CNG is increasingly becoming the fuel of choice for budget car buyers, thanks to many carmakers pulling the plug on small-capacity diesel engines. Though CNG cars command a premium over equivalent petrol counterparts, they’ve accrued favor thanks to significantly lower running costs, making them viable for daily use in urban environments. Here’s a list of the six Value for Money CNG cars you can currently buy in India, ranked from the least to the most fuel-efficient (claimed figures).
1. Maruti Suzuki Celerio
Price: Rs 6.90 lakh
2. Maruti Suzuki Swift
Price: Rs 8.20 lakh to Rs 9.20 lakh
The Swift CNG price starts from Rs 8.20 lakh and goes up to Rs 9.20 lakh, and is available in VXI, VXI (O), and ZXI trim levels. It’s powered by a new 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder ‘Z12’ petrol engine that delivers a rated fuel efficiency of 32.85km/kg, and gets a 5-speed manual gearbox.
3 . Maruti Suzuki Baleno & Toyota Glanza
Price: Rs 8.48 lakh to Rs 9.41 lakh (Baleno), Rs 8.81 lakh to Rs 9.80 lakh (Glanza)
Yet another badge-engineered duo, the CNG variants of the Baleno and Glanza are the first to breach the 30km/kg mark on this list. Both hatchbacks get the same 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol-CNG powertrain and 5-speed manual gearbox as the Fronx and Taisor, but output a greater claimed mileage of 30.61km/kg. The Baleno CNG price starts at Rs 8.48 lakh and climbs to Rs 9.41 lakh (Delta and Zeta trims), while the Glanza CNG is priced between Rs 8.81 lakh to Rs 9.80 lakh (S and G trims).
4 . Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Toyota Taisor
Price: Rs 8.54 lakh to Rs 9.40 lakh (Fronx), Rs 8.87 lakh (Taisor)
The Fronx and Urban Cruiser Taisor are badge-engineered siblings, and both of them get a CNG kit paired with their 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which manages a claimed 28.52km/kg mileage and is available with a 5-speed manual gearbox only. The Fronx CNG price ranges from Rs 8.54 lakh to Rs 9.40 lakh (Delta and Sigma trims), while the Taisor CNG is available in a sole E variant, priced at Rs 8.87 lakh.
5 . Hyundai Exter
Price: Rs 7.51 lakh to Rs 9.53 lakh
The Exter CNG price starts at Rs 7.51 lakh and extends to Rs 9.53 lakh, with it being available in both dual-cylinder and single-cylinder versions across 10 variants. Both options are mated to a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, outputting a claimed fuel efficiency of 27.10km/kg. Gearbox choices for the Exter CNG are limited to a 5-speed manual only.
6 . Tata Punch
Price: Rs 7.30 lakh to Rs 10.17 lakh
The Punch compact SUV is available with a dual-cylinder CNG powertrain in seven trim levels, with prices starting from Rs 7.30 lakh and topping off at Rs 10.17 lakh. The Punch CNG is powered by a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol-CNG setup that achieves a claimed 26.99km/kg mileage. It can be had with a 5-speed manual gearbox only, and doesn’t get the 5-speed AMT option that the CNG versions of the Tiago and Tigor do.