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-meter Bolero Neo, as is its 2680mm wheelbase. So it retains the imposing, unmistakable Bolero face, as well as the distinct black shoulder cladding which runs the length, fondly termed “cattle pushers” by some Bolero owners.

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 completes its traditional SUV look.

Bolero Neo+ Interior Space and Comfort – 6/10

Its interior is hard-wearing but utilitarian.

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.

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.

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 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.

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. 

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 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!

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

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 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.

The suspension setup is serious hardware – double wishbones with coil springs up front, and a multi-link rear with coil springs and 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.

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 will its lack of refinement nor will its missing features 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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