Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG scores a 5-star BNCAP rating
The Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG is claimed to be India’s first subcompact CNG SUV to earn a 5-star crash safety rating
A CNG tank might tend to raise one’s worry in terms of crash safety, but the Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG now has an answer for that, as the compact CNG SUV has scored a 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP crash tests – with Mahindra claiming it is the first subcompact CNG SUV in India to do so.
Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG Bharat NCAP rating
The Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG scored 29.36 points out of 32 in adult occupant protection and 45 points out of 49 in child occupant protection. The standard XUV 3XO earned its own 5-star BNCAP rating in 2024, and the ZNG’s adult score is identical to it. Where the CNG car pulls ahead is child protection, with 45 out of 49 against 43 out of 49 for the standard car. The standard XUV 3XO had already taken full marks in the dynamic test and CRS installation, and scored 7 out of 13 in the vehicle assessment, which is likely where the ZNG has found its extra two points. Adding a CNG tank has not cost the 3XO any crash protection.
Every Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG gets over 35 standard safety features, including six airbags, Electronic Stability Control and ISOFIX child seat mounts. The CNG-specific hardware is where the car differs from its siblings. An integrated gas leak detection system automatically switches the SUV to petrol mode if a leak is detected. Mahindra has also fitted NGV fast filling valves, which it says help with quicker refuelling. Dr Velusamy R, President of Mahindra’s Automotive Business, commented on the SUV, saying, “Its robust architecture is engineered to provide high levels of occupant protection and peace of mind on every journey.”
The XUV 3XO ZNG’s two direct rivals are the Tata Nexon iCNG and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza S-CNG, which start from ₹9.57 lakh and ₹10.74 lakh respectively. Both have 5-star Bharat NCAP ratings of their own. The Nexon scored 29.41 out of 32 for adults and 43.83 out of 49 for children, and the Brezza facelift scored 30.41 out of 32 and 43 out of 49. That puts the ZNG ahead on child protection and slightly behind on adult protection, so the safety rating does not separate these three cars as much as the price does.
