Thar 4x4. This move positioned the Thar as a product that was here to stay. The Thar 4x4 retained its rugged look and off-roading capabilities but had a new chassis, a CRDe diesel engine, and a more comfortable cabin boasting modern amenities like 4-speaker audio and a touchscreen. In 2022, Mahindra & Mahindra introduced rear-wheel drive (RWD) versions of the Thar.

However, by the end of 2022, rising input costs and supply chain issues started making Thar inaccessible to the general public. Mahindra & Mahindra combated this by introducing rear-wheel drive (RWD) versions of the Thar without the heavy 4x4 equipment.

Mahindra Thar specifications

Both RWD and four-wheel drive (4WD) variants of the new Thar are available in diesel and petrol options. The base diesel version offers a displacement of 1497cc, 117bhp power, and 300Nm maximum torque. The base petrol version churns out a displacement of 1997cc, 150bhp power, and 320Nm maximum torque. You can also choose between a six-speed manual and automatic transmission gearbox for both engine variants.

Moreover, the latest Thar is a mix of its iconic features and new ones. While it retains its timeless front end, it has a new front grille and captivating front fender-mounted LED daytime running lamps. The steering wheel of the new-gen Thar is adjustable to your height, and the interiors comprise roof-mounted speakers, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a TFT multi-information display, among other features. This generation of the Mahindra SUV doesn’t skimp on the safety features either. Nevertheless, individuals should purchase Mahindra car insurance for added safety on the road.

Global NCAP Testing and Criteria

Global NCAP assesses the safety of a car by performing a front offset crash test on it. This replicates a 50 kmph crash between two identically weighed automobiles. In the crash test, a car is driven at 64 kmph into a deformable barrier. Due to the front offset nature of the test, only 40% of the automobile crashes into the barrier. Dummies are also placed as passengers in the vehicle. The test evaluates the effect of the crash on the head, neck, chest, knees, and shins of adult dummies. The adult and child occupant protection scores obtained during the crash test provide the foundation for the safety ratings. The reading from the dummies counts for most of the score, and the existence of specific safety elements earns extra points.

Mahindra Thar - Safety Features

Mahindra & Mahindra balances out the aesthetics of the Thar with worthwhile safety features, such as:

- Dual airbags

- Electronic stability control (ESC) with roll-over mitigation to maintain control of the vehicle in challenging driving conditions

- Hill-hold and hill-descent control for stability on steep slopes

- Rear parking sensors

- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBFD/EBD) and hydraulic brake assist

- A panic braking signal during emergency braking

- A built-in roll-cage for overhead protection if the vehicle rolls over

- ISOFIX child anchors for secure attachment of child seats

The Thar also has a seat belt reminder, snow chain provision for tyres and vehicle overspeed audio warning. Considering all these features, it’s no surprise that the Mahindra Thar received a four-star Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) rating.

Global NCAP Mahindra Thar NCAP Safety Rating

However, Mahindra SUVs have set a benchmark by achieving impressive safety ratings, and the new Thar is no exception. Below are the details about the Global NCAP Mahindra Thar safety rating:

ADULT OCCUPANT PROTECTION

The Thar secured a four-star rating (12.52 out of 17) in adult safety, which proves that the two-door SUV protects its driver and front passenger well. Here’s a rundown of the adult occupant protection the Thar offers:

Occupant	Feature	Protection
Driver	Head and neck	Good
	Chest	Adequate
	Knees	Marginal
	Right shin bone	Marginal
	Left shin bone	Adequate
Front passenger	Head and neck	Good
	Chest	Good
	Knees	Marginal (right) Good (left)
	Right shin bone	Adequate

Additionally, the Global NCAP classified the bodyshell and footwell area of the Thar as stable and unstable, respectively.

CHILD OCCUPANT PROTECTION

The Global NCAP gave the Thar a four-star rating in child safety. This SUV beat all the other cars tested at the time by scoring a whopping 41.11 out of 49 points in the child occupant category. Child dummies representing different ages, 1.5 and 3 years old, were used for the test. The vehicle prevented excessive head movement of the dummies, providing good protection to both. The child restraint system (CRS), ISOFIX anchorages, and three-point seat belts of the Thar all justify the four-star child safety rating.

SAFETY ASSIST TEST

The safety assist test examines the presence of active safety features. The Mahindra Thar secured an average score of 4.11 points out of a possible 13, denoting its room for improvement by including advanced safety features like emergency lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and intersection assist.

MOTORCYCLIST SAFETY TEST

The motorcyclist safety test evaluates how well the vehicle can protect vulnerable road users like two-wheeler drivers and pedestrians. The Thar achieved a decent score of 41.11%. Its front bumper offers good protection to the motorcyclist’s legs, while the front and rear edges of the bonnet protect the pelvis well. Moreover, the A-pillar extends adequate protection to the motorcyclist’s head, and the mirrors shield the rider’s chest well. However, the windscreen and roof falter in providing sufficient protection to the motorcyclist’s head, which requires correction. Having third-party insurance will add to the safety net, ensuring protection against third-party liabilities during any unfortunate road accidents.

Frequently asked questions

1) IS THE THAR THE ONLY MAHINDRA SUV WITH A FOUR-STAR CHILD SAFETY RATING?

No, the Mahindra XUV700 also has a four-star child occupant protection rating.

2) ARE THE RWD AND 4WD VERSIONS OF THE MAHINDRA THAR EQUALLY CAPABLE?

No, since the Mahindra Thar RWD lacks the mechanical locking differential and gets an electronic locking differential in the diesel variants only, it's less capable than the Thar 4WD.

3) IS THE MAHINDRA THAR THE MOST POWERFUL SUV IN INDIA?

No, as of 2023, the Mahindra Scorpio-N was India's most powerful SUV under Rs. 20 lakhs.

Conclusion

Overall, the Thar safety rating proves that this SUV offers an excellent driving experience while maintaining the safety of the driver and passengers. Irrespective of the four-wheeler you purchase, having appropriate car insurance is crucial. Auto insurance offers you financial safety in the event of an unfortunate incident. While the Government of India mandates third-party insurance, we suggest getting comprehensive insurance for protection against third-party liabilities and damages to your vehicle. If you plan to get the Mahindra Thar, transfer the no-claim bonus (NCB) from your old car insurance policy to your new one car insurance to save on insurance costs.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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