A sub-$30,000 starting price will kick off the Indian car maker’s entry into the hotly-contested city SUV segment.
The 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO will be priced from less than $30,000 after its scheduled arrival in Australia in mid-year having made its local debut at the Melbourne Motor Show.
Confirmed for Australian showrooms after its global unveiling in 2024, the 3XO’s sub-$30,000 price sees it target direct rivals including the ageing but hot-selling Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Venue, and Toyota Yaris Cross.
Mahindra Australia has not been more specific on the price, but the 3XO may also be positioned as a rival to Chinese small SUVs including the Chery Omoda 5 (from $27,990 drive-away), GWM Haval Jolion (from $26,990 or $24,990 until 30 June) and MG ZS (from $26,990).
The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a heavily updated version of the XUV 300 it replaced, a city SUV sold in India but never offered in Australia.
The 3XO has unusual dimensions compared to its rivals as it takes advantage of Indian tax regulations. That means it is less than four metres long (3995mm) but boasts a relatively long 2600mm wheelbase.
This pushes each wheel to the far corners of the 3XO, meaning more passenger and cargo space inside and little overhang on the outside for a small SUV.
Local details are yet to be confirmed, yet overseas versions boast a 364-litre boot area with a space saver spare wheel – 100 litres more than a Mazda CX-3’s boot – and 60:40 split-rear seat.
While offered in as many as five trim levels overseas, the top-spec model on display at the Melbourne Motor Show – called ‘AX7’ overseas – includes LED signature headlights and tail-lights, 17-inch ‘diamond cut’ alloy wheels and ‘dual tone’ painted roof option.
The cabin features ‘leatherette’ seat trim, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, wireless smartphone charging, and a ‘Skyroof’ panoramic sunroof.
A twin 10.25-inch centre touchscreen – up from a single 9.0-inch display in lower-spec overseas models – and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster are also part of the top-spec offering in other markets.
The standard engine is an 82kW/200Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder, with a more powerful 96kW/230Nm in higher models, both using a six-speed manual or automatic – with only the automatic expected in Australia.
Driver Assist Technology includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (with cyclist, pedestrian and car-to-car detection), traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control.
Mahindra Australia is now taking registrations of interest on its website, as the brand is in the midst of a brand transformation, moving away from its previous farming and agricultural utility vehicles to self-described ‘lifestyle’ models – meaning urban and family-friendly SUVs.
The XUV 3XO follows the larger XUV700 SUV which introduced the brand’s new design language as it looks to expand both globally and in Australia.
