The Bolero Neo is Mahindra's latest offering in the sub-4-meter SUV seg- ment. With its rugged looks, spacious interiors, and potent diesel engine, it aims to appeal to urban and rural buyers looking for an affordable yet feature-rich SUV.
But is the Bolero Neo worth its price? This comprehensive review examines all aspects of this new SUV to help you decide.
The Bolero Neo is a subcompact model below the popular Bolero model. Its youthful styling and extensive feature list target a younger customer demographic. Available in three trim levels, it's priced very competitively compared to rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Tata Nexon.
The Bolero Neo features the signature upright stance and side cladding of a traditional Bolero, but the front and rear designs are all-new. The front sports a bold chrome grille flanked by static-bending headlamps with integrated LED DRLs. The bumpers, skid plates, and roof rails provide rugged SUV appeal.
The Bolero Neo also gets X-shaped body-coloured bumpers, signature Bolero badging, and sporty-looking alloy wheels. Its squarish silhouette makes it look solidly built, while design cues like the blacked-out pillars and floating roof add a touch of modernity.
With its fusion of classic and contemporary styling, the Neo looks handsome and flashy compared to its siblings. While it lacks the charm of the Maruti Suzuki Jimny (Jimny price is Rs. 14.11 lakh), the Neo's design will appeal more to young buyers wanting a typical SUV road presence.
Mahindra has designed the Neo's interior to feel premium while retaining some familiar Bolero touches. The dashboard styling is all-new, with a dual-tone theme and piano black trim.
Thanks to the 2780 mm wheelbase, the cabin offers excellent space and flexibility. With all three rows up, there's enough room for tall passengers even in the last row. The middle row gets a 60:40 split, while the previous can be folded completely.
The top-spec N10 variant also offers a reverse parking camera, push-button start/stop, cruise control, and steering-mounted audio controls.
Considering its price point, the Bolero Neo packs impressive features that enhance comfort and convenience for all passengers.
The Bolero Neo is powered by Mahindra’s proven 1.5L mHawk100 diesel engine, which produces 100PS power and 260Nm torque. The engine offers smooth drivability with progressive power delivery, making it well-suited for city commutes and highway cruising.
The 5-speed manual gearbox provides precise shifts while the clutch is light and engages smoothly. The steering offers decent feedback but is vague at high speeds. Ride quality is pliant at slow speeds but gets bouncy on uneven roads. Handling feels less elegant due to the tall stance and heavy kerb weight.
Safety has been a critical focus area for Mahindra with the Bolero Neo. It gets plenty of standard safety kit, including:
Additional safety features like electronic stability control and hill-hold control are offered on the range-topping N10 variant.
The Neo’s body-on-frame chassis and high ground clearance make it well-suited to tackle rough roads often encountered in rural areas. With its long list of safety features, the Neo seems better equipped to protect occupants than its rivals.
The Bolero Neo makes a compelling case as an affordable 7-seater SUV that offers Mahindra’s unbeatable presence and go-anywhere capability. Compared to the Maruti Brezza and Tata Nexon, the Neo has more cabin space, superior ride quality, and better highway stability.
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