Most Affordable SUVs With Company-Fitted CNG Kits

Buying a company-fitted CNG car today is not the same as it was before. Yes, it’s true that earlier, if you bought a factory-fitted CNG car, you had to compromise on features and tech. However, today most brands are offering a bi-fuel option across the variant line-up, and this includes SUVs as well. And if you are in the market looking for an SUV under Rs. 15 lakh, but also want the frugality of a CNG car, then this list will help you.

Cheapest SUVs With Factory-Fitted CNG Kits:

Tata Nexon iCNG

Price Range: Rs. 8.23 Lakh to Rs. 13.36 Lakh

Claimed Fuel Efficiency: 24 km/kg

Tata Motors was the first brand to start offering factory-fitted CNG kits with even the top-spec variants of its products. It was also the first brand to offer dual-cylinder tech, with usable boot space, a trend which was soon followed by others. The Nexon iCNG is offered in right from the entry-level trim Smart, all the way up to the top-spec Fearless Plus (PS) Red Dark Edition. The PS stands for Panoramic Sunroof.

The Nexon iCNG was also the country’s first turbo-petrol car with a factory-fitted CNG kit. In CNG mode, the 1.2-litre turbocharged motor makes 99 bhp, which bumps up to 119 bhp in petrol mode. Interestingly, the torque output remains unchanged at 170 Nm irrespective of whether it is in CNG mode or petrol mode. Here you get a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Also Read: Maharashtra Hikes Tax On New CNG Cars By 1 Per Cent; Raises Maximum Tax Limit To Rs 30 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki Brezza S-CNG

Price Range: Rs. 9.17 Lakh to Rs. 11.46 Lakh

Claimed Fuel Efficiency: 25.51 km/kg

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza was the first SUV in India to come with a company-fitted CNG kit, and the Indo-Japanese carmaker calls its technology S-CNG. Now, earlier, Maruti Suzuki India used to offer CNG kits only with the entry-level LXI trim, but now you can get one even in the top-spec ZXI Dual-Tone trim.

Under the hood is the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that makes about 87 bhp in CNG mode, and 99 bhp in petrol. At the same time, the torque output stands at 122 Nm in CNG mode and 137 Nm in petrol. Here, too, you get the option for only a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris S-CNG

Price: Rs. 11.50 Lakh to Rs. 14.72 Lakh

Claimed Fuel Efficiency: 27.02 km/kg

The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is the newest addition to the company’s line-up, and it is also the first model from the company to use an underbody CNG tank, allowing the SUV to have a proper 320-litre boot space. Like the Brezza, this too can be had with most of the variants – LXI, VXI, ZXI and ZXI Dual-Tone.

The SUV is powered by a 1.5-litre engine, the same as the Brezza, which makes 87 bhp and 122 Nm of peak torque, while in petrol mode it goes up to 99 bhp and 137 Nm. Here, too, you get a 5-speed manual transmission.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara S-CNG

Price: Rs. 13 Lakh to Rs. 14.60 Lakh

Claimed Fuel Efficiency: 26.6 km/kg

Now, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is essentially the Nexa derivative of the Victoris; however, in addition to cosmetic differences, there are some structural changes too. Firstly, the CNG tank is conventionally positioned in the boot, taking up most of the luggage space.

Powertrain-wise, it’s the same set-up as the Victoris, a 1.5-litre engine that makes 87 bhp and 122 Nm of peak torque. In petrol mode, it goes up to 99 bhp and 137 Nm, while transmission duties are handled by a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder e-CNG

Price Range: Rs. 13.33 Lakh to Rs. 15.29 Lakh

Claimed Fuel Efficiency: 26.6 km/kg

The Urban Cruiser Hyryder is essentially the Toyota-badged version of the Grand Vitara and thus is identical in almost every way to the latter. Here, too, you get a boot-mounted CNG tank that is paired with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, and this one is also offered in two variants – S and G. The motor itself is the same naturally aspirated unit that makes the same 87 bhp and 122 Nm of peak torque, while mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Similarly, in petrol mode, it makes 99 bhp and 137 Nm of torque.

Also Read: Nissan Magnite AMT Launched With CNG Kit, Prices Start At Rs. 6.88 lakh

Special Mentions

Now there are some models which are marketed as SUVs; however, we feel they are essentially hatchbacks on stilts. These include the Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter micro SUVs, and crossover models like Maruti Suzuki Fronx and Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor. They are also positioned in the subcompact and compact SUV space; you might find more value in them. Then you have models like Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger, which get CNG kits at the dealer level instead of factory fitment.