Mahindra Bolero

• The Bolero retains its iconic boxy silhouette, but it gets tweaks to make it look fresher. It gets a mildly redesigned grille with chrome slats, along with subtle tweaks to the headlamps, and it continues with a metal bumper up front. The top-end variant also gets fog lamps up front, and diamond-cut alloy rims. The rear spare wheel continues to be mounted on the tailgate, and the tail lamps have been given subtle tweaks as well.
• In terms of size, the Bolero is 3995mm long, 1745mm wide, and 1880mm tall. With a wheelbase of 2680mm, it offers good ground clearance. The car can seat 7 people, but you need to fold the last row of seats to get more space in the trunk.

• The Bolero remains basic, offering things such as a digital instrument cluster, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and the new B8 variant brings along additional things. These include a new touch screen infotainment system, but still without Android or Apple CarPlay compatibility, along with a USB-C type port, steering-mounted controls and fog lamps. The rest of the interior remains unchanged.
   
• The seats have an upright position and offer limited under-thigh support, potentially causing discomfort on long drives. However, the adjustable backrest can improve comfort. The driver's seat is elevated for good visibility, but the middle row lacks legroom, especially for tall passengers. The last row is best suited for young children, as there is insufficient space and no under-thigh support or headroom for adults to sit comfortably.

• The Mahindra Bolero facelift is powered by a BS6-compliant 1.5-liter mHawk75 diesel engine, producing 75 bhp at 3,600 rpm and 210 Nm of torque between 1,600 and 2,200 rpm. Paired with a manual five-speed transmission, this engine is shared across all three Bolero variants. 
• While there is some diesel noise in the cabin, it remains within acceptable limits. The engine is responsive with a top speed of 125 kmph and delivers torque evenly at lower RPMs, making it suitable for rough roads. However, achieving high speeds on highways may take time, and overtaking at high speeds requires careful planning.
• The gearbox could benefit from smoother changes. Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) need improvement, especially at high speeds due to tire noise, wind noise, and diesel clatter.

• The Mahindra Bolero is built to handle challenging road conditions and rough terrains, offering a smooth ride, thanks to well-tuned coil springs at the front and a robust leaf spring setup at the rear. The ladder-frame SUV excels in ride quality, especially on tough terrains. However, the light steering lacks feedback, affecting high-speed confidence.
• The Bolero is most comfortable cruising at 80-100 kmph on expressways. Passengers may experience significant body roll during turns, especially the third-row occupants who may find the ride rough and uncomfortable, leading to possible nausea.
• However, the ride is generally pleasant for the five passengers in the front, improving when the SUV is loaded. Even on bumpy roads, comfort is maintained, although the ride can become bouncy at higher speeds on such terrains. The large 5.8-meter turning radius makes 3-point turns challenging.

On the safety front, the new Mahindra Bolero comes with seat belt reminders, reverse parking sensors, and dual front airbags. According to the manufacturer, it is the first car in India with metal bumpers that adhere to pedestrian protection standards. In addition to all of this, the car has ABS for enhanced braking efficiency in emergency situations. Reverse parking sensors and seat belt reminders for the driver and even the co-driver are practical features.