Key highlights
- Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG becomes India’s first sub-compact CNG SUV to secure a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating
- Scores 29.36/32 in adult occupant protection and 45/49 in child occupant protection
- Improved child safety score also applies to select XUV 3XO models manufactured from a specified VIN onwards
Mahindra has extended the XUV 3XO’s five-star Bharat NCAP safety rating to its recently introduced ZNG (CNG) variants. The CNG-powered SUV has scored 29.36 points out of 32 in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 45 points out of 49 in Child Occupant Protection (COP), making it India’s first sub-compact CNG SUV to achieve a five-star rating under the programme.
Interestingly, while the adult occupant protection score remains unchanged from the petrol and diesel versions tested in November 2024, the CNG version has secured two additional points in child occupant protection. The earlier models had scored 43/49 in this assessment.
What the crash test results reveal
In the frontal offset deformable barrier test, the XUV 3XO offered good protection to the driver’s head, neck, pelvis and thighs. Chest protection was rated adequate, while tibia protection received adequate and marginal ratings on the respective sides. The front passenger received good protection across all assessed body regions.
The SUV also performed well in the side movable deformable barrier and side pole impact tests, offering good protection across all assessed body regions.
For child occupant protection, both the 18-month-old and three-year-old child dummies secured full marks in the frontal and side impact assessments. The vehicle also scored full points in the dynamic test and child restraint system installation assessment. Its vehicle assessment score, however, stood at 9/13.
Safety rating extended to other variants
There is another important detail here. The improved child occupant protection score is not restricted to the CNG version. Bharat NCAP has extended the revised 45/49 score to all XUV 3XO models manufactured from VIN MA1NS2NVPS2B98575 onwards. Earlier vehicles retain the original 43/49 child safety score.
The XUV 3XO comes with over 35 safety features, including six airbags, Electronic Stability Control and ISOFIX child-seat mounts. The CNG version also gets dedicated safety systems, including gas-leak detection that automatically switches the vehicle to petrol mode if a leak is detected.
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