Invasion of the horizon and beyond. Review on Mahindra Bolero Invader

Hi guys... here is an unbiased feedback on the Invader after two days of ownership.

Build quality and finish

M&M should definitely take some lessons in quality. I wonder if the Bolero GLX as well as the Scorpio suffer from the same finish-quality glitches as the Invader. If yes, then I pity the owners. Shelling out so much dough and getting such a finish. At least I have the solace of spending almost 1.5 lacs less than a GLX owner :)

All said and done, the Invader is a jeep and is not supposed to have a mushy-goody car like finish. Even I like it the rugged way. But some things which I did not like :

• the spare wheel cover had the black paint worn off in a couple of places, giving it an old look. The dealer has promised to spray paint it

  
  




• the gear knob had some bit of plastic 'scooped' off giving it a dated look. The dealer is replacing it

  
  




• the wiper motor relay was hanging loose under the dashboard. I asked the dealer about it and they fixed it

  
  




• yesterday, the driver side gate lock refused to open from the outside using the key. Am going to get it fixed @ the dealer's this weekend.

  
  

But at the end of the day, the build quality is way ahead of the older M&M jeeps, including a wonderful paint finish, well moulded dashboard, well padded steering wheel, perfect bucket seats, etc. Last night I drove around in the rain and the canopy did its job very well without letting in a drop of water.

Interiors

The interiors are basic but useful. Don't expect it to be like that of a luxury car but you will find the necessary bare minimum including a lockable glove box, a grab handle on the co-driver side, nice niches on the dash to store your goodies. The rubber mats are simple and may appear too bland but are gr8 when it comes to removing them and cleaning them. The roof lamp does not light up if the co-driver side door is open, it only works for the driver's door. This is something I wished to be there. The controls for the music system (if u opt for one) are way below. The bench seats are quite comfortable and can be folded upwards if the need be. The tool box below the left bench is well-placed and spacious but could have been padded from inside to avoid the rattling of tools on a bump & rough roads. The steering wheel is well padded and gives a rich feel. The bucket seats are really comfy and give a very good view of the road. Overall, there is looooooots of space inside the Invader. It really gives you a roomy feel, and believe me, I am saying this after owning a Sierra. The canopy is well fitted and does its job well, although, of course, renders the vehicle vulnerable to theft of anything left inside it. The canopy is pretty easy to remove but needs some practice to be put back on :) The absence of a blower needs the windows to be open just a wee bit to avoid fogging while driving in the rains. The window-glass winches are effortless and get the glass completely up in just a couple of rotations.

Engine & Transmission

Here comes the best part. The Peugeot XD3P (same as that on the Bolero GLX) engine is one brute of a mill with loads of torque. It really feels gr8 to cross speed breakers on the 3rd cog :) The purr of the refined XD3P is music to the ears... it sounds like a beast waiting to be unleashed, and it sure is a beast when unleashed. The NHV levels are really down. The BA10 gear box, which does duty on the Bolero GLX, does a wonderful job. The shifts are almost as smooth as a car although the gear lever vibrates a bit. Personally, the engine made me forget all the other shortcomings of the Invader.

Ride and Handling

The ride on tarmac is fairly comfy. The IFS does a gr8 job for the front passengers but the rear leaf springs are not very kind to the rear passengers. But once you go off road, you really know what M&M means when they say that Invader is a go-anywhere vehicle. It has an unsatiable appetite for bumps and potholes. The huge torque comes in handy. Steering is pretty smooth and easy, eliminating the need for a PS unless a lady in the family wishes to drive the vehicle. But parking in tight spots is sure to build your biceps and shoulders :) Corners are handled very well as the JK Brutes do their job really good. Last night I was driving on the Ring Road and it was raining pretty hard. I took all the curves on the road @ 60 kmph and the Invader remained pinned to the tarmac. Felt really safe and rock solid. Cannot comment on higher speed handling as I am not supposed to exceed 60 kmph till 2000 kms.

Verdict

Well, let's see now, if you want a vehicle which will make you forget about the terrain you are driving on, which is as reliable as the sun, which will be light on your pocket in terms of fuel consumption and maintenance, which will make you stand out in a crowd of Santros and Zens, then Invader is for you. Do not expect car like comfort levels and the amenities like Power Steering / Air Conditioning / Power Windows. Although the first two are available as an option, but they do not blend with the spirit of the vehicle.

If you want a vehicle which offers you very good comfort levels, which is a highway stormer, which needs to ferry elderly family memebers, then better opt for the Sportz/GLX instead.

Finally, the best part is, you can take the Invader home for 4.5 lacs in Bangalore.

Am planning a long trip sometime next month. Will write in my comments again after that. Hope this review helps you decide for or against an Invader.