The Mahindra Bolero has long been one of the most popular vehicles in the Indian automotive market, markedly for its ruggedness and dependability. However, for consumers for whom safety has become an overwhelming concern, it is critical to understand this brand's safety rating. This write-up provides an overview of the Mahindra Bolero safety rating regarding the features it offers and what these mean to the consumer.
Mahindra Bolero: A Brief History
Launched in the Indian market in 2000, the Mahindra Bolero became popular for its robust build and practical attributes, especially for operating in rural and semi-urban areas. This stunning vehicle was initially designed to handle rugged terrain while providing a sense of reliability and durability. Over the years, the Bolero has received quite a few updates; however, it has retained the same core philosophy of toughness and utility.
The Bolero has regularly made its place in the list of top sellers among SUVs in India, mainly for its practical appeal. Besides being used for personal needs, the vehicle’s popularity can be attributed to the fact that it is reasonably priced, easy to maintain, and highly reliable, thereby retaining its charm for over two decades. Meanwhile, growing concerns for safety have taken center stage, given evolving market needs. Presently, the Bolero safety rating has garnered significant attention from consumers and experts.
Mahindra Bolero - Safety Features
The following are some of the key features that help protect occupants inside the Mahindra Bolero in case of a collision:
- Dual Front Airbags: This feature has now become a standard in the Bolero. The airbags spread out at the time of a frontal collision and provide the necessary cushioning to the driver and front occupant.
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): This system prevents wheel lock-up during emergency braking, enhancing vehicle control and stability.
- EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution): Works with ABS to attain the best distribution of the braking force across all four wheels.
- Rear Parking Sensors: These sensors alert the driver about any obstacles at the rear, minimising accidents while engaging in reverse gear.
- Seat Belt Reminders: Light and sound signals provide a reminder to the occupants to attach their seat belts for enhanced safety.
These features give the Bolero a more favourable safety rating; however, the vehicle still lacks advanced technologies found in newer models, such as electronic stability and traction control, which are rapidly becoming the industry standard.
Mahindra Bolero Global NCAP Safety Ratings
The Global New Car Assessment Programme, or Global NCAP, undertakes crash tests on vehicles sold in emerging markets, including India. Therefore, the Bolero NCAP rating becomes important as it helps determine the crashworthiness of this SUV.
The safety rating from Mahindra Bolero in the latest assessment from Global NCAP earned it only a 1-star rating for adult and child occupant protection. This was mainly because scant protection was afforded to the driver and front occupant in case of an accident. The vehicle's structure also proved unstable, and the protection level for the head and chest of the driver and front occupant was also lacking.
For adult occupant protection, the Bolero earned 20.26 out of 34 points, while for child protection, it scored a paltry 12.71 out of 49. This suggests that the vehicle's overall safety rating remains questionable, considering that other SUVs within the same segment have fared much better on crash tests.
While the Bolero safety rating has raised some red flags, all these assessments are based on specific crash tests. A consumer should consider a vehicle's overall safety package, including both passive and active safety features when making their purchase decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is it okay to take a Mahindra Bolero on highways?
Yes, the Mahindra Bolero is good to go on highways provided the driver respects the speed limits and other road safety rules; yet with such a poor rating from Global NCAP, drivers must be careful when executing high-speed cornering and ensure all occupants have their seat belts on.
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How does the Mahindra Bolero fare on safety among other SUVs?
While Mahindra Bolero's safety rating is relatively low compared to other SUVs in the same segment, this is relatively reasonable, considering how affordable it is. If buyers are more safety-oriented, they could consider purchasing a different model that would yield better safety ratings. However, the Bolero has a strong body structure, and some safety developments have been added recently.
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What are the safety features available in the Mahindra Bolero?
The Bolero's standard safety features include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and seat belt reminders.
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Does the Mahindra Bolero offer VFM (value for money) after its NCAP rating?
If the buyer is looking for a rugged, all-purpose SUV at an affordable budget, the Bolero is surely a good deal. If safety is your top priority, you can consider other SUVs with better safety ratings.
Conclusion
The Mahindra Bolero is in demand for its dependability and affordability. However, its safety rating will play an essential role in buyer decisions. While it does offer some of the critical safety features, the low official rating by Global NCAP and lack of decent advanced safety features make one question its overall safety performance. As Mahindra continues to update the Bolero, customers will have to decide what they want based on the balance between the need for safety features and other attributes such as performance and cost. Another aspect that can give Bolero owners peace of mind is investment in a reliable car insurance policy to cover any potential risk.
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