The year 2024 has seen the hottest summer on record, with temperatures reaching a staggering 45 degrees Celsius, now considered the new normal in Northern India. Global warming is a stark reality, hitting us hard, yet many continue to live in denial. Each year, air quality plummets to unprecedented lows, rendering conditions unlivable. In an era where the automotive industry is scrutinized for air pollution, imagine being able to purchase your preferred SUV without the stigma of being a gas guzzler. Here are four budget-friendly CNG-powered SUVs.
Tata Punch
In the last couple of years, Tata Motors has been pushing for CNG-powered vehicles and one of them is the popular Punch. This micro SUV is the most affordable CNG option on the list. It is available in five trims — Pure, Adventure, Adventure Rhythm, Accomplished and Accomplished Dazzle. It is powered by a 1.2-litre and on CNG mode it produces 72.5 bhp and 103 Nm of torque while in petrol mode the Punch iCNG churns out 86.5 bhp and 115 Nm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Like the rest of the Tata Motors CNG vehicles, the Punch also comes with 60-litre twin-cylinder CNG tanks. Hence, it has a usable boot space of 210 litres.
Like its ICE version, the Punch CNG is also equipped with plenty of features like a voice-operated sunroof, a 7-inch infotainment system, a six-speaker Harman music system, rain sensing wipers, 16-inch alloy wheels, reverse parking camera, multiple charging ports etc.
Price: Rs 7.23 lakh to Rs 9.85 lakh, ex-showroom
Hyundai Exter
The Exter is the Hyundai’s entry-level SUV and is one of the top ten-selling vehicles in the country. It is available in two variants, the S and SX. The Exter comes standard with six airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with EBD, and rear parking sensors. The CNG trims get a tyre pressure monitoring system, LED DRLs, LED tail lights, an 8-inch infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adjustable rear headrests and a type-C fast charger.
The Exter is powered by a 1.2-litre with 68 bhp and 95.2 Nm in CNG mode and 82 bhp and 113.8 Nm in petrol. It is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and has a 60-litre CNG tank.
Price: Rs 8.43 lakh to Rs 9.16 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.
Maruti Suzuki Fronx
Both the coupe SUV, the Fronx, and the Brezza have helped Maruti Suzuki increase its SUV market share. The Fronx CNG comes in two variants, Sigma and Delta. The SUV gets twin airbags, a 7-inch infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reverse parking sensors, automatic climate control and keyless entry.
The Fronx CNG is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 76 bhp and 98.5 Nm in CNG mode while in petrol it churns out 88.5 bhp and 113 Nm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual and has a 55-litre CNG tank.
Price: Rs 8.46 lakh to Rs 9.32 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The Brezza is Maruti Suzuki’s best-selling SUV. It is available in three trims, LXI, VXI and ZXI. It comes with twin airbags, a rearview camera with rear parking sensors, a 7-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six-speaker Arkamy’s music system,
The Brezza CNG has the biggest engine on the list. It’s powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an output of 99 bhp and 136 Nm in petrol mode and 86.6 bhp and 121.5 Nm. The motor is mated to a 5-speed manual and has a 55-litre CNG tank capacity.Â
Price: Rs 9.29 lakh to Rs 12.10 lakh, ex-showroom
