Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG: No power loss on CNG, but what is the catch?

Mahindra recently launched the CNG version of its XUV 3XO, called the XUV 3XO ZNG. The headline is simple. The ZNG makes the same power as the pure-petrol 3XO MPFi. I drove it in Delhi-NCR to see if it really delivers the same petrol-like punch and performance. Let's start with the design.

Exterior design
The ZNG looks almost the same as the regular XUV 3XO. The REVX trims have a body-coloured grille, while other trims get a gloss-black one. You get LED lighting, but no fog lamps, even on the top REVX A CNG trim. From the side, you see gloss-black 16-inch wheels. These are the biggest wheels you can get on the ZNG. The 17-inch wheels are only for the petrol TGDi. At the back, a ZNG badge on the tailgate is the clearest sign of the CNG powertrain.

Cabin space and comfort
The cabin is also nearly the same as the petrol and diesel versions. The only real giveaway is a CNG switch to the right of the steering wheel. The dual-tone dashboard has lots of gloss-black trim and carries over unchanged. Overall, the cabin feels upmarket and well finished.

Lower variants get fabric seat upholstery, while the top RevX A trim comes with black leatherette seats, which get hot quickly and have no ventilation, just like in the regular 3XO. The front seats feel tight for larger people. The steering wheel does not adjust for reach, so getting comfortable is hard. The driver’s footwell is tight, and there is no dead pedal.

The rear seat is spacious and comfortable for this segment. Three people can sit here without trouble. Boot space was a weak spot on the 3XO. At 295 litres, it was the smallest in the segment. With CNG, the boot capacity further reduced to 270 litres. It is still fairly wide, though, and takes up to four cabin bags.

Mahindra used dual CNG tanks placed under the boot floor, moving the space-saver spare under the body. The CNG tanks hold 60 litres of combined water capacity, which translates to 10 kg of CNG capacity.

Features, safety and more
The ZNG comes in four trims. They offer the same features as the petrol and diesel versions. The highlights are two sharp 10.25-inch screens, one for infotainment and one for the instruments. You also get a panoramic sunroof and a six-speaker audio system with Dolby Atmos.

The digital cluster adds a few CNG functions. Press the CNG switch and the cluster shows which fuel you are using. The fuel gauge changes to show the fuel level. The cluster can also show how much time you spent in each fuel mode, plus the fuel efficiency for each.

The ZNG is reasonably well equipped next to similar variants of the Tata Nexon iCNG. The Nexon, though, has more CNG variants. Its top versions get a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats and a wireless charger. The Mahindra misses all three.

The safety kit includes six airbags, ESC, Isofix mounts, a tyre pressure monitoring system and a reversing camera. The regular XUV 3XO has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, and you can expect the same standard with the CNG version as well.

Performance, refinement and efficiency
The ZNG uses the 1.2-litre multi-point fuel injection (MPFi) turbo-petrol engine. Mahindra also uses it in the lower and mid trims of the 3XO. Here is the surprise. Mahindra quotes the same power and torque for CNG and petrol. Both make 111hp and 200Nm. That is unusual. CNG cars normally lose 10 to 15 percent of their power. Mahindra says a 10-bar CNG injection system makes this possible. It also says it optimised the turbocharger and the ECU calibration for CNG.

In daily driving, you barely notice the difference between CNG and petrol. The engine feels smooth and refined in both modes. You only hear it when you push hard. Throttle response is good, and the engine is flexible. You rarely need first gear for a speed breaker. There is some turbo lag below 2,000rpm. Once you get past it, the car feels brisk.

The switch between fuels is seamless. You feel no jerks and hear no change in engine note. The calibration for CNG is very good. You can get the petrol version of this engine with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic. The ZNG only comes with the 6-speed manual. Its direct rivals don’t offer an automatic with CNG either. Still, Mahindra should have offered at least an AMT. The manual is smooth and easy to use. The throws are a bit long, though. The clutch is light, but it has a long travel.

Mahindra claims 24.7km/kg for the ZNG. That gives a theoretical range of 247km from the 10kg tank. The car also has an idle stop-start function, which should help efficiency. However, I didn't get the chance to test the mileage claim.

Ride and handling
The CNG kit adds about 100kg to the 3XO. Most of it sits at the rear. Mahindra tweaked the suspension to handle the extra weight. The ride has a slightly firm edge, but it copes very well with bad roads. The smaller 16-inch wheels help a lot. Their taller sidewalls soak up sharp edges before they reach the cabin. The ride is still among the best in the class.

The handling is also a plus. The car feels planted in corners. The steering is light and direct. You get three steering modes that add resistance.

Price and verdict
The XUV 3XO ZNG offers good value and is a strong first step into the CNG compact SUV space. Prices start at Rs 9.99 lakh and go up to Rs 12.27 lakh. That is Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.2 lakh more than the matching petrol trims. The pricing matches comparable Nexon iCNG variants. But here is the catch. The Nexon, though, has a wider range and more features on the higher trims.

Mahindra packed the CNG tanks cleverly and kept the hit on boot space small. The 3XO’s boot was never big to begin with, and that is still a weakness. What sets the ZNG apart is how it drives. The CNG calibration is very good. Performance on CNG is so close to petrol that most people won’t notice.