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 line-ups 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 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 such as the Logan and KUV100 Trip, although the latter was fleet-focused.
Mahindra XUV 3XO CNG details
Mahindra currently offers the XUV 3XO with two 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol options: a 111hp multi-point fuel injection (MPFI) engine and a 131hp direct injection (DI) mill. 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 it may not be practical in some cases.
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’s, to free up 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 get one.
With the XUV 3XO CNG, expected to arrive by late 2026 or early next year, Mahindra will aim to chip away at the Nexon’s lead. For context, the Nexon’s 2025 sales of 2,00,559 units were more than double the XUV 3XO’s 1,00,029 units. It could help Mahindra deepen its foothold in key CNG-centric markets such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai, while also unlocking incremental volumes.
With inputs from Ketan Thakkar.
Suraj Viswanathan
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
Dipan Sur
