Mahindra has launched the refreshed Mahindra Bolero Neo in India at a starting price of ₹8.49 lakh (ex-showroom), bringing sharper styling, useful feature additions, and a new range-topper without losing the rugged character buyers expect.

At a glance

• Price: ₹8.49–₹9.99 lakh (ex-showroom) N4, N8, N10, N10 (O), N11
• 1.5L mHawk100 diesel and 5-speed manual
• Rear-wheel drive on a ladder-frame
• New grille, dark-finished R16 alloys, Jeans Blue and Concrete Grey colours, larger touchscreen, rear camera, fresh cabin themes, retuned suspension with RideFlo

Pricing and variants

Mahindra’s philosophy is simple: make it affordable, add value. The range starts with the N4 at ₹8.49 lakh and goes up to ₹9.99 lakh for the N11. If you want the full feature set without blowing the budget, N8 and N10 are the options. N10 (O) and N11 are for those who use the vehicle regularly on rough roads and want traction tech in reserve.

• N4: ₹8.49 lakh
• N8: ₹9.29 lakh
• N10: ₹9.79 lakh
• N11: ₹9.99 lakh

Powertrain and platform

Bolero fans will feel right at home. 1.5L, 3-cylinder mHawk100 diesel makes 100 bhp and 260 Nm. 5-speed manual. And rear-wheel drive, body-on-frame. Yes, still a rarity in the sub-4m space. So it takes broken roads and full loads in its stride like crossovers can only dream of. Higher variants get Multi-Terrain Technology and a mechanical locking function when traction gets tricky.

Dimensions and seating

Compact outside, flexible inside – that’s the idea. The Bolero Neo is under 4m but can seat 7 with side-facing jump seats at the back. Perfect for school runs, site visits, village market days or when cargo takes priority. It folds away when needed.

Design and updates

The facelift gets a cleaner face with a new grille and darker alloys that give it more attitude. Jeans Blue and Concrete Grey are new colours that don’t stray from the Bolero’s no-nonsense image. Inside, a larger touchscreen, USB-C charging, rear-view camera and new Lunar Grey and Mocha Brown themes make daily use easier – small changes that make long days shorter.

Ride, handling, safety

RideFlo tuning targets where owners feel it most: speed breakers, paver blocks, patchy tarmac. So you get better control and comfort without losing the core toughness. Safety kit covers the basics with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, parking sensors and reminders, what this segment expects.

Where it fits in the segment

Think of the Bolero Neo as the segment’s work boot among sneakers. Rivals like the Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, and Hyundai Venue are polished, monocoque, front-drive crossovers – great in town and on the highway. The Neo’s ladder-frame and RWD are built for the long haul over rougher ground, mild trails, and heavy-duty errands. If daily life involves uneven surfaces and full loads, this layout pays off.

The takeaway from Mahindra

Mahindra is doubling down on what the Bolero nameplate stands for – toughness, dependability, and honest value – then layering in modern touches where they matter most. The 2025 update doesn’t chase headline power; it focuses on the day-to-day: clearer screens, cleaner looks, calmer rides.

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Should it be on the shortlist?

If the brief calls for a compact SUV that can seat seven in a pinch, handle bad roads with ease, and keep running costs sensible, the Bolero Neo belongs near the top of the list. Pick the N10 (O) or N11 for the most rounded feature set and traction tech; they make the strongest case for buyers outside big-city cores.

Call to action

Considering mixed-use duty cycles or semi-urban driving? Book a test drive of the N10 (O) or N11 and run it over the roughest patch on the route – its strengths show up where the road gives up.