Mahindra will introduce the XUV 3XO CNG in India on October 15, 2026 confirming the company’s entry into the factory-fitted CNG SUV segment. It will expand the XUV 3XO range which already comprises petrol, diesel and electric powertrains. The new derivative is expected to feature a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine compatible with CNG and could arrive in multiple variants. The Tata Nexon iCNG and Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG will be among its key competitors.
The compact SUV currently offers a 1.2-litre MPFI turbo petrol engine kicking out 111 PS and 200 Nm of torque. The more powerful 1.2-litre TGDi unit makes 130 PS and 230 Nm while the 1.5-litre diesel generates 117 PS and 300 Nm. The petrol engines come with six-speed manual and torque converter automatic transmission choices, and the diesel offers a six-speed manual or AMT. The entry-level MPFI petrol engine is the likely candidate for the factory-fitted CNG system hooked with a six-speed MT.
The XUV 3XO’s existing boot could pose a challenge for the installation of CNG cylinders. The luggage compartment is already smaller than those of its compact SUV competitors and a single-cylinder installation would reduce the available space further. Mahindra could consider a dual-cylinder arrangement similar to Tata Motors’ twin-cylinder tech. The Tata Nexon iCNG and Punch iCNG feature two smaller cylinders beneath the luggage floor that help preserve cargo capacity.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO CNG could arrive in multiple trims to further expand the already comprehensive range. The existing SUV offers a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof and dual-zone automatic climate control on selected variants. The safety package comes with six airbags, electronic stability control and ISOFIX child seat mounts alongside Level 2 ADAS on top-spec derivatives.
The equipment selection for the CNG model will be based on the variants Mahindra decides to offer. The petrol-CNG engine is expected to develop lower power and torque figures when operating on natural gas compared with its petrol mode. The Tata Nexon iCNG already combines a turbocharged petrol engine with a factory-fitted CNG system.
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG will be another rival in the segment and it uses a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine in combination with CNG tech. Mahindra’s XUV 3XO CNG could distinguish itself through better performance.
