Festive Season 2024: Which CNG Car To Consider Under ₹15 Lakh

It’s time for festivities, and there’s no better way to celebrate it than by bringing home a brand-new set of wheels. But in this article, we will not talk about petrol, diesel or even electrics, instead, we focus on the growing popularity of CNG cars. Why? Because of the sudden interest, not just from the carmakers but also the government. Nitin Gadkari Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India recently announced the rapid expansion of the CNG pumps from the current 6000 to 20000 by 2030. Not just that, the CNG market commands a market share of 16.4 per cent while in H1 2024, the segment saw a growth of 59 per cent. A giant leap for sure but since the conversation and conversion have started, it’s time to take a better look at this segment.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R CNG

Fuel Efficiency: 33.48 km/kg

Maruti Suzuki is undoubtedly the go-to brand when it comes to CNG cars. Not only has it been in this segment for a long time, but it also has the widest range of cars on offer. Interestingly, one in every three cars that Maruti sells now is a CNG. Out of these, the Wagon R with its factory-fitted CNG kit is a no-brainer. It’s easy on the pocket, is immensely practical and adds a lot of value for everyday use.

A 60-litre cylinder installed in the boot surely limits your storage capacity, but it compensates with a high return of 33.48 km per kg, the second highest in the country after the Celerio. It employs the same 1.0-litre petrol + CNG unit which is frugal yet peppy, seamlessly navigating through crowded city roads. The Wagon R CNG holds 45 per cent of the company’s total CNG sales, making it one of the best-selling CNG cars for the Indian automaker.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG

Fuel Efficiency: 26.11 km/kg

Counting the number of Ertigas out on the road is like counting sheep, you will lose count and it will put you to sleep. Despite selling more than 10 lakh units over several years, a factory-fitted CNG version was widely missed, up until 2020, when Maruti finally obliged. But the move was mainly to fill the void left by the discontinuation of its diesel sibling.

Priced at ₹10.78 lakh for the VXi (O) and 11.88 lakh for the ZXi (O), the Ertiga CNG returns 26.11 km per kg from its 1.5-litre unit that develops 102 bhp and 136.8 Nm of peak torque, powering the front wheels via its 5-speed manual gearbox. Is that ample for a people mover? Most definitely. 

Tata Punch CNG

Fuel Efficiency: 26.11 km/kg

Our next three suggestions revolutionised the whole CNG game with dual CNG cylinder tech, essentially freeing up the boot space to a whole new level. Let’s start with Tata Motors. The company is the next brand after Maruti Suzuki to aggressively expand its CNG range in the country. 

First introduced with the Altroz, the dual CNG cylinder tech quickly trickled down to its smallest SUV, the Punch and later its subcompact SUV, I’ll get to it soon. But unlike other carmakers that don’t offer much to begin with, Tata ensured that prospective buyers get to choose between 7 trims.

Not just that, the Punch CNG is the first car in its segment to receive an electric sunroof, wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, cruise control, alloy wheels and pretty much everything from the corresponding trims it’s based on, so it’s pretty loaded with features. A 5-star Global NCAP crash test rating only adds to its credibility. 

A 1.2-litre unit certainly translates to a peppy ride with 72 bhp and 103 Nm of peak torque, but what also adds value is the return of fuel you get with it. In fact, it’s better than the Ertiga at 26.99 km per kg, of course, it’s much smaller in size but worth the mention, no?

Tata Nexon CNG

Fuel Efficiency: 24 km/kg

In FY 2024 alone, Tata Motors sold more than 91,000 units but the one that could catapult the numbers even further could be with the Nexon iCNG. But it’s not an ordinary CNG version. It is the first CNG car to come with a turbo petrol engine coupled to a CNG unit. This combo develops 99 bhp, 170 Nm and that’s a lot coming from a CNG-powered subcompact SUV. Add to this is the 6-speed manual gearbox, and two CNG cylinders worth 30 litres each.

6-airbags, ESP, LED DRLs, ISOFIX, Hill Hold Control and IRVM are part of the standard suite while the top variants receive ventilated front seats, a wireless charger, an electric sunroof, a panoramic sunroof and a JBL sound system adding a touch of premium-ness. USP here, like the Punch CNG, is its boot space, 321 litres in the case of the Nexon CNG but falls short when it comes to fuel efficiency, 24 km per kg.

Its three chief rivals, the Brezza, Fronx and even the Taisor in its CNG iterations are better prospects in this regard, but the Nexon CNG drives ahead with better equipment. 

Hyundai Exter Hy-CNG Duo

Fuel Efficiency: 27.1 km/kg

Built on the same idea as Tata’s iCNG, Hyundai too got onto the dual CNG cylinder bandwagon with its Hy-CNG Duo range of cars which consists of the Aura, Grand i10 Nios and the Exter. We’ve picked the latter in our list mainly because of its immense popularity and the huge list of features it receives. 

Available in three variants – S, SX and SX Knight, the Exter CNG is priced between ₹8.50 lakh and ₹9.38 lakh (ex-showroom, India), although the Punch trumps here with more trims.

Having said that, the Exter CNG has its own set of strengths. Automatic climate control, an electric sunroof, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, LED headlamps, LED taillamps and 15-inch alloy wheels, the list is quite extensive in that regard. This one, returns 27.1 km per kg, marginally superior to the Punch CNG thanks to its 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 68 bhp and 95.2 Nm in CNG mode. 

So, there you have it. CNG cars offer a smart, cost-effective and eco-friendly middle ground between traditional fuel and electric options. Which one of these would you choose?