Mahindra Bolero vs Maruti Suzuki Fronx vs Tata Punch (2026)
The classic compact suv shortlist, settled with numbers (August 2026):
- Pick the Mahindra Bolero if you want the most seats (7).
- Pick the Maruti Suzuki Fronx if you want the most power (99 bhp), the best claimed efficiency (up to 28.51 kmpl).
- Pick the Tata Punch if you want the lowest starting price (₹5.70 Lakh), the best crash-test score (5 stars), the biggest boot (366 L).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Mahindra Bolero | Maruti Suzuki Fronx | Tata Punch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹9.80 Lakh – ₹11.20 Lakh | ₹6.85 Lakh – ₹11.98 Lakh | ₹5.70 Lakh – ₹10.67 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.5L mHawk75 diesel | 1.2L NA Petrol / 1.0L Turbo Boosterjet Petrol / CNG | 1.2L Revotron 3-cylinder petrol / iCNG |
| Max power | 75 bhp | 99 bhp | 87 bhp |
| Fuel options | Diesel | Petrol, CNG | Petrol, CNG |
| Transmissions | Manual | Manual, AMT, Torque Converter AT | Manual, AMT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 16 kmpl (claimed) | 20.01–22.89 kmpl (petrol), 28.51 km/kg (CNG) | 18.8-20.09 kmpl (petrol), 26.99 km/kg (CNG) |
| Seating | 7 | 5 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | Not tested | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Boot space | — | 308 L | 366 L |
Mahindra Bolero in short
The Bolero is Mahindra's evergreen workhorse, a ladder-frame 7-seater that has ruled rural and semi-urban India for over two decades. It sells on toughness, cheap maintenance and a vast service network rather than features or refinement. There is no direct rival at its price; buyers cross-shop it with the Bolero Neo and used Scorpios.
Full Bolero prices & variants →Maruti Suzuki Fronx in short
The Fronx is a Baleno-based crossover coupe sold through Nexa, notable for reviving Maruti's 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbo-petrol engine. It straddles the premium hatchback and compact SUV spaces, rivalling the Tata Punch, Hyundai Exter and even the Nissan Magnite. Sharp pricing and a wide powertrain spread — NA petrol, turbo and CNG — have made it a strong seller.
Full Fronx prices & variants →Tata Punch in short
The Punch is Tata's micro SUV that regularly tops India's monthly sales charts, blending hatchback pricing with genuine SUV stance and 187 mm ground clearance. Built on the ALFA platform, it scored 5 stars at Global NCAP and takes on the Hyundai Exter and Maruti Fronx-lite end of the market. The twin-cylinder iCNG variant even offers a sunroof, a segment first at launch.
Full Punch prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Bolero vs Fronx vs Punch — which should I buy?
Pick the Mahindra Bolero if you want the most seats (7). Pick the Maruti Suzuki Fronx if you want the most power (99 bhp), the best claimed efficiency (up to 28.51 kmpl). Pick the Tata Punch if you want the lowest starting price (₹5.70 Lakh), the best crash-test score (5 stars), the biggest boot (366 L). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Bolero, Fronx, Punch?
The Tata Punch starts lowest at ₹5.70 Lakh, against ₹6.85 Lakh for the Fronx and ₹9.80 Lakh for the Bolero (ex-showroom, August 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Mahindra Bolero: not yet NCAP-tested; Maruti Suzuki Fronx: not yet NCAP-tested; Tata Punch: 5 stars.