Mahindra XUV-3XO: Budget SUV arrives without ANCAP safety rating as 2026 crash test rules change
Mahindra's newest compact SUV, XUV 3XO, has just launched in Australia with a jaw-dropping price of $23,490k (introductory offer) for the base model and flashy features like a panoramic sunroof, surround-view cameras and level 2 ADAS.
It's a zippy, family-friendly SUV that's hard to ignore.
But while it may look like the ultimate bargain, it comes with a catch.
Mahindra isn't submitting it for ANCAP testing, as it's not mandatory in Australia.
Instead, the automaker is working on tuning the vehicle to meet Australia's upcoming 2026 ANCAP protocols which include new benchmarks for post-crash safety, driver monitoring and advanced autonomous braking.
That doesn't mean the car won't be tested at all.
It's likely ANCAP will independently test the vehicle.
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Mahindra XUV 3XO. Picture: Daniel Snare
A social media clip recently revealed ANCAP conducted a test on this model; however, its rating has not yet been released.
ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg said consumers shouldn't overlook the importance of a verified rating.
'It is positive to hear Mahindra are working to bring safety improvements to their future model line-up, but consumers should be aware that – until independent safety testing is undertaken – the safety performance of any new model arriving in our market is unknown,' she said.
Hoorweg emphasised that safety is critical in the compact SUV category.
'The Mahindra 3XO is entering a very competitive segment with a competitive price-tag, and while some may suggest safety isn't important for the smaller end of the market, in fact the opposite is true,' she said.
'Smaller vehicles, by physical size, are at a disadvantage out on the road. We all drive within a mixed fleet of larger cars, utes, vans, and trucks, so having a high level of structural safety, on-board safety features, and best ability to avoid a crash is critical for those looking to purchase a smaller vehicle.'
MORE: Aussies 'not ready' for advanced driver tech
Interior of Mahindra XUV 3XO. Picture: Daniel Snare
Budget-friendly cars like the XUV-3XO often appeal to younger, more inexperienced drivers or older Australians, who may be more vulnerable in crashes, Hoorweg said.
'We also need to think about the consumer cohorts that are likely to buy these vehicles. They're generally some of the most at-risk – younger, more inexperienced drivers and older drivers who are physically more vulnerable.'
Despite the lack of ANCAP testing, Mahindra insists the car is built to high safety standard and has been tested in India.
According to the brand, the XUV 3XO features 55 safety features, including six airbags, level 2 ADAS, Bosch electronic stability program and 360 degree camera system.
The 3XO on sale today is based on the heavily modified platform originally used by SsangYong's Tivoli, first released here in 2018.
The price is right but buyers have to be mindful. Picture: Daniel Snare
Mahindra says it has made major structural improvements but admits the car isn't currently tuned to meet ANCAP's stricter rules coming in 2026.
A revised model will be submitted for future testing which could result in a higher price.
With a current entry price below many hatchbacks and a lengthy 7-year warranty, the XUV 3XO offers strong bang for buck.
The base model AX5L offers a sunroof, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 6 speaker system for $23,490 drive away (July-August introductory offer).
The top spec AX7L adds a panoramic sunroof, leatherette interior and cabin, and a 360-degree camera for $26,490 drive away (July-August introductory offer).
But with the current model not built to ANCAP's future crash standards, and a revised version already in the pipeline, buyers need to weigh up whether to buy now or wait.
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Originally published as 24k SUV lands but there's a catch
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The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Australia's cheapest SUV could cop price rise due to new safety standards
The new Mahindra XUV 3XO may lose the title of Australia's most affordable SUV next year after it receives upgrades to meet more stringent 2026 protocols from safety authority ANCAP. Speaking at the launch of the Mahindra XUV 3XO – a city-sized five-door compact SUV to rival the Chery Tiggo 4 and Mazda CX-3 – Mahindra head of international operations Sachin Arolkar said the new regulations would force the price of the XUV 3XO upwards. In doing, so the automaker risks losing the XUV 3XO's title as Australia's lowest-priced SUV. The XUV 3XO is being launched this month without an ANCAP safety rating, and while it has a five-star crash test result from Indian safety authority Bharat NCAP, the automaker confirmed that the vehicle landing in showrooms from July 4 doesn't meet the new 2026 ANCAP requirements. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We actually need to make a few adjustments to the vehicles to meet the new protocols," said Mahindra Australia marketing boss James Halliwell during a media briefing. While he didn't disclose the changes, when asked by CarExpert if meeting the new protocols will push up the price of the XUV 3XO, Mr Arolkar replied: "My guess is yes". "Obviously there's going to be changes which require investments on the product – and I'm not completely on with it in terms of the changes from a material cost perspective – but just in terms of investments required, yes." "I'm not planning to elaborate on that – it's still a work in progress; we'll come back to you on that." Therefore the price of the XUV 3XO could eclipse that of the model it replaced as Australia's cheapest SUV in the country, the Chery Tiggo 4, which has the same $23,990 drive-away price as the Mahindra once the latter's introductory pricing ends on August 31. The Tiggo 4 is at an advantage as it has both its $23,990 price and also a five-star ANCAP safety rating achieved in 2023. "The current [XUV 3XO] car is not ANCAP [rated] – the new developments which are happening on our entire portfolio for Australia are in the light of the 2026 norms," Mr Arolkar said. "We are evaluating all the new [Mahindra] products in the light of the 2026 ANCAP norms, because it's very important for us to be up-to-date." Mahindra has developed its own crash lab in India, a market in which safety has often taken a back seat to price, with a heavy investment to create models that meet global safety requirements. "The Mahindra XUV 3XO is entering a very competitive segment with a competitive price tag, and while some may suggest safety isn't important for the smaller end of the market, in fact the opposite is true," ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg told CarExpert. "It is positive to hear Mahindra are working to bring safety improvements to their future model lineup, but consumers should be aware that – until independent safety testing is undertaken – the safety performance of any new model arriving in our market is unknown." The range-wide push for five-star safety ratings in 2026 comes after the brand was caught short with a zero-star ANCAP rating on its Scorpio off-road SUV in 2023. The Scorpio has since been joined in local Mahindra showrooms by the XUV700 mid-size SUV – which like the 3XO is not ANCAP-rated – with the Pik-Up S10 dropped after it didn't meet new side-impact safety regulations introduced in late 2022. A new Pik-up is due in local showrooms in 2026 with a keen focus from Mahindra on obtaining a five-star rating, given the Ford Ranger, BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and other utes currently boast five-star ANCAP ratings . Mr Halliwell said the XUV 3XO landing in local dealers this month is still a safe vehicle, and Mahindra previously said it was designed for 'real world safety' instead of ANCAP requirements. "Given the new protocol is not very far away, there's no point in launching a vehicle with [all of] the testing [carried out] and spending a whole bunch of money on the current [ANCAP] standard when it's changing in six months' time." The XUV 3XO is a critical new model for Mahindra, which it predicts will be its best-selling model in Australia given the size of the small SUV segment here. The changes to ANCAP's new protocols for 2026 include new three-year cycles between changing testing requirements, as well as a new moving object test. "The moving object test in Australia is a very critical one for safety globally, because not only are you protecting your occupants – which we've always done – you now need to show the adverse impact on the object that you're hitting," Mr Halliwell said. "Designing a vehicle to meet those two requirements is almost contradictory in its engineering." MORE: Explore the Mahindra showroom Content originally sourced from: The new Mahindra XUV 3XO may lose the title of Australia's most affordable SUV next year after it receives upgrades to meet more stringent 2026 protocols from safety authority ANCAP. Speaking at the launch of the Mahindra XUV 3XO – a city-sized five-door compact SUV to rival the Chery Tiggo 4 and Mazda CX-3 – Mahindra head of international operations Sachin Arolkar said the new regulations would force the price of the XUV 3XO upwards. In doing, so the automaker risks losing the XUV 3XO's title as Australia's lowest-priced SUV. The XUV 3XO is being launched this month without an ANCAP safety rating, and while it has a five-star crash test result from Indian safety authority Bharat NCAP, the automaker confirmed that the vehicle landing in showrooms from July 4 doesn't meet the new 2026 ANCAP requirements. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We actually need to make a few adjustments to the vehicles to meet the new protocols," said Mahindra Australia marketing boss James Halliwell during a media briefing. While he didn't disclose the changes, when asked by CarExpert if meeting the new protocols will push up the price of the XUV 3XO, Mr Arolkar replied: "My guess is yes". "Obviously there's going to be changes which require investments on the product – and I'm not completely on with it in terms of the changes from a material cost perspective – but just in terms of investments required, yes." "I'm not planning to elaborate on that – it's still a work in progress; we'll come back to you on that." Therefore the price of the XUV 3XO could eclipse that of the model it replaced as Australia's cheapest SUV in the country, the Chery Tiggo 4, which has the same $23,990 drive-away price as the Mahindra once the latter's introductory pricing ends on August 31. The Tiggo 4 is at an advantage as it has both its $23,990 price and also a five-star ANCAP safety rating achieved in 2023. "The current [XUV 3XO] car is not ANCAP [rated] – the new developments which are happening on our entire portfolio for Australia are in the light of the 2026 norms," Mr Arolkar said. "We are evaluating all the new [Mahindra] products in the light of the 2026 ANCAP norms, because it's very important for us to be up-to-date." Mahindra has developed its own crash lab in India, a market in which safety has often taken a back seat to price, with a heavy investment to create models that meet global safety requirements. "The Mahindra XUV 3XO is entering a very competitive segment with a competitive price tag, and while some may suggest safety isn't important for the smaller end of the market, in fact the opposite is true," ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg told CarExpert. "It is positive to hear Mahindra are working to bring safety improvements to their future model lineup, but consumers should be aware that – until independent safety testing is undertaken – the safety performance of any new model arriving in our market is unknown." The range-wide push for five-star safety ratings in 2026 comes after the brand was caught short with a zero-star ANCAP rating on its Scorpio off-road SUV in 2023. The Scorpio has since been joined in local Mahindra showrooms by the XUV700 mid-size SUV – which like the 3XO is not ANCAP-rated – with the Pik-Up S10 dropped after it didn't meet new side-impact safety regulations introduced in late 2022. A new Pik-up is due in local showrooms in 2026 with a keen focus from Mahindra on obtaining a five-star rating, given the Ford Ranger, BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and other utes currently boast five-star ANCAP ratings . Mr Halliwell said the XUV 3XO landing in local dealers this month is still a safe vehicle, and Mahindra previously said it was designed for 'real world safety' instead of ANCAP requirements. "Given the new protocol is not very far away, there's no point in launching a vehicle with [all of] the testing [carried out] and spending a whole bunch of money on the current [ANCAP] standard when it's changing in six months' time." The XUV 3XO is a critical new model for Mahindra, which it predicts will be its best-selling model in Australia given the size of the small SUV segment here. The changes to ANCAP's new protocols for 2026 include new three-year cycles between changing testing requirements, as well as a new moving object test. "The moving object test in Australia is a very critical one for safety globally, because not only are you protecting your occupants – which we've always done – you now need to show the adverse impact on the object that you're hitting," Mr Halliwell said. "Designing a vehicle to meet those two requirements is almost contradictory in its engineering." MORE: Explore the Mahindra showroom Content originally sourced from: The new Mahindra XUV 3XO may lose the title of Australia's most affordable SUV next year after it receives upgrades to meet more stringent 2026 protocols from safety authority ANCAP. Speaking at the launch of the Mahindra XUV 3XO – a city-sized five-door compact SUV to rival the Chery Tiggo 4 and Mazda CX-3 – Mahindra head of international operations Sachin Arolkar said the new regulations would force the price of the XUV 3XO upwards. In doing, so the automaker risks losing the XUV 3XO's title as Australia's lowest-priced SUV. The XUV 3XO is being launched this month without an ANCAP safety rating, and while it has a five-star crash test result from Indian safety authority Bharat NCAP, the automaker confirmed that the vehicle landing in showrooms from July 4 doesn't meet the new 2026 ANCAP requirements. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We actually need to make a few adjustments to the vehicles to meet the new protocols," said Mahindra Australia marketing boss James Halliwell during a media briefing. While he didn't disclose the changes, when asked by CarExpert if meeting the new protocols will push up the price of the XUV 3XO, Mr Arolkar replied: "My guess is yes". "Obviously there's going to be changes which require investments on the product – and I'm not completely on with it in terms of the changes from a material cost perspective – but just in terms of investments required, yes." "I'm not planning to elaborate on that – it's still a work in progress; we'll come back to you on that." Therefore the price of the XUV 3XO could eclipse that of the model it replaced as Australia's cheapest SUV in the country, the Chery Tiggo 4, which has the same $23,990 drive-away price as the Mahindra once the latter's introductory pricing ends on August 31. The Tiggo 4 is at an advantage as it has both its $23,990 price and also a five-star ANCAP safety rating achieved in 2023. "The current [XUV 3XO] car is not ANCAP [rated] – the new developments which are happening on our entire portfolio for Australia are in the light of the 2026 norms," Mr Arolkar said. "We are evaluating all the new [Mahindra] products in the light of the 2026 ANCAP norms, because it's very important for us to be up-to-date." Mahindra has developed its own crash lab in India, a market in which safety has often taken a back seat to price, with a heavy investment to create models that meet global safety requirements. "The Mahindra XUV 3XO is entering a very competitive segment with a competitive price tag, and while some may suggest safety isn't important for the smaller end of the market, in fact the opposite is true," ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg told CarExpert. "It is positive to hear Mahindra are working to bring safety improvements to their future model lineup, but consumers should be aware that – until independent safety testing is undertaken – the safety performance of any new model arriving in our market is unknown." The range-wide push for five-star safety ratings in 2026 comes after the brand was caught short with a zero-star ANCAP rating on its Scorpio off-road SUV in 2023. The Scorpio has since been joined in local Mahindra showrooms by the XUV700 mid-size SUV – which like the 3XO is not ANCAP-rated – with the Pik-Up S10 dropped after it didn't meet new side-impact safety regulations introduced in late 2022. A new Pik-up is due in local showrooms in 2026 with a keen focus from Mahindra on obtaining a five-star rating, given the Ford Ranger, BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and other utes currently boast five-star ANCAP ratings . Mr Halliwell said the XUV 3XO landing in local dealers this month is still a safe vehicle, and Mahindra previously said it was designed for 'real world safety' instead of ANCAP requirements. "Given the new protocol is not very far away, there's no point in launching a vehicle with [all of] the testing [carried out] and spending a whole bunch of money on the current [ANCAP] standard when it's changing in six months' time." The XUV 3XO is a critical new model for Mahindra, which it predicts will be its best-selling model in Australia given the size of the small SUV segment here. The changes to ANCAP's new protocols for 2026 include new three-year cycles between changing testing requirements, as well as a new moving object test. "The moving object test in Australia is a very critical one for safety globally, because not only are you protecting your occupants – which we've always done – you now need to show the adverse impact on the object that you're hitting," Mr Halliwell said. "Designing a vehicle to meet those two requirements is almost contradictory in its engineering." MORE: Explore the Mahindra showroom Content originally sourced from: The new Mahindra XUV 3XO may lose the title of Australia's most affordable SUV next year after it receives upgrades to meet more stringent 2026 protocols from safety authority ANCAP. Speaking at the launch of the Mahindra XUV 3XO – a city-sized five-door compact SUV to rival the Chery Tiggo 4 and Mazda CX-3 – Mahindra head of international operations Sachin Arolkar said the new regulations would force the price of the XUV 3XO upwards. In doing, so the automaker risks losing the XUV 3XO's title as Australia's lowest-priced SUV. The XUV 3XO is being launched this month without an ANCAP safety rating, and while it has a five-star crash test result from Indian safety authority Bharat NCAP, the automaker confirmed that the vehicle landing in showrooms from July 4 doesn't meet the new 2026 ANCAP requirements. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We actually need to make a few adjustments to the vehicles to meet the new protocols," said Mahindra Australia marketing boss James Halliwell during a media briefing. While he didn't disclose the changes, when asked by CarExpert if meeting the new protocols will push up the price of the XUV 3XO, Mr Arolkar replied: "My guess is yes". "Obviously there's going to be changes which require investments on the product – and I'm not completely on with it in terms of the changes from a material cost perspective – but just in terms of investments required, yes." "I'm not planning to elaborate on that – it's still a work in progress; we'll come back to you on that." Therefore the price of the XUV 3XO could eclipse that of the model it replaced as Australia's cheapest SUV in the country, the Chery Tiggo 4, which has the same $23,990 drive-away price as the Mahindra once the latter's introductory pricing ends on August 31. The Tiggo 4 is at an advantage as it has both its $23,990 price and also a five-star ANCAP safety rating achieved in 2023. "The current [XUV 3XO] car is not ANCAP [rated] – the new developments which are happening on our entire portfolio for Australia are in the light of the 2026 norms," Mr Arolkar said. "We are evaluating all the new [Mahindra] products in the light of the 2026 ANCAP norms, because it's very important for us to be up-to-date." Mahindra has developed its own crash lab in India, a market in which safety has often taken a back seat to price, with a heavy investment to create models that meet global safety requirements. "The Mahindra XUV 3XO is entering a very competitive segment with a competitive price tag, and while some may suggest safety isn't important for the smaller end of the market, in fact the opposite is true," ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg told CarExpert. "It is positive to hear Mahindra are working to bring safety improvements to their future model lineup, but consumers should be aware that – until independent safety testing is undertaken – the safety performance of any new model arriving in our market is unknown." The range-wide push for five-star safety ratings in 2026 comes after the brand was caught short with a zero-star ANCAP rating on its Scorpio off-road SUV in 2023. The Scorpio has since been joined in local Mahindra showrooms by the XUV700 mid-size SUV – which like the 3XO is not ANCAP-rated – with the Pik-Up S10 dropped after it didn't meet new side-impact safety regulations introduced in late 2022. A new Pik-up is due in local showrooms in 2026 with a keen focus from Mahindra on obtaining a five-star rating, given the Ford Ranger, BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and other utes currently boast five-star ANCAP ratings . Mr Halliwell said the XUV 3XO landing in local dealers this month is still a safe vehicle, and Mahindra previously said it was designed for 'real world safety' instead of ANCAP requirements. "Given the new protocol is not very far away, there's no point in launching a vehicle with [all of] the testing [carried out] and spending a whole bunch of money on the current [ANCAP] standard when it's changing in six months' time." The XUV 3XO is a critical new model for Mahindra, which it predicts will be its best-selling model in Australia given the size of the small SUV segment here. The changes to ANCAP's new protocols for 2026 include new three-year cycles between changing testing requirements, as well as a new moving object test. "The moving object test in Australia is a very critical one for safety globally, because not only are you protecting your occupants – which we've always done – you now need to show the adverse impact on the object that you're hitting," Mr Halliwell said. "Designing a vehicle to meet those two requirements is almost contradictory in its engineering." MORE: Explore the Mahindra showroom Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Australia's new cheapest SUV comes from an unexpected brand
The 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO will start at $23,490 drive-away nationally, undercutting the Chery Tiggo 4 SUV's $23,990 drive-away price by $500 to become Australia's cheapest SUV. The new benchmark price is for the entry-level 3XO AX5L, with the higher-spec 3XO AX7L priced at $26,490 drive-away. The price advantage is temporary, though, with Mahindra confirming this 'introductory' pricing for the 3XO will run only until August 31, 2025. On September 1, Mahindra will apply the standard drive-away prices of $23,990 to the AX5L and $26,990 to the AX7L. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Even then, the Mahindra XUV 3XO will match the Chery Tiggo 4 – if its Chinese rival remains at today's prices – as Australia's cheapest SUV. It's backed by a seven-year/150,000km warranty including roadside assistance, and Mahindra has also announced an additional capped-price servicing package for 3XO customers. It says the servicing price is 17 per cent lower than the average cost for the small SUV segment in Australia, costing a total of $1994 for six years/85,000km of scheduled services. This means an entry-level 3XO AX5L without metallic paint could be purchased, registered and serviced for six years from $25,484. Standard equipment on the 3XO AX5L includes 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, sunroof, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The 3XO AX7L adds 17-inch alloy wheels, contrasting black roof paintwork, larger 'sky roof' sunroof and a Harman Kardon seven-speaker sound system with amp and subwoofer among its additional equipment. You can view a more detailed overview in our price and specs article. Both model grades use a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 82kW/200Nm and a six-speed automatic transmission from Toyota-owned Aisin. They're front-wheel drive, and offer a claimed combined fuel economy figure of 6.5L/100km. The XUV 3XO hasn't yet been tested by ANCAP, with Mahindra Australia planning on making changes to the vehicle to meet new ANCAP criteria set to be introduced in 2026. The vehicles arriving in showrooms this month do have a five-star Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) rating, and come with a surround-view camera, six airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, lane-keep assist and traffic sign recognition. Mahindra has never before competed in this segment in Australia. The XUV 3XO slots in under the XUV700 mid-size crossover SUV, a rival for the Mitsubishi Outlander, as well as its more rugged, body-on-frame Scorpio. The 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO is officially on sale in Australia from July 4, 2025. MORE: Everything Mahindra Content originally sourced from: The 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO will start at $23,490 drive-away nationally, undercutting the Chery Tiggo 4 SUV's $23,990 drive-away price by $500 to become Australia's cheapest SUV. The new benchmark price is for the entry-level 3XO AX5L, with the higher-spec 3XO AX7L priced at $26,490 drive-away. The price advantage is temporary, though, with Mahindra confirming this 'introductory' pricing for the 3XO will run only until August 31, 2025. On September 1, Mahindra will apply the standard drive-away prices of $23,990 to the AX5L and $26,990 to the AX7L. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Even then, the Mahindra XUV 3XO will match the Chery Tiggo 4 – if its Chinese rival remains at today's prices – as Australia's cheapest SUV. It's backed by a seven-year/150,000km warranty including roadside assistance, and Mahindra has also announced an additional capped-price servicing package for 3XO customers. It says the servicing price is 17 per cent lower than the average cost for the small SUV segment in Australia, costing a total of $1994 for six years/85,000km of scheduled services. This means an entry-level 3XO AX5L without metallic paint could be purchased, registered and serviced for six years from $25,484. Standard equipment on the 3XO AX5L includes 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, sunroof, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The 3XO AX7L adds 17-inch alloy wheels, contrasting black roof paintwork, larger 'sky roof' sunroof and a Harman Kardon seven-speaker sound system with amp and subwoofer among its additional equipment. You can view a more detailed overview in our price and specs article. Both model grades use a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 82kW/200Nm and a six-speed automatic transmission from Toyota-owned Aisin. They're front-wheel drive, and offer a claimed combined fuel economy figure of 6.5L/100km. The XUV 3XO hasn't yet been tested by ANCAP, with Mahindra Australia planning on making changes to the vehicle to meet new ANCAP criteria set to be introduced in 2026. The vehicles arriving in showrooms this month do have a five-star Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) rating, and come with a surround-view camera, six airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, lane-keep assist and traffic sign recognition. Mahindra has never before competed in this segment in Australia. The XUV 3XO slots in under the XUV700 mid-size crossover SUV, a rival for the Mitsubishi Outlander, as well as its more rugged, body-on-frame Scorpio. The 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO is officially on sale in Australia from July 4, 2025. MORE: Everything Mahindra Content originally sourced from: The 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO will start at $23,490 drive-away nationally, undercutting the Chery Tiggo 4 SUV's $23,990 drive-away price by $500 to become Australia's cheapest SUV. The new benchmark price is for the entry-level 3XO AX5L, with the higher-spec 3XO AX7L priced at $26,490 drive-away. The price advantage is temporary, though, with Mahindra confirming this 'introductory' pricing for the 3XO will run only until August 31, 2025. On September 1, Mahindra will apply the standard drive-away prices of $23,990 to the AX5L and $26,990 to the AX7L. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Even then, the Mahindra XUV 3XO will match the Chery Tiggo 4 – if its Chinese rival remains at today's prices – as Australia's cheapest SUV. It's backed by a seven-year/150,000km warranty including roadside assistance, and Mahindra has also announced an additional capped-price servicing package for 3XO customers. It says the servicing price is 17 per cent lower than the average cost for the small SUV segment in Australia, costing a total of $1994 for six years/85,000km of scheduled services. This means an entry-level 3XO AX5L without metallic paint could be purchased, registered and serviced for six years from $25,484. Standard equipment on the 3XO AX5L includes 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, sunroof, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The 3XO AX7L adds 17-inch alloy wheels, contrasting black roof paintwork, larger 'sky roof' sunroof and a Harman Kardon seven-speaker sound system with amp and subwoofer among its additional equipment. You can view a more detailed overview in our price and specs article. Both model grades use a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 82kW/200Nm and a six-speed automatic transmission from Toyota-owned Aisin. They're front-wheel drive, and offer a claimed combined fuel economy figure of 6.5L/100km. The XUV 3XO hasn't yet been tested by ANCAP, with Mahindra Australia planning on making changes to the vehicle to meet new ANCAP criteria set to be introduced in 2026. The vehicles arriving in showrooms this month do have a five-star Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) rating, and come with a surround-view camera, six airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, lane-keep assist and traffic sign recognition. Mahindra has never before competed in this segment in Australia. The XUV 3XO slots in under the XUV700 mid-size crossover SUV, a rival for the Mitsubishi Outlander, as well as its more rugged, body-on-frame Scorpio. The 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO is officially on sale in Australia from July 4, 2025. MORE: Everything Mahindra Content originally sourced from: The 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO will start at $23,490 drive-away nationally, undercutting the Chery Tiggo 4 SUV's $23,990 drive-away price by $500 to become Australia's cheapest SUV. The new benchmark price is for the entry-level 3XO AX5L, with the higher-spec 3XO AX7L priced at $26,490 drive-away. The price advantage is temporary, though, with Mahindra confirming this 'introductory' pricing for the 3XO will run only until August 31, 2025. On September 1, Mahindra will apply the standard drive-away prices of $23,990 to the AX5L and $26,990 to the AX7L. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Even then, the Mahindra XUV 3XO will match the Chery Tiggo 4 – if its Chinese rival remains at today's prices – as Australia's cheapest SUV. It's backed by a seven-year/150,000km warranty including roadside assistance, and Mahindra has also announced an additional capped-price servicing package for 3XO customers. It says the servicing price is 17 per cent lower than the average cost for the small SUV segment in Australia, costing a total of $1994 for six years/85,000km of scheduled services. This means an entry-level 3XO AX5L without metallic paint could be purchased, registered and serviced for six years from $25,484. Standard equipment on the 3XO AX5L includes 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, sunroof, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The 3XO AX7L adds 17-inch alloy wheels, contrasting black roof paintwork, larger 'sky roof' sunroof and a Harman Kardon seven-speaker sound system with amp and subwoofer among its additional equipment. You can view a more detailed overview in our price and specs article. Both model grades use a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 82kW/200Nm and a six-speed automatic transmission from Toyota-owned Aisin. They're front-wheel drive, and offer a claimed combined fuel economy figure of 6.5L/100km. The XUV 3XO hasn't yet been tested by ANCAP, with Mahindra Australia planning on making changes to the vehicle to meet new ANCAP criteria set to be introduced in 2026. The vehicles arriving in showrooms this month do have a five-star Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) rating, and come with a surround-view camera, six airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, lane-keep assist and traffic sign recognition. Mahindra has never before competed in this segment in Australia. The XUV 3XO slots in under the XUV700 mid-size crossover SUV, a rival for the Mitsubishi Outlander, as well as its more rugged, body-on-frame Scorpio. The 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO is officially on sale in Australia from July 4, 2025. MORE: Everything Mahindra Content originally sourced from:
Daily Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Mahindra XUV-3XO: Budget SUV arrives without ANCAP safety rating as 2026 crash test rules change
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Mahindra's newest compact SUV, XUV 3XO, has just launched in Australia with a jaw-dropping price of $23,490k (introductory offer) for the base model and flashy features like a panoramic sunroof, surround-view cameras and level 2 ADAS. It's a zippy, family-friendly SUV that's hard to ignore. But while it may look like the ultimate bargain, it comes with a catch. Mahindra isn't submitting it for ANCAP testing, as it's not mandatory in Australia. Instead, the automaker is working on tuning the vehicle to meet Australia's upcoming 2026 ANCAP protocols which include new benchmarks for post-crash safety, driver monitoring and advanced autonomous braking. That doesn't mean the car won't be tested at all. It's likely ANCAP will independently test the vehicle. RELATED: Australia's in love with Elon again Mahindra XUV 3XO. Picture: Daniel Snare A social media clip recently revealed ANCAP conducted a test on this model; however, its rating has not yet been released. ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg said consumers shouldn't overlook the importance of a verified rating. 'It is positive to hear Mahindra are working to bring safety improvements to their future model line-up, but consumers should be aware that – until independent safety testing is undertaken – the safety performance of any new model arriving in our market is unknown,' she said. Hoorweg emphasised that safety is critical in the compact SUV category. 'The Mahindra 3XO is entering a very competitive segment with a competitive price-tag, and while some may suggest safety isn't important for the smaller end of the market, in fact the opposite is true,' she said. 'Smaller vehicles, by physical size, are at a disadvantage out on the road. We all drive within a mixed fleet of larger cars, utes, vans, and trucks, so having a high level of structural safety, on-board safety features, and best ability to avoid a crash is critical for those looking to purchase a smaller vehicle.' MORE: Aussies 'not ready' for advanced driver tech Interior of Mahindra XUV 3XO. Picture: Daniel Snare Budget-friendly cars like the XUV-3XO often appeal to younger, more inexperienced drivers or older Australians, who may be more vulnerable in crashes, Hoorweg said. 'We also need to think about the consumer cohorts that are likely to buy these vehicles. They're generally some of the most at-risk – younger, more inexperienced drivers and older drivers who are physically more vulnerable.' Despite the lack of ANCAP testing, Mahindra insists the car is built to high safety standard and has been tested in India. According to the brand, the XUV 3XO features 55 safety features, including six airbags, level 2 ADAS, Bosch electronic stability program and 360 degree camera system. The 3XO on sale today is based on the heavily modified platform originally used by SsangYong's Tivoli, first released here in 2018. The price is right but buyers have to be mindful. Picture: Daniel Snare Mahindra says it has made major structural improvements but admits the car isn't currently tuned to meet ANCAP's stricter rules coming in 2026. A revised model will be submitted for future testing which could result in a higher price. With a current entry price below many hatchbacks and a lengthy 7-year warranty, the XUV 3XO offers strong bang for buck. The base model AX5L offers a sunroof, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 6 speaker system for $23,490 drive away (July-August introductory offer). The top spec AX7L adds a panoramic sunroof, leatherette interior and cabin, and a 360-degree camera for $26,490 drive away (July-August introductory offer). But with the current model not built to ANCAP's future crash standards, and a revised version already in the pipeline, buyers need to weigh up whether to buy now or wait. MORE: The end of travel as we know it Originally published as 24k SUV lands but there's a catch
