Category Average: 1493.0 cc
Bolero Neo: 1493.0 cc
Category Average: 17.69 kmpl
Bolero Neo: 17.2 kmpl
Category Average: 100.81 bhp
Bolero Neo: 100.0 bhp
The Mahindra Bolero Neo is a rugged and durable SUV that builds on the legacy of the standard Bolero with additional refinement and modern amenities. Designed as an affordable seven-seater alternative for both urban and semi-rural use, the Bolero Neo stands apart in the sub-four-metre segment by offering a ladder-frame construction and rear-wheel-drive layout. Positioned to appeal to both personal and commercial buyers, it caters to users looking for a versatile vehicle with reliable performance across diverse road conditions.
The Mahindra Bolero Neo is available from a starting ex-showroom price tag of ₹9.97 lakh, and it goes up to ₹12.18 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top-spec model.
The Mahindra Bolero Neo was first launched in India in July 2021. In May 2025, Mahindra unveiled the Bolero Neo Bold Edition for the top variants of the SUV, bringing cosmetic changes.
The Bolero Neo is available in four variants: N4, N8, N10, and N10(O). Each variant caters to a different set of requirements, with the base N4 offering essential mechanical robustness and the top-end N10(O) adding comfort and convenience features such as a touchscreen infotainment system and mechanical locking differential. The SUV is available in six colour options: Napoli Black, Majestic Silver, Highway Red, Pearl White, Diamond White, and Rocky Beige.
Externally, the Bolero Neo maintains a muscular profile with practical proportions tailored for Indian roads. On the inside, the SUV gets a cabin layout that includes premium Italian upholstery and piano black accents on the centre console, lending it a more contemporary appearance. The seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, available from the N8 variant onward, supports Bluetooth, USB, and AUX connectivity. Steering-mounted audio controls, power windows, keyless entry, and cruise control enhance everyday usability. A height-adjustable driver seat and split-folding third-row seats allow for improved flexibility in cabin space management.
The top-end N10(O) variant includes Mahindra’s Multi-Terrain Technology and a mechanical locking rear differential, boosting the vehicle’s off-road capabilities. Rear power windows and a powerful air conditioning system with Eco mode add to passenger comfort across all rows.
The Bolero Neo is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder mHawk diesel engine that produces 98.5 bhp and 260 Nm of torque. This engine is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox that channels power to the rear wheels. The transmission offers light gearshifts and a smooth clutch mechanism, reducing driver fatigue during longer journeys. Mahindra has also integrated micro-hybrid technology and an Eco mode for improved fuel efficiency, making the Bolero Neo more economical in day-to-day operation.
The ARAI-certified mileage offered by the Mahindra Bolero Neo is 17.29 kmpl. Real-world fuel economy figures may vary depending on road conditions and driving style.
The Bolero Neo brings a ground clearance of 160 mm (unladen) and a boot space of 384 litres.
The Mahindra Bolero Neo is a five-seater SUV.
The Mahindra Bolero Neo offers a robust suite of safety features designed to provide essential protection for all occupants. Dual front airbags, anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, and cornering brake control are standard across all variants, ensuring reliable braking performance in varied conditions. Rear parking sensors with reverse assist enhance visibility while manoeuvring in tight spaces, while ISOFIX child seat mounts provide added security for younger passengers in the higher variants. The SUV is also built on a high-strength steel body shell that improves crash protection, and features such as a digital immobiliser and speed alert system further contribute to occupant safety and vehicle security.
The Bolero Neo competes with a range of sub-compact SUVs such as the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Nissan Magnite, and Renault Kiger.
Mahindra Bolero Neo seeks and strives to be the perfect blend of rugged drive character with a relatively pleasant cabin at a price point that is mighty appealing. And in this once sentence, I may have already summed up my first impressions of the latest from the Mahindra camp. And yet, here is an SUV that deserves more than just a taut one line verdict, especially if you get to get behind its wheels on the first day of Delhi monsoons.
Mahindra could not have picked a better day to hand over the Bolero Neo to the HT Auto team than this past Wednesday - June 14. The parched Delhi ground got its first proper gulp of monsoon showers and what was going to a be a short winding road set out for our first drive impressions, filled up with mud and muck, slush and sludge. Perfect playground for the Bolero Neo? Read on.
The near-perfect love child
Once upon a time, Bolero and TUV300 decided to get cozy and love bloomed in the form of Bolero Neo. Yes, the Bolero Neo does look near identical to the TUV300 in its overall design language. First and even subsequent glances will confirm as much. But look closer and you'll find Bolero's genetics as well.
The front fascia, especially the grille, is inspired by Bolero and the Bolero Neo also boasts of an upright face with a slightly aggressive appeal. The six-slat chrome grille looks quite stylish while the new static bending headlights with DRLs are a refreshing touch as well.
Over at the side, the wheel arches are slightly more pronounced now and the C-pillar has been given a dark shade. There is a chunky plastic cladding all along the side of the Bolero Neo that seeks to underline its go-anywhere credentials.
The rear profile of the SUV is completed with an X-type spare wheel cover, a spoiler and a prominent Bolero badge.
Classic cabin with a premium touch
Anyone stepping inside the Bolero Neo with a mile-long list of expectations of a mile-long list of features will walk out rather bitter. While rivals do now offer a plethora of convenience features, this Mahindra isn't playing that game.The list of what is absent is longer than the list of what's there - no air purifier, no high-end sound system, no sunroof, no leather seats, no wireless phone charging and no, the front seats are not ventilated.
But rather than paying attention to the glitz, the Bolero Neo's cabin seems content in being functional. And that's across the three rows of seats. There's dedicated armrests for the front two passengers, a responsive seven-inch touch-screen infotainment unit with Bluetooth, USB and AUX options, Blue Sense app, voice messaging system, steering mounted controls, among a few others. Think of this as a Bolero with a young heart, a TUV300 with a refresh.
Functional bits like electrically adjustable ORVMs, follow me home headlamps, cruise control, remote key entry, rear wiper and rear-glass defogger also make this a truly driver's car.
The fabric seats are in a light colour which means it could be prone to grime if this SUV does wander around beyond conventional roads. These seats are also rather hard but I quit expected them to be. On the flipside, the ride height is great and there's decent space for passengers on the bench seats in the middle row.
The jump seats in the third row ought to be used for sitting only on SOS basis but the fact that this sub four-metre SUV does squeeze in a third row at all is, again, commendable.
The cabin overall is definitely a step up from TUV300 and several steps up from the Bolero but it won't be quite fair to compare it to what's on offer from the Koreans.
Shut up and drive
The Bolero Neo seems to have an eager sense around it to be put out there and put in motion. Underpinned by the third-generation ladder-frame chassis which is what's base for Thar and Scorpio too, the Bolero Neo is the only rear-wheel drive option in its segment.
We are calling this a first-drive impression rather than a first-drive review because we didn't really put the Bolero Neo to all kinds of test and on long stretches of roads. But the hour that we were inside pummeling this vehicle was almost as much fun as when we drove out the Thar last year.
There's no outright 4x4 option of course but Bolero Neo clearly has the inherent family trait of being most at home when going beyond the pamper of regular roads. The stiff suspension makes it so darn easy for one to just ignore road blemishes that the carefree air becomes intoxicating after a while.
The 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and if I was blindfolded, I would have probably still guessed that I am inside a Bolero of one gen or the other. There's 100 hp for the taking but torque figure has gone up to 260Nm.
And just in case you were wondering, the mechanically locking differential - available on the top variant - promises to improve traction on challenging terrain.
Final say after initial drive:
The Bolero Neo has its priorities straight. It is claiming to be a more premium version of TUV300 and on that count, it really is. It is also claiming to be as capable as a Bolero and it well could be as well. It isn't a radically new product and therefore, may not create a whole lot of buzz like some of its rivals did during their respective launches.
Offered in four variants - N4, N8, N10 and N10(O) - and starting at ₹8.48 lakh (ex showroom), the Mahindra sub-compact SUV however is as rugged as an SUV minus 4x4 can be. I feel that it could have the bragging rights on roads and beyond but Mahindra could have perhaps given it some more exterior updates to set it farther apart as a whole new product instead of a near clone of another. Comfort above all else? Look elsewhere. Muscle power on the move without quite breaking bank? Say hello to Mahindra Bolero Neo.
Airbags | Yes |
Body Type | Compact SUV |
Max Torque | 260 Nm |
Mileage | 17.2 kmpl |
Transmission | Manual |
Engine | 1493 cc |
Fuel Type | Diesel |
Mahindra Bolero Neo |
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Mahindra Bolero Neo | |||||
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₹9.95 Lakhs* | ₹8 Lakhs* | ₹7.99 Lakhs* | ₹7.94 Lakhs* | ₹10.55 Lakhs* | ₹8 Lakhs* |
User Rating 2 Reviews | User Rating 71 Reviews | User Rating 113 Reviews | User Rating 49 Reviews | User Rating - | User Rating 16 Reviews |
Airbags 2 | Airbags 6 | Airbags 6 | Airbags 6 | Airbags - | Airbags 6 |
Safety Rating* - | Safety Rating* | Safety Rating* - | Safety Rating* | Safety Rating* - | Safety Rating* - |
Power 100 bhp | Power 113 bhp | Power 129 bhp | Power 118 bhp | Power 77.77 bhp | Power 114 bhp |
Torque 260 Nm | Torque 260 Nm | Torque 230 Nm | Torque 172 Nm | Torque 176 Nm | Torque 250 Nm |
Ground Clearance 180 mm | Ground Clearance 208 mm | Ground Clearance - | Ground Clearance 195 mm | Ground Clearance 220 mm | Ground Clearance - |
Length 3995 mm | Length 3995 mm | Length 3990 mm | Length 3995 mm | Length 5375 mm | Length 3995 mm |
Height 1817 mm | Height 1620 mm | Height 1647 mm | Height 1617 mm | Height 1800 mm | Height 1642 mm |
Width 1795 mm | Width 1804 mm | Width 1821 mm | Width 1770 mm | Width 1860 mm | Width 1790 mm |
Turning Radius 5.35 meters | Turning Radius - | Turning Radius 5.3 metres | Turning Radius - | Turning Radius 6.3 Metres | Turning Radius - |
Boot Space 384 litres | Boot Space 382 litres | Boot Space 364 litres | Boot Space 350 litres | Boot Space 1495 litres | Boot Space - |
Body Type Compact SUV | Body Type Compact SUV | Body Type Compact SUV | Body Type Compact SUV | Body Type Pickup Truck | Body Type SUV |
Transmission Manual | Transmission Manual, Automatic | Transmission Manual, Automatic | Transmission Manual, Automatic | Transmission Manual | Transmission Manual, Automatic |
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Mahindra Bolero Neo in India is available in Diesel variants. Average mileage of Mahindra Bolero Neo's petrol variant is (As claimed by the brand in ideal road conditions). Mahindra Bolero Neo N4 comes with a 50 litres fuel tank.
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