The XUV 3XO is expected to be the first car to receive the CNG technology from Mahindra, which will be launching its first-ever CNG car on October 15, 2026. The company has released a teaser for the launch. Upon arrival, the 3XO will come with petrol, diesel, electric and CNG versions. However, the one question that will be more important to buyers than any other is: How much boot will be available after the CNG tank is installed?
Why This Launch Matters
Mahindra has been shying away from CNG cars until now. The XUV 3XO will be the first of the brand’s. It will also be the third model in its segment to offer a CNG option, although CNG is very popular in smaller cars. Mahindra has not revealed the engine, power, variants or price yet. All of this should be at the launch.
The Boot Space Question
It is here that Mahindra has a real challenge to do. The XUV 3XO is said to have a boot capacity of 364 litres, but usable space is around 295 litres, which is not very large for its class. A standard CNG tank is in the boot and takes up a lot of space.
Mahindra may opt for a twin-cylinder configuration, where the gas is divided into two smaller tanks, which are located lower in the boot. A tank under the floor is another possibility. None of these have been confirmed. How many bags fit will be as important as the miles traveled for a family that uses the car every day and for the occasional trip down the highway.
What Is Likely Under the Bonnet
The CNG version is expected to be powered by the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine with multi-point fuel injection. It produces 111hp in petrol mode and power is slightly reduced in CNG mode. It is expected to be a manual transmission but not confirmed. The more powerful 131hp version is not expected to get CNG.
What It Could Cost
The XUV 3XO is now priced at Rs 7.79 lakh ex-showroom, which is the lowest price of Mahindra’s SUVs. The price of CNG variants is generally higher than petrol variants, and one report indicates a difference of approximately Rs 1 lakh. This is an estimate and not a confirmed price. For those who drive less than a few hundred kilometres per month, the additional money saved on fuel may not be realised for a long time.
What to Watch on October 15
The boot space after the CNG tank, the price difference between the CNG version and the petrol version and the variants that will be offered in CNG will be the three factors that will determine whether the Mahindra XUV 3XO CNG is a smart buy or not. Until Mahindra provides those details, don’t consider anything more than a launch date as a done deal.
