When two animals go to war, the battle becomes more interesting when they’re roughly on par in terms of power. New from Force Motors for 2022 is the Force Gurkha, a 4×4 SUV that takes aim at the Mahindra Thar, the best-selling vehicle in India right now. These SUVs can drive in deep snow, through soft sand dunes, and across challenging terrain. We’ll compare the Gurkha and the Thar in terms of size, engine, and price, but first let’s talk about the most important matter: the off-road kit.
Thar vs Gurkha Off-road Kit
Both SUVs feature a traditional manual shift lever for selecting between four-low, four-high, and two-low gearing, adding to their appeal as rugged off-road classics. The Force Gurkha’s front and rear axles are equipped with manual locking differentials, whereas the Thar’s rear axle is equipped with an automatic locking differential and the front axle is equipped with an ESP-based locking differential. The Gurkha now has superior off-roading gear thanks to Force. The Gurkha lacks the hill hold assist and hill descent control that the Thar has. The Gurkha can drive in deeper water than the Thar, but the Thar has superior approach, breakover, and departure angles, making it the superior choice for most off-road settings regardless of equipment.
Thar vs Gurkha Ground Clearance
To put things in perspective, the Thar has a ground clearance of 219 mm (AX Optional) and 226 mm (Standard), while the Gurkha has a ground clearance of 205 mm, making Thar one of the highest you can get in India, but Force Gurkha have a water wading capacity of up to 2.3 feet (700 mm, 50 mm more than its closest rival).
Thar vs Gurkha Mileage
The fuel tank capacity of the Mahindra Thar is 57 litres, and almost every model of the Thar provides a mileage of 15.2 kilometres per litre. In comparison, the Force Gurkha, which claims to be less fuel efficient, returns 17.00 kilometres per litre. The mileage you get out of these biggies is highly dependent on the way you drive.
Thar vs Gurkha Dimensions
The dimensions of the 2022 Force Gurkha are carried over from the previous generation Gurkha, which was inspired by the G Wagen. In spite of its radical departure from its forerunner, the Thar retains a family resemblance to Mahindra’s SUVs. From these measurements, we can deduce that the Gurkha has greater vertical space than the Thar. The Thar’s larger width, wheelbase, and front/rear track give it a more substantial appearance and provide more room inside. Nonetheless, the Gurkha is longer and appears larger than the Thar, which should increase its use.
Thar vs Gurkha Design
There is no clear “winner” when it comes to design. There are many similarities between these two lifestyle off-roaders and the first famous SUVs. We already established that the Force Gurkha is around the same size as the first-gen Gurkha; only the most observant of people will be able to tell the two apart. In contrast, the Thar’s neo-retro design successfully reinterprets the classic off-roader aesthetic. The Gurkha has a hardtop roof and a metal frame. In contrast, the Thar may be had with either a hard or a soft top.
Thar vs Gurkha Engine
The Force Gurkha and the Mahindra Thar both feature powerful engines and are capable of taking you almost everywhere you want to go. The Force Gurkha’s 2.6-liter (OM616) diesel engine is built to BS6 specifications for exhaust emissions. The original Gurkha used a version of this OM616 engine; strangely, this BS6-compliant version had less power than prior Gurkhas.
The Mahindra Thar is available with either the 2.2-liter diesel mHawk or the 2.0-liter gasoline mStallion, both of which generate 130 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque.
The Gurkha can reach 120kmph, while the Thar can reach 155kmph, despite the Gurkha having a larger engine. This is due to the Gurkha’s lower power and torque outputs. However, the Gurkha’s maximum power output is reached at only 2400rpm, making it useful for slow-speed obstacle avoidance.
The Force Gurkha’s only transmission choice is a 5-speed manual, meaning there is less customization available than with the engine. However, its main competition offers not just an automatic but also a 6-speed manual transmission. An automatic transmission is planned for the Gurkha, however a release date has not been decided upon.
Thar vs Gurkha Features
Both of these SUVs have a nostalgic appeal while still providing the conveniences of the present day. The Force Gurkha’s 7-inch touchscreen display is aftermarket and not as seamlessly integrated as the Thar’s, but it does feature Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto for infotainment purposes. Speaking of which, the Thar has a 7-inch touchscreen display like the Gurkha but also includes ESP in its more expensive model.
Thar vs Gurkha Prices
Mahindra Thar prices range from Rs. 12,78,800 for the base model to Rs. 15,08,800 for the top-of-the-line diesel automatic. For now, the Force Gurkha only comes in one configuration, and its ex-showroom price of Rs. 13.59 lakh puts it in direct competition with the base Diesel manual model of the Mahindra Thar, which retails for Rs. 13.68 lakh.
The 2022 Force Gurkha, while only being available as a 3-door diesel model, is a formidable opponent in the off-road vehicle competition. When it comes to Mahindra Thar, though, buyers have their pick of two distinct model lines: the AX and the LX.
We can’t wait to take these rugged SUVs off-road and discover which one proves to be the best of the indigenous bunch.
