Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus review: Honest to the core

A tough-as-nails, body-on-frame Mahindra SUV that can seat up to nine adults, uses the Scorpio’s diesel engine and has ‘Bolero’ in its name sounds like a recipe for sure-shot success. The vehicle in question is the Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus, priced between Rs 10.77 lakh and Rs 11.80 lakh. This places it above the sub-4-metre Bolero Neo (Rs 8.49 lakh-Rs 10.49 lakh) and below the Scorpio Classic (Rs 12.98 lakh-Rs 16.70 lakh). But should you be interested in one?

Bolero Neo+ Exterior Design and Engineering – 7/10

Front half is identical to the Bolero Neo, but the rear has been elongated to accommodate a pair of side-facing seats

The Bolero Neo Plus is unapologetically utilitarian, with none of those modern styling cues to make it ‘look’ like an SUV. This is a vehicle that wears functionality on its sleeve. The front half is identical to the sub-4-metre Bolero Neo, as is its 2,680mm wheelbase. So, it retains the imposing, unmistakable Bolero face, as well as the distinct black shoulder cladding that runs the length, fondly termed “cattle pushers” by some Bolero owners.

Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus review rear left side — Chunky high-profile tyres, ample ground clearance and a tailgate-mounted spare tyre complete its traditional SUV look.

Beyond the rear wheels, the Neo Plus has been elongated to liberate space to accommodate a pair of side-facing seats. Blacked-out B- and C-pillars, squared-off wheel arches housing chunky high-profile tyres with 16-inch alloys, a solid metallic side step, ample ground clearance and a tailgate-mounted spare tyre complete its traditional SUV look.

Bolero Neo+ Interior Space and Comfort – 6/10

Its interior is hard wearing but utilitarian

Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus review interior and dashboard — It carries forward a utilitarian approach, but colour scheme with silver accents adds a touch of visual relief.

The solid metallic side steps come in handy due to the Bolero’s high ride height. Like on the outside, it carries forward a utilitarian approach, with a functional design and an abundance of hard plastics and switchgear, which, although rudimentary in their touch and feel, seem built to last. That said, the beige-and-black colour scheme with matte silver accents adds a touch of visual relief.

The driving position is suitably commanding with a good view out. However, the front seats are flat, lack side bolstering and offer limited support. The long seat squab suits taller occupants better, though the individual armrests improve user comfort on longer journeys.

Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus review second row seats — Headroom and foot room are ample, and the seat can easily accommodate three adults abreast.

Thanks to its boxy shape and slim door pads, the Bolero Neo Plus is more accommodating for three passengers in the middle row. Headroom and legroom are adequate, and the seating position is chair-like. A centre armrest and adjustable headrests for the outer passengers are welcome, but comfort is compromised by an upright backrest, the absence of rear AC vents or a blower and no headrest for the middle occupant.

Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus review third row seats — Adults have to sit offset and stagger their feet to find knee and foot room, and shoulder room is tight.

Access to the side-facing rear seats is via the tailgate. Space here is limited; adults have to sit offset and stagger their feet to find knee and foot room, and shoulder room is tight. This area is best suited to children or smaller adults. More importantly, there are no seatbelts, making it an unsafe place to be in the event of a collision. Butterfly windows do help with ventilation. In the absence of passengers, folding these seats liberates a healthy 696 litres of boot space.

Bolero Neo+ Features and Safety – 5/10

It is among the few models to get 4 airbags instead of 6

Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus review power window switches in centre console — Centrally-mounted power window switches, although rear window switches are on the doors.

The top-spec P10 variant of the Neo Plus packs in kit like 16-inch alloys, fog lamps, remote-key entry, 9-inch touchscreen with four speakers, electric mirror adjustment, rear centre armrest, and a rear wiper/washer, among basics like power steering, four power windows (centrally mounted) and air-con/heater, which are also available in the lower P4 variant.

Standard safety kit includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, parking sensors, central locking and speed-sensing door locks.

Bolero Neo+ Performance and Refinement – 8/10

2.2-litre diesel engine is torquey, and there’s strong pulling power from idle and in-gear

Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus review engine — Exceptionally tractable 2.2 diesel is something owners will appreciate.

Powering the Bolero Neo Plus is Mahindra’s familiar 2.2-litre mHawk diesel, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive – much like the Scorpio Classic. In this application, the engine is detuned to 120hp and 280Nm, but torque delivery is its biggest strength. Peak torque arrives between 1,800-2,800rpm, and there’s a strong pull right from idle.

This makes the Neo Plus extremely easy to drive. You can upshift as early as 1,500rpm, rarely need to rev past 3,000rpm, and most overtakes don’t require a downshift. It’s exceptionally tractable and forgiving, qualities that will appeal strongly to its target audience. To put its performance into perspective, it accelerates to 100kph from a standstill in a respectable 13.74 seconds. Impressively, its 20-80kph rolling acceleration time in third gear of 8.07 seconds is comparable to a 203hp turbo-petrol Scorpio N!

Acceleration (kph)	Time (s)
0-20	1.08
0-40	2.95
0-60	5.70
0-80	9.15
0-100	13.74
20-80 (in 3rd gear)	8.07
40-100 (in 4th gear)	11.56

On the flipside, sound insulation is poor, and you hear an audible diesel clatter at all times, getting progressively louder at higher revs. Curiously, while the Scorpio’s engine note is more pleasing, in the Neo Plus, it sounds crude and coarse.

Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus review gear knob — 6-speed manual doesn’t feel as smooth or effortless as the Scorpio N’s unit.

The six-speed manual gearbox has well-defined gates, although the shift quality isn’t as smooth or slick as the Scorpio N’s, let alone any modern monocoque diesel SUV.

Bolero Neo+ Mileage / Range and Efficiency – 9/10

It gets an auto engine start-stop that helps save fuel in the city

Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus review rear left side driving on road — Rolling acceleration times are comparable to a 200hp turbo-petrol Scorpio N!

Mahindra hasn’t released an official fuel-efficiency figure, but during our drive, the MID indicated 16.5kpl, which is impressive for a large ladder-frame SUV. The sixth gear aids relaxed highway cruising, while the automatic engine stop-start system helps curb fuel consumption in traffic.

Bolero Neo+ Ride Comfort and Handling – 6/10

It feels tough and ready to take on bad roads

Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus review front right side cornering — Feels far more capable of tackling broken roads than any similarly priced monocoque SUV.

The suspension setup is serious hardware – double wishbones with coil springs up front, and a multi-link rear with coil springs and a stabiliser bar. This Mahindra feels tough, and it seems engineered to take a beating. It simply smothers through the worst of road conditions without batting an eyelid, and it feels much tougher than any similarly priced monocoque SUV.

That said, the ride quality isn’t sophisticated. The body never quite settles, even at moderate speeds, and small surface changes can induce noticeable vertical movement. The tall centre of gravity results in body roll during quick direction changes, and the steering feels vague, offering limited confidence at triple-digit speeds.

Bolero Neo+ Value for Money – 7/10

It is for buyers looking for a capable and reliable people mover

Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus review badge — With Bolero in its name, it will strike a chord with brand loyalists.

The Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus is priced between Rs 10.77 lakh and Rs 11.80 lakh, a price band that’s populated with far more sophisticated and modern offerings across different body styles. None, however, exude the same toughness, capability, or even the ability to seat 9 adults as the Bolero Neo Plus. Sure, its utilitarian approach will limit its appeal, but for buyers purely looking for a capable and reliable people mover, neither its lack of refinement nor its missing features will be a deterrent. The Bolero Neo Plus’ diesel engine is exceptionally drivable, its suspension is engineered to take a beating, and with Bolero in its name, it will strike a chord with brand loyalists.

In summary, the Mahindra Bolero Neo+ is an honest, no-nonsense SUV that does what it’s designed for, which is to simply transport people while tackling everything our roads throw at it.

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