The Indian market is dominated by compact-sub 4m SUVs and mid-size SUVs (slightly larger than compact SUVs). There is also this segment of micro-SUVs, which are a size smaller than even compact SUVs. But I will let you in on a secret, that manufacturers don’t want you to know. These aren’t SUVs, in the traditional sense. They are jacked up hatchbacks. Hatchbacks with raised ground clearance and SUV body style. They are front-wheel drive, monocoque, and are designed to be normal cars. They are not designed for proper off-road use and rough-terrain abuse. Well, save for the Maruti-Suzuki Victoris, Grand Vitara, and the Tata Sierra EV, that offer all-wheel-drive. Though, I don’t think anyone would take the risk of taking them offroad, because, let's be honest, they aren’t built for real abuse, are they?
Why am I talking about all this? This is because I recently got to experience two SUVs in the compact sub-4m segment that still deliver the proper, authentic and traditional SUV experience, while actually being built for proper abuse, and off-road use. The SUVs are, the Mahindra Bolero, and the Mahindra Bolero Neo.
Both come with the same 1.5-litre 3-cylinder M-Hawk turbo-diesel engine paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The difference is in the state of tune. The Bolero makes 75 hp and 210 Nm of torque, whereas the Bolero Neo makes 100 hp and 260 Nm of torque. Both engines have amazing amounts of low-end torque, enough to amble around in a higher gear at city speeds and pick up the pace as soon as you floor the throttle. They have enough torque to easily climb inclines, even when loaded.
The spec sheet might underwhelm you, but the engines have enough punch to keep up with city and highway traffic, and overtaking is also not difficult. They are reasonably stable, but you will have to be careful while cornering at speed and changing lanes at highway speed because there is a lot of body roll, because these are body-on-frame SUVs that are built for robustness, not body control.
The SUVs can take a beating and the toughest of roads, but ride comfort is lacking. It is okay, but not great, though they might perform better when fully loaded. U-turns in narrow city streets are difficult as the turning radius is large and the steering requires a lot of turning lock-to-lock. Also, the steering is quite heavy.
The Bolero and Bolero Neo also require some care to control. The clutch requires careful modulation, because the bite point is a bit vague and both, the Bolero and Bolero Neo shoot forward as soon as you release the clutch, because they have so much torque that the speedometer shoots to 10 km/h from zero as soon as the clutch was released. That, was interesting. Also, the positioning of the shifter takes some time to get used to. I took time to figure out where neutral and first was. Not to mention, it is very difficult get used to the awkward driving position, where the steering is extremely close to you, you are raised up very high in terms of seating position, and the pedals are below you, instead of being at an angle, like a truck. That added to the fun for me. Because, this was the first time I got to experience a proper, traditional, body-on-frame SUV. 2 of them, the Neo is slightly more modern and easier to live with.
So, if you want something that can actually take abuse, and is partially be able to do proper off-roading, and something that actually feels like a traditional SUV that is built to last and take you anywhere without an expensive breakdown, then these two should be in your consideration list. Also, pick these two only if you don’t care about features, and interior quality, because they barely have anything. I wish they had proper 4×4 hardware, though. The fleet version of the Bolero, the Pick-up, has it. Bring it to these two Mahindra the public deserves it.
