Top 5 upcoming CNG SUVs in 2023: From Brezza CNG to Sonet CNG – Times of India

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles are a viable alternative because the EV infrastructure in India is still in its initial stages. Moreover, CNG cars are affordable, and cheaper to maintain as compared to ICE cars, and a range of new cars are now offered with a factory-fitted CNG kit. Initially, CNG was offered to public transport vehicles like auto-rickshaws, but now the gas has moved onto regular cars as well.
In this article, let’s take a look at the top 5 upcoming CNG SUVs in 2023.
1. Maruti Brezza CNG
The first SUV on the list is the Brezza CNG. The CNG variant of the Brezza was recently spied on in the dealership hinting the launch is imminent. When launched, the Brezza CNG will be Maruti’s eleventh CNG car with the XL6 and Baleno being the most recent additions to the list.
Talking about the spied car, the Brezza CNG looks identical to the petrol counterpart and we expect no changes to its exterior and interior styling. The spied video shows the CNG cylinder mounted in the boot. We expect that Maruti could offer the SUV’s mid-spec VXI and ZXI variants with the CNG option.
Talking about the features, the Brezza CNG will get 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, an electric sunroof, cruise control, an engine push start-stop button, a seven-inch touchscreen system, ESP, hill-hold assist and a rear parking camera with sensors.

Moving on to the powertrain details, the Brezza CNG will be powered by a 1.5-litre NA Petrol engine which produces 100 bhp and 136 Nm of torque in petrol mode and 87 bhp and 122 Nm of torque in CNG mode. It will only get a five-speed manual transmission and could claim a fuel efficiency of around 30 km/kg.
2. Kia Sonet CNG
The Kia Sonet CNG was spied testing on Indian roads multiple times.
The Sonet CNG is expected to be powered by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. The Sonet could likely be the first vehicle in India that’s equipped with a turbo-petrol engine.
In petrol-only guise, the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol motor of the Kia Sonet produces 118 bhp of power and 172 Nm of peak torque. However, in CNG mode, it is likely to develop lower power and torque figures.
3. Maruti Grand Vitara CNG
Next on the list is the newly launched Grand Vitara SUV.
The Grand Vitra CNG will be powered by a 1.5-litre NA Petrol engine which produces 103hp and 136Nm in petrol mode and 88hp and 121.5Nm in CNG mode. The Grand Vitara CNG is expected to only get the 5-speed manual gearbox and is expected to deliver 26.10km/kg of claimed fuel economy.
The upcoming Vitara CNG variant price is likely to command a premium of Rs 70,000 over the standard variant.
4. Hyundai Creta CNG
Hyundai Creta CNG has spied testing on roads just a few days ago. The Creta CNG is expected to be offered with the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. This engine produces 138 bhp of power and 242 Nm of torque. However, the overall output is expected to drop in CNG mode.
Hyundai Creta features a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, connected car tech, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, an electric sunroof and more.
5. Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
The Hyryder CNG will be powered by the 1.5-litre K15C petrol engine which produces 102 Bhp and 137 Nm of torque. While running on CNG, power and torque outputs will be lower, at 87 Bhp and 121 Nm.
The petrol-CNG Hyryder will only be offered a 5-speed manual transmission and will return a claimed fuel efficiency of 26.1 km/kg. The Hyryder CNG will be offered with the two-mid level variants of the Hyryder, i.e. S and G.