Petrol prices have been climbing in India, making it tougher for consumers to afford fuel and make their daily commute to work. The cost of gasoline is a major worry for millions of middle-class families who rely on personal vehicles. So, CNG or Compressed Natural Gas has become the most feasible and economical alternative fuel available in the country today. In response to the high petrol prices, NDTV AutoMate, one of the top automotive journalism platforms in India, has compiled a list of 5 CNG car options that won’t break the bank while offering drivers quality, safety, and comfort.
Compared to the initial factory fitted CNG cars, the current ones have advanced significantly since then. Today several big car companies make purpose-built CNG variants with better tuning of the engines and twin cylinder systems, as well as smooth fuel switching.Today, car manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Hyundai provide fuel switching CNG variants with better cylinder tuning and twin cylinder systems. Besides, CNG is also cleaner than petrol, which results in less carbon emissions, and in turn results in lower operating costs — a benefit to both the pocket and the environment. Let’s take a closer look at the options in the affordable CNG car segment that are most interesting at the moment.
Maruti Suzuki Wagon R CNG – The All-Rounder for City Families
The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a perennial favorite among the Indian automotive market and its CNG model brings a lot of value to the already reliable package. The Wagon R CNG’s three-cylinder engine provides a 34.05 km/kg mileage in the ARAI-approved condition, a feat in its class. In addition, the tall-boy design provides for a spacious cabin for up to 5 adults and large cabin headroom as well, which makes it an excellent family option.
CNG is available on LXi and LXi (O) variants, keeping the price affordable at Rs 6.5 lakh to Rs 7.2 lakh (ex-showroom). The Wagon R runs on CNG which costs about Rs 1.80 – Rs 2.20 per km as opposed to a petrol run that costs Rs 6.00 or more per km. Fuel saving alone can make up to Rs 5,000 – Rs 6,000 per month for owners of this vehicle over 1,500 kilometres of monthly usage. Furthermore, Maruti’s extensive network of service centres all over India makes it very convenient to locate service centres in almost every city and town and also the cost of maintenance is very low.
Maruti Suzuki Celerio CNG – The Mileage Champion of India
The Maruti Suzuki CNG is too much to beat if maximum fuel efficiency is an ultimate goal. The Celerio CNG is available in the Vxi variant and is priced at Rs 7.2 lakh (ex-showroom), which makes it an excellent value for money for those who have a higher daily mileage and opt for budget-friendly cars.
For the urban commuters, the Celerio’s three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine is well tuned to deliver smooth power delivery in congested urban driving. The lightweight design also enhances the car’s fuel efficiency, ensuring that drivers can get the most out of every kg of CNG. Inside the Celerio has modern amenities like a touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control (available on higher powertrain variants), and comfortable seats for four adults. The Celerio is a little smaller than the Wagon R, but ideal for nuclear families and young professionals in crowded metro areas.
Tata Tiago CNG – First Hatchback with iCNG Technology
Tata Motors was all the rage when it came to the factory-fitted CNG market, and Tata Tiago CNG is now one of the most sought-after models in the low-priced category for those who prioritize safety. The Tiago comes with Tata’s own iCNG technology where the twin-cylinder CNG system is hidden beneath the boot floor which ensures that it does not take up much space from the cargo while retaining ARAI-certified around 26.49 km/kg mileage.
The Tiago CNG’s standout feature is its impressive safety ratings. The Tiago has gained a fine reputation in crash testing and Tata is known to be better in entry level hatchback builds. The CNG variants are offered at Rs 6.55 lakh to Rs 8.20 lakh (ex-showroom) and are available in a variety of specifications to appeal to various customers. Moreover the Tiago CNG also has an automatic fuel switching system, which will switch from petrol to CNG with a flick of switch, providing convenience during long journeys in places where CNG is not easily available.
The 1.2-litre Revotron engine of the Tiago CNG produces 73.4 PS on petrol and around 63 PS on CNG, which is sufficient for driving in the city. The Tiago CNG has a range of features, including dual airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors and a fully digital instrument cluster, that deliver a very good feature for the price ratio which is not offered by many in this segment.
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso CNG (The Most Affordable Entry Point Into CNG)
If one wants to enter into the CNG segment with the minimum investment, then Maruti Suzuki S-Presso CNG is the perfect choice. The S-Presso CNG is the cheapest CNG car available in India and comes with the factory fitted CNG system, starting at about Rs 5.30 lakh (ex-showroom price). The S-Presso may be positioned at a low price point, but the styling outweighs the price, with a design that is inspired by a mini-SUV and so resonates well with younger urban consumers.
The S-Presso, which is powered by a 3-cylinder engine that generates 56 PS on CNG, achieves a mileage of approximately 32.73 km/kg, a respectable performance for the segment. CNG is offered on LXi and VXi variants, with the option to buy either a bare bones chassis or add a bit more functionality. Moreover, its size – not to exceed 3.6 metres throughout – makes it extremely convenient to manoeuvre and park in crowded Indian cities.
The S-Presso is not quite as roomy as the Wagon R, nor quite as safe as the Tiago, but it does the job very well as a simple, no frills city runabout with a low initial purchase price and high value. With the trusted Maruti’s dealer and service network, the overall cost of owning the S-Presso CNG is further reduced, making it a rational choice for first time car buyers.
Hyundai Exter CNG – Feature-Loaded Micro-SUV Alternative
The Hyundai Exter has set a new benchmark for buyers looking for a CNG car at an affordable price, with its micro-SUV chassis, extended features and upscale cabin, all of which has been the hallmark of Maruti Suzuki. The Exter CNG comes in S and SX grades, with the base price of Rs 7.90 lakh and the top price of Rs 10.60 lakh (ex-showroom), which is at the premium end of the affordable CNG segment, but is amply warranted by the significantly enhanced ownership experience.
The Exter is fuelled with Hyundai’s 1,200 cc Kappa engine with its smooth and refined performance in both petrol and CNG modes. The Exter CNG gets around 27.10 km/kg under ARAI conditions, a competitive performance for a car this size and with this specification. The cabin is one of the standout features in this segment, comes with a 8 inch touchscreen infotainment system equipped with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a digital instrument cluster and a panoramic sunroof on some variants (which are scarce at this price point).
The Exter also distinguishes itself in terms of ground clearance with a ground clearance of 185 mm compared to a conventional hatch in the Indian context, where roads are often clogged with water in the monsoons. Exter’s exterior styling and dual tone options, along with its compact yet distinct SUV shape make it one of the most appealing vehicles in the affordable CNG category.
Why CNG Is the Smart Financial Choice In 2026
The time to promote CNG vehicles in India is at an opportune moment. The petrol price in major cities in India has surpassed Rs 100/litre in several states, thus putting a huge strain on household transport expenditure. In contrast, CNG is still quite cheaper with its price ranging from Rs. 75 to Rs. 95 per kg in most cities. CNG vehicles provide 26 to 34 km in a kg which makes the running cost per km much less than petrol.
In addition to the financial calculation, CNG is also an eco-friendly option. The lower CO2, NOx and particulate emissions from the factory fitted CNG systems help to improve urban air quality. CNG vehicles are a transitional technology between fossil fuel-powered internal combustion engines and battery electric vehicles, which will help meet India’s climate goals and help local cities combat air pollution.
Historically, one of the issues that has been of concern to CNG buyers is infrastructure, but this concern is rapidly fading. The Government of India has been aggressively rolling out the City Gas Distribution programme with the installation of thousands of new CNG stations in tier-1 and tier-2 cities. Now, there is a wide enough network of CNG infrastructure in most metros that provides a comfortable daily driving experience without range anxiety.
Conclusion
As petrol prices continue to rise, it is unlikely that they will change anytime soon and consumers in India are making good use of these price changes in their decision-making process. Whether it is the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Celerio, S-Presso, Tata Tiago or Hyundai Exter, the five CNG cars recommended by NDTV AutoMate offer a variety of features and benefits, making them a good choice for most budgets and lifestyles. From the largest carmakers in India, the new CNG variants, whether they focus on range, safety, amenities, or cost, serve to make the process of choosing a vehicle that’s both economical and environmentally responsible more manageable than ever.
The affordable options to petrol cars will become even more tempting to Indian drivers in the coming months and years, as technology being packed by the factories improves and the CNG infrastructure grows stronger.
FAQs:
With an ARAI certified mileage of 34.43 km/kg, Maruti Suzuki CNG is the most fuel efficient CNG car available in India. It is also one of the cheaper CNGs, making it a preferred choice of long-distance city commuters.
Yes, the CNG system is manufactured and tested by the manufacturer to meet stringent safety and performance requirements. They are equipped with specially designed CNG high pressure cylinders, engine ECU tuning optimized for CNG use and easy petrol-CNG switching feature and are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. An aftermarket kit, on the other hand, may void warranties and be more likely to present safety hazards if not installed by a certified fitter.
The savings depends on the fuel cost in the city and on daily driving. The savings of an average commuter, who covers an average distance of approximately 1,500 km per month, on switching to CNG can range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 per month depending on the specific CNG and petrol prices and the model being used.
This will vary by model. In some of the CNG cars especially the older design, the CNG cylinder is mounted in the boot, thereby significantly reducing the load-carrying capacity. But for newer models like Tata Tiago and Tata Punch the twin-cylinder systems are located under the boot floor, making for a far lesser impact on luggage space.
For customers in the major metros and most Tier-2 towns, the ability to conveniently avail CNG services is now available. The City Gas Distribution (CGD) programme of Government of India has been expanding CNG stations along the nation. But, if you are a buyer in remote or rural areas, you should check with the local CNG vendor before making a decision for purchase.
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