Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG Launched At Rs 9.99 Lakh: All You Need To Know!

QUICK HIGHLIGHTS:

• Mahindra’s first CNG product in a long time, the XUV 3XO ZNG has finally launched

• Comes with a dual-cylinder setup under the boot floor

• Prices start at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom)

• Available in four variants

In the slew of CNG powertrain options being launched in recent days by the top mainstream manufacturers, Mahindra has been one that did not have a CNG powertrain option for any of its products. That changes today with the launch of the XUV 3XO ZNG at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

This could be Mahindra’s next step to boost its market share in the sub-4 metre segment with the XUV 3XO lineup. Let's explore what’s new:

Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG: Price And Variants

The CNG variants of the XUV 3XO ZNG start at Rs 9.99 lakh onwards. Let’s explore the detailed pricing compared to the regular petrol variants. 

All prices are ex-showroom

The XUV 3XO is available in a total of four variants. Mahindra has introduced a new lower variant for the XUV 3XO ZNG called the MX Edge, which thankfully brings down the entry price for the CNG range.

Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG: Engine Specifications

The CNG range of the XUV 3XO is available with a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine in its lower and mid variants. Powertrain details are as follows for the standard petrol variant:

MT - Manual Transmission, AT - Torque Converter (automatic)

The XUV 3XO ZNG is available only with the manual transmission as of now.

Interestingly, the XUV 3XO ZNG has lost almost no power compared to the petrol variant thanks to the higher-capacity injectors, which fuel at 10 bar compared to the competition, which operate at 4-6 bar.

Claimed efficiency numbers for the CNG variant are 24.7 km/kg.

What About Boot Space?

The new XUV 3XO ZNG comes with a dual-cylinder setup under the boot floor. However, this is raised to the boot lip, essentially making it easier to load and unload luggage. But the cost of it is the reduced usable capacity, from the already compact 364 litres in the petrol variant to 270 litres in the CNG variant. 

For reference, the boot capacity of the Tata Nexon is 382 litres for the petrol variants, and the CNG variants have 321 litres of boot capacity.

Mahindra XUV 3XO: Overview

The XUV 3XO is Mahindra’s answer in the popular sub-4 metre SUV space, which has a quirky design overall and is well executed. 

The front end has a boxy, squared-off design theme, with the C-shaped LED DRLs bracketing the LED headlamps and the fog lamps. The side profile carries over the squared theme and the upright stance. What also gives it extra character is the exaggerated muscle line over the rear wheel. 

Meanwhile, the rear end looks obviously chopped off due to the length restrictions. However, it is well managed with the connected LED tail lamp setup and the chunky bumper, which give it the SUV appeal.

Meanwhile, the interior is generally a well-finished cabin with reasonable room for four adults and weekend luggage. 

The Mahindra XUV 3XO comes with a 7-speaker Harman-Kardon sound system, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The driver also gets a 10.25-inch digital information display. Other feature highlights include a panoramic sunroof, cruise control, wireless charger, dual-zone climate control, and USB-C fast charging.

The safety kit includes 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat mounts, a tyre-pressure monitoring system, a 360-degree camera, rear parking sensors, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, and Level-2 ADAS.

Rivals

The XUV 3XO goes against the sub-4 metre SUVs like the Maruti Brezza, Fronx, Skoda Kylaq, Citroen C3 X, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and the Tata Nexon.

ZigSays…

The Mahindra XUV 3XO has always been one of the more engaging SUVs to drive in its segment, and the addition of a CNG option makes it an even more interesting proposition. Unlike most CNG offerings that prioritise efficiency over performance, Mahindra has managed to retain the turbo-petrol engine’s power and torque figures, at least on paper. That’s certainly a welcome change!

However, there are a few compromises. The smaller boot might be a concern for frequent travellers, while the absence of an automatic gearbox limits its appeal, especially for city buyers. And although the claimed efficiency looks promising, we’ll have to drive it to see how well it balances performance and running costs in the real world.

For buyers who clock plenty of kilometres but don't want their CNG car to feel like a compromise behind the wheel, the XUV 3XO ZNG could be worth considering. At Rs 9.99 lakh, it adds an interesting new option to the compact SUV segment, and we're particularly keen to find out whether it drives as enthusiastically on CNG as the numbers suggest.

Stay tuned to ZigWheels, as we get behind the wheel of the XUV 3XO ZNG later this week and bring out our first impressions.