Ashok Leyland Dost Strong and Mahindra Bolero Camper Gold: Specs Comparison

Two solid, reliable and well-rounded last-mile trucks addressing varied needs of cargo transportation, we take a closer look at them. Check out the specs comparison before you buy your next truck in the sub 1T payload category. 

When it comes to India’s last-mile logistics and transport needs, Mahindra is a force to reckon with as the company offers the most diversified product across the segments. On the other hand, Ashok Leyland is now geared up to challenge the established players in the segment with its increasingly expanding products in the LCV segments. 

Mahindra Bolero range is the numero uno pickups in India; likewise, Ashok Leyland Dost too has emerged as the most popular truck among mass LCV truck buyers. Today, we pick two variants from these well-known brands, the Bolero Camper Gold and Dost Strong- pitch them against to check what each one offers and how they stack, read the specifications comparison to understand them better. So let's dive in.  

Key Features 

The Dost Strong comes in three trim levels of LE, LS and LX while the Bolero Camper comes to GOLD ZX/VX and 2WD/4WD variants. While both the trucks offer reasonable cargo carrying capabilities, what set them apart is the additional passenger-carrying abilities. Dost Strong in its single cabin can take a driver and co-passenger, while with Bolero Camper you get an additional cabin that easily makes four people travel comfortably. 

Customers in this segment are highly demanding, not only looking at performance but also equally consider safety and comfort as the most vital aspect of trucks. OEMs recognize this changing customer preference and hence you’ll find both the trucks are equipped with plentiful features, making them a highly compelling proposition. 

Dost Strong features include AC (optional), sliding windows, driver adjustment seat, dual-tone instrument panel, front bumper with body colour, load sensing proportioning valve with booster brakes, emergency locking retractor seat belts and front impact absorption bar for safety. Likewise, on the Bolero Camper, you get superior styling element and premium look, modern & comfortable cabin, powerful AC and power windows, central locking, floor console, emergency locking retractors seat belts, Vehicle immobilizer and mobile charger etc. Remember, each variant gets certain features, and you have to choose the best suitable for your needs. 

Powertrain

Unlike a passenger car buyer, a truck buyer always looks at the performance of the truck, and all it depends on the powertrain. And both the Camper Gold and Dost Strong have proven engines that power a range of products in their respective family of trucks. The Bolero Camper gets the m2DiCR, 4-cylinder, 2.5L TB, BS6 engine, with a more 75hp of power and 200 Nm of torque for superior performance in the city and even semi-urban areas too. The Dost Strong is fitted with an equally robust 1.5L, 3-cylinder, BS6 diesel engine with 1478 cc of displacement, producing 70hp of power at 170 Nm of torque. 

In terms of aggregates, Bolero Camper comes with a single plate dry clutch and a 5-speed gearbox. For an easier driving experience, power steering is a standard on this pickup. The Dost Strong gets a 240 mm, dia, single dry plate; mechanical cable-operated clutch and a 5-speed manual gearbox. The power-steering, however, is available on the LS and LX variants. 

Payload & Cargo Body

The rated payload and size of the cargo load body is another equally important element in the truck buyers mind. On Dost Strong, you get a rated payload of 1250 kg with a vehicle gross weight of 2590 kg. The cargo load body comes in 2500mm x 1620mm x 380mm or (8.2ft x5.3ft x 1.25ft) size and loading height is quite good at 840 mm.. The front suspension comes with parabolic leaf spring and double-acting shock absorbers and rear parabolic leaf spring and two stages over slung. The brakes are the vacuum-assisted hydraulic type with load sensing proportioning valve, and the front is a disc and rear drum type. 

Bolero Camper being a combination of cargo and passenger pickup, you get 1000 kg of payload with a gross weight of 2735 kg. However, you get an additional crew cabin that together can carry four passengers and the cargo body dimensions is 1481 mm X 1532mm X 750mm. To carry heavy load effortlessly across the terrain, the Camper gets the suspension with spring stiffness with hydraulic double-acting shock absorbers in telescopic type. The brakes are disc at the front and drum at the rear. 

The Ashok Leyalnd Dost Strong starts from ₹ 6.68 Lakh and Mahindra Bolero Camper from ₹ 8.36 Lakh, both ex-showroom New Delhi, however, keep in mind the prices differ from every city and state. There is considerable price difference between both the trucks due to inherent difference in their overall offering. To know the exact price in your city or state and the on-road price visit the nearest dealership of the OEMs, and also take a test driver to know the real life performance of these two promising trucks.

Verdict

The extensive list of aggregates, features and promise of performance makes both the trucks quite a compelling offering. Bolero Camper and Dost Strong are undoubtedly proven last-mile trucks for all your needs. Notwithstanding the basic difference of cabin, both the trucks are super productive and offer your business vital reliability and dependability. 

Ashok Leyland Dost Strong is a typical cargo truck with a substantially larger cargo body to stuff all kinds of volumes. Similarly, the Camper is not just a pickup but also does the duty of a personal vehicle, when you’re not deploying it for your business needs. It has the advantage of the dual role both for businesses and occasional family utilities too, and in India numbers of such customers are witnessing quite a bump in numbers. So, reading the detailed review will likely make your decision easy!    

Also Read:

Pickups Comparison: Isuzu D-Max, Mahindra Bolero Pikup and Tata Yodha  

Ashok Leyland Bada Dost Vs Tata Motors Intra V30: Specs comparison