The Most Expensive CNG Cars in India: Are They Approaching the Luxury Segment?
CNG-powered cars are rapidly gaining traction among buyers in the Indian market. Retail sales data from the VAHAN website indicates that 364,528 CNG cars were sold in the first 10 months of FY2024 (April 2023-January 2024), marking a significant 29 percent increase compared to the 282,364 units sold in the previous year. This surge is primarily driven by the fact that this greener fuel is considerably more affordable than petrol and diesel. For instance, in Mumbai, CNG is currently priced at Rs 73.50 per kg – which is Rs 32.81 and Rs 20.77 cheaper than petrol and diesel, respectively.
Furthermore, as most automakers have discontinued small-capacity diesel engines, buyers are increasingly considering CNG options for improved fuel efficiency. While CNG vehicles offer significantly lower running costs, they do come at a notable premium over their petrol counterparts. Despite CNG fuel historically being associated with the budget end of the market, car manufacturers have recently begun introducing CNG variants of their more expensive models. This trend suggests a potential shift, bringing CNG options closer to the higher-end, if not quite luxury, segment in India. Here is a list of the most expensive CNG vehicles currently available in India.
India’s Priciest CNG Car Models
10. Maruti Suzuki Baleno
Price: Rs 8.40 lakh-9.33 lakh
The Baleno was the first Maruti Nexa model to feature a factory-fitted CNG kit, launching in late October 2022. The Baleno CNG is offered in Delta and Zeta trims, priced Rs 95,000 higher than their equivalent petrol versions. It is powered by the same 1.2-litre, four-cylinder K12N engine, which produces 90hp and 113Nm in petrol mode and 77.4hp and 98.5Nm in CNG mode. This premium hatchback is exclusively paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Maruti claims the Baleno CNG delivers a fuel economy of 30.61km/kg.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno CNG hatchback, one of the more expensive CNG options in India
9. Maruti Suzuki Dzire
Price: Rs 8.44 lakh-9.12 lakh
Maruti Suzuki introduced the Dzire CNG in March 2022, and it stands as the most expensive compact CNG sedan currently available. It is sold in VXi and ZXi trims, costing Rs 95,000 more than the corresponding petrol manual trims. The Dzire CNG shares its 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine with the Baleno, delivering 76hp and 98.5Nm of torque in CNG mode via a 5-speed manual transmission. Notably, the Dzire CNG boasts the best claimed mileage among compact sedans at 31.12km/kg.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire compact sedan CNG variant, featured in the list of expensive CNG cars in India
8. Maruti Suzuki Fronx CNG
Price: Rs 8.46 lakh-9.32 lakh
Based on the Baleno, the Fronx is a coupe-crossover that utilizes the same 1.2-litre engine as the Baleno and Dzire, with identical power and torque figures in CNG mode. Maruti Suzuki states that the Fronx CNG achieves a fuel efficiency of 28.51km/kg. The CNG option is limited to the entry-level Sigma and Delta trims. Despite this, these trims are reasonably equipped, featuring a 7.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, dual airbags, and reverse parking sensors.
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7. Toyota Glanza
Price: Rs 8.65 lakh-9.68 lakh
The Glanza was Toyota’s first CNG model and is essentially a rebadged Baleno CNG. It’s available in S and G trims and uses the identical powertrain. However, the starting price for the Glanza CNG is Rs 25,000 higher than its Maruti counterpart. Sharing the same power and mileage figures as the Baleno CNG, the Glanza also matches its equipment list, including LED projector headlamps, 16-inch alloys, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with voice assistant, connected car tech, a start/stop button, and six airbags on the top trim.
Toyota Glanza CNG hatchback, sharing features with the Baleno and listed among expensive CNG cars in India
6. Maruti Suzuki Brezza
Price: Rs 9.29 lakh-12.25 lakh
The Brezza holds the distinction of being the first and only compact SUV to offer a CNG powertrain in India. It comes in three trims: LXi, VXi, and ZXi, each priced Rs 95,000 above their petrol counterparts. Powering the Brezza CNG is the 1.5-litre K15C DualJet engine, exclusively paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. While it produces 101hp and 136Nm in petrol mode, output reduces to 88hp and 121.5Nm in CNG mode. Equipped with a 55-litre CNG tank, the Brezza CNG claims a fuel efficiency of 25.51km/kg. The ZXi trim includes features like a 7.0-inch touchscreen with SmartPlay Pro+ system, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, a start/stop button, sunroof, and cruise control.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza compact SUV CNG, a higher-priced CNG SUV model in India
5. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
Price: Rs 10.78 lakh-11.88 lakh
Following the Eeco, the Ertiga is the second MPV in Maruti Suzuki’s Arena line-up to feature a factory-fitted CNG kit. Available in VXi and ZXi trims, the Ertiga CNG uses the 1.5-litre K15C engine found in the Brezza, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. It generates 86hp and 121Nm in CNG mode, compared to 99hp and 136Nm in petrol mode. The top-spec trim offers features like automatic headlamps, an engine start/stop button, a 7-inch touchscreen, four airbags, and cooled cupholders. With a 60-litre CNG tank, Maruti claims a mileage figure of 26.11km/kg.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPV CNG variant, one of the more expensive CNG cars in India
4. Toyota Rumion CNG
Price: Rs 11.39 lakh
The Rumion is Toyota’s badge-engineered version of the Ertiga, sharing the same underpinnings and the 1.5-litre K15C powertrain. Unlike the Ertiga CNG, which comes in mid-spec trims, the Rumion CNG is offered only in a single entry-level S trim. However, this S trim is equipped comparably to the Ertiga’s mid-spec VXi trim, meaning it’s not basic, though it is noticeably more expensive than the Ertiga VXi CNG. Toyota claims an identical fuel efficiency figure of 26.11 km/kg as the Maruti.
Toyota Rumion MPV CNG, a rebadged Ertiga featured in the list of expensive CNG cars in India
3. Maruti Suzuki XL6
Price: Rs 12.56 lakh
Positioned as a more premium alternative to the Ertiga CNG, the XL6 CNG was the second model from Maruti’s Nexa line-up to receive a CNG powertrain. It is available in a single mid-spec Zeta trim. Features include cruise control, an engine start/stop button, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity via a 7-inch touchscreen, and four airbags. While it shares the same powertrain as the Ertiga CNG, the XL6 CNG boasts a marginally higher claimed fuel economy of 26.32km/kg.
Maruti Suzuki XL6 premium MPV CNG, a high-end CNG car option in India
2. Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
Price: Rs 13.11 lakh-14.92 lakh
Launched in January 2023, the Grand Vitara was the first midsize SUV in India to come with a factory-fitted CNG kit. It is available in mid-spec Delta and Zeta trims and costs Rs 95,000 more than the corresponding petrol manual trims. Powered by the 1.5-litre K15C engine from the XL6 and Ertiga CNG, the SUV delivers 88hp and 121.5Nm of torque in CNG mode, versus 103hp and 136Nm in petrol-only mode, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The top-spec Grand Vitara CNG features full-LED headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 9.0-inch touchscreen system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, connected car tech, an engine start/stop button, and six airbags.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara midsize SUV CNG variant, listed as an expensive CNG car in India
1. Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
Price: Rs 13.71 lakh-15.59 lakh
The second midsize SUV in its category to offer a factory-fitted CNG kit, the Hyryder is the direct competitor to the Grand Vitara CNG. Offered in S and G trims, the Hyryder CNG is priced Rs 95,000 higher than its equivalent petrol manual trims and currently stands as the most expensive CNG car on sale in India. It shares the same powertrain as the Grand Vitara CNG and delivers an identical claimed fuel economy of 26.6km/kg. In its top-spec G trim, the Hyryder CNG mirrors the equipment list of the Grand Vitara CNG, including full-LED headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, connected car tech, an engine start/stop button, six airbags, and cruise control.
Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder midsize SUV CNG, the most expensive CNG car featured in India
Conclusion
The landscape of CNG vehicles in India is clearly evolving beyond just entry-level options. As evidenced by the models listed, manufacturers are expanding their CNG offerings into higher segments, including compact SUVs and MPVs. While perhaps not traditionally considered “luxury” in the global sense, these vehicles represent the more premium and expensive end of the current CNG market in India, offering a blend of cost-effective running and increasingly sophisticated features. This trend caters to a growing consumer base looking for greener, cheaper fuel alternatives without sacrificing vehicle size or modern amenities.
