Mahindra Bolero Neo scores one star in GNCAP rating

The Mahindra Bolero Neo compact SUV was one of three vehicles to be tested by GNCAP in the latest round testing under its #safercarsforindia programme. The SUV, equipped with two airbags as standard, received low ratings on multiple parameters, resulting in a single-star rating each, for adult and child protection.  

Mahindra Bolero Neo: GNCAP crash test rating explained

According to Global NCAP, the Bolero Neo was tested with the latest protocols available and showed low protection scores for adult occupancy. The SUV secured 20.26 points out of a max 34 in this category. The report stated that the SUV has an unstable structure and also an unstable footwell area. Additionally, it also showed weak chest protection and poor feet protection for the driver. The front impact test also showed a significant difference with the side impact protection, according to the report. The Bolero Neo does not offer curtain airbags nor seatbelt reminders for all passengers. 

As far as child occupant protection goes, the Bolero Neo scored 12.71 points out of a max 49 points. The lack of three-point seatbelts for all passengers, lack of a passenger airbag switch and only one child restraint system (CRS) present in the SUV resulted in low scores in this area, even though the child protection showed “acceptable dynamic performance”.  

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Another reason for a low overall rating for the Bolero Neo is the presence of side-facing seats for the third row, which is one of the major factors in not securing a respectable GNCAP test score. The report calls out Mahindra for falling “disappointingly short” of GNCAP’s safety expectations with the continued use of such a seating setup in its SUVs. 

While Mahindra has secured good ratings for its products like the Scorpio N, the XUV700 and the XUV300 SUV, the Bolero's low rating should not come as a surprise given that it's based on an old platform. The Bolero Neo is essentially a heavily updated TUV300 SUV that has been on sale since 2016 and is due to be replaced within two years by a new platform that's already under development at Mahindra.

Mahindra Bolero Neo safety: Mahindra issues statement

Mahindra has responsed to the Bolero Neo's crash test result with, "The Bolero Neo has always complied with safety regulations that have been introduced over time and continues to be fully compliant with the latest Indian safety standards. As we are constantly innovating and improving our vehicles to exceed safety regulations, we want to assure our customers and stakeholders that Mahindra has significantly enhanced safety features in all our recent launches."

Apart from the Bolero Neo, GNCAP has also tested the Honda Amaze and the Kia Carens MPV in this round of assessments. Further, GNCAP has also announced that these assessments are among the final tests in the #SaferCarsforIndia campaign as Bharat NCAP becomes “fully activated”.