2017 Mahindra Bolero Power+ review, test drive

What’s it like to drive?

The heart of this Bolero Power+ is a three-cylinder 1493cc diesel engine which produces 71hp (8hp more than the 2.5L version) and 195Nm of torque. While these numbers might not seem impressive on paper, what’s truly incredible is the way in which the engine performs. All the torque is available at lower revs and that combined with its short gearing makes it very easy to potter around town and keep up with city traffic. There’s adequate pulling power from as low as idling revs (1000rpm) which means that a downshift isn’t required to pull away from crawling speeds in third gear. Drive sedately and this motor rewards you with excellent drivability. If you try to hustle this engine, it will take its own sweet time to build speed. Having said that, out on the open road in terms of outright acceleration it takes 20.90 seconds to reach 100kph from a standstill, which is 4.71 seconds faster than the outgoing version. Even in-gear acceleration times have significantly improved now with the car taking 4.32 seconds lesser for 20-80kphin third gear and 6.15 seconds lesser for the 40-100kph sprint in fourth gear. The shortened Bolero is shockingly refined for what is essentially a rural SUV. Even at higher revs it doesn’t sound coarse or strained. Noise, vibrations and harshness (NVH) levels of this vehicle are minimal and sound insulation is surprisingly good. Where it does begin to show its age is when it comes to its ride quality. It’s actually compliant at city speeds but feels loose and wayward over wavy surfaces, the faster you go. The high centre of gravity can be felt at every curve and there’s a fair bit of body roll and vagueness in the handling that can be unnerving at highway speeds.

Claimed fuel efficiency has marginally increased to 16.5kpl (from 2.5 litre engine’s 15.96kpl) but we’ll have to wait for a full road test to see how it fares in the real world.

Should I buy one?

While traditional Bolero fans might miss the higher displacement engine in the Power+, Mahindra has proved that in this case, there is a replacement for displacement. Yes, this 1.5-litre unit is the best three-cylinder diesel engine out there in the market today which offers great drivability and refinement. This Bolero’s lower sticker price makes it a lot more affordable than before but is this hero of yesteryear, which is essentially an 15 year old vehicle still worth the asking price of Rs. 6.87-7.86 lakh? It’s still crudely built, the interiors are cramped and there are no safety features to speak off.

If there is competition for the Bolero it’s in the form of its own sibling the TUV300 which carries forward the same strengths in a far more contemporary package. In fact, with a starting price of Rs. 7.38 lakh the TUV300 isn’t priced that much higher and in comparison is a far better choice for both the urban as well as rural environment.

However, the Bolero still strikes a chord with customers in the deep hinterland who swear by its tough-as-nails character and the fact that it’s easy to repair anywhere – reasons that have made it such a popular brand. Its sturdy build and body-on-frame chassis makes it well-suited to rural areas where badly broken roads and deep potholes would make soft roaders and crossovers wince. And frankly there is still no direct substitute for it.