The Mahindra Bolero, one of India's most beloved SUVs, has received a mid-life facelift. While the overall character of the vehicle remains unchanged, the updated Bolero brings in cosmetic updates to keep it fresh and relevant in an increasingly competitive market. The mechanical setup remains the same, keeping its rugged, no-nonsense appeal intact. But what are the key differences between the old Bolero and the new Bolero facelift, and how do they compare on price? Let’s break it down.

1. Exterior Design: A Fresh Look for the Bolero

The new mahindra Bolero facelift comes with several visual updates to give it a more contemporary look while retaining the iconic rugged character. Here’s how it compares to the older model:

New Bolero Facelift:

· Revised Front Grille: The new Bolero sports a more bold and muscular front grille with chrome detailing.

· New Bumper Design: The front and rear bumpers have been given a fresh design with slimmer, sharper edges and a more aggressive stance.

· Reworked Headlights: The headlights now come with LED DRLs (daytime running lights), which adds a modern touch.

· Updated Tailgate: The spare wheel mounting has been reworked for a sleeker appearance, although it retains its side-mounted spare wheel.

· Color Options: The new Bolero comes with a few new color choices to give buyers more options.

Old Bolero:

· Classic Front Grille: The older model featured a simpler, more utilitarian grille design, lacking the boldness of the new model.

· Conservative Bumper Design: The bumpers were more functional but lacked the design sophistication of the facelift.

· Standard Halogen Headlights: The older model only featured standard halogen bulbs, which now look outdated compared to the new model's modern LEDs.

· Spare Wheel on the Tailgate: Like the new model, the older Bolero also had the side-mounted spare wheel, but it lacked the aesthetic refinement of the new design.

2. Interior: Comfort Meets Utility

The Bolero has always been about toughness, but with the facelift, mahindra has added a few touches to make the cabin feel more modern and premium.

New Bolero Facelift:

· Updated Dashboard: The new Bolero facelift comes with an updated dashboard design, which includes new soft-touch materials and better fit and finish.

· Touchscreen Infotainment: The biggest change inside is the introduction of a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This was missing in the older model.

· New Instrument Cluster: A more modern instrument cluster with digital elements adds to the updated cabin look.

· Better Seats: The upholstery has been upgraded to provide more comfort with better support for long drives.

Old Bolero:

· Basic Dashboard: The older Bolero had a simpler, utilitarian dashboard with fewer modern touches and a focus on functionality.

· Basic audio System: The older model came with a basic audio system and no touchscreen or smartphone integration.

· Traditional Instrument Cluster: The analog dials and no-frills instrument cluster reflected the older, utilitarian approach to design.

· Simple Seats: While comfortable, the seats in the older model were more basic, lacking the modern touches and improved support of the new Bolero.

3. Features and Technology

While the mechanical setup remains largely unchanged, the new Bolero facelift comes with more modern features to make it more competitive in today’s market.

New Bolero Facelift:

· 7-inch Touchscreen: As mentioned earlier, the new Bolero comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

· Rear Parking Sensors: The new model adds rear parking sensors and reverse parking camera for easier parking.

· Updated AC: The air conditioning unit has been updated to improve cooling efficiency.

· LED DRLs: The daytime running lights provide a modern touch, enhancing visibility during the day.

Old Bolero:

· Basic audio System: The older model didn’t have any touchscreen functionality and came with a basic audio system.

· No Parking Sensors: The previous version lacked advanced features like rear parking sensors or a reverse camera.

· Manual AC: The air conditioning was manual, without the convenience of modern features like climate control.

· Standard Halogen Lights: The older model had standard halogen bulbs, which now seem outdated compared to the LED DRLs of the new version.

4. Powertrain: No Change in the Core Performance

Mechanically, both the old and new Bolero share the same powertrain. The 2023 facelift retains the same 2.5L diesel engine that has been a hallmark of the Bolero's rugged character.

Engine Specifications:

· Engine: 2.5L, 4-cylinder diesel engine

· Power: Around 75 PS

· Torque: 200 Nm

· Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox

The performance remains the same with both versions offering a no-nonsense driving experience suited for rough indian roads, making the Bolero a popular choice for rural and semi-urban markets.

5. Price Comparison: How Much Does the New Bolero Cost?

The price difference between the old Bolero and new Bolero facelift is primarily driven by the cosmetic updates and added features in the latter. Here's the expected price range:

New mahindra Bolero Facelift:

· Price Range: ₹9.50 lakh - ₹10.50 lakh (Ex-showroom, India)

Old mahindra Bolero:

· The previous version of the Bolero was priced slightly lower, but now that the facelifted model has been launched, expect the old Bolero to be priced similarly, or perhaps at a slight discount, depending on dealer offers or clearance sales.

6. Conclusion: Should You Upgrade?

While the old Bolero has always been a dependable and rugged choice for customers looking for a no-frills, utility-focused SUV, the new Bolero facelift brings several key updates that make it a much more modern offering. The new touchscreen infotainment, updated exterior design, and improved interior quality are enough to make the facelifted model feel more in tune with current times, especially if you want a bit more tech and comfort without losing the Bolero's rugged appeal.

However, if you don’t mind the basic features and the no-nonsense appeal of the older model, the Bolero continues to be a solid, reliable choice for those who value functionality over all else.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to how much you’re willing to spend for additional tech and updated looks, as the Bolero facelift offers a slightly higher price tag but a lot more value in terms of modern features.

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