[gischethans]

My brother-in-law, Naval, acquired the 2025 Diamond White Bolero last week and I got an opportunity to experience the beast this week. Penning down our experiences here.

Why the Bolero?

Naval is a farmer plus entrepreneur and has driven and owned multiple vehicles in the past such as Jeep, Baleno (sedan), Innova, mini tipper and the most recent one being Alto which is replaced by the Bolero. In addition to the Bolero, he has a Gypsy and Force Motors pick-up truck in his stable now.

The signs of a replacement requirement came recently with the Alto clocking over 2.75 lakh kilometres on the odo and giving repeated problems - shocks, gearbox and it even required an engine overhaul as a result of coolant leakage. Naval was clear about owning a robust SUV that can handle all kinds of terrain and handle farm requirements like transporting agricultural goods frequently. Owning a Gypsy he had eyes on the Jimny but decided to drop it due to its petrol engine and the vehicle size. After a quick mental evaluation, he finalized the Bolero and booked it without even a test drive. The dealer did not even have a display vehicle! However, he has seen and driven the older generation Bolero owned by his uncle.

Mahindra does not offer a lot to choose from -

• The vehicle is only offered in three variants - B4, B6 and B6 OPT.
• Only three colour choices are available and the dealer was non-committal about delivery of colours other than white. We did not have a lot of time on hand to wait either.
• 1.5L mHawk engine
• No 4WD or auto gearbox

Except for the rear wiper, B6 had everything necessary and Naval opted for that. The delivery happened within a month of booking with the VIN decoder indicating that the vehicle was manufactured in January 2025.

[gischethans]

Likes -

• The vehicle is built tough and offers a great driving experience on bad roads. One can just glide over potholes and small humps without braking or changing gears.
• High seating position gives a clear frontal view from the driver seat. It also commands some respect on the road, perhaps since many Government vehicles are Boleros. Two-wheelers who stick to the centre of the road for smaller cars just go sideways when Bolero approaches even without sounding a horn.
• Headlamps at a higher position meant that during night driving, the vehicles in the opposite direction were dipping their headlamps even when we were on low beam. The light throw felt adequate.
• Torquey engine - engage the gear and the vehicle moves without much accelerator input even on slopes. Does not require frequent downshifting
• While everything right from the infotainment to the trims is basic, we are hopeful on the durability front. Not a lot of gizmos means easy maintenance and serviceability, correct?

Dislikes -

• Average fit and finish
• Dated interiors. Creature comforts like automatic climate control, touchscreen infotainment system are absent.
• Doors feel light and move with wind when open
• Lack of dead pedal
• No cruise control (in any variant)
• Beyond 80 kmph the ride is a bit noisy and not as comfortable as the cars

Key Specifications

• The 1493 cc engine delivers a maximum net power of 55.9 kW @ 3600 RPM and the maximum net torque is 210 Nm at 1600 - 2200 RPM.
• It comes with a 5-speed manual transmission.
• The tyre size is 215/75 R15 and a full-sized spare is offered.
• Independent front coil sprint suspension on the front and rigid semi-elliptic leaf spring on the rear
• Disc brakes for front wheels and drum for the rear
• 60 litre fuel tank

Dimensions

[gischethans]

Exteriors

The flip key. The * is for panic alarm.


The side and rear profiles -




Bolero badging including variant information is only on the left side


Sturdy footboard. It would be hard to get in without this, especially for the elderly and children.


Bridgestone tyres -


Tyre placard -


Rather tiny wipers for the large windshield. It needs to be seen how they perform during rain. A good portion to the right of the windshield is not covered by this.


The headlight. There is a blank provided below the indicator. Apparently, it can house parking lamps.


Tail lamp


Pull-up-to-open type door handles are provided. The gaps feel ugly.


One of the indicators had already started collecting moisture. We would be taking it up during the first service.


The engine bay - apologies for the bad angle but it is spacious and all the tanks are accessible unlike cars where for instance the wiper fluid tank would be hidden most of the times.


The fuel tank lid of the right side. The lever to open is available for the driver.


The DEF filling cap lever is beside the left bench seat.


The DEF cap is on the left side.

[gischethans]

The Interiors

Rear passengers get a shared armrest but there is nothing for the front. The armrest just lowers down for those with heavy arms!


Bench seats - Naval intends to remove them altogether to increase the boot space.


The doors feel light for a vehicle of this size and it moves with the slightest wind. I wish Mahindra offered a 90-degree opening like Tata. My expectation probably comes from my Tata Punch which has heavier doors and also offers a 90-degree opening making ingress/egress easier.


The dashboard view. You get a basic car stereo system. A touchscreen infotainment system is a basic need today.


Near the driver-side door, you get an auto-start stop disable button along with a headlamp leveller.


The speedometer console. Note the options like 4WD low which is not even available in this vehicle - wonder if Mahindra uses a common console?

I liked how the display is organized into multiple sections, particularly the TPMS display. No need to navigate across pages like in cars.


The fuel and bonnet release (circled in yellow) latches.


The A/B/C pedals. A dead pedal would have been a great value addition. I had my foot almost stuck between the clutch as I am used to a dead pedal on my Punch.


The glove box has sufficient space and comes with a partition too.


The gear knob - nothing fancy here.


The driver and co-passenger doors do not have power window buttons. The central console has them for all windows but it is inconvenient for the driver to reach out to that. Having them on the door armrest would have improved the user experience.



Wish Mahindra had covered these rods with hard plastic covers. Would have given a cleaner look.


No effort to hide the wires for the door-mounted tail lamp.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[Iyencar]

Originally Posted by gischethans

My brother-in-law, Naval, acquired the 2025 Diamond White Bolero last week and I got an opportunity to experience the beast this week. Penning down our experiences here.

So Naval is in fact terrestrial, eh?
Congratulations to him! Beats me why the 4x4 isn't offered in the one car in the M&M line up that is most likely to need it and have folks use it. They probably recovered whatever R&D costs they had 100 times over by now.
Also what is this about a Force Motors pick up?!! Pics please!

[viren83]

What a Legendary car. I feel this has always sold over 6000-7000 units every single month for so many years. The boxy design, door hinges, and the wheel caps really make it a timeless car. No doubt this can sell in same numbers for another 10 years.

Wish to travel like a Government official or a bureaucrat? Get a Bolero in white, get the white fabric seat covers, sit back and have a driver in safari styled suit.

In Rajasthan, which is one of its biggest market, everyone stays away a Bolero. This car is a perfect example of Mess Around and Find Out.

The original Bolero with large headlamp trims looked absolutely brute. In fact, I'd call it a good car for its time, but today, it has many flaws. I am particularly shocked with light weight doors highlighted above. I hope Mahindra gives Bolero a facelift that it deserves, not the Bolero Neo treatment, but something that looks raw, feels good and doesn't feel like a cop car.

Many Congratulations to Naval!

[boxwrench]

Congratulations to Naval. Bolero is a no nonsense true utilitarian SUV with all the basic necessities. I wish we had more reasonable cars like Bolero, bare basics and reliable. I own a 2013 Bolero and recently had an opportunity to drive a 2025 model. The current engine feels more powerful and the vehicle overall feels more agile. Maybe they have optimised the weight. The current gearbox is a cable shift type and it feels the worst but does the job. I wish Mahindra would take notes from Maruti Swift when designing the shift mechanisms. I feel Mahindra always messes up tiny things like this. But for ~12 laks on road I think this is a reasonable buy.

[vigsom]

Nice review of a vehicle associated with the power of position! I travel in Boleros at least four times every month and would like to add my views to complement your detailed points.

Originally Posted by gischethans

- One can just glide over potholes and small humps without braking or changing gears
- Independent front coil sprint suspension on the front and rigid semi-elliptic leaf spring on the rear
- High seating position gives a clear frontal view from the driver seat
- commands some respect on the road, perhaps since many Government vehicles are Boleros.
- Torquey engine - engage the gear and the vehicle moves without much accelerator input even on slopes

Agree on all these points. Whenever I have to ride in a Bolero, I take the front seat. Reason : The front seat is always for the inspector. The suspension works okay when new but the ride can go out of whack over time.

- Doors feel light and move with wind when open
- Rather tiny wipers for the large windshield. It needs to be seen how they perform during rain

The doors are just given a strap; stoppers would have helped keep them in place. The wipers may be tiny but do a fantastic job. How long they last before replacement is a different aspect though.

Now, for some observations

1. The Bolero's worst part is the weird seat belts in the rear seat. I insist that rear seat passengers use them but these are the buckle adjustable types and this becomes a pain for most to keep adjusting and readjusting them. The Bolero Neo however has the conventional straightforward seat belts
2. The rear seat can be difficult for some to get in but is the better seat to ride in overall.
3. The Bolero's step at the rear is tucked in well, and doesn't pose a strike hazard, while the Bolero Neo's rear step can make one's shin pain real hard if one doesn't spot the projection (pic attached)
4. Many owners love the Bridgestone Duelers D689 tread pattern. Some Boleros come with CEATs too these days which is nowhere as rugged as the D689.

"Inspector" riding one Bolero and after sometime another, and going uphill; the vehicles went up these tracks effortlessly




Bolero Neo vs Bolero - note the rear step neatly tucked away in the Bolero, while posing a hazard in the Neo

[gischethans]

Originally Posted by vigsom

Nice review of a vehicle associated with the power of position! I travel in Boleros at least four times every month and would like to add my views to complement your detailed points.

Thank you so much!

The suspension works okay when new but the ride can go out of whack over time. The rear seat can be difficult for some to get in but is the better seat to ride in overall.

Interesting. @alstonlobo was also telling me that the leaf springs can make the ride bouncier in the rear. I did not get a chance to experience the rear seat though.

The wipers may be tiny but do a fantastic job. How long they last before replacement is a different aspect though.

That is a relief!

The Bolero's worst part is the weird seat belts in the rear seat. I insist that rear seat passengers use them but these are the buckle adjustable types and this becomes a pain for most to keep adjusting and readjusting them. The Bolero Neo however has the conventional straightforward seat belts

I see. Even for the front seats, we felt the clips were placed differently.

The Bolero's step at the rear is tucked in well, and doesn't pose a strike hazard, while the Bolero Neo's rear step can make one's shin pain real hard if one doesn't spot the projection

I noticed the rear step - and was wondering why it was placed that way, felt it could make egress a bit challenging but I can now understand the pain of hitting the shin otherwise.

Many owners love the Bridgestone Duelers D689 tread pattern. Some Boleros come with CEATs too these days which is nowhere as rugged as the D689.

This is great to know.

I couldn't take the vehicle on muddy terrain but experienced the power while taking a 1 km uphill road - I used the 3rd gear like on my Punch but felt Bolero might even do it on the 4th.

[StrykerEV05]

I learnt driving in a Bolero, 2003 model I guess, that was without power steering. It is a vehicle I'm emotionally connected to. It was my grandfather's car, he was in the mining industry in a town called Barbil in Orissa, now Odisha. The roads were almost non existent out there hence this kind of car or rather jeep was needed. In that generation, the Gen 1 I think the GLX was the top model and the models followed a GL something series.

A face-lift had come after a few years, probably late 2000s, before 2010. Then the models were called SLE, SLX, there was a Bolero Plus too which was kinda elongated in the rear section. In the regular Bolero the jump seats were good for just 1 on each side. In the Bolero Plus 2 could sit beside each other on each of the jump seats.

In the Steel/Iron industry Boleros are used a lot. My dad has a company issued Bolero SLE from 2008-2013. These cars which belonged to the company are very extensively driven. In 2013 I remember taking one of the last rides on it, the odometer read something in 3 lakh range. The only issue faced by us in the older Boleros was the Air Conditioning, probably because of the high dust environment that those cars were usually driven in. The AC wasn't very effective. Post service at the company ASS things used to get better but for just about 1 month, then again the dreaded AC not cooling issue used to pop up. I'm not sure if that was the case with a few Boleros or was a general issue with the car. The Car was rock solid though! I was 10-11 years old back then and my favorite seat was the jump seat at the end. I have an elder brother, 2 years older, we used to fight for shotgun initially. Whoever didn't get that used to take th3 jump seat. The main rear seats used to be empty, 1 kid in the boot and 1 kid in the front passenger seat and a chauffeur driving the car in a tier 3/4 city of India. It is one of my most cherished memories from my childhood.

Thanks a lot OP for sharing this post, love to see the company Mahindra still producing and selling these work horses so many years later!

Unpopular Opinion: I want this Bolero to remain as it is. That was the purpose of this vehicle. Those who wanted something fancy used to go for the Scorpio back then. I loved that vehicle too back then, there used to be a beautiful cube decal on it and that car looked really badass back then.

[Aditya]

Exceptional, unbiased & detailed ownership reviews of cars have started going to our homepage reviews box. It's the ultimate stamp of trust from Team-BHP (as a platform) because lakhs of visitors every month check out reviews from there & make purchase decisions.

Your review has also gone here. Thank you so much for sharing .

[BlackPearl]

Congratulations gischethans on getting the Bolero. It is one my most favourite cars in the entire world. It is rugged, no nonsense, reliable and keeps on running day in and day out for eternity. I wish they had continued providing 4WD as an option for people who don't want to buy the flashy Thar and need an utilitarian 4x4 vehicle.

[kkSolo]

Congratulations on the beast! You really cant go wrong with a Bolero in India, especially in the hills.

As a former owner of the Bolero (2021) I see M&M have updated the instrument cluster. The rest are pretty much the same. I really enjoyed my Bolero, that lovely 1.5 diesel, refined and economical. Took me across India and to Umlingla! The suspension and safety are things Mahindra needs to address ASAP.

Its about time they hit us with an all new model, instead of these minor updates.

[Oldschool guy]

Congratulations to Naval!

The Bolero is like India’s version of Lada Niva barely gets any major updates, yet refuses to give up. It just keeps running through the worst of conditions like it was born for it.

A friend of mine still has an old Bolero in his garage and it's in pristine condition. He swears by it says nothing ever breaks and it just works.

A relative who works at M&M once told me the Bolero wasn’t even a focused project more like the neglected child of M&M where they need only Grand Armada upgrade. They threw minimal resources at it and to this day they're still scratching their heads at how it continues to be a hit.

I love that it still comes with rear leaf springs and a proper metal bumper probably the last one in the market holding on to these old-school vibes.