The Mahindra Bolero Neo received a 1-star safety rating in recent Global NCAP crash tests, indicating huge room for improvement in its safety department. The SUV scored 20.26 points out of 34 in adult occupant protection (AOP) and 12.71 points out of 49 in child occupant protection (COP).
Let’s examine how it performed in each testing parameter: –
Adult Occupant Protection (AOP)
1. Front Impact Test
- Frontal impact test conducted at 64kmph.
- “Marginal” head protection for driver.
- “Good” head protection for front passenger.
- “Good” neck protection for both driver and passenger.
- “Weak” chest protection for driver.
- “Adequate” chest protection for the front passenger.
- “Marginal” knee protection for both driver and passenger.
- “Marginal” tibia protection for driver.
- “Adequate” and “good” tibia protection for the front passenger.
- Footwell and bodyshell rated unstable.
2. Side Impact Test
- Done at 50kmph.
- “Good” protection for the driver’s head, waist, and hips.
- “Adequate” chest protection.
3. Side Pole Impact
Side pole impact testing was not performed due to the lack of curtain airbags.
Child Occupant Protection (COP)
- 18-month-old child seat faced rearward, providing limited head protection.
- The 3-year-old child seat faced forward, offering almost full head protection during the frontal impact.
- Both child restraint systems (CRS) provided full protection during the side impact test at 50kmph.
For those unaware, Mahindra offers the Bolero Neo only with the basic set of safety features, comprising dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, ISOFIX anchors, and seatbelt reminders for the front. Currently, it is available in four variants – N4, N8, N10, and N10(O) – priced between Rs 9.90 lakh and Rs 12.15 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India). It also comes in an extended version, cherished as Bolero Neo+, which offers additional seating capacity compared to the regular model.
