The upcoming Hyundai Thar 3-Door (2025) is one of the most exciting and surprising developments in India’s SUV market. Designed to take on the mighty Mahindra Thar and the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, Hyundai’s new compact off-roader aims to bring urban sophistication to rugged adventure. With leaked images and design sketches surfacing online, enthusiasts are already calling it Hyundai’s most daring SUV yet. Expected to debut by late 2025, the Hyundai Thar 3-Door will combine bold styling, solid performance, and premium technology — a rare combination in this segment.
Design & Exterior Styling
The Hyundai Thar 3-Door adopts a muscular yet modern design, showing Hyundai’s ability to balance toughness with elegance. The front features a square grille, round LED headlamps, and chunky bumpers reminiscent of classic off-roaders. The flared wheel arches, exposed door hinges, and short overhangs emphasize its rugged stance. Hyundai’s design team seems to have drawn inspiration from the Santa Fe and Tucson SUVs, merging global styling cues with a boxy, adventure-oriented shape.
At the rear, the SUV sports LED tail lamps, a side-hinged tailgate, and a rear-mounted spare wheel, completing the traditional off-road look. The SUV will ride on 17-inch or 18-inch all-terrain tyres, offering impressive ground clearance and approach-departure angles for trail use. Despite its compact 3-door frame, the Hyundai Thar 3-Door (2025) exudes road presence and youthful appeal, likely to attract urban adventure lovers.
Interior Design & Cabin Features
Inside, the Hyundai Thar 3-Door will likely take a step ahead of its rivals in comfort and tech. Expect a premium, modern dashboard layout similar to Hyundai’s global SUVs, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The cabin will combine rugged materials like matte-finish plastics with high-quality touches such as leatherette seats and brushed-aluminium accents.
Seating will be in a 2+2 configuration, with foldable rear seats for additional boot space. Features like climate control, multiple USB-C ports, voice command integration, and ambient lighting may come as standard in top variants. Hyundai’s focus will be on creating a cabin that feels both functional for off-roaders and refined for city dwellers.
Engine Options & Performance
The Hyundai Thar 3-Door (2025) is expected to share its powertrains with the Creta and Alcazar. This means a choice between a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing around 160 bhp and a 1.5-litre diesel engine tuned for 115 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. Both engines are likely to be paired with 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT automatic transmissions.
The biggest talking point, however, will be its 4×4 drivetrain, which Hyundai could introduce on higher variants to directly compete with the Mahindra Thar. The system may include multi-terrain traction modes, hill-descent control, and a differential lock system for serious off-roaders. Hyundai may also tune the suspension for better articulation and stability across challenging terrains, ensuring the SUV performs well both on highways and rocky trails.
Platform & Off-Road Capabilities
The Hyundai Thar 3-Door is likely to be built on a modified version of Hyundai’s small SUV platform, re-engineered for higher ground clearance and off-road dynamics. It may use a ladder-frame-like reinforced monocoque structure, allowing a mix of comfort and durability. The SUV will also feature underbody protection, water wading capability, and off-road-tuned suspension for confident handling in rough conditions.
Despite being compact, it’s expected to offer a respectable approach angle of 37°, departure angle of 32°, and ground clearance of around 210 mm, making it a serious contender in India’s growing off-road SUV space.
Features, Safety & Connectivity
Hyundai will likely pack the Thar 3-Door with features never seen before in this segment. Expected highlights include six airbags, electronic stability control, hill-hold assist, and traction control. Higher trims may also offer ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) like forward collision warning and lane departure alert.
For entertainment and convenience, Hyundai’s BlueLink connected car tech will be standard, enabling remote start, geo-fencing, and real-time tracking. Other expected comforts include automatic climate control, cruise control, and a reverse camera with parking sensors. The blend of hardcore capability with Hyundai’s premium comfort ethos is likely to redefine expectations from compact off-road SUVs.
Expected Price & India Launch
The Hyundai Thar 3-Door is expected to make its global debut by late 2025, followed by an India launch in early 2026. Pricing is expected to start from ₹15 lakh and go up to ₹22 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the variant and drivetrain options. With its stylish design, multiple engine choices, and premium interiors, the SUV could attract both traditional off-road enthusiasts and lifestyle SUV buyers looking for something more refined than the rugged Thar.
Market Outlook & Competition
Once launched, the Hyundai Thar 3-Door will compete directly with the Mahindra Thar and Maruti Suzuki Jimny, both of which dominate the lifestyle SUV space. However, Hyundai’s reputation for reliability, advanced technology, and feature-rich offerings gives it an upper hand in appealing to a wider audience. If Hyundai manages to deliver true off-road ability without compromising comfort, the Thar 3-Door could become one of India’s most popular lifestyle SUVs in 2025 and beyond.
FAQs
When will the Hyundai Thar 3-Door launch in India?
The Hyundai Thar 3-Door (2025) is expected to launch in early 2026, after its global debut in late 2025.
What engine options will the Hyundai Thar 3-Door offer?
It will likely feature a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine, paired with manual and automatic gearboxes.
Will the Hyundai Thar 3-Door get a 4×4 system?
Yes, top variants are expected to offer a 4×4 drivetrain with traction modes and hill-descent control for off-roading.
What is the expected price range of the Hyundai Thar 3-Door?
The SUV is expected to be priced between ₹15 lakh and ₹22 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on variants.
Who are the main rivals of the Hyundai Thar 3-Door?
The SUV will rival the Mahindra Thar and Maruti Suzuki Jimny, offering a more premium and urban-friendly alternative.
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