Mahindra Bolero Neo

The Bolero Neo looks tough and honest, like a proper utility vehicle. Mahindra has worked on the front end and stance and the car now looks more settled than the older TUV300. It will not win a beauty contest, but it has a presence. Some fresh design touches would make it feel more modern.

• The grille gets plenty of chrome and the DRL and fog lamp setup gives the face a cleaner look.
  
  
• The bonnet is lowered by around 40 mm and the body sits 20 mm lower. This gives the side profile better proportions.
• The 215/75 R15 tyres are on the smaller side. Alloy wheels would suit the car well, but the tall sidewall helps ride comfort.
• Body side cladding, side footsteps and a black line running along the body tie the look to the Bolero family.
  
• The green shade looks quite nice and suits the rugged character.
• The tailgate-mounted spare wheel and the red-treated tail lamps keep that boxy, fridge-like shape alive.

Step inside and the cabin feels simple and sturdy. The plastics are hard, but the layout is neat and nothing looks cheap or flashy. It is a big improvement over the regular Bolero. Softer materials on the touch points would lift the experience further.

Design and Ergonomics

The dashboard stays familiar, but the new upholstery gives the cabin a fresher feel. Most controls fall easily to hand.

• The steering wheel looks good and carries cruise control and audio buttons. It adjusts for height only.
• The multi-information display is a highlight. It shows distance to empty, average fuel economy and a digital speedometer.
  
• The Neo greets you with a welcome animation and a voice alert when a door is open or a seat belt is not worn.
• The mirrors are large, which helps visibility.
• A grab handle on the driver’s side would be a welcome addition, since the body rolls a bit in corners.
• The glovebox is on the smaller side, though there is extra storage on top of the dashboard.
• A dead pedal is missing, so the left foot has to find its own resting place.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 7-inch touchscreen is easy to use and the audio quality is decent for this class. It does the basics well.

• The screen is simple to browse and the menus are clear.
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not offered. Adding them would make the system far more useful.
• Reverse parking sensors are present, but the rear camera is not. A camera would be a smart addition for a vehicle this size.
• The audio system and cruise controls on the steering wheel are easy to reach.
  

This is where the Neo shows its working side. The cabin is built to carry people or luggage as needed.

• The jump seats fold up easily and slot into place. Flip them up and you get a good amount of cargo room.
  
• You can even remove them completely for more space.
• Small storage spots are placed at the rear and the front gets cup holders and a tray near the gear lever.
• The rear wiper and washer keep the glass clean, which helps on dusty roads.

Charging options are basic but they cover what most buyers need.

• A USB port, an aux port and a 12V socket are placed in the front.
  
• There is no wireless charging and rear passengers do not get a charging point.

With all the seats in use, boot space is quite limited. Fold or remove the jump seats and the Neo becomes a much more practical carrier. The tailgate-mounted spare wheel also keeps the floor free for luggage.
 

The Neo adds a few useful features over the older Bolero. The list is modest, but it makes daily life easier.

• Cruise control is a nice touch at this price.
• The multi-information display, voice alerts and idle start-stop make the cabin feel more modern.
• Power windows, steering-mounted controls and a mirror adjustment switch are provided.
  
• Reverse parking sensors are available and the key has lock and unlock buttons.
• The top N10 (O) variant adds a mechanical locking differential, which helps in slippery or sticky spots.
• A dedicated central lock button and a rear camera would round off the package well.

The Neo is built on a sturdy body-on-frame platform, which gives it a strong, tough feel. The build feels solid and the car handles rough roads with ease. Safety could improve in the last row, where seat belts are missing.

• The body-on-frame build suits tough roads and heavy loads.
• Corner brake control helps keep the car steady when braking in a turn.
• The seat belt reminder and door open alerts are useful.
• Child lock is provided on the rear doors.
  
• Traction control is not offered, which would be a helpful addition.
• Seat belts for the jump seat passengers would make the seven-seat layout feel complete.

This is where the Bolero Neo wins you over. The engine is smooth, the ride is comfortable and the car feels more planted than the TUV300. Handling is not its strongest area, but it is a big step up from the regular Bolero.

Powertrain Options

The Neo uses a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder diesel engine. It makes 100 hp at 3,750 rpm. The eVGT turbocharger adds 20 Nm of torque over the older unit. Peak torque arrives at 1,750 rpm. It pairs with a manual gearbox.

City Driving

In the city, the engine is a joy. It feels very smooth for a three-cylinder unit and has no trouble pulling in a higher gear.

• Drivability is very good and the engine pulls cleanly even in third gear.
• The gearing is on the shorter side, so you shift less in traffic.
• The gearbox is slick, though the throws are a little long.
• The clutch is light, but it can push back slightly when you release it.
• Mileage is around 14 to 18 kmpl and careful driving can stretch it to 20 kmpl. The 50-litre tank gives a long range.

Highway Driving

On the highway, the Neo is comfortable and relaxed for the most part. The engine stays calm even at higher revs, with no harshness.

• The mid-range is strong and overtaking is easy enough.
• Power drops off in the top end, so it prefers steady cruising to hard pushing.
• With a full load, you may want a little more power.
• Going from 0 to 100 km/h takes around 17 to 18 seconds. Stability is fine, but it feels best at moderate speeds.
• The boxy shape does create some wind noise at speed.

Ride Quality

Ride quality is a real strength. The Neo soaks up bad roads with ease, thanks to the tall sidewall tyres and soft suspension.

• It feels clearly better than the TUV300, even though the body-on-frame build still brings a little bounce.
• Rough patches and broken roads do not bother it much.
• The car’s lowered body also helps settle things down.

Handling

Handling is better than before, but this is still a tall utility vehicle. The lower stance and tuned suspension help.

• Body roll is reduced, though it is still noticeable in tight corners.
• The steering has some play at the centre and it could use more feel.
  
• Under hard braking, the nose dips a little because of the soft setup.
• It cannot match monocoque compact SUVs in handling, but it feels far more sure-footed than the regular Bolero.