The Mahindra Bolero Neo aims to attract existing Bolero owners by offering them a modern and more comfortable SUV which is equally easy to maintain.
Story: Sarmad Kadiri
Photography: Apurva Ambep
When we drove the first-gen Mahindra TUV300, it did leave us impressed by its ability to tackle bad roads and overall ruggedness. But it wasn’t perfect. So, it wasn’t a big surprise when Mahindra didn’t upgrade the SUV with a BS6 engine and, in fact, took it off the market, albeit temporarily. The engineers were given the task to polish the rough edges, rebrand it, and introduce the model as a more modern and upmarket alternative to the Bolero. In the last couple of years, Mahindra did plenty of work to improve the model in every aspect, apart from slapping on the Bolero Neo badge and a BS6-compliant diesel engine. Let’s take a closer look.
Design
Although it still looks boxy, the entire body-shell has been dropped 20 millimetres closer to the ladder-frame chassis. The idea was to reduce the ride height without altering the ground clearance much. This improves ingress and egress, while the reduced gap between the trapezoidal wheel-arch gives the car a more planted stance. Even the bonnet has been lowered by 40 mm, which further improves visibility.
The designers added a whole bunch of ‘Bolero’ elements such as similar front grille with chrome inserts; the rectangular headlamps that, along with the bumper, create an X-motif; while the C-shaped brackets around the fog-lamps are an obvious inspiration. Trying to reduce the visual bulk, the designers lowered the belt-line and added a sleek rubber cladding on the sides in a distinct Bolero style. You also get side and rear foot-steps. The rear design gets a spoiler and the ‘X’ pattern can also be seen on the bootlid-mounted spare wheel cover. Talking of which, the 15-inch wheels might seem a size or two small, but all that rubber would do a good job off road.
Cabin
Compared to Bolero’s strictly functional cabin, the Neo looks more urbane. It carries forward the Pininfarina-designed TUV300 interior but this still can’t match the new lot of sub-four-metre SUVs in terms of flair or material. The two-tone dashboard of the Neo looks clean but basic, there’s a seven-inch touchscreen right at the centre with old-school buttons and knobs on either side. (Also Read: MG Hector Plus Review)
Seven Seats
The seat layout is the same as before, though the fabric is all new. You sit high and get height adjustment for the driver’s seat, which offers a proper SUV-like commanding driving position. The new additions are individual arm-rests for the front seats and soft fabric on the door-panels. The rear bench can comfortably accommodate three adults and has plenty of head-room, though the knee-room isn’t too generous.
That is probably to carve out enough room for the side-facing third-row seats. Apart from the five people ahead, the last rows can seat two individuals as well, but there’s limited shoulder-room and, when sitting face-to-face, their knees will be in constant contact. You don’t get any seat-belts or a-c vents here, though there’s a butterfly window to your rescue. Strap up the seats and you get 384 litres of luggage space.
Features
You get four variants to choose from: N4, N8, N10, and the top-end N10 (O) we got to drive. This had keyless entry but no push-button start/stop, electric mirror adjustment, cruise control, parking sensors, micro-hybrid system, rear glass defogger and wiper, and steering-mounted controls. You get a 2 DIN music system but no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, but, surprisingly, there’s no rear camera which makes manoeuvring this SUV pretty challenging, especially when you consider that the previous TUV300 did get one.
The safety kit covers the usual base such as ABS with EBD, dual airbags, corner braking control, and reinforcement on door-panels. Our test car also boasted of a mechanical locking differential which means it can go over broken roads with relative ease. (Also Read: Kia Sonet Long Term Review)
Engine
The Bolero Neo only comes with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel engine which also powers the Bolero, and is offered with a five-speed manual gearbox only. For now there is no automatic option available but you’ll be happy to note that the clutch is light and the shifts aren’t notchy, though the throws feel a bit long.
The MHawk 100 on the regular Bolero makes 75 hp, but in the Bolero Neo, it’s tuned to churn out a decent 100 hp. Another big change is the eVGT which helps make 260 Nm of torque, which is 20 Nm more than what this oil-burner produced in the TUV300. Though you get the usual gear-level shake every time it is cracked up while driving this three-cylinder, it feels relatively refined and low on NVH. The good low-end power delivery along with the short gear ratios make it quick off the feet. It comfortably cruises at low revs even in higher gears without any complaints. And the Bolero Neo feels the happiest between 3,000 and 4,000 rpm without being forced towards the red-line. There’s no point revving it harder as it doesn’t have much to offer at higher revs.
Performance
The Neo didn’t light up the testing track during the 0-100 km/h sprint but felt pretty composed at the three-digit speed, beyond which it tends to run out of steam. Clearly, the Bolero Neo isn’t meant for a full-house enthusiastic highway run but it won’t disappoint if you want to chug along well within the speed limit. The steering feels heavy, especially since we’ve been spoilt by the wispy and more sophisticated systems of most other compact SUVs. At high speeds, there’s evident body-roll but it feels more composed than the TUV300. That is mainly due to the lower centre of gravity and tweaked suspension.
Off-Road Driving
To test the suspension further, we headed to a small, makeshift off-road course created by in-house experts — Mahindra Adventure. This is where you begin to truly appreciate the pedigree of this Mahindra. The Bolero Neo is based on the company’s third-generation body-on-frame platform which also underpins the new Thar. This, along with the robust suspension, make broken paths seem like a playground. There is ample ground clearance with a small front overhang and negligible rear overhang, so you’re never scared of scraping the underbelly even on challenging road surfaces.
Multi-Terrain Technology
What makes matters even better is the new mechanical locking differential (MLD) or Multi-Terrain Technology (MTT), which has also been borrowed from the Mahindra Thar and available as standard on the soon-to-be-launched N10 (O) trim. The MTT can practically get this rear-wheel-driven out of the trickiest of situations. For instance, you’re driving over slushy roads and the rear left wheel starts to lose traction and begin to spin faster than the other. The system immediately locks the wheels, ushering in more torque to the rear right wheel which already has better road grip, helping the Neo claw back into action. This really boosts the driver’s confidence while negotiating difficult terrain, which can be found in abundance practically everywhere in our country. Note of caution: first-time users might find the metallic clunk sound when the MTT engages rather alarming.
Verdict
Mahindra have priced the Bolero Neo on a par with the standard Bolero, between Rs 8.5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom), aimed at the heartland of India and not at the spoilt-for-choice urban buyers looking for feature-rich compact SUVs. It’s good value, too, with usable seven seats, Mahindra’s proven toughness, MTT backed off-roading prowess, a decent looking cabin, and a fairly refined diesel engine. And if you’re sorely missing the rear camera, it is available at company dealerships as an optional fitment. Now we’re eager to see how the Indian heartland reacts to this unique proposition.
Tags: Bolero Neo, Bolero Neo Review, CAR India, car review, latest SUV, Mahindra Bolero, Mahindra price, New Mahindra price, New SUV price
FAQs
What is the top model of Mahindra Bolero Neo? ›
Mahindra Bolero Neo is offered in 5 variants - the base model of Bolero Neo is N4 and the top variant Mahindra Bolero Neo N10 Option which comes at a price tag of Rs. 12.14 Lakh.
What is the top speed of Neo Bolero? ›| Models | Top Speed |
|---|---|
| Mahindra XUV300 | 160 kmph |
| Mahindra Bolero | 120 kmph |
| Nissan Kicks | 165 kmph |
| Renault Kiger | 155 kmph |
The mileage of Mahindra Bolero Neo is 17.29 Kmpl. This is the claimed ARAI mileage for all the variants of Bolero Neo. The claimed ARAI mileage of Bolero Neo Diesel Manual is 17.29 Kmpl.
Does Bolero Neo have automatic transmission? ›Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus: powertrain options
Expect Mahindra to carry forward the same powertrain as the Bolero Neo, which means the Bolero Neo Plus will get a 100hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
The power steering feature is available in 4 version(s) of Mahindra Bolero Neo [2021-2022].
Which engine used in Bolero Neo? ›None of the variants under Mahindra Bolero Neo have GPS navigation system feature.
How much weight can Bolero Neo carry? ›Bolero Neo has 3995 mm Length, 1795 mm Width, 1817 mm Height, 2215 Kg Kerb Weight, 2680 mm Wheelbase, 180mm Ground Clearance, 50 Litres Fuel Tank Capacity, 384 Litres Boot Space.
Does Bolero Neo have turbo engine? ›The turbocharged engine option is available in all models of Mahindra Bolero Neo [2021-2022].
What is the fuel consumption of Mahindra Bolero Neo? ›Mahindra Bolero Neo Mileage
The Bolero Neo mileage is 17.29 kmpl. The Manual Diesel variant has a mileage of 17.29 kmpl. Big Saving !!
Which model of Bolero gives best mileage? ›
The Bolero mileage is 16.0 kmpl. The Manual Diesel variant has a mileage of 16.0 kmpl. Big Saving !!
Which SUV has best mileage? ›- Hyundai Venue 23.4 kmpl. Fuel Type. ...
- Tata Nexon 21.5 kmpl. Fuel Type. ...
- Maruti Brezza 20.15 kmpl. Engine Specifications. ...
- Nissan Magnite 20.0 kmpl. Engine Specifications. ...
- Renault Kiger 20.53 kmpl. Engine Specifications. ...
- Mahindra XUV300 20.0 kmpl. Fuel Type. ...
- Hyundai Creta 21.4 kmpl. Fuel Type. ...
- Kia Seltos 20.8 kmpl. Fuel Type.
Mahindra Bolero Neo is not available with a rear Air conditioner.
Does Bolero Neo have touch screen? ›1080P Full HD Touch Screen Display /2GB Ram/ 16 GB Internal Memory /Quad Core Processor/ Android Version 9 / Display Size 9 inch IPS Screen With Gorilla Glass / Multi touch Capacitive Touch screen / Google Offline Maps / Online Traffic Updates / OEM Steering Wheel Control & Oem Reverse camera compatible.
Which car is similar to Bolero? ›The Top compeitors for Mahindra Bolero are Hyundai Venue, KIA Sonet, Honda WR-V, Mahindra Bolero Neo, Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Mahindra XUV300, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger.
Where is Bolero Neo manufactured in India? ›| Mahindra Bolero Neo | |
|---|---|
| Assembly | India: Chakan; Nasik |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mini SUV |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
Mahindra Bolero Neo features 1 different airbag configurations as a passive safety measure. Bolero Neo 6 variants come with 2 airbags. Please check out all safety features by clicking on Mahindra Bolero Neo/specifications.
Does Bolero Neo have cruise control? ›Yes, Mahindra Bolero Neo does come with a cruise control in N10 R , N10 Option and N10 variants.
What is the engine life of Bolero? ›I'd expect them to last for atleast 2,00,000 kms, doubts only on the fuel injection system / pump's life. Exception : Toyota's Qualis & Innova engines are known to exceed 3.0 lakh without skipping a beat. - DI diesels (Bolero, Sumo etc.) : 2.25 lakh at the minimum for a well-maintained DI.
What is the difference between Bolero Neo and TUV300? ›Bolero Neo vs TUV300 User Ratings
In technical specifications, Mahindra Bolero Neo N4 is powered by 1493 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC engine. Mahindra TUV300 T4 Plus is powered by 1493 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 3 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC engine.
Which is the top version of Bolero? ›
The Bolero is offered in 3 variants namely B4, B6, B6 Opt. The cheapest Mahindra Bolero variant is the B4 which has a price tag of Rs. 9.78 Lakh while the most expensive variant is the Mahindra Bolero B6 Opt which commands a price of Rs. 10.79 Lakh.
Does Bolero Neo Plus have sunroof? ›None of the 0 versions of Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus has a Sunroof option.
Does Bolero Neo have abs? ›Yes, the Mahindra Bolero features ABS technology.
Is there back camera in Bolero Neo N10? ›Mahindra Bolero Neo User Reviews
Best family car must buy it's in normal budget and gives a good mileage of 17 on road. The product of a trusted company. All good only thing is n10 r is not having good infotainment system and proper reverse parking camera which really disappointing.
Our Bolero is powered by a 2523 cc, 4-cylinder m2DiCR turbo diesel engine which produces 63hp at 3200 rpm and 195nm torque at 1400-2200 rpm.
How much oil does a Bolero Neo take? ›50 Litres of Engine Oil is required for Mahindra Bolero Neo.
What is the fuel capacity of Bolero Neo Reserve? ›The fuel tank capacity of Mahindra Bolero Neo is 50 Litres. For more information, Kindly visit specifications.
What is the difference between Bolero and Bolero Neo suspension? ›Mahindra Bolero Neo
Bolero Neo gets a much better suspension compared to standard Bolero. It comes with an independent front and multi-link rear suspension, both with coil springs and stabilizer bars. Bolero on the other hand comes with independent front suspension and leaf springs at rear.
The Jimny five door will compete with the Bolero Neo, which is also a rugged but compact SUV.
Is Bolero Neo rear wheel drive? ›Mahindra Bolero Neo features a 1.5-litre diesel engine mated to a 5-speed MT that drives the rear wheels. Read more -Mahindra Bolero Neo Launched In India, Priced At Rs 8.48 Lakh.
What is the full fuel tank capacity of Bolero? ›
Mahindra Bolero fuel tank capacity is 60 litres. Check similar car details: What is the fuel tank capacity of Mahindra Bolero Neo? What is the fuel tank capacity of Mahindra Scorpio?
What is Eco mode in Bolero Neo? ›While it's on, the engine reduces its power output, so it doesn't work as hard, and the gas pedals become less responsive. The reduction in power leads the car to accelerate more slowly.
Does Bolero use petrol or diesel? ›Mahindra Bolero is available in 1 fuel option(s) -Diesel. Check similar car details: What fuel options are available in Mahindra Bolero Neo?
What is the price of Bolero in India 2023? ›The price of Mahindra Bolero starts at Rs. 9.78 Lakh and goes upto Rs. 10.79 Lakh.
Which is the lowest model of Bolero? ›9.78 Lakh. The lowest price model is Mahindra Bolero B4 and the most priced model of Mahindra Bolero B6 Opt priced at Rs. 10.79 Lakh.
What is the price of Bolero front bumper? ›| Front Bumper | 3445 |
|---|---|
| Rear Bumper | 2077 |
| Bonnet/Hood | 7855 |
| Front Windshield Glass | 4134 |
| Head Light (Left or Right ) | 3642 |
Which petrol car gives the highest mileage? Petrol cars with highest mileage are Maruti Grand Vitara (27 kmpl), Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder (27 kmpl), Honda City Hybrid (27 kmpl) and Maruti Celerio (26 kmpl).
Which is the longest SUV in India? ›The Defender 130 competes with other three row 7-seater luxury SUVs but the Defender 130 is the longest of them all and is also packing the most amount of storage space.
What is a high mileage SUV? ›What is considered high mileage on a car? Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.
Does Bolero Neo have rear parking camera? ›The Bolero Neo Limited Edition offers roof rails and a reverse parking camera over the N10 variant of the standard SUV.
What type of Tyres are in Bolero Neo? ›
Mahindra Bolero Neo is available in 1 tyre sizes: 215 / 75 R15 Front Tyres & 215 / 75 R15 Rear Tyres.
What is the price of Bolero AC heater? ›The Mahindra Cooling Unit Assy With Heater Evaporator For Mahindra Bolero - 1203Caa03531N comes at a competitive price of ₹13442 and is sold by our trusted seller, Parcit.
Does Bolero Neo have Apple CarPlay? ›Feature-wise, the Bolero Neo Limited Edition equips a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system but does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Does Bolero have power steering? ›Bolero Camper 2WD Power Steering Summary
Mahindra Bolero Camper 2WD Power Steering is the base diesel variant in the Bolero Camper lineup and is priced at Rs. 9.27 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
None of the 4 versions of Mahindra Bolero Neo has an Android Auto or Apple Car Play.
Is Bolero fast or slow? ›Bolero (96-104 BPM)
A slow Latin dance which originated as one of two forms of Rumba (Bolero Rumba and Son Rumba), and still shares many of the same figures.
Ravel's Bolero features just three ideas that repeat over and over as the music grows from very soft to extremely loud. It is one of the most successful pieces of music ever written and made Ravel very, very rich!
Is Bolero soft or loud? ›Boléro begins with a two-bar, 24-note beat pattern in the snare drum at an almost inaudibly quiet dynamic.
What is the average of Bolero Neo Plus 9 seater? ›The Bolero Neo mileage is 17.29 kmpl.
What is the seating capacity of Bolero Neo Plus? ›Variants: The Bolero Neo Plus will come in three broad variants: P4, P10 and P10 (R). Seating Capacity: Mahindra will offer it on both 7 and 9-seater layouts.
Is Scorpio 7 seater or 9 seater? ›
| ARAI Mileage | 15.4 kmpl |
|---|---|
| Max Torque (nm@rpm) | 280Nm@1800-2800rpm |
| Seating Capacity | 9 |
| TransmissionType | Manual |
| Boot Space (Litres) | 460 |
Mahindra Bolero Power Plus Car Latest Update
Read more about it here. Mahindra Bolero Power Plus Variants and Price: The Bolero Power Plus is available in three variants: SLE, SLX and ZLX. They are priced from Rs 7.86 lakh to Rs 8.86 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).