Meet the Hyundai Venue-battling 2025 Mahindra 3XO, the Indian brand's shot at the small SUV segment dominated by the Mazda CX-3, Kia Stonic and Toyota Yaris Cross

Mahindra has fully detailed its 3X0 for the Indian market, a combustion small SUV that replaces the XUV300 in its domestic range.

The 3X0 is effectively a radically re-styled deep facelift on the same carryover SsangYong Tivoli platform which also underpinned its predecessor XUV300.

This new small SUV also carries over the same engine options, consisting of a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine in two states of tune, or a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine.

Major changes include a deeply overhauled exterior reflecting Mahindra’s new toughened-up corporate design language in its face, and a more contemporary light-bar style rear.

Inside, the 3X0 features dual digital screens for its dash and multimedia cluster, with the latest software from the brand.

Additionally, it scores an overhauled and modernised central dash control panel and console area. It swaps the analogue handbrake out for an electronic park brake with auto hold. Finally, the 3X0 also introduces online connectivity with a paired smartphone app.

It measures 3990mm long, 1821mm wide and 1647mm tall, making it equivalent in size to a Hyundai Venue, Kia Stonic, or Mazda CX-3 rather than something a size-up like the MG ZS, GWM Haval Jolion, or Hyundai Kona. Despite this it has a competitive 364-litre boot capacity.

It leaves little in the way of hints tracing back to the SsangYong Tivoli, aside from the SsangYong indicator stalks and steering wheel hardware. Mahindra sold SsangYong back to a South Korean owner in 2022, but continues to use the Tivoli’s ‘X100’ platform for both the 3X0 and the XUV400, an all-electric Tivoli spin-off.

In addition, the 3X0 also supports a full array of safety equipment like auto emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition.

Safety equipment on Indian vehicles is set to sharply increase in the next few years as the subcontinent has now introduced its own new-car assessment program, BharatNCAP, from which the 3X0 received a maximum five-star rating.

If the 3X0 gets approved for Australia as part of Mahindra’s current expansion plans, expect it to take the higher state of tune of the two petrol engine options, a 96kW/230Nm engine mated to a new six-speed torque converter automatic, which could be a preferable option for those not attracted to the dual-clutch automatics featured in many of its rivals.

Additionally, expect the equipment level locally to reflect that of the highest grades in the Indian domestic market as Mahindra’s local division does for the larger XUV700.

This will likely mean the top two spec levels. The AX5 comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, dual 12.3-inch screens for the digital dash and multimedia suite with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate, keyless entry and start, LED headlights, and a sunroof.

Meanwhile the top-spec AX7 adds a panoramic sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather seat trim with extended soft-touch trims in the cabin, Harmon Kardon premium audio, fast-charging 65W USB-C connectivity, a 360-degree parking camera, and a cooled glove box.

Optional on both the two top grades is the full safety suite in the Indian domestic market, which includes the aforementioned items alongside blind spot monitoring, a 360-degree parking camera, and the electronic parking brake with auto hold.

The AX5 starts from around the equivalent of AU$23,000 in its home market, while the top-spec AX7 sits at around AU$25,580 at raw conversion rates.

The 3X0 would bring Mahindra’s local range to a total of four vehicles, including the Scorpio large ladder-frame 4x4, XUV700 seven-seat mid-size SUV, and the agricultural Pik Up ute. No doubt the local division would also like to get its hands on the Suzuki Jimny-rivalling Thar off-roader, although design similarities to the Jeep Wrangler have thus far ruled it out.

Mahindra has also promised its electric vehicles will make it to Australia in the long-term, which may include the just-revealed BE 6e and XEV 9e which are larger, Hyundai Kona EV and Tesla Model Y size respectively.

Both are likely to replace the ageing XUV400 from Mahindra’s global range and move away from the SsangYong X100 platform to new in-house INGLO EV underpinnings which utilises battery tech from BYD.

No doubt the Indian marque will need more low- and zero-emissions vehicles in Australia before long, as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) begin to bite.

India is also not the only market to receive the 3X0 so far, with the small SUV already being exported to fellow right-hand-drive market, South Africa. Stay tuned in early 2025 for more on Mahindra’s expansion plans in Australia.