The Mahindra Bolero is one of India’s most enduring utility SUVs, known for its ruggedness, reliability, and value, especially in semi-urban and rural areas. It is built to handle rough roads, heavy loads, and minimal maintenance—qualities that have kept it popular for over two decades. The Bolero remains a go-to choice for customers who want a tough, no-nonsense vehicle rather than luxury frills.
Engine & Performance
The current Bolero is equipped with a 1.5-litre mHawk diesel engine (displacement ~1493 cc). It produces around 75 bhp and peak torque of 210 Nm in the mid rpm range (about 1600-2200 rpm), making it capable of pulling loads and driving in challenging road conditions. The SUV uses a 5-speed manual transmission and is rear-wheel drive (2WD). There are variants and versions like the Bolero Pik-Up for heavier payloads.
Dimensions & Capacity
Bolero is not a compact car. It has a length of about 3,995 mm, a width of 1,745 mm, and height around 1,880 mm. The wheelbase is 2,680 mm, enabling decent interior space. Ground clearance is about 183 mm, which helps on rough roads. It seats 7 people and has a fuel tank capacity of 60 litres.
Features & Comfort
Bolero focuses on essential, functional features rather than luxury. It offers manual air conditioning, fabric upholstery, power-assisted steering, central locking, and rear parking sensors in more equipped variants. The seats are basic, adjustments are manual. There are no DRLs (day-time running lights) in the standard variants, and lighting is mainly halogen.
Safety & Brakes
Safety features are modest but adequate for the segment. It comes with ABS, rear drum brakes, disc up front, power steering, and rear parking sensors. There are driver-side airbags, speed sensing auto-door locks; however, it lacks many advanced safety systems found in modern premium SUVs.
Price & Variants
Bolero is offered in several variants such as B4, B6, and B6 Opt. Prices start from around ₹9.81 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base diesel version and go up depending on variant and features.
Usage & Appeal
The Bolero’s strength is its durability. It performs well in challenging conditions—uneven roads, heavy passengers, and minimal service infrastructure. Maintenance costs are low, spare parts are easily available, and mechanics who know this vehicle are common, especially outside big cities. That’s why it remains a favorite among fleet owners, rural families, and small business operators.
Conclusion
In summary, the Mahindra Bolero is not about flash or premium gadgets. It is about utility, toughness, and dependability. If you want an SUV that can take abuse, carry people or light cargo, and keep going with minimal fuss, Bolero is one of the safest bets. For buyers more interested in creature comforts, features, or modern infotainment, there are more expensive alternatives—but none quite match Bolero’s rugged legacy for the price.