Mahindra Bolero vs Tata Nexon vs Toyota Taisor (2026)
The classic compact suv shortlist, settled with numbers (August 2026):
- Pick the Mahindra Bolero if you want the most seats (7).
- Pick the Tata Nexon if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.37 Lakh), the most power (118 bhp), the best crash-test score (5 stars), the biggest boot (382 L).
- Pick the Toyota Taisor if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 28.5 kmpl).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Mahindra Bolero | Tata Nexon | Toyota Taisor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹9.80 Lakh – ₹11.20 Lakh | ₹7.37 Lakh – ₹14.22 Lakh | ₹7.70 Lakh – ₹13.00 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.5L mHawk75 diesel | 1.2L turbo-petrol / 1.5L turbo-diesel / 1.2L turbo iCNG | 1.2L NA petrol / 1.0L turbo-petrol (Boosterjet) |
| Max power | 75 bhp | 118 bhp | 99 bhp |
| Fuel options | Diesel | Petrol, Diesel, CNG | Petrol, CNG |
| Transmissions | Manual | Manual, AMT, DCT | Manual, AMT, Torque Converter AT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 16 kmpl (claimed) | 17.44 kmpl (petrol MT), 24.08 kmpl (diesel), 24 km/kg (CNG) | 20.0-22.8 km/l petrol, 28.5 km/kg CNG (ARAI) |
| Seating | 7 | 5 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | 5 stars | Not tested |
| Airbags (max) | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Boot space | — | 382 L | 308 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 →Tata Nexon in short
The Nexon is Tata's best-selling model and a perennial top-three player in India's cut-throat sub-4-metre SUV segment against the Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet. The 2023 facelift brought a dramatic Curvv-inspired design, twin digital displays and a 7-speed DCA automatic. It holds 5-star ratings from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP, and is the only car in the class with turbo-petrol, diesel and turbo-CNG options.
Full Nexon prices & variants →Toyota Taisor in short
The Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor is Toyota's take on the Maruti Fronx, a coupe-styled crossover that straddles the hatchback and compact SUV segments. Its highlight is the peppy 1.0 Boosterjet turbo-petrol with a proper six-speed torque-converter automatic, a rarity at this price. Against the Fronx, Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter, it offers sportier looks and Toyota's warranty advantage.
Full Taisor prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Bolero vs Nexon vs Taisor — which should I buy?
Pick the Mahindra Bolero if you want the most seats (7). Pick the Tata Nexon if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.37 Lakh), the most power (118 bhp), the best crash-test score (5 stars), the biggest boot (382 L). Pick the Toyota Taisor if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 28.5 kmpl). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Bolero, Nexon, Taisor?
The Tata Nexon starts lowest at ₹7.37 Lakh, against ₹7.70 Lakh for the Taisor and ₹9.80 Lakh for the Bolero (ex-showroom, August 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Mahindra Bolero: not yet NCAP-tested; Tata Nexon: 5 stars; Toyota Taisor: not yet NCAP-tested.