Mahindra XUV 3XO and Tata Nexon CNG Put to Test in Real-World Mileage Face-Off

The Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG and Tata Nexon iCNG stand out as the only compact SUVs in their segment that pair a factory-fitted CNG kit with a turbo-petrol engine. Both models use a 6-speed manual gearbox alongside a twin-cylinder CNG setup placed neatly under the boot floor.

Performance Specs

Under the hood, both SUVs carry a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine featuring multi-point fuel injection. Even so, the Mahindra XUV 3XO pushes out 11 horsepower and 30 Nm of torque more than the Nexon when running on CNG. Mahindra states that its 10-bar CNG injection system lets the XUV 3XO deliver identical power and torque outputs on both petrol and CNG. In contrast, the Nexon sees a drop in output when running on CNG fuel. The XUV 3XO reaches a peak torque of 200 Nm across a broader RPM band, while the Nexon delivers 170 Nm. Both vehicles offer a combined CNG capacity of 60 litres, though the Nexon holds a petrol tank that is two litres larger than the Mahindra's 42-litre tank.

Mileage Results

Real-world testing reveals very close fuel efficiency numbers between the two rivals. The Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG delivered a combined average of 19.52 km/kg, edging out the Tata Nexon iCNG's 19.40 km/kg figure by a slim margin of 0.12 km/kg. However, they achieve these results differently. The Mahindra led the city cycle by giving 16.75 km/kg, beating the Nexon's 15.10 km/kg. On the other hand, the Nexon took the lead on the highway by delivering 23.70 km/kg compared to the Mahindra's 22.29 km/kg.

Price and Verdict

When it comes to showroom pricing, the entry-level Mahindra XUV 3XO CNG variant costs Rs 9.99 lakh, which is Rs 1.64 lakh more expensive than the base Tata Nexon CNG starting at Rs 8.35 lakh. At the higher end, the price ranges flip, with the top Mahindra variant priced up to Rs 11.19 lakh while the top Nexon reaches Rs 13.42 lakh, making the top-end XUV 3XO Rs 2.23 lakh more affordable. Backed by stronger city mileage and superior overall efficiency, the Mahindra XUV 3XO takes the win here.

Context

Factory-fitted CNG kits have grown popular among Indian car buyers seeking lower running costs without giving up new-car warranties or boot space. Placing twin cylinders under the boot floor solves the old problem of losing luggage room to a bulky CNG tank. Testing cars in fixed loops with alternating drivers helps eliminate human bias to reflect true daily driving numbers.