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The ‘Bolero’ nameplate carries an iconic status in the Indian automotive space, something I mentioned in my review of the 2025 Mahindra Bolero. So when Mahindra revamped its sub-four metre SUV in 2021 and called it the Bolero Neo, it raised eyebrows, seemingly positioned to replace the icon. That, sadly, wasn’t the case. The Bolero Neo has always been the underdog of the subcompact SUV segment; it may not be as modern as its rivals, but it is tough, rugged and reasonably easy to live with. With this facelift, has Mahindra finally addressed its issues and given it a breath of fresh air against new competition? That is what I aimed to find out.

I, for one, appreciate the Bolero Neo’s look; its boxy shape and upright stance make it a truly butch SUV. To accentuate this design, the Neo now sports a new grille with chrome inserts and horizontal slats. The faux skid plate on the bumper boasts a silver finish, replacing the previous version’s muted grey. Profile changes include new 16-inch dark metallic grey alloy wheels and a black roof for a sportier stance. At the rear, the only update is a body-coloured spare wheel cover. Collectively, these minor tweaks give the Neo a needed visual refresh, pushing its aesthetic slightly closer to its modern rivals without abandoning the rugged DNA that defines the Bolero name.

Inside, the cabin layout remains identical, though buyers now have a choice of mocha brown or lunar grey colour themes. Mahindra has bolstered the feature list with leatherette seats, an updated 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, USB Type-C charging ports and a reverse parking camera. Essentials like cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat and electrically-adjustable mirrors are still included. While the interior might feel outdated compared to its rivals, Mahindra has nailed the fit and finish. Yes, hard plastics are abundant, but for its price, the cabin feels solidly old-school, just like the original Bolero, which is more of a compliment than an insult.

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Before talking about the engine, there is one crucial thing that I would like to address, which is the RideFlo tech. This technology adds frequency-dependent dampers borrowed from the Scorpio-N. This isn’t marketing fluff and it really works. Where the ladder-on-frame SUV previously struggled on-road, it now feels remarkably planted and smooth on all surfaces. Body roll is expected, but the suspension no longer wallows during quick changes in direction. The steering is decently feelsome and is direct enough. If you don’t expect the dynamism of a monocoque SUV like the XUV 3XO, the handling will impress.

The Bolero Neo is powered by Mahindra’s familiar 1.5-litre three-cylinder mHawk100 diesel engine, delivering 98.5 bhp and 26.5 kgm via a 5-speed manual driving the rear wheels. While it lags behind rivals in pure figures, the Neo provides excellent low-end grunt, making city traffic and mild off-roading effortless. Reaching triple-digit highway speeds is easy enough in Standard mode. Refinement is secondary to its rugged ‘Bolero-like’ character. The one key constraint is the Eco mode, which heavily restricts power and caps revs at 3500 rpm, causing noticeable sluggishness. Sticking to the Standard mode provides the best balance of usable power for daily driving.

Although Mahindra has added tech and design tweaks to make the Bolero Neo slightly more modern, it still doesn’t quite match up to its rivals in sheer sophistication. However, the Neo’s key strengths are its competitive price tag and a rawness missing in most compact SUVs today. Crucially, it remains the only SUV in this segment that is body-on-frame and rear-wheel drive. This mechanical layout, combined with the new suspension, gives it an undeniable ability to tackle any terrain. This combination of toughness, value and true all terrain capability in a compact package is precisely what makes the Bolero Neo truly worthy of carrying the legendary Bolero name tag.