Upcoming CNG Cars in India 2023 – Expected Price, Launch Dates, Mileage, Specifications

Compressed Natural Gas, better known as CNG, has been an alternative to other fuels such as petrol, diesel, and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). While CNG has been in use for quite a while, it has quickly caught on in the country over the last couple of years among private car owners as well. In fact, many manufacturers in the country now produce and sell cars that have CNG-powered vehicles, and they have been flying off the shelves. While there are some CNG models already on sale, there are a few upcoming CNG cars in India in 2023 that you should watch out for.

List of Upcoming CNG Cars in India 2023

Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG

Being the biggest automobile manufacturer in India, Maruti Suzuki is known to produce some of the finest cars in the country. One such example is the Vitara Brezza, which is a perfect balance between practicality, affordability, and performance. The Brezza was initially available only with a 1.3-litre diesel engine, but with the advent of the second-gen model, this car is now available only with a petrol engine. However, the company could launch a CNG variant in January 2023 for an approx. starting price of ₹9 lakh . It would share its 1.5-litre petrol+CNG mill with the Ertiga. This should translate to a maximum power of 88 PS and a peak torque of 122.5 Nm.

The motor will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. In all likelihood, the car won’t be available in a high-end variant and will instead come in a lower trim that will have basic features like a manual AC, keyless entry, ABS with EBD, dual front airbags for the driver, and parking sensors. Peak mileage could be rated around 26 km/kg.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki won’t stop its CNG car onslaught with the Brezza. The sub-4-metre hatchback will be followed by a bigger sibling in the form of the CNG version of the Grand Vitara. So far, the Hyundai Creta-rival has been available with two engine options – 1.5L Intelligent Electric Hybrid and the 1.5L K-series Dual jet engine with Progressive Smart Hybrid technology. It’s the latter that will receive the CNG transformation. This would even mean sharing of the engine with the CNG versions of the Brezza as well as the Ertiga. Hence, the maximum power and torque figures will be 88 PS and 122.5 Nm, respectively. The motor will come mated to 55 km/l and offer around 24 km/kg.

Features on offer will include a 9-inch infotainment system featuring voice assist, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charger, digital instrument cluster, ventilated seats, 2 airbags, ESP, Hill Hold Assist, Hill Descent Control, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Tata Punch CNG

The next car on our list of upcoming CNG cars in India in 2023 comes from the house of Tata Motors. The Punch, like the Altroz, shares its engine with the Tiago but with some fine-tuning. What this means is that like the Tiago, it would get a 1.2-litre petrol+CNG motor that will help this B1-segment hatchback offer an immediate benefit over the petrol-only Maruti Ignis. The CNG-powered engine will output a maximum power of 72 bhp and a peak torque of 92 Nm. Mated to the engine will be a 5-speed manual transmission.

In terms of mileage, the Punch could offer upwards of 25km/kg. While it might not be sold in the absolute top-spec variant, it will still come with a plethora of features such as an aircon, all 4 power windows, central locking, push button start,  7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, rear parking sensors, driver and passenger-side airbags, and more. Prices of the new model could start at roughly ₹6.5 lakh while its launch would take place in April 2023.

Tata Altroz CNG

Like the Punch, even the Altroz is expected to get a CNG variant. The new model could launch around May 2023 and its prices are expected to start at ₹6.35 lakh (ex-showroom). The new model will share its motor with the Punch, which would mean it would get the same 1.2-litre three-cylinder mill outputting 73 PS and 92 Nm. The motor will come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and could offer up to 23 km/kg.

While it would have the same motor as the Tiago and the Punch, it could do with some fine-tuning to make up for the higher kerb weight of this Maruti Baleno-rival. In all likelihood, the premium hatchback would come with all the features of the petrol variant, which include a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, cruise control, a wireless charging outlet, and a height-adjustable seat. Safety has always been a priority for Tata, and the Altroz CNG will come with ISOFIX Child Seat anchors, dual airbags in front and rear parking sensors.

Tata Nexon CNG

Even the next car on our list of upcoming CNG cars in India in 2023 comes from the house of Tata Motors. LIke the Altroz and the Punch, even the Nexon would get a CNG+Petrol variant. However, unlike its lower siblings, the compact SUV would get a powerful 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine. The motor is expected to offer 100 PS and 130 Nm. The motor will come mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

The new model will rival the Maruti Brezza CNG and should cost around the same. It will also offer driving modes and should be available in multiple trims. The new car will cost approximately a lakh rupees more than the comparable variant of petrol Nexon and would become one of the most affordable CNG SUVs in India.

Honda Amaze CNG

While Honda continues to offer the diesel variant of the Amaze even with the advent of BS6 norms, it’s still a while away from launching a CNG option. Thankfully, though, the same is expected to finally make it to our market around July next year. The new model will likely have a starting price of ₹7.5 lakh (ex-showroom) and go on to rival the likes of Maruti Dzire CNG and Hyundai Aura CNG.

While details are scarce at the moment, there are good chances of the compact sedan being available with both manual and automatic transmission. This will make the Amaze the only entry-level sedan to be available with an auto option on petrol, diesel as well CNG fuel variants. Also, the new model could come brimming with premium features such as a touchscreen infotainment unit, push button start, steering-mounted audio controls, projector headlamps, and the likes. The safety kit would include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and traction control.

Hyundai i20 CNG

While the Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS is already available with a CNG variant, even the latest-gen i20 will soon receive a CNG variant to take on the Maruti Baleno. The upcoming variant of the premium hatchback will launch around August this year and cost approx. ₹7.5 lakh onwards. It will share the engine with the Grand i10 NIOS and Aura. What this means is that powering the new model will be the same 1.2-litre VVT petrol engine. For the new model, the motor will be tuned to offer 69 PS and 95 Nm. Like the CNG version of the Grand i10 Nios, there won’t be any AMT option and the i20 CNG will be sold only with a 5-speed manual transmission. The upcoming car could offer up to 25.4 km/kg.

While details are scarce at the moment, the new model is expected to be sold in entry and mid-level trims. These will come with features like steering-mounted audio controls, dual front airbags, touchscreen infotainment unit, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and central locking.

Kia Sonet CNG

Kia Sonet, which has been the most affordable model in the carmaker’s lineup, will soon become the first model in the company’s portfolio to be available with a CNG option. LIke its siblings from Hyundai, the sub-compact SUV will be available with a 1.2-litre bi-fuel engine that will be able to run on CNG as well as petrol. The new model is likely to have a base price of ₹9 lakh, which will make it as affordable as the CNG versions of the Maruti Brezza and the Tata Nexon. The launch is likely to happen in August 2023. It will be sold only with a 5-speed manual transmission while the claimed mileage could be in the tune of 25 km/kg.

As has been the trend, the CNG version of the Kia Sonet is likely to sold in entry and mid-level trims only. The most feature-laden version will hence include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, touchscreen infotainment unit, steering-mounted audio controls, all four power windows and central locking.

KIa Carens CNG

Following the launch of the CNG-powered Sonet, Kia will likely launch the CNG version of the Carens in November 2023. With prices expected to start at Rs 11.5 lakh onwards, the upcoming engine variant of the Carens will help it take on the CNG versions of the Maruti Ertiga. It will also make the Carens the most affordable sufficiently premium MPV to run on CNG. Details are scarce at the moment but in all likelihood, it will be powered by a re-tuned 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine that will be capable of running on CNG as well as petrol.

The bi-fuel motor is expected to offer a maximum power of 100 PS and a peak torque of 140 Nm. The only transmission choice is likely to be that of a 6-speed manual transmission. Again, even in this case, it doesn’t look like the CNG version will be available in the top-end trim. Still, even in the mid-level trim, the Carens CNG would offer premium features like a touchscreen infotainment unit, 6-speaker audio system, UVO connected car technology, steering-mounted audio and telephone controls, 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist and more.

Hyundai Creta CNG

The last car on our list of upcoming CNG cars in India is the Compressed Natural Gas-powered Hyundai Creta. The Creta is slated to receive a facelift early next year. However, the CNG version is likely to debut only by the year-end. Once launched, the new model will lock horns with the CNG version of the Maruti Grand VItara. The new model will share its motor with the Carens CNG. This means it would get a 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine that will run on CNG as well as petrol. As is the case with the aforementioned MPV, even the upcoming version of the Creta will offer a maximum power of 100 PS and a peak torque of 140 Nm. The motor will come mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

The new model will be offered in EX, S and SX trims. This means the compact SUV would come with features such as a touchscreen infotainment unit, digital speedo console, dual-front-airbags, ABS with EBD, premium audio system, steering-mounted audio and telephone controls, et al. The SUV would offer a peak mileage of around 20 km/kg.

So, which of these upcoming CNG cars in India in 2023 are you waiting for? Also, do you plan to sell off your car to upgrade to a CNG model? In case you do, we are glad to inform you that CARS24 not only offers you a great platform to assist you with the sale of your used vehicle online but even enables you to obtain the best price for your old car. In fact, CARS24 even takes care of all the documentation, including the RC transfer, totally free of cost. Not just this, you can even make use of our free old car value calculator to know the correct resale value of your car.

FAQs:

1. Why do CNG cars have a waiting period?

Thanks to the ever-increasing prices of petrol and diesel, there has been a corresponding increase in the demand for CNG vehicles. CNG is cheaper than petrol and diesel, while CNG cars offer a higher mileage as well. Hence, there is a high waiting period on almost all CNG cars on sale in India.

2. Which car has a long waiting period?

Among the CNG cars in India, the ones with the highest waiting period include Maruti Ertiga, Maruti WagonR, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Maruti Dzire.

3. Is there a huge price difference between CNG cars and petrol/diesel cars?

No, there isn’t a significant price difference between CNG and Petrol/Diesel cars. Usually, CNG cars are ₹50,000-₹1 lakh costlier than the corresponding petrol models.

4. How are CNG cars better, and what are the benefits?

There are multiple benefits of CNG cars. Firstly, CNG is cheaper than petrol and diesel, which makes these cars more economical to run. Also, even the mileage that CNG cars deliver is higher than the comparable petrol/diesel variants. Finally, CNG is a clean fuel, which means it reduces air pollution.

5. Is a CNG car safe?

Yes, with the advent of the factory-fitted CNG kits, CNG cars have gotten much safer than before. Actually, the factory installation ensures no compromise on the safety, which is something that wasn’t the case with the aftermarket fitments. This, together with the advancement in technologies used in CNG kits, has made CNG cars as safe as their petrol and diesel counterparts.

Keyword: Upcoming CNG Cars in India 2023 – Expected Price, Launch Dates, Mileage, Specifications