Mahindra News

Mahindra isn’t going to be left out of the 4WD craze overtaking the globe, as it taps into its tough off-road heritage for a new Jimny-rivalling small off-roader. Design images Mahindra has filed with the Indian Patent Office preview a compact boxy 4WD frame, with all the hallmarks of something more capable than your average small SUV. Following in the footsteps of the Jimny, this new Mahindra model has short overhangs, a high ground clearance, an upright stance, and even a rear-mounted spare wheel and roof ladder accessory. It is expected to be less than four meters in total length, placing it firmly in small car territory. The design patent and recent sightings in the wild preview a production version of the Vision S concept, which Mahindra showed in August 2025 as part of its 2027 vision project. The patents adhere very closely to the design cues of the concept, suggesting the production car will be very true to the original look previewed in 2025, complete with the accessories the show car appeared with at the time. The car has also been spotted multiple times testing in India in the past few weeks, in closer-to-production guise, complete with proper wing mirrors. Images from spotted vehicles also show off a more tech-y interior than the Jimny, with large screens and a more modern design direction complete with fresh switchgear for the brand. Interestingly the spotted cars maintain a manual transmission (still popular in the Indian market), making it clear that it will continue to be offered with a more traditional combustion drivetrain, rather than a full hybrid system which generally requires a bespoke automatic transmission, or as a fully electric model. Inside, the small 4WD is expected to debut with Mahindra’s next-generation software suite, and it is also expected to launch with at least some of the modern active safety equipment it would need to pass the requirements for an Australian launch. Small cars like the Jimny, and other ultra compact combustion vehicles, tend to be limited in how well they can score in the local ANCAP testing regime. It is unclear whether this, or Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) emissions regulations, will put the brakes on the production Vision S for our market. As to what may power this boxy off-roader, Mahindra’s current engine family includes a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged unit in the more mainstream XUV 3XO, which is paired to a six-speed traditional automatic transmission. Producing 82kW/200Nm, it would be a suitable unit to challenge the Jimny. What we do know is Mahindra is on the cusp of a model range expansion for the Australian market, and has confirmed its upcoming Lifestyler dual-cab ute as a successor to its rugged Pik Up, which had a small but loyal following in Australia. The Lifestyler is expressly designed to be a mainstream rival to the likes of the Toyota HiLux and Mitsubishi Triton and is expected to use the related Scorpio SUV’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine. To offset these emissions-producing products, Mahindra is also expected to introduce its XEV 9e electric mid-size SUV before the end of 2026. The new model has already been spotted testing in Australia ahead of its arrival. As with the rest of Mahindra’s range, expect all models in this new product offensive to be competitively priced. While it may not be as headline-grabbing or as popular as Chinese competitors like Chery or GWM, Mahindra has enjoyed relative success since re-booting itself with cars like the XUV700, XUV3X0, and Scorpio 4WD. Expect to learn more about Mahindra’s new model plans for Australia before the end of 2026.

I recently had a Mahindra XUV 3XO as a long-term test vehicle, and the primary take-away I had from it was more carmakers should just keep things simple. Australia is spoiled for cheap cars at the moment, whether it’s the popular Chery Tiggo 4, MG3 or BYD Atto 1, but with the rise of these new-age rivals from China has also come a collection of annoying trends. It doesn’t matter whether it is cost cutting disguised as minimalism, often resulting in touchscreen-dependence, or overbearing safety systems designed to ace maximum safety scores, either way it’s all a pretty terrible user experience. Increasingly you’re left without a choice if you’re on a tight budget, forcing you to choose between a car that has a long list of annoyances, or spending $5,000 - $10,000 more for something a bit more palatable from a more traditional automaker. This is also because once-favourites, which embraced simplicity (sometimes to a fault), such as the previous-generation Mitsubishi ASX and Suzuki Baleno have been forced into discontinuation. This is where the Mahindra XUV 3XO comes in. Having recently driven plenty of other newer and more technologically impressive vehicles as long-termers, including the Geely EX5 and Cupra Tavascan, I was expecting to find the Mahindra a bit of a relic as I surveyed its antiquated interior aesthetic, full of gloss plastics and comparatively modest screens. This modest light SUV, which costs $26,990 drive-away in the top-spec AX7L form I had, is based on an older platform dating back to when Mahindra owned Korean automaker SsangYong, and remains full of that brand’s switchgear and hardware. And yet, I took to this car instantly, and really enjoyed its no-nonsense approach the whole time I had it. The somewhat old-school look comes with a glorious array of buttons for everything. There is a dial for volume perched on the front of the multimedia screen. The screen itself doesn’t interfere with the driving, by simply working and having basic, easy to understand menus. Apple Carplay connectivity is wireless, but no-nonsense, and the home screen has a big shortcut button for it, so you can’t get lost or stuck jabbing at a tiny shortcut on a huge screen. The digital dash is simply laid out, shows logical information, and even sticks to a familiar and functional two-dial layout theme.   It’s hardly the screens I’ve experienced in new age rival cars. Whether it’s the confusing sub-menus of Cherys, the digital instrument cluster looking like accounting software in MGs, or the home screen being laid out like a laptop in the Geely EX5, which all make it less functional when you’re on the move. If you’ve driven any new-age car you would have been annoyed half to death by a litany of poorly calibrated systems. Euro automakers calibrate their vehicles the best, having had to deal with the no-mercy approach of EuroNCAP for decades. Volkswagen Group cars, Mercedes and BMW are all stellar examples of largely well sorted active safety kit, but you’ll pay for the pleasure. Brands from China seem to aim for maximum safety score over user experience, with an array of deal-breaking annoying bings and bongs, overbearing lane keep assist systems and frustrating driver-monitoring tech. Most reviews for these cars involve a long list of caveats and instructions for how to turn said systems off. They are getting better. Many Chinese brands now have software shortcuts to make this infuriating process a bit more user friendly, but a system turned off is one the car may as well not have. Our affordable Mahindra again, just works. It has lane keep assist, auto braking, adaptive cruise control and a blind spot camera in place of the usual blind spot monitor system. I doubt this car would perform well to today’s ANCAP testing procedure. Its version of these driver aids are old and it doesn’t have the latest in driver monitoring tech. Then again, I didn’t once feel the need to dig through a complicated sub-menu in the touchscreen to turn anything off. 2026 Mahindra 3XO is mechanically simple, too The simplicity even extends to the drivetrain. The six-speed torque converter auto just works. There is no droney CVT automatic, which ruins the drive experience, or glitchy dual-clutch automatic that is terrible to use in stop-start traffic. The little turbo engine is passable, albeit a bit thirsty. The Mahindra XUV 3XO really is part of a dying breed of straightforward no-nonsense cars. It has its own issues, which you can read more about in my long-term chapters of this car. In terms of a checklist for things I actually want in a cheap combustion car in 2026, it's one of a surprisingly tiny number of cars that actually ticks most of them.

Mahindra has taken a razor to the price of its XUV700 SUV, slashing $10,000 off cost-of-entry for the base AX7 and $9000 off the more premium AX7L. But beware, there are a couple of significant catches. The ‘Instant Retail Offer’ ends on October 31, 2026 and only applies to cars built in 2025.  Despite the build date caveat, the brand has positioned the move as “its largest instant retail offer yet” adding it “strengthens the XUV700's position as one of the most compelling value propositions in Australia's highly competitive medium SUV segment.” The 2025-build seven-seat AX7 is now listed at $29,990, drive-away, and the 2025-build AX7L sits well under the $35 threshold at $33,990, drive-away. In the short-term the move effectively repositions the entry-level tier of the mid-size SUV segment putting the Mahindra at or below the price of rivals like the BYD Sealion 5 (from $33,990, before on-road costs), Chery Tiggo 7 (from $29,990, drive-away), GWM-Haval H6 (from $35,990, drive-away), Jaecoo J7 (from $34,990, drive-away), KGM Korando (from $30,990, drive-away) and the MG HS (from $33,990, drive-away). The Indian maker believes the XUV700's specification remains a key differentiator with standard features for the AX7 and AX7L including: Panoramic sunroof 18-inch alloy wheels 10.25-inch multimedia display 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto The AX7L adds: 360-degree surround-view camera Ventilated front seats 12-speaker audio Active (crash-avoidance) tech includes: Adaptive Cruise Control Autonomous Emergency Braking Lane Keep Assist Traffic Sign Recognition Blind-spot monitoring (AX7L-only)  

Three new cut-price challengers are on the way to hunt down some of Australia’s favourite dual-cab utes. These newcomers pack some enticing gear with plug-in hybrid power, rugged off-road capability and likely sharp prices in their arsenal to put Ford Ranger, BYD Shark 6 and Toyota HiLux on the menu. Success isn’t guaranteed. Some recent big names such as the Kia Tasman and MG U9 have failed to fire, but these three have a red hot chance. The Chery Stockman is due to arrive at the end of this year, and is the first ute to pack a diesel plug-in hybrid set-up. The Stockman combines a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with an electric motor to deliver 350kW and 800Nm to all four wheels. It can drive up to 100km under electric-only power, but this is calculated via the more lenient NEDC test cycle. Expect closer to 80km when tested to the benchmark WLTP protocol. This combo will be ideal for off-roading and load-lugging, two areas plug-in hybrid workhorses often struggle with. It will have a 750kg unbraked and 3500kg braked towing capacity. Chery has not revealed payload yet. Chery has also previously said it would have front, centre and rear diff locks and it should have low gearing for proper off-roading. Chery has had remarkable success in Australia thanks to its sharp pricing, expect no different from the Stockman.  This will be backed up by a rapidly expanding dealership network. It also looks mean. Watch out big boys. The Indian brand’s follow-up to the much-maligned Pik-Up has just been revealed and it is a shoe in to come to Australia, with a late 2027 arrival date likely. It is based on a new ladder frame platform, which means it'll be built for hard work. Mahindra hasn’t revealed any official details on the new ute, but it is likely it’ll share a fair bit with the rugged Scorpio SUV. This means a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, six-speed automatic and part-time four-wheel drive are likely. Inside will be plush, with plenty of hi-tech features and top-end finishes. In India it will launch with a starting price of less than 1.98 million Indian Rupee (A$29,300), which is more expensive than the Scorpio, but expect it at less than $50,000 drive-away in Australia. Nissan is going all-in on rugged 4WDs and utes in the next few years, and a big chunk of them will be sourced from China and its partner Dongfeng. The Nissan Frontier Pro ute hasn’t been confirmed for Australia, but it is highly likely the ute will arrive next year to sit alongside the recently launched new Navara. Former Nissan Oceania Managing Director Andrew Humberstone suggested to CarsGuide last year both models would be sold here. It is also believed the Frontier Pro will be called Navara Pro when it lands, following on from its recent reveal in the Philippines. It uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a transmission-mounted electric motor producing a potent 320kW and 800Nm combined. The EV-only range is around 100km WLTP. There is a chance it could spin-off an SUV, so watch out Toyota Prado and Ford Everest.

It has never been a better time to buy an SUV with seven-seats, with a range of options across all price ranges. But if you're looking for a seven-seater, but don’t want to spend any more than about $45K? We’ve got you covered. Here are the five most affordable seven-seater SUVs on sale in Australia. The MG QS is last on our list for affordability but first on our list for practicality thanks to its giant five-metre length, which offers more third-row room than the others here. The QS is a proper larger SUV, while the others here are on the smaller side of large. The price of $46,990 is a drive-away offer too, so the value is still outstanding.  We have tested the MG QS and liked the roominess, the hefty list of standard features and the 10-year warranty.   Things we didn't like include the fairly small petrol engine, which has to work hard to carry this big car around. We also felt the cabin stying looks great, but some of the materials felt a bit cheap.  The Mitsubishi Outlander has been around for decades and has been a stalwart in driveways of Aussie families. A low list price of $42,540 for this entry grade is also good to see.  We tested the Outlander and liked its value for money and good looks, but found the third row to be cramped and the CVT transmission to offer lacklustre performance.  The Nissan X-Trail is not only one of the original mid-sized SUVs that’s been around for more than 25 years but for a long time it was one of just a few that offered seven seats. The new X-Trail is one of the best SUVs here and it's wonderful to see it priced so affordable at a list price of $41,305. Of course we have tested it and liked the ride comfort and good handling, but we noted that the spare wheel is under the third row seats and little things like the sound system quality weren’t as good as some rivals. Chery has returned to Australia with an array of excellent vehicles and the Tiggo 8 is no exception. At just over 4.7m long the Tiggo 8 is classed as a large SUV, although that’s still not huge. We’ve tested it and liked the quality of the interior, the amount of features for this $41,990 drive-away price and the good ride.  We prefer the super hybrid version of this SUV, which offers better fuel economy although the price tag is more than this petrol version. Indian car maker Mahindra makes a pretty compelling proposition here with the XUV 700, which is our cheapest seven-seater SUV at $36,990 drive-away for the AX7 entry grade. The AX7 is considered a mid-sized SUV at just under 4.7m long. We’ve tested it and liked the punchy 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, the mountain of standard features for the price, but felt the interior quality could be better and the ride and handling wasn’t exactly great.

Mahindra has globally revealed its latest ute ahead of a launch in its domestic market in April 2027. Dubbed the Mahindra Lifestyler for export markets, the name is a departure from Pik-Up that had been used on the previous-generation model that dates back to 2006. It will be called the Scorpio Lifestyler in India. This new dual-cab ute is aimed at export markets, including not only Australia and New Zealand, but also South Africa, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. It will go up against top-selling rivals the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara, among others. At this stage Mahindra hasn’t confirmed Australian launch timing of the Lifestyler, but it’s expected that export market launches will follow after the Indian launch in April 2027. Mahindra hasn’t provided many details about the Lifestyler just yet, however it’s confirmed to have a new-generation body-on-frame architecture. It’s understood this is shared with the current Scorpio SUV. It’s unclear what will be under the bonnet just yet, but given componentry is expected to be shared with the Scorpio, a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, six-speed automatic and part-time four-wheel drive is likely. In other markets the Scorpio is also offered with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, but it’s unclear whether these will be offered in the Lifestyler. At its reveal the Indian carmaker chose to show off the Lifestyler in three different versions, including the Valley Edition, Reef Edition and Trail Edition. All show different ways this ute can be set-up with functional or aesthetic accessories. Mahindra hasn’t revealed any photographs of the Lifestyler’s interior yet, it published some computer-generated imagery that gives us a clear indication of what to expect. The centrepiece of the cabin is a new vertically oriented touchscreen multimedia system with a bank of physical buttons for the climate control underneath. It’s very reminiscent of the current Ford Ranger. Other interior notes include a digital instrument cluster, a squared-off steering wheel with prominent buttons, scroll wheels and switches, as well as an electric park brake and large drive mode dial. At this stage Mahindra Automotive Australia hasn’t confirmed specific launch timing for the new Lifestyler yet. It will launch in India in April 2027 with a starting price under 1.98 million Indian Rupee (~A$29,300). This makes it 610,000 Indian Rupee (~A$9000) higher than the entry-level Scorpio in the domestic market. Australian pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, however it’s expected to be more expensive than the Indian-specification model and will likely come with more equipment as standard. The most affordable Scorpio is currently $43,990 drive-away in Australia. The international launches of the Mahindra Lifestyler are expected to be staggered after the Indian launch, however Australia has been identified as a key export market for the ute.

Mahindra has expanded its XUV 3XO range in Australia with the introduction of the limited run Black Anniversary edition to celebrate the small SUV being on sale locally for a year. The special edition joins the existing AX5L and AX7L variants and adds exclusive black styling while retaining the same equipment as the top-of-the-range AX7L. Limited to 300 units and with a driveaway price of $27,990 the Anniversary Edition now sits at the top of the 3XO line-up, priced from $27,990 drive-away.   All variants of the 3XO are powered by the same 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 82kW/200Nm driving the front-wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. This combination consumes 6.5L/100km on the combined cycle. AX5L grade: 16-inch alloy wheels LED headlights and LED daytime running lights 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster 10.25-inch media touch screen Wireless apple carplay Wireless Android Auto Dual-zone climate control Six-speaker stereo Surround view camera Black cloth seats Push-button start   AX7L grade in addition to the AX5L’s features: 17-inch alloy wheels Harman Kardon seven-speaker stereo Panoramic glass roof Leatherette upholstery LED front fog lamps Cooled glove box   Black Anniversary Edition grade in addition to the AX7L’s features: Gloss black 17-inch alloy wheels  Black exterior finish Matte gray roof Body coloured grille Dark wheel centre caps Black badging Aluminium scuff plates Rear luggage tray Optional Stealth Black paint: $490   The Mahindra XUV 3X0 maintains the usual array of active safety equipment like auto emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, as well as traffic sign recognition, a 360-degree camera, and an array of six airbags. Mahindra covers the XUV 3XO with: a seven-year/150,000km warranty; seven years of roadside assistance; and six-years of capped price servicing which comes to a total of $1994.

A new cut-price EV has been spied testing in Australia and this one isn’t from China. CarsGuide spotted an example of Indian carmaker Mahindra’s XEV 9e being tested on the streets of Melbourne, pointing to a likely local launch in the not-too-distant future. Mahindra’s Australian arm would not comment on the future of the electric SUV but CarsGuide understands it could be in showrooms before Christmas. The XEV 9e - the company’s first EV offered in Australia - is a tall, imposing car in the metal, with a high-set boxy rear end, sloping tailgate and squared off front end. It measures 4790mm long, 1905mm wide and 1690mm tall, with a 2775mm wheelbase. A Mahindra Australia spokesperson said the company regularly tests future models Down Under. Mahindra conducts suspension and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) testing on internal combustion engine (ICE) cars in Australia, while the company also does calibration testing on EVs. That work involves testing for charging infrastructure compatibility and over-the-air updates and telecommunications networks. Mahindra told CarsGuide back in July last year it was “committed to selling EVs in Australia in the not-too-distant future”, and while the company couldn’t officially confirm the models at the time, a spokesperson added “the BE 6e and XEV 9e are a good indication”. The XEV 9e is a rival for medium-sized Chinese-made electric SUVs like the BYD Sealion 7, Zeekr 7X, Tesla Model Y, Kia EV5 and the freshly launched MG S6 EV. Pricing is a mystery at this stage but you can bet Mahindra will maintain its strategy of undercutting all mainstream and many Chinese brands. Looking at rivals, the BYD Sealion 7 starts from $54,990 before on-road costs and the Kia EV5 is $56,770. But expect the Mahindra to start from the low-to-mid-$40,000 mark, not far off the smaller Geely EX5 (from $41,990 BOC). Both the XEV 9e and the related BE 6 are built on Mahindra’s new in-house INGLO EV platform and artificial intelligence software, which Mahindra says is the “fastest automotive mind in the world”. Both models come with a choice of a 59kWh and 79kWh battery pack. Mahindra says the BE 6 has 682km of driving range and the XEV 9e has 656km when fitted with the 79kWh unit. The BE 6 has a more angular, dramatic design more inline with the look and size of the Subaru Uncharted. It’s unclear if both models or just the XEV 9e will end up in Australian showrooms. One electric Mahindra model that is unlikely to make it Down Under is the XUV 3XO EV that was revealed in January, with the company ruling the tiny electric SUV out for now. Mahindra’s current Australian line-up consists solely of internal combustion engine models, with not even a hybrid on offer. It includes the compact XUV 3XO, mid size XUV700 and large Scorpio off-roader. A new Mahindra ute is also imminent. As well as capitalising on the boom in EV sales spurred by high fuel prices, Mahindra is also likely to benefit from more EVs now that the Federal Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard has kicked in when the XEV 9e hits our shores. Keep an eye on CarsGuide.com.au as more local details, including pricing and specification, come to hand.

A number of popular car brands in Australia are at risk of paying fines in excess of $10 million for not meeting tightening emission standards if they don’t correct course quickly.

Mahindra has historically never publicly shared information regarding its Australian new vehicle sales figures, but it has given us a glimpse of how it fared during 2025. Last year the Indian carmaking giant sold a total of 4653 new vehicles, which is up 11.6 per cent year-on-year. This makes Mahindra the 29th best-selling brand in Australia, outselling Renault (4569 sales), KGM (4116 sales), Cupra (2830 sales) and Jeep (1585 sales). The brand hasn’t provided a model-by-model breakdown of its sales, but it now offers a total of three SUVs in Australia. Its latest edition was the XUV3XO small SUV, which launched in mid-2025. Mahindra claims its introduction increased overall sales by 42 per cent. The Mahindra XUV3XO is still tied for Australia’s cheapest SUV with the Chery Tiggo 4 and GWM Haval Jolion at $23,990 drive-away. Earlier in 2025 Mahindra launched a model year update for the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail-rivalling XUV700, which saw it receive an all-black interior trim as standard, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and ventilated front seats with memory on the flagship AX7L trim. Thanks to run-out offers the XUV700 is now priced from $35,990 drive-away for the AX7 trim and $38,990 drive-away for the AX7L trim. This makes it Australia’s cheapest seven-seat SUV. Just before the end of 2025 the Indian carmaker detailed a major safety upgrade for its Scorpio large body-on-frame SUV. It now receives a range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) functionality that are claimed to be “designed for Australian roads and conditions”.   These include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control with stop and go, front vehicle start alert, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane centring, traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning and automatic high-beam. The pre-update Scorpio went without all of the aforementioned safety features and notably received a zero-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2023 due in part to this. It’s unclear when or if Mahindra plans to retest this updated model. Other new features in the 2026 Mahindra Scorpio Z8L+ include an electric park brake with auto hold, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, as well as ventilated front seats. A seven-seat configuration is now standard with the six-seat configuration featuring second-row captain’s chairs getting the axe. Despite these changes, pricing for the Scorpio for the new Z8L+ trim has only risen $2000 over the pre-update Z8L range-topper. It’s priced from $48,990 drive-away.