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Mahindra Bolero: The Rural Mainstay Gets a Touch-Up

For over two decades, the Bolero has been the backbone of rural mobility in India, especially across the country’s B and C markets. It remains a trusted name among small business owners, families, and fleet buyers who value dependability over flash. The 2025 update doesn’t stray from that formula — the changes are subtle, aimed more at refinement than reinvention.

With revised GST benefits keeping prices in check, the Bolero and Bolero Neo continue to offer unbeatable value for dependable, go-anywhere SUVs.
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Special Arrangement

Visually, the Bolero gains a new grille, revised fog lamps, and diamond-cut R15 alloys that lend it a fresher face. A new Stealth Black colour option has also been added, but the overall design remains instantly recognisable. Inside, Mahindra has focused on comfort and usability with newly contoured seats, leatherette upholstery, a 17.8 cm touchscreen infotainment system, and steering-mounted audio controls. RideFlo technology — Mahindra’s latest ride and handling setup — promises marginal improvements in comfort and stability, though the Bolero still feels very much like the tough, body-on-frame SUV it’s always been.

Powering the vehicle is the proven mHAWK75 engine, producing 55.9 kW and 210 Nm of torque. It’s not meant to thrill, but it gets the job done reliably — and that’s exactly what Bolero buyers expect. What stands out most this time isn’t the feature list, but the pricing. Mahindra has managed to keep the Bolero aggressively priced, thanks in part to revised GST benefits for sub-four-metre vehicles.

Price (Ex-Showroom): INR 7.99 -9.69 lakh depending on the variant

Mahindra Bolero Neo: Bridging Two Worlds

The Bolero Neo continues to occupy the space between the rugged Bolero and more urban-friendly compact SUVs. It’s aimed at buyers who need the toughness of a traditional ladder-frame SUV but also want modern comforts and styling that fit city life. The updates for 2025 follow that logic — subtle, but sensible.

Inside the Bolero, added comforts like leatherette seats and a touchscreen infotainment system bring subtle sophistication to a workhorse.
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Special Arrangement

Up front, the Neo gets a new grille with horizontal slats, dark metallic grey R16 alloy wheels, and new colour choices like Jeans Blue and Concrete Grey with dual-tone options. Inside, Mahindra has introduced two new interior themes — Lunar Grey and Mocha Brown — alongside enhanced seat contours and leatherette upholstery. The larger 22.8 cm touchscreen, USB C-type charger, and rear-view camera add convenience, while RideFlo tech with MTV-CL and Frequency Dependent Damping (FDD) improves ride control and comfort slightly over the outgoing version.

Power continues to come from the mHAWK100 engine producing 73.5 kW and 260 Nm, paired with Mahindra’s Multi-Terrain Technology (MTT) that uses a locking differential to handle uneven roads better. It’s not an all-new package, but it stays relevant for semi-urban buyers who value a tough build, seven-seat flexibility, and reasonable pricing over high-end tech or flash.

The 2025 Mahindra Bolero retains its rugged DNA with a refreshed grille, updated fog lamps, and new diamond-cut alloys.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

As with the standard Bolero, the pricing strategy is where Mahindra really delivers . With the new GST structure working in its favour, the company has managed to keep the Neo’s sticker price extremely competitive — a strong point in a cost-sensitive segment.

Price (Ex-Showroom): INR 8.49 – 9.99 lakh depending on the variant

The Bottom Line

The updates to the Bolero and Bolero Neo may not be dramatic, but they align well with the expectations of their respective buyers. Both SUVs retain their robustness and straightforward appeal while offering just enough to stay current. More importantly, Mahindra’s aggressive pricing — aided by revised GST norms — makes both models strong value propositions in their categories. The Bolero range continues to prove that in markets where toughness and practicality matter most, sometimes evolution is better than revolution.

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