Fuel costs are rising steeply in India, and this issue is affecting millions of Indians who own a petrol or diesel-powered car. Petrol and diesel cars are getting expensive too, most of them not being able to fall within the category of low-running-cost vehicles. So, CNG-powered vehicles are increasing in popularity in India.
But which will be the best CNG car in India in 2024? Which one should you buy? Why should you buy a CNG car? To answer all of your questions, we have crafted this blog.
Let’s go ahead and explore the top 5 CNG cars that you can buy in India.
What are CNG-powered cars?
CNG-powered cars are those that run on compressed natural gas. These cars do not use other fossil fuels like petrol and diesel to run. Instead, they have a gas tank that is filled with CNG at high-pressure. The tank is usually located at the back of the vehicle.
The engine of a CNG car works exactly like a petrol or diesel powered car’s engine. The only difference is in the type of fuel that’s being used. You might think that CNG powered cars are risky due to the presence of a high-pressure fuel tank.
But you will be surprised to know that it is relatively safer than it looks. Even if the high pressure fuel tank is present in the vehicle, there is zero to minimal chance of it being exploded without any reason. But yes, if you purchase a CNG car, be careful while using the boot space, as sharp objects like screwdrivers or hammers can rupture the fuel tank.
Best CNG Cars In India: 2024
Here are the top choices for the Indian CNG car market in 2024:
Fronx (Toyota Taisor): Best CNG Car
The Maruti Suzuki Fronx, which is also known as Toyota Taisor, is the car you might want to buy. It offers the best-in-class mileage in this segment, which is a whopping 28.51 km/kg. This impressive range is due to the economic design of its engine and the 1.2-liter fuel-efficient K-series engine.
In terms of performance, too, the Fronx will not disappoint you. It churns out a respectable 90 bhp of power and 113 Nm of torque. Fronx starts at a price of ₹9.44 lakh, and the top model costs ₹10.38 lakh. It has adequate safety features like airbags and ABS with EBD.
With Fronx, you get good features like automatic AC, a 7-inch touchscreen, keyless entry, projector headlamps, and much more.
Tata Punch iCNG
Tata is a well-known name in the Indian automobile market. They are known for producing some of the safest cars in India, like the Nexon, Altroz, and Zest. Adding to their impressive range of cars, Tata Punch is also available in the CNG variant. It provides an impressive range of 26.9 km/kg.
In terms of performance, the Tata Punch CNG has 73.4 bhp and 103 Nm of torque. The engine comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox option, which is a blessing for lovers of manual gearboxes in India.
The pricing starts at ₹8.24 lakh and goes up to ₹11.14 lakh for the top model.
Hyundai Exter CNG
Hyundai is one of the most popular foreign car brands in India. Hyundai provides the Exter as the best CNG car in terms of efficiency and compactness. This little SUV car comes with a 1.2-liter Kappa engine offering a respectable 95.2 Nm of torque and 68 bhp. It gives you an impressive range of 27.1 km.
The Exter starts at a price of ₹9.53 lakh and the top model of this car costs ₹10.34 lakh.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara CNG
It is a flagship CNG SUV on offer from Maruti Suzuki. Grand Vitara was launched in 2023 and it comes with a 1.5-liter engine from the K-series. It gives an output of 87 bhp and 121.5 Nm of maximum torque in the CNG variant.
The Grand Vitara CNG comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox and a good range of 26.6 km per kg of CNG. For SUV enthusiasts, this car is a leading one in the segment. This vehicle comes with good features like auto projector headlamps with LED lighting, 6 airbags, a premium sound system by Arkamy, and much more.
It starts at ₹14.86 lakh and goes up to ₹16.87 lakh.
Conclusion
In a time where the costs of fuels like petrol and diesel are skyrocketing, the shift towards CNG-powered vehicles in India is not just a trend but an actual solution for millions of Indians. The best CNG cars in 2024 will offer not only impressive mileage but also strong performance and safety features. Fronx (Toyota Taisor), Tata Punch iCNG, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara CNG, and Hyundai Exter are the top CNG cars in India as of 2024.
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FAQs
Are CNG-powered cars safe to drive?
Yes, CNG-powered cars are safe to drive, and modern CNG vehicles are designed with high safety standards.
How does the mileage of CNG cars compare to that of fuel cars?
In the long run, CNG vehicles are more economical because they often have higher mileage than petrol or diesel vehicles. On average, CNG cars can provide much better mileage, ranging from 26 to 28 kilometers per kilogram of CNG
Where can I fill my CNG car?
In India’s cities, CNG refueling stations are showing up more frequently. Google Maps is one of the many smartphone apps that make it simple to find CNG stations.
