Maruti Suzuki CNG cars under Rs 5 lakh: From Alto, S-Presso to Wagon R, learn about prices and mileage.

When petrol-diesel prices started burdening the pockets of the common man, people started moving towards CNG cars. In just a few years, they have become a strong option in the market. Especially, these are no less than a boon for those who travel long distances every day and buy their first car.

Maruti Suzuki has introduced its S-CNG (Smart CNG) technology. The company provides better mileage to the customers at a lower cost. If you are also thinking of buying a new car and want to keep the running cost low, then these models of Maruti can be perfect for you. The question is, which one to choose? Let's consider each model in more detail.

The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 S-CNG is made for those who want a robust car in a limited budget. It is priced at Rs 4.82 lakh (ex-showroom). This is great for young people or small families who don't need a lot of space.

The company claims a mileage of 33.85 km / kg. It may be a little less on the real road - It is 21-24 km / kg in the city and 31-35 km / kg on the highway However, it is much cheaper than petrol. The parts are easily available and the maintenance cost is also low. It moves easily in the narrow streets of the city, and parking is also not difficult. For example, if you walk 50 km every day, your expenditure on CNG can be less than half that of petrol.

If you like strong-looking cars and are on a tight budget, then the S-Presso S-CNG can be bought without thinking. Its ex-showroom price starts at ₹4.62 lakh for the LXi S-CNG variant. The VXi S-CNG variant is available at an ex-showroom price of ₹5.12 lakh. Its on-road price in Delhi goes from around ₹5.14 lakh (LXi) to ₹5.69 lakh (VXi), which includes RTO, insurance and other charges.

The company claims a mileage of 32.73 km / kg. Although the Alto is slightly lower than the K10, it offers a higher seating position and a better steering feel. For those who get tired of sitting in the traffic of the city, this car gives comfort. Its design is different from other Maruti cars. The squat look and bold grille give it a unique identity.

When it comes to family and budget can be stretched a bit, the Wagon R S-CNG is a strong contender. It is priced at Rs 5.94 lakh (ex-showroom). This car is famous for its headroom. Even a 6 feet 2 inches tall person sits in it, then the head does not have to be tilted, three people can sit comfortably in the back seat.

The company claims an ARAI certified mileage of 34.05 km / kg for the Wagon R CNG. It gets features like power windows, steering mounted controls and dual airbags (depending on the variant). If you go for a walk with family on the weekend, then it can prove to be the best. Remember one thing... Due to the CNG tank, the space in its dickey becomes negligible.

If mileage is your first priority, then the Celerio S-CNG is the one for you. Its ex-showroom price is around ₹5.98 lakh. But its biggest highlight is its ARAI certified mileage of 34.43 km / kg. This is the highest mileage CNG car in the Maruti line-up.

Maruti has made the Celerio much lighter, which reduces the load on the engine and increases the mileage. In terms of looks, it is more futuristic than the Wagon R. If you go to the office every day and want to reduce the fuel bill, then this car can halve your monthly expenses. One drawback - the boot space is limited due to the CNG tank.

Apart from the hatchback, Maruti has also launched the Eeco CNG, which needs more seats. It is priced at Rs 6.41 lakh, ex-showroom (Delhi). The Eeco comes in layouts ranging from 5-seater to 7-seater. It is often used to transport goods in school vans, office cabs or small businesses. The CNG tank has a capacity of 65 litres. Although its mileage is less than the hatchback, its seating capacity and cargo space give it a special identity.

Buying a CNG car does not depend only on the price and mileage. There are some important things that can be overlooked later.

First of all, identify your needs. If you just want to walk in the city, Alto or S-Presso are enough. If you often go out with the family, then Wagon R or Celerio are better. Eeco will be right for business.

Secondly, availability of CNG station. Are there CNG pumps in or around your city? If not, think twice before buying a CNG car.

Third, the boot space. The CNG tank reduces the space in the car's dickey. If you need to keep stuff, take care of it. As many users have pointed out: The lack of boot space is a big problem in the CNG models of the Wagon R and Celerio.

Often people think that they will get a car for the price they see. But that doesn't happen in reality. All prices mentioned here are ex-showroom. It does not include RTO tax, insurance and handling charges.

The tax varies from state to state, so the on-road price varies considerably. The S-Presso LXi S-CNG's on-road price in Delhi is around ₹5.14 lakh, while the VXi S-CNG goes up to ₹5.69 lakh. Before you buy a car, be sure to calculate the on-road price so that the budget does not get out of control.

Many people prefer to buy a CNG car instead of a new one. There are risks too. Check the expiry date of the cylinder in old CNG cars. The life of a CNG cylinder is limited to If it's outdated it has to be replaced, which can be a costly deal. Also check the condition of the engine. If the car has only run on petrol at first and later has been fitted with CNG, then there is a risk of engine failure. Always buy a company-fitted CNG car, as they retain the warranty and the engine is safe.