Are Tata Motors CNG Cars Better Than Petrol & Diesel?

With its expanding portfolio of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, Tata Motors remains a forerunner in India’s automotive space. With fuel prices soaring and environmental issues becoming more prevalent, Indian car buyers are increasingly considering alternatives to conventional petrol/diesel vehicles. By coming up with CNG-powered cars like Tata Nexon iCNG, Tiago iCNG, and Punch iCNG, Tata Motors is making a strong case for the CNG technology in cars. But are these cars really better than petrol and diesel ones? So we’ll take a look at this question, considering some key factors: cost, performance, environmental impact, and practicality.

Cost Efficiency: A Distinct Benefit

The top reason to buy Tata’s CNG cars is their cost efficiency. In India, CNG usually comes at a price much lower than that of petrol or diesel. For example, as of the first few months of the year 2025, CNG is priced at around Rs 75 per kg in the capital city of Delhi, while petrol goes beyond the cost of Rs 94 per liter, and petrol nears Rs 87 per liter. As such, they translate into notable cost savings for everyday commuters. Tata’s CNG offerings, including the Tiago iCNG (Rs 5 lakh) and Nexon iCNG (Rs 8.9 lakh) boast ex-showroom prices that are on par or slightly above the cost of petrol and diesel variants, with the CNG kit adding relatively little to the bottom line.

Moreover, Tata also sweetens the ownership experience with an option of a 3-year/100,000 km warranty (also extendable up to 5 years/220,000 km) along with a standard battery (for hybrids) guarantee of 8 years/160,000 km. CNG engines also tend to have lower maintenance costs due to cleaner combustion, which reduces wear on the engine parts. These make Tata’s CNG lineup an attractive proposition for buyers on a budget.

Performance — Power versus Efficiency

CNG vehicles are often derided for their performance figures, but Tata Motors offers thoughtful engineering on that front as well with the Nexon CNG. For instance, the Nexon iCNG gets India’s first turbocharged CNG powerplant, capable of delivering 99 bhp and 170 Nm of torque. Although this is marginally less potent compared to the petrol (120 bhp), the grunt is still healthy and offers a joyous drive. The Tiago iCNG also makes 75.5 PS, adequate for driving in city traffic and highway cruising.

To further improve drivability, Tata has also equipped some variants with a 6-speed automatic instead of older manual transmissions. The Punch iCNG also gets this 6-gear manual upgrade compared to the 5-speed manual from the regular model, providing for improved gear shifts and mileage. CNG variants, on the other hand, do tend to feel a bit less sprightly, especially during overtaking or when tackling steep inclines, which diesel models excel at owing to the low-end torque they offer. Diesel might still be the purists’ preference for sheer power, but Tata’s CNG cars offer decent performance correction at a fuel savings.

A Greener Choice: Environmental Impact

Sustainability is becoming an issue, and that’s where Tata’s CNG cars really stand out. CNG has a comparatively smaller carbon footprint and generates lower carbon dioxide emissions and almost no particulate matter than petrol or diesel. This also coincides with India’s drive towards greener transport and stricter Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms. Reflecting its focus on sustainability, Tata has a multi-powertrain strategy, which includes CNG along with EVs to reduce the carbon footprint.

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In contrast, diesel engines are fuel-efficient but generate more nitrogen oxides and particulates, which cause air pollution. The petrol engines also do a fair job, but are still lower in emission reduction as compared to the CNG engines. For green-minded drivers, Tata’s CNG models provide a pragmatic compromise — cleaner than conventional fuels, easier than EVs to accommodate, considering the former’s price premium and nascent charging infrastructure.

Practicality: Where Convenience and Innovation Converge

Tata Motors has tackled a common CNG issue: a negligible reduction in boot space by means of its innovative twin-cylinder tech. Breaking the mold of single-cylinder configurations that are the staple of competitors’ line-ups, Tata disperses CNG storage volumes into two smaller cylinders that sit underneath the boot floor. However, in the Nexon iCNG, this translates into a decent luggage space of 321 litres, which is more usable than a lot of competitors. The Punch iCNG enjoys the same reliability, with sufficient luggage room for soft bags or a medium suitcase.

The convenience of refueling is another benefit. There is now a comprehensive network of CNG pumps in India, with the stations in urban areas especially well-developed and easy to locate. The intelligent iCNG system developed by Tata enables automatic switching between CNG and petrol, with a smooth transition to petrol when the CNG tank is running low, reducing concerns over range anxiety. However, CNG’s lower energy density translates into a shorter range per fill-up than petrol or diesel, potentially disconcerting long-distance travelers.

Safety: A Tata Hallmark

Safety is one of Tata’s own pillars of its brand identity, which is very much evident in its CNG cars as well. All of them come with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and better body structures as standard, including the Tiago and Nexon iCNG. The CNG system features leak detection, thermal incident protection, and an automatic fuel cutoff in the event of any anomaly, which protects passengers. This is a far cry from the older perception of CNG as an unsafe affair, underpinning the fact that Tata has designed/gen-engineered these vehicles with a 21st-century lens.

The Bottom Line: Who Must Consider Tata CNG Cars?

Tata Motors CNG cars are the ideal choice for urban drivers and small families searching for an affordable, efficient, and eco-friendly option. While plenty of people are constantly looking at an affordable compact SUV, which now has the Nexon iCNG to buy, a similar is available for city goers who can opt for the Tiago iCNG. But for buyers requiring superior towing power or frequent highway jaunts, diesel remains the stronger option. Petrol offers a compromise of sorts but does not undercut the cost and emissions of CNG.

To sum up, Tata’s CNG lineup may not be the go-to option for everyone, however, it stands as a strong alternative in the changing landscape of 2025. Amidst escalating fuel prices and greater eco-mindedness, these cars are a pragmatic, progressive alternative to petrol and diesel, establishing Tata as a progressive car manufacturer.

Source: Tata Motors

The information provided in this article is sourced from the internet and may change; we strongly recommend verifying all details, including prices and specifications, with your nearest CAR Motors Dealer or customer care before making any decisions.

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