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News - Mahindra - 3xoFive ANCAP stars unlikely for Mahindra XUV 3XOIndian importer is working to ensure its range will meet future ANCAP safety demands3 Jul 2025 By MATT BROGAN MAHINDRA is making changes to its latest SUV entrant, the XUV 3XO, to ensure it will meet stricter new ANCAP regulations set to be introduced from 2026.
Speaking at the launch of the new model in Victoria’s Yarra Valley last week week, the Indian importer said it will not submit a vehicle for ANCAP testing, saying instead that it is working on adapting the vehicle to meet future safety protocols.
These include new standards for autonomous emergency braking, cyber security, driver monitoring, and post-crash safety not currently offered in the sub-$24K model.
The XUV 3XO is also without a centre airbag, blind-spot monitoring, or rear cross-traffic alert, yet performed very well in India’s domestic Bharat NCAP crash testing where is achieved 29.36 from a possible 32 points in the adult occupant protection category and 43.00 from a possible 49 points in the child occupant protection assessment for a five-star result.
Mahindra Australia national marketing manager James Halliwell said the coming change would result in the XUV 3XO being ‘adjusted’ to meet ANCAP protocol changes, likely when the model undergoes its mid-life facelift.
“The moving object test in Australia is a very critical one for safety globally, because not only are you protecting your occupants – as we have always done – you now need to show the adverse impacts on the object that you hit,” he explained.
“Designing a vehicle to meet those two requirements is almost contrary in its engineering (and) we actually need to make a few adjustments to the vehicle to meet the new protocol.”
While it may appear Mahindra has missed the mark with the XUV 3XO – just as it did when introducing its zero-star ANCAP rated Scorpio model without AEB in 2023 – the brand insists the model is safe, highlighting 55 safety features including six airbags, 360-degree camera technology, a Bosch-sourced stability control system, and Level 2 ADAS technologies.
As to why a centre airbag and other crucial safety equipment was not offered from launch, Mahindra head of international operations Sachin Arolkar said the company was waiting to see where future crash test protocols would land before investing heavily in adapting the car to meet soon-to-be-outdated protocols.
“We are evaluating all the new products in light of the 2026 ANCAP norms, because it is very important for us to be up to date,” he stated.
“But trying to keep up to speed is a challenge. So, that’s the reason why we are holding back from certain things and saying let’s work with the 2026 norms … and some of that testing is already underway.
“We definitely want to be there with the five-star (ANCAP rating), but as I say, we are taking it one step at a time – safety is absolutely critical for us.”
Commenting on the situation, ANCAP chief executive officer Carla Hoorweg said Australian SUV buyers should not underestimate the importance of a local five-star rating, cautioning that without it, a new model’s safety performance is simply ‘unknown’.
“It is positive to hear Mahindra are working to bring safety improvements to their future model line-up, but consumers should be aware that – until independent safety testing is undertaken – the safety performance of any new model arriving in our market is unknown,” she said in a statement.
“The Mahindra XUV 3XO is entering a very competitive segment with a competitive price-tag, and while some may suggest safety isn’t important for the smaller end of the market, in fact the opposite is true.
“Smaller vehicles, by physical size, are at a disadvantage out on the road. We all drive within a mixed fleet of larger cars, utes, vans, and trucks, so having a high level of structural safety, on-board safety features, and best ability to avoid a crash is critical for those looking to purchase a smaller vehicle.
“We also need to think about the consumer cohorts that are likely to buy these vehicles. They’re generally some of the most at-risk – younger, more inexperienced drivers and older drivers who are physically more vulnerable.”
The 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO is on sale now.  |
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