1. Why Maruti Suzuki Still Owns the CNG Game?
There was a time when CNG cars were the underdogs. You’d see them crawling in taxi lanes, carrying overstuffed bags of groceries, and getting overtaken by just about anything on the road. But now? Things have changed.
Maruti Suzuki didn’t just sell CNG cars. It turned them into a full-blown phenomenon. Better mileage, better tuning, fewer hiccups. That’s why, in 2025, when car buyers are either drowning in SUV launches or getting confused between petrol, electric, and hybrid options, CNG still stands its ground.
Why? Because it’s the only fuel that makes complete financial sense.
✔ CNG is still ₹30-40 cheaper per kg than petrol.
✔ Factory-fitted Maruti CNG cars are smoother, safer, and last longer than retrofitted ones.
✔ A CNG-powered Alto still costs HALF of what an entry-level EV does.
So let’s settle this. If you’re looking for the best CNG car in 2025, which one should you buy?
Also read, Best CNG Cars In India: Companions in Chaos
2. Why Buy a Maruti CNG Cars? The Numbers Tell the Story
Let’s talk money because that’s the only real reason anyone buys a CNG car.
You don’t buy a CNG-powered Alto because you dream of blistering speed. You buy it because every time you see petrol prices, your wallet gets anxiety.
2.1 The Price Game: CNG vs Petrol vs Hybrid
A quick reality check on how much you’re actually spending in 2025:
| Car Type | Fuel Cost per km | Annual Running Cost (₹) (15,000 km) |
| CNG Car (Maruti Wagon R CNG) | ₹2.40/km (₹90/kg, 34 km/kg) | ₹36,000 |
| Petrol Car (Wagon R Petrol) | ₹5.50/km (₹110/litre, 20 km/l) | ₹82,500 |
| Hybrid Car (Grand Vitara Hybrid) | ₹4.00/km (₹110/litre, 27 km/l) | ₹60,000 |
Takeaway? If you drive 30-40 km daily, a CNG car saves you over ₹45,000 a year compared to petrol. That’s a full vacation, six months of groceries, or an iPhone upgrade—just from fuel savings.
2.2 Maintenance Costs: Is CNG Actually Cheaper to Own?
The biggest myth people love to spread? “CNG cars need more maintenance.” Let’s bust that with actual numbers:
| Service Item | CNG Car (₹/year) | Petrol Car (₹/year) |
| Regular Servicing | ₹6,000 | ₹5,500 |
| Spark Plugs & Filters | ₹1,500 | ₹1,200 |
| CNG Kit Cleaning | ₹2,000 | — |
| Total Yearly Cost | ₹9,500 | ₹6,700 |
Yes, CNG cars need more maintenance, but the extra ₹2,800 per year is nothing compared to the ₹45,000+ you save on fuel.
Also read, Top 8 Upcoming CNG Cars in India (2025)
3. Best Maruti CNG Cars in India (2025): Ranked by Buyer Needs
Not all CNG cars are built the same. Some are brutally efficient. Some feel like a punishment to drive. And some (surprisingly) manage to balance both.
Instead of dumping a generic list, let’s rank them based on what actually matters to different buyers.
3.1 Best Budget Maruti CNG Cars – The Cheapest Maruti CNG Car in India
Alto K10 CNG (₹5.96 Lakh)
- Why? The cheapest way to own a Maruti CNG car in 2025.
- What you get: 1.0L engine, 33.85 km/kg mileage, touchscreen (VXi variant).
- What’s missing: No AMT option, basic safety (2 airbags), no rear power windows.
- Who should buy? First-time buyers, city commuters, people upgrading from bikes.
- Do read to know more about the car’s safety, Alto K10 Safety Rating 2025: What You Need to Know.
Alternative: S-Presso CNG (₹5.91 Lakh) – If you want more ground clearance.
3.2 Best Family CNG Car – Space & Comfort for Everyone
Wagon R CNG (₹6.44 – ₹6.89 Lakh)
- Why? Best combination of cabin space, mileage, and practicality.
- What you get: Tall-boy design = more headroom, 34.05 km/kg mileage, big boot space.
- What’s missing: No AMT in CNG, feels a bit basic inside.
- Who should buy? Families who need space but don’t want an Ertiga.
Alternative: Ertiga CNG (₹10.73 Lakh) – If you need a 7-seater.
3.3 Best Performance CNG Car – Which One Doesn’t Feel Slow?
Swift CNG (₹7.85 – ₹8.53 Lakh)
- Why? Still fun to drive, even with CNG.
- What you get: 1.2L engine, 30.90 km/kg mileage, better highway performance than other CNG cars.
- What’s missing: No AMT, CNG tank eats boot space.
- Who should buy? Enthusiasts who want efficiency without sacrificing fun.
Alternative: Baleno CNG (₹8.35 – ₹9.28 Lakh) – If you want a premium touch.
3.4 Best Premium CNG Car – Features, Comfort & Efficiency
Baleno CNG (₹8.35 – ₹9.28 Lakh)
- Why? The only Maruti CNG car that actually feels premium.
- What you get: 1.2L engine, 30.61 km/kg mileage, touchscreen, 6 airbags.
- What’s missing: No automatic, heavy CNG tank limits boot space.
- Who should buy? Buyers who want efficiency without looking “cheap.”
Alternative: Fronx CNG (₹8.41 – ₹9.27 Lakh) – If you want SUV styling.
3.5 Best SUV-Like CNG Car – For Road Presence & Comfort
Brezza CNG (₹9.24 – ₹12.15 Lakh)
- Why? The only real SUV in Maruti’s CNG lineup.
- What you get: 1.5L engine, 25.51 km/kg mileage, high ground clearance, good features.
- What’s missing: No AMT, feels heavy in CNG mode.
- Who should buy? SUV lovers who want fuel savings without going hybrid.
Alternative: Grand Vitara CNG (₹13.05 – ₹14.86 Lakh) – If you want a bigger SUV.
3.6 Best 7-Seater CNG Car – Maximum Space & Efficiency
Ertiga CNG (₹10.73 – ₹11.83 Lakh)
- Why? The only real 7-seater CNG option in India.
- What you get: 1.5L engine, 26.11 km/kg mileage, good resale value.
- What’s missing: No AMT, boot space sacrificed due to CNG tank.
- Who should buy? Large families, fleet operators, Ola/Uber drivers.
Alternative: XL6 CNG (₹12.51 Lakh) – If you want captain seats & a premium feel.
3.7 The Best Overall Maruti Suzuki CNG Car in 2025?
The Wagon R CNG takes the crown.
✔ Best mileage (34.05 km/kg).
✔ Spacious for families.
✔ Cheaper than Baleno & Swift.
✔ Easy resale value.
But here’s the thing—what’s best for YOU depends on your needs. That’s why this ranking isn’t based on specs alone, but on real-life usability.
Read this, Understanding CNG Automatic Cars: A Guide
4. Maruti CNG vs Petrol vs Hybrid – What Actually Makes Sense in 2025?
Talking about best maruti CNG cars, Here’s the thing. CNG made perfect sense a few years ago. Cheap fuel, unbeatable mileage, and resale value that didn’t nosedive overnight. But now? The game has changed.
Petrol has become more efficient. Hybrids are creeping in with their 30+ km/l promises. And electric? Well, it’s there—but let’s be real, charging in India is still a nightmare.
So where does CNG stand today? Let’s settle this.
4.1 The Three-Way Showdown: CNG vs Petrol vs Hybrid
| Factor | CNG Car (Wagon R CNG) | Petrol Car (Wagon R Petrol) | Hybrid Car (Grand Vitara Hybrid) |
| Upfront Cost | ₹6.89L (higher) | ₹6.50L (cheaper) | ₹18L+ (way higher) |
| Mileage | 34.05 km/kg | 20 km/l | 27 km/l |
| Running Cost (₹/km) | ₹2.40/km | ₹5.50/km | ₹4.00/km |
| Yearly Fuel Cost (15,000 km) | ₹36,000 | ₹82,500 | ₹60,000 |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹1.8L | ₹4.1L | ₹3L |
| Performance | Slower than petrol | Peppy | Best (petrol + battery boost) |
| Boot Space | Compromised (CNG tank eats trunk) | Full | Full |
| Maintenance Cost | Slightly higher | Lowest | Highest (battery maintenance) |
| Availability | CNG pumps still limited outside metro cities | Petrol pumps everywhere | Petrol pumps everywhere |
4.2 Who Should Buy a CNG Car in 2025?
You drive 30+ km daily and fuel cost is your #1 concern.
Your city has a strong CNG refueling network (Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad).
You don’t care about boot space.
You plan to keep the car for 5+ years to recover the cost difference.
Who Should NOT Buy a CNG Car?
You drive less than 5,000 km/year—petrol makes more sense.
You do frequent highway trips—CNG pumps aren’t everywhere.
You need a big trunk—CNG tanks kill boot space.
You want resale flexibility—petrol/hybrid will hold value better.
4.3 The Verdict: Petrol, CNG, or Hybrid?
If your goal is the lowest running cost, CNG still wins.
If you want performance, flexibility, and long-term resale, petrol makes more sense.
If you’re future-proofing, hybrid is the smarter long-term buy (but it costs a lot more upfront).
Final Thought: CNG still holds its ground, but only if your driving patterns justify it. If you’re a daily commuter in a CNG-friendly city, go for it. Otherwise, petrol or hybrid is the smarter move.
5. The Future of CNG Cars – Is This the Last Decade for CNG?
Let’s be blunt. CNG cars might not survive the next decade.
Not because they don’t work. Not because they don’t save money. But because the automotive industry is moving in a different direction.
EVs are getting cheaper. Hybrids are getting better. Governments are slowly phasing out fossil fuels—and CNG isn’t immune.
So where does that leave us? Let’s break it down.
5.1 Government Push: Are CNG Cars Facing the Axe?
- BS6 Phase 2 (2023) already forced automakers to upgrade emissions systems, making CNG cars more expensive to comply.
- Delhi-NCR’s 10-year diesel ban is a warning sign. Experts predict that CNG cars might face similar restrictions in the next 10-15 years.
- State policies are inconsistent. Some states subsidize CNG adoption, while others are pushing EV incentives harder.
Real Concern:
If government policies turn against CNG, resale values could crash—just like what happened with diesel cars in Delhi.
5.2 Will Maruti Suzuki Continue Selling CNG Cars?
Maruti isn’t ditching CNG just yet. Here’s why:
✔ CNG sales still make up over 20% of Maruti’s total sales.
✔ Hybrids & EVs are still expensive for the mass market.
✔ CNG is Maruti’s best bet for offering “green” cars without pushing up prices.
But here’s the catch:
- Maruti’s CEO has already hinted at a shift towards hybrids & flex-fuel cars.
- Post-2030, there’s no clear roadmap for CNG expansion—while EV & hybrid infrastructure is being aggressively planned.
What This Means for You:
If you buy a CNG car today, you’ll get at least 7-10 years of solid usability. Beyond that? The market could shift fast.
5.3 The Real Threat: Will CNG Survive EVs & Hybrids?
EVs aren’t killing CNG right now, but they will as soon as:
- Charging stations become more common in Tier-2 cities.
- Battery tech improves range beyond 400-500 km.
- The price of entry-level EVs drops below ₹8-10 lakh.
Why CNG Cars Still Have a Short Window of Relevance:
Maruti’s next-gen hybrids (strong-hybrid Baleno, Grand Vitara, Ertiga) will eat into CNG sales.
Affordable EVs (Tata Punch EV, Citroën eC3) are already competing with mid-range CNG models.
CNG is a stepping stone, not a long-term solution.
What This Means for Buyers:
- If you’re buying a CNG car for a 3-5 year ownership period, you’re safe.
- If you’re looking at a 10-year+ ownership, future policies might make CNG harder to live with.
- If resale value matters to you, expect depreciation to hit harder post-2030.
Is Buying a Maruti Suzuki CNG Car in 2025 a Smart Move?
CNG cars aren’t dead yet, but they’re not the future either. If you’re buying one today, you’re buying into a technology with a clear expiration date.
So, should you still go for it?
Yes, if: You drive a lot, fuel savings matter more than outright performance, and your city has strong CNG infrastructure.
No, if: You need long-term resale value, do frequent highway trips, or want a future-proof car.
For now, CNG still makes sense—just not forever. Buy one if it fits your needs today, but don’t expect it to stay relevant for the next decade.
Your move.