Why Mumbai Drivers Are Turning To Mahindra Thar: ‘Tough Roads Here Are Not Meant For Mercedes’

Mahindra has earned a strong reputation in India’s SUV market, particularly with the rugged and stylish Thar, known for its impressive off-road performance. Recently, Mumbai-based builder Harshul Savla of Suvidha Lifespaces shared a humorous yet relatable take on why the Thar deserves to be called the “official car of Mumbai.” According to him, Mumbai’s bumpy and uneven roads often feel more like off-roading trails than city streets.

According to him, luxury cars like Mercedes, BMW, or Rolls-Royce aren’t practical for daily driving in Mumbai. Only rugged vehicles like the Thar or a G-Wagen can truly survive the city’s road conditions. He added a humorous comparison, saying that while Singapore’s smooth roads could pass for Formula 1 tracks or airport

runways, Mumbai’s uneven roads could easily resemble golf courses or even the surface of Mars during the monsoon. Savla concluded that since the city’s roads are unlikely to improve anytime soon, the Thar remains one of the most practical and enjoyable rides for Mumbaikars.

Why Thar Should Be Declared Mumbai’s Official Car?

While appearing on Vishal Bhargava’s podcast, Harshul Savla explained, “On a personal front, Thar was always the car I wished, which I didn’t get in college, so I fulfilled it when I had the authority to do so. I’ll tell you on a serious note, Mumbai roads are off-roading roads. So, Thar is the best, or your G Wagen is the best car that you can drive on a Mumbai road. It’s not a road for Mercedes or you know your BMWs or Bentleys and Rolls Royce, these are roads made for off-roading experience. So, let us all enjoy that with Thars. I think that should be the official car for Mumbai.”

“I had gone to Singapore recently for a real estate conference, and a friend of mine stays there, works there. He was flexing to me that, ‘Our roads have Formula 1 on days and we shut Singapore, certain parts and our roads are converted to tracks. Our roads are also able to convert into a runway for a flight in case there is an emergency and flights need to land or take off, that is the quality of our roads.’ So I said, ‘That’s not so great. Our roads convert into golf courses on a Sunday. We can actually play golf on our roads, and if you want some extraterrestrial experience in monsoon, they convert even to Mars and the moon.’ They look like that. So that is how roads of Mumbai are,” the builder added.

“I think I’ve given up on the thought that they’ll ever improve and which is why I think the Thar is the best car to run on these roads,” he added.

Why Mahindra Thar should become the official car in Mumbai? pic.twitter.com/kymF3axQNc

— Vishal Bhargava (@VishalBhargava5) October 24, 2025

How Did The Internet React

Social media users quickly joined the conversation, sharing their own thoughts and experiences in the comments section.

Reacting to the post, a user wrote, “And Hero Xpulse the official bike.”

Another shared, “Considering the road and flyover conditions in Mumbai and the MMR, Mahindra should launch a special Thar Mumbai Edition and sell it at a premium. This is the vehicle truly capable of handling the engineering marvel type of infrastructure challenges of the region.”

“Anand Mahindra, thank you for designing such a beautiful car. Made in India for Indian Roads,” a comment read.

An individual stated, “Thar love in India is irrespective of road conditions, Thar is Symbol in itself.”

Another mentioned, “Sad but true.”

One more added, “Love this guy’s sense of humour.”

Thar Pricing And Key Specifications

The 2025 Mahindra Thar is priced between Rs 9.99 lakh and Rs 16.99 lakh (ex-showroom). It offers both petrol and diesel engine options, with engine capacities ranging from 1.5L to 2.2L. The SUV offers a mileage of around 9 to 11 kmpl as per ARAI ratings. It comes with both manual and automatic transmission options and is powered by engines ranging from 1497 cc to 2184 cc. The vehicle is a 4-seater SUV and is offered in six colour options.