The upcoming 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO is set to arrive in Australian showrooms by mid-year, following its official local debut at the Melbourne Motor Show. With a starting price expected to come in below $30,000, the compact SUV is positioned to take on popular rivals such as the Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Venue, and Toyota Yaris Cross—despite their aging platforms, they continue to perform strongly in the market.
While Mahindra Australia has not confirmed the exact pricing details, the 3XO is also likely to compete with several Chinese-made small SUVs, including the Chery Omoda 5 (from $27,990 drive-away), GWM Haval Jolion (starting from $24,990 until June 30), and the MG ZS (from $26,990). The XUV 3XO is essentially a heavily re-engineered successor to the XUV300, which was sold in India but never made it to Australian shores.
A key characteristic of the 3XO is its unique size. Measuring just under four metres in length (at 3995mm), the SUV conforms to India’s tax-friendly sub-4m regulations. However, it offers a surprisingly long 2600mm wheelbase, resulting in a spacious interior, minimal exterior overhangs, and an efficient use of space—ideal for urban drivers. While Australian specifications are still under wraps, international models offer a 364-litre boot with a space saver spare tire—roughly 100 litres more than what you’d get in a Mazda CX-3. A 60:40 split-fold rear seat also boosts practicality.
Globally, the XUV 3XO is available in up to five trim levels. The range-topping version—shown at the Melbourne Motor Show and known as the AX7 overseas—boasts high-end features such as LED signature headlamps and taillights, 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and an available dual-tone roof.
Inside, the cabin impresses with ‘leatherette’ upholstery, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, wireless phone charging, and a panoramic sunroof branded as the ‘Skyroof’. One of the tech highlights is a dual 10.25-inch display setup for the infotainment and digital instrument cluster, while lower trims offer a 9.0-inch touchscreen.
Under the hood, the 3XO will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, available in two tunes: 82kW/200Nm and 96kW/230Nm, paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. For Australia, only the automatic variant is expected.
Advanced safety features include Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
As Mahindra continues to pivot away from its agricultural roots toward offering more urban-focused lifestyle vehicles, the XUV 3XO follows the launch of the larger XUV700, reflecting the brand’s global expansion strategy and its growing footprint in the Australian SUV market.