After petrol, diesel and electric, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is now set to add a CNG powertrain, sources tell us. Given the popularity of CNG (second only to petrol, with a 21.98 percent market share in FY2026), it makes a strong case. This move would not only give the 3XO one of the most diverse powertrain lineups in the segment, but also place it head-to-head with its arch-rival, the Tata Nexon, which has been the compact SUV segment's bestselling model consecutively in the last two financial years.
- 1.2 MPFI turbo-petrol engine to get a CNG kit
- CNG to offset CO2 emissions from heavier diesel SUVs
- Over 2 lakh Nexon units sold in CY2025; Mahindra sold about 1 lakh XUV 3XOs
Additionally, it'll help the homegrown carmaker introduce a more fuel-efficient powertrain at a time when a major chunk of its sales comes from heavier, ladder-frame diesel SUVs. And with stricter CAFE 3 norms on the way, CNG will be key to balancing CO2 emissions from these diesel models. Previously, the carmaker offered CNG with models like the Logan and KUV100 Trip, although the latter had a fleet focus.
Mahindra XUV 3XO CNG details
Mahindra currently offers the XUV 3XO with two 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbo petrol engine options: 111hp multi-point fuel injection (MPFI) and 131hp direct injection (DI). Of these, we understand that Mahindra will offer a CNG choice with the former non-DI motor. Exact output figures are yet to be disclosed and Mahindra declined to comment when we reached out. MPFI engines are relatively cheaper to manufacture and simpler to adapt for CNG, since fuel is injected into the intake manifold. Doing the same with a DI engine is more complex and expensive, and in some cases may not be practical.
The bigger question is packaging, as the XUV 3XO's 295-litre boot is already the smallest in the segment and adding a traditional CNG tank could only reduce that further. Mahindra could go for a dual-cylinder setup, similar to the Nexon, to free up more usable boot space. Another option could be an underbody tank, as Maruti uses on the Victoris, and even the upcoming Brezza facelift is reported to feature one.
With the XUV 3XO CNG, expected to arrive 2026-end or early next year, Mahindra will be looking to chip away the Nexon's lead. For context, Mahindra sold 1,00,029 XUV 3XO units in calendar year 2025, while the Nexon more than doubled that with 2,00,559 units. It could help Mahindra deepen its foothold in key CNG-centric markets like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai, while also unlocking incremental volumes.
With inputs from Ketan Thakkar.
Suraj Viswanathan
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
Dipan Sur
