Mahindra has revealed four new concept SUVs at a special event in New Delhi, India, and they could preview a new range of models to take on rivals from the Mazda CX-3 small SUV to the Toyota RAV4 mid-size SUV, while addressing a key issue for Australian buyers.
The Global Vision 2027 event showcased the Mahindra Vision Series, which consists of four distinctively different small-to-medium SUVs: the Vision T, the Vision SXT and the smaller Vision X and the Vision S.
Mahindra Australia hasn’t confirmed whether the concepts, which are not officially confirmed for production, are earmarked for local showrooms – but it does want to expand its current three-SUV lineup as part of its goal to become a top-15 auto brand here by 2030.
Crucially, Mahindra says all Vision Series vehicles have been engineered to achieve a maximum five-star safety rating in India, Europe and Australia.
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Above: Vision T
The lack of ANCAP safety ratings of any kind, let alone a five-star rating, for some of its models is an issue Mahindra Australia has previously said it will address for its local model range from 2026. Two of its current models on sale here have yet to be assessed by ANCAP, while the other received a zero-star rating.
All four of the concepts are underpinned by a new ‘NU_IQ’ modular global platform, which the Indian automaker says has been engineered to offer both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, in both left-hand and right-hand drive forms.
The platform is also capable of supporting internal combustion, hybrid and battery-electric powertrains, with Mahindra’s president of automotive technology and product development, Velusamy Ramasamy, telling Autocar India that all four vehcles are on the table for potential showroom introduction.
Above: Vision S
Mahindra currently doesn’t have a hybrid vehicle in its global lineup, but at the recent launch of its smallest SUV, the new XUV 3XO, Mahindra Australia said it’s looking to add hybrid vehicles as well as its first EV, which is set for local showrooms by the end of 2027. However, it is yet to confirm details of which models these will be.
The concepts could also bring the first software-defined vehicles (SDV) for the brand, with Mr Ramasamy saying more advanced software capability may come in the less cost-conscious larger models. “It is a modular architecture, so the hardware is separate to the software,” he said.
The four concepts share the same 2665mm wheelbase – longer than the XUV 3XO small SUV’s (2600mm), but shorter than the XUV700 seven-seat mid-size SUV’s (2750mm) – but range in overall length between 3995mm and 4320mm.
That suggests a replacement or a companion for the XUV 3XO, which is just 3990mm long to avoid higher taxes in India for vehicles over four metres long.
Above: Vision X
The key change enabled by the platform is a shorter overhang at each end of the vehicles – which is now between 745mm and 850mm at the front and 590mm and 805mm at the rear – which, according to Mahindra, will allow it to achieve a (yet to be tested) independent five-star safety rating in Global NCAP, Euro NCAP, and ANCAP testing.
There was no confirmation of powertrains across the quartet, but the new platform will have a stronger structure than that of existing Mahindra models, and will support lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
It will also employ advanced ‘Davinci’ dampers and multi-link independent rear suspension – which is more advanced than the torsion-beam rear-end arrangement of the XUV 3XO – while still offering cargo space of 644 litres, measured from the boot floor to the roof with the second-row seats in place.
Like the exterior designs, which show distinctly different approaches to the five-door SUV genre – and a focus on both off-road customers and urban buyers – the interiors also bring significant variations, such as the portrait-oriented screen in the Vision T to the more horizontal design of the Vision X.
Above: Vision SXT
“What you’re about to see today is the first step in towards to two distinct paradigm changes. One is a paradigm shift in design; and the other is a paradigm shift in technology,” said Mahindra Group CEO and managing director, Anish Shah, at the New Delhi event.
Mahindra’s automotive business has been in transition since 2021, when it moved from offering a somewhat agricultural product line as part of its goal to become a mainstream auto brand.
In Australia, it will introduce a new model every year as it looks to grow its local lineup, which currently comprises three SUVs and a ute but will be renewed via a next-generation Pik-Up ute and expanded via new models including the next-generation Thar large SUV.