CNG is increasingly becoming the fuel of choice for budget car buyers, thanks to many automakers pulling the plug on small-capacity diesel engines. Maruti Suzuki has been dominating the CNG market in India with a wide range of models, and Tata, Hyundai and Toyota are other manufacturers that offer CNG cars in India.
While CNG vehicles command a premium over their petrol counterparts, their running costs are significantly lower, making them viable for use in the city. So, here’s a list of all the CNG vehicles on sale in the country, ranked from the least to the most fuel-efficient, offering a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel.
10. Tata Punch CNG - 26.99km/kg
The recently updated Tata Punch now gets seven CNG variants, with prices starting from Rs 7.23 lakh and going up to Rs 9.90 lakh. The Punch CNG makes use of a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder NA petrol engine producing 73.5hp and 103Nm torque. Unlike CNG versions of Tata Motors’ Tiago and Tigor, the Punch CNG does not get an automatic option. The CNG SUV has a claimed efficiency of 26.99km/kg.
9. Hyundai Exter CNG - 27.1km/kg
The Hyundai Exter CNG, with a 27.1km/kg fuel efficiency figure, is available in S and SX variants; the price starts at Rs 8.50 lakh and goes up to Rs 9.38 lakh for the SX Knight CNG variant. The SUV gets a dual-cylinder CNG setup, opening up more space in the boot than a conventional single-cylinder unit. The Exter CNG uses the same 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine as the standard car, but on CNG, its output is 69hp and 95.2Nm.
8. Maruti Fronx, Toyota Taisor CNG - 28.51km/kg
The Maruti Fronx and Toyota Taisor are available with a CNG kit with the 1.2-litre, four-cylinder NA petrol engine that the two share. This unit generates 77.5hp and 98.5Nm torque in CNG mode and is available with a 5-speed manual transmission only. The two have a claimed fuel efficiency figure of 28.51km/kg. The Fronx CNG is priced from Rs 8.46 lakh to Rs 9.32 lakh, while the Toyota Taisor CNG is available in only one variant, priced at Rs 8.71 lakh.
7. Maruti Baleno, Toyota Glanza CNG - 30.61km/kg
The Maruti Baleno CNG and its rebadged twin Toyota Glanza CNG are powered by the same 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine paired only to a 5-speed manual gearbox, producing 90hp and 113Nm in petrol mode and 77.4hp and 98.5Nm in CNG mode. The two premium CNG hatchbacks have a claimed fuel efficiency figure of 30.61km/kg.
The Maruti Baleno CNG is priced between Rs 8.40 lakh and Rs 9.33 lakh, while the Glanza CNG costs Rs 8.65 lakh to Rs 9.68 lakh.
6. Maruti Dzire CNG - 31.12km/kg
The Dzire CNG shares the same 1.2-litre, four-cylinder powertrain as the CNG versions of the Baleno, Swift and Glanza. This means that it produces 90hp and 113Nm in petrol mode and 77hp and 98.5Nm in CNG mode. Similar to its hatchback counterpart, the Swift, the Dzire CNG is available in VXi and ZXi trims. Prices of the Dzire CNG range between Rs 8.23 lakh and Rs 8.91 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), making it Rs 95,000 more expensive than the equivalent petrol trims.
Maruti is all set to launch the next-gen Dzire in India after Diwali. It will have a first-in-class electric sunroof and feature substantial design changes over the new Swift.
5. Maruti S-Presso CNG - 32.73km/kg
The S-Presso CNG gets a 1.0-litre engine that’s only offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox. In petrol-only mode, the engine puts out 65hp and 89Nm of torque, which drops to 57hp and 82Nm in CNG mode. Similar to other Maruti Suzuki CNG models, the S Presso is also available in two LXi and VXi trims. The S-Presso CNG prices range between Rs 5.92 lakh and Rs 6.12 lakh.
4. Maruti Swift CNG - 32.85km/kg
Maruti recently launched the Swift CNG in India, with prices starting from Rs 8.20 lakh. It is available in VXi, VXi (O) and ZXi trims. With CNG, the Z-series engine on the Swift produces 69.75hp and 101.8Nm of torque and delivers a 32.85km/kg fuel efficiency. The Swift CNG costs Rs 90,000 more than the corresponding petrol variants.
3. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R CNG - 33.47km/kg
While the Wagon R is available with 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre petrol engines to choose from, CNG buyers can only get the factory-fitted kit with the 1.0-litre unit that’s paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. This engine develops 65hp and 89Nm in petrol mode and 57hp and 82.1Nm in CNG mode. The Wagon R CNG is also available in LXi and VXi trims, with prices ranging between Rs 6.45 lakh and Rs 6.89 lakh. With a mileage of 33.47km/kg, the Wagon R is the third most fuel-efficient CNG car in India.
2. Maruti Alto K10 CNG - 33.85km/kg
The Alto K10 CNG gets the same 1.0-litre K10C engine as the Wagon R CNG and S-Presso CNG, with identical power and torque figures. The Alto K10 CNG offers a claimed fuel economy of 33.85km/kg. The Alto K10 gets two CNG variants – LXi and VXi, priced at Rs 5.74 lakh and Rs 5.96 lakh.
1. Maruti Celerio CNG - 34.43km/kg
Yet another Maruti CNG car to make use of the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder NA petrol engine, the Celerio CNG delivers a claimed fuel efficiency of 34.43km/kg, making it the most fuel-efficient CNG car in India. Available with the VXi variant only, the Maruti Celerio CNG is priced at Rs 6.74 lakh, about Rs 91,000 more than the equivalent petrol variant.
Also see:
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