Mahindra Bolero

Overview

Well, I’d tell you about the Mahindra Bolero, a rough beast that looks like it was made for Indian roads. This one is sound, practical, old school charm… if that’s the kind of thing you like. It’s been fun having some time with it, and it almost feels like that old, dependable buddy always down for any adventure, no matter how hairy the road is, or what the weather’s up to. Here’s what I think.

Design and Looks 

It’s not trying to be fancy or modern, and that exactly what I like about it. The style is just this boxy, solid thing that sort of feels like it was built to take the bumps and bruises of real roads. Mahindra is known for the rugged vibe and there’s something about that muscular stance that really hits it. No shiny roundangles, no sporty bits or gimme name bits here. It’s about being tough and useful. I personally think that’s refreshing in a market where all of the cars are trying to look like nice little city slickers. Up front high stance, wide grille and a bold Mahindra badge look all perfectly serious on the road and best part is it doesn’t just look tough. It doesn’t matter how rocky a path it’s kicking up dust on, it’s equally at home on city streets.

Engine and Performance 

On the inside, you have a 1.5L mHawk diesel engine that makes about 75 horsepower. Now, for the record, it’s not built for speed. It’s got enough power to attack rough roads, and can give you some workout with some pretty tough terrain. That’s when you really start to appreciate the torque it has – I took it over some seriously bumpy patches. This engine even has enough low end grunt to push you over the top, especially if you’re tackling uneven ground or a steep hill. Racing someone at a traffic light isn’t what it’s about, but it’s about strength and reliability. That, honestly, suits the Bolero perfectly. But it’s also surprisingly fuel efficient for a car its size. You also don’t feel like you’re pouring money into the fuel tank, even on a long drive.

Interior and Features 

It’s all about functionality with a bit of comfort inside. Mahindra hasn’t made the Hotster plush—if nothing else, that’s good news at a time when many luxury vehicles make their interiors seem a bit too crowded with bells and whistles. It’s comfortable enough and the seats have a fair bit of legroom up front and middle. The dashboard? With its pleasant interface, controls are easily reachable with the whole lot straightforward. It comes with an infotainment system, but it’s quite simple compared to the infotainment systems you’ll find in some of the high-end SUVs on the market. Honestly for me the simplicity is a win. You want to be out there driving and your focus on the road, not playing with a million buttons. And the best part about the interior? This thing is built to last, so even if you beat the crap out of it it can handle it. With the Bolero, you don’t have to worry about every scratch or spill, and it does in a way add to the fun of sampling something new. The kind of thing that gets a little messy is a car like that.

Ride and Handling 

That’s where the Bolero really excels—handling and ride quality, going down particularly well when driven over rougher roads. It’s not a smooth ride now, but that’s not the point. It’s tough for rugged footing, potholes, uneven terrain and whatever else you can stuff it through. That high stance does cause a touch of body roll but the steering is quick and the brakes do theirs. Honestly, the suspension is a hair on the stiff side, which is what you want when dealing with the sort of unpredictable surfaces you’re chasing here. I drove it through some traffic in the city; it’s a little bulky, but it’s managable. Except when you take it out of the city, that’s where the Bolero really shines. This gives you an elevated seating position that gets you a commanding view of the road and makes you well suited to detecting potholes or obstacles before you even get close.

Comparison and Verdict 

If you’re looking at alternatives, the options are the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga or the Tata Sumo. Of course the Ertiga is more comfortable and just a tad more refined, though the Sumo is very much the rugged, no thrills Bolero but the refinement is lacking. The Bolero feels like it’s built to last, but for me. It’s sturdy, reliable, and doesn’t need to wave his flashy hand to impress. 

Would the Bolero get my recommendation? Certainly, assuming it’s going to be treated like shit, it’s going to get treated like shit. Not the one for everyone, but if you are the sort of who likes a car that is tough, durable and reliable — one you can throw just about anything at and it’ll keep going on — the Bolero is the one. It’s a sort of SUV you can trust to get you from the city or into the middle of nowhere.