Punchy turbo performance, impressive fuel savings, feature-loaded cabin
Manual gearbox only, raised boot floor
What if I told you that you could buy yourself a car which is already successful, with a turbocharged engine, that too with the pocket-friendly running cost of CNG, and is also pretty tech-loaded?
That’s exactly what Mahindra has done with the 3XO ZNG! The newest addition to their lineup and marking their entrance in the CNG space. They have taken the 3XO which is already loved by their customers and added their CNG setup to it with some more features to make it a compelling buy over its CNG competitors.
But the main question was, will the 3XO ZNG have the same performance like its competitors or has Mahindra pulled off something that will surprise everyone?
Let's find out, shall we?
The Mahindra 3XO ZNG is powered by Mahindra’s 1.2-litre mStallion turbo-petrol engine, which produces 113 hp and 200 Nm of torque. Surprisingly, it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 11.8 seconds, which is quite impressive for a CNG-powered car. The engine is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, and there’s no automatic option on offer.
Now, what’s really impressive is how the 3XO ZNG feels while driving it. The initial acceleration feels punchy, and the power delivery is responsive and smooth. In fact, you hardly get the feeling that you’re driving a CNG car. The accelerator pedal has a nice, progressive feel to it, and the car maintains a consistent pace even at higher speeds. Overall, the engine feels lively and capable, making the car engaging to drive. With most CNG cars, you can feel a 10-20% drop in performance compared to their petrol counterparts. But with the 3XO ZNG, that difference is hardly noticeable. The acceleration feels just as strong and responsive, making it feel much like driving the petrol version. You also get a switch on the driver’s side, conveniently placed to let you switch between CNG and petrol seamlessly.
And it’s not just the engine that makes the car easy to live with. Despite having a 6-speed manual gearbox, the car is surprisingly effortless to drive in the city. The steering is light, and the clutch is easy to operate, making stop-and-go traffic far less tiring.
The suspension has been tweaked to handle the extra weight of the twin setup CNG tanks, and the ride feels nice and plush. It absorbs bumps and potholes well, so the car feels comfortable even on rough patches of road. It also stays well planted at higher speeds, making it a good balance of comfort and stability.
The brakes feel good too, with a good bite point to it. And having disc brakes on all four wheels is a big plus in this segment, and it’s a segment first too.
Overall, my driving experience with the XUV 3XO ZNG has been quite positive. What I really appreciate is that Mahindra hasn’t made this car just about fuel efficiency and lower running costs. They’ve managed to retain the driving experience that makes the 3XO appealing in the first place. And I think that’s what makes the XUV 3XO ZNG stand out. It’s a CNG car that doesn’t just make sense for your wallet; it’s also a car you can genuinely enjoy driving
Stepping inside the Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG, It is tech-loaded and has a modern dashboard design and dual-screen layout. It gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Which I feel is really good for this segment. The feature list is impressive; cruise control, dual-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof add to the overall package over its CNG rivals. The REVX A variant gets leatherette seats, giving the cabin a more upmarket touch.
Moving beyond the dashboard, the cabin feels spacious and well laid out. The seats are comfortable, while the rear-seat space makes the 3XO ZNG a practical choice for a family of 4. There is good room for passengers to sit comfortably. The biggest change is in the boot. Its floor sits slightly higher to accommodate the twin CNG cylinders, arranged in a dual-split configuration. Despite this change, Mahindra has managed to retain almost the same boot space as the ICE variant, which is a clever packaging solution. My first impression is that the XUV 3XO ZNG carries over the regular 3XO’s design and features while adding the benefits of CNG. Apart from the slightly raised boot floor, the overall cabin experience remains largely unchanged—and that’s a good thing.
Overall, the Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG retains the bold, muscular design of the standard 3XO while adding the lower running costs and practicality of CNG. The twin-cylinder setup is neatly integrated, so apart from the subtle ZNG badging, it looks almost identical to the ICE version. However, the CNG system adds weight and may slightly limit performance compared with the petrol model, but it feels almost identical.
If you want the styling, features and road presence of the XUV 3XO but drive long distances regularly and want to keep fuel costs in check, the ZNG deserves serious consideration. It is especially well suited to family buyers and high-mileage users who want CNG efficiency without giving up the character of a modern SUV.
