Mahindra Bolero Neo vs Diesel-powered Rivals: What Do The Prices Say?

How does the premium version of the Bolero stack up against the urban-centric sub-4m SUVs in terms of pricing? We find out

Mahindra recently revived one of its sub-4m SUV offerings and renamed it the Bolero Neo. It is a successor to the TUV300 and it is only available with a diesel-manual powertrain. The Bolero Neo is positioned as a rugged and relatively affordable offering whose appeal will go beyond the urban buyers. Let’s see how its prices compare to the diesel-powered variants of its segment rivals:

Diesel

• The Bolero Neo’s starting price is nearly on par with that of the diesel-powered Tata Nexon but the Kia Sonet’s entry-level diesel variant is more affordable by Rs 13,000.

• It is worth noting that all these models get 1.5-litre diesel engines.

• The Bolero Neo’s diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with an output of 100PS and 260Nm. It is the only body-on-frame SUV here with rear-wheel-drive, and jump seats in the back for a 5+2 seating configuration. It will also offer a segment exclusive mechanical locking rear differential (MLD) on the soon-to-be-launched N10 (O) variant. The MLD sends power to the wheel that has the most amount of traction to help limit wheel slippage on low-traction surfaces.

• The Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue are available with the same 1.5-litre diesel engine that makes 100PS and 240Nm with a 6-speed manual. With a 6-speed AT that is only offered with the Sonet, it also offers an extra 15PS and 10Nm.

• Tata’s diesel engine option for the Nexon is rated at 110PS and 260Nm and is available with the choice of a 6-speed manual and 6-speed AMT. The Nexon’s variants are priced very closely to those of the Bolero Neo. It is the only one to offer a diesel-automatic option for less than Rs 11 lakh and less than Rs 50,000 more expensive than the current top-spec Bolero Neo N10.
• The diesel variants of the Ford Ecosport are priced similar to the Bolero Neo. Its diesel engine makes 100PS and 215Nm mated to a 5-speed manual.
• Mahindra’s premium take on a sub-4m SUV, the XUV300, is powered by a different 1.5-litre diesel engine than the Bolero Neo. This unit makes 117PS and 300Nm and is the most powerful and torquiest diesel engine in the segment. It is available with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed AMT. Only the base-spec W4 variant is within range of the Bolero Neo.

Also read: Three-row Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus Expected To Launch Soon

• The mid-spec variants of the Sonet, Venue, Nexon and Ecosport that are priced similar to the top-spec Bolero Neo N10 are better equipped in terms of comforts and technology. The petrol-powered variants of rivals are even more affordable.
• Mahindra does offer the Bolero Neo N10 with modern essentials such as a 7-inch  touchscreen infotainment system (without Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), cruise control, rear sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchorage and remote key entry. For similar prices, the Sonet HTK+ has a larger display with wireless smartphone connectivity, auto AC and a rearview camera with driving rear view monitor.

Other sub-4m SUVs like the petrol-only Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger may offer better value-for-money from a feature perspective, but Mahindra is counting on the Bolero Neo’s rugged appeal to attract customers who are looking for a different experience or are maybe upgrading from the regular Bolero.

Related: Mahindra Bolero vs Bolero Neo: Similarities And Differences

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