If you are planning to buy a new CNG car with a manual transmission in 2025 or 2026, and mileage is your top priority, you are in the right place.

CNG cars are no longer just cheap basic options. Today, you can get everything from hatchbacks and sedans to SUVs with factory-fitted CNG. For drivers who like a manual gearbox, these cars give some of the best fuel savings on the road.

In this guide, we have selected the 10 best Manual CNG cars for 2025 and 2026, based on three main things: mileage, features, and safety.

Top 10 Manual CNG Cars ki List (2025-2026)

Here are the 10 cars that stand out as the top choices in the manual-transmission CNG segment. We have ranked them based on their excellent mileage and dependable performance:

RankCar ModelSegmentARAI Mileage (km/kg)Engine (cc)Key Point
1Maruti Suzuki CelerioHatchback34.43998Highest mileage in this list
2Maruti Suzuki Wagon RHatchback34.05998 / 1197Popular tall-boy design
3Maruti Suzuki DzireSedan33.731197Best mileage in the sedan category
4Maruti Suzuki SwiftHatchback32.851197Good to drive and a simple look at
5Tata Punch iCNGMicro SUV26.991199Dual cylinder setup with a strong safety score
6Hyundai Exter CNGMicro SUV27.101197Comes with a sunroof and good features
7Tata Nexon iCNGCompact SUV17.441199Turbo CNG and strong safety focus
8Maruti Suzuki FronxCompact SUV28.511197Premium styling
9Maruti Suzuki ErtigaMPV26.111462Good choice for families with 7 seats
10Tata Tiago / Tigor iCNGHatchback / Sedan26.491199Budget-friendly dual cylinder option

Detailed Reviews for the 10 Top Manual CNG Cars

1. Maruti Suzuki Celerio CNG

Celerio CNG is a light, easy-to-drive car made for daily city travel. Its strong mileage makes it one of the most cost-efficient choices for buyers who want low running cost. It is best suited for people who prioritise fuel savings over features.

Key Points:

  • Mileage: ~34.43 km/kg

  • Engine: 998 cc

  • Price: From ₹6.6 lakh (approx.)

  • Good for: Daily city runs, small families

  • Smooth manual gearbox

  • Low maintenance

  • Boot space limited

  • Safety: Unrated (old model rating exists)

2. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R CNG

Wagon R CNG offers more headroom and a comfortable upright seating style. It is roomy, simple to handle and gives mileage close to Celerio. Good for families needing a practical hatchback.

Key Points:

  • Mileage: ~34.05 km/kg

  • Engine: 998 / 1197 cc

  • Spacious cabin with tall seating

  • Easy to drive in traffic

  • Very low running cost

  • Basic interiors

  • Not ideal for heavy highway driving

3. Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG

Dzire CNG is a sedan that balances comfort and mileage well. It gives a smoother ride than hatchbacks and works for people who need a fuel-saving car for daily and occasional long drives.

Key Points:

  • Mileage: ~33.73 km/kg

  • Engine: 1197 cc

  • Sedan comfort at low fuel cost

  • Good legroom and cabin space

  • Boot space reduced due to CNG tank

  • Slightly higher cost than hatchbacks

  • Good for family users

4. Maruti Suzuki Swift CNG

Swift CNG is compact, light and easy to handle. It gives good mileage while still feeling more lively than many small CNG hatchbacks. Best for city users who want a simple but pleasant driving feel.

Key Points:

  • Mileage: ~32.85 km/kg

  • Engine: 1197 cc

  • Easy to park and steer

  • Low running cost

  • Cabin and boot space modest

  • Good for young drivers and small families

5. Tata Punch iCNG

Punch iCNG mixes CNG efficiency with a small SUV-like stance. Its dual-cylinder design keeps more boot space than most CNG cars, and the build quality feels solid.

Key Points:

  • Mileage: ~26.99 km/kg

  • Engine: 1199 cc

  • Dual cylinder layout = better boot space

  • High seating position

  • Strong build

  • Rear space moderate

  • Safety: 5-Star (based on petrol model)

6. Hyundai Exter CNG

Exter CNG is a compact car with more comfort and features than normal hatchbacks. It gives decent fuel efficiency and suits users who want a balance of mileage and modern equipment.

Key Points:

  • Mileage: ~27.10 km/kg

  • Engine: 1197 cc

  • Good features for the price

  • Easy for city driving

  • Boot and rear space average

  • Good for small families

7. Tata Nexon iCNG

Nexon iCNG targets buyers who want more power than usual CNG cars. With a turbo engine and strong build, it works well for families who travel often and still want CNG savings.

Key Points:

  • Mileage: ~17.44 km/kg

  • Engine: 1199 cc turbo

  • Better pickup than normal CNG cars

  • Large and comfortable cabin

  • Higher running costs than hatchbacks

  • Safety: 5-Star (based on petrol model)

8. Maruti Suzuki Fronx CNG

Fronx CNG gives a compact SUV look with the running cost of a CNG hatchback. It is simple to handle and suits people who want a stylish, city-friendly car with reasonable fuel economy.

Key Points:

  • Mileage: ~28.51 km/kg

  • Engine: 1197 cc

  • Compact and stylish

  • Good city comfort

  • Space average for long trips

  • Low maintenance cost

9. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG

Ertiga CNG is ideal for large families or shared trips. It offers seven seats, low fuel cost and a strong service network. Even with CNG, it manages good mileage for its size.

Key Points:

  • Mileage: ~26.11 km/kg

  • Engine: 1462 cc

  • Seven seats

  • Good for family and commercial use

  • Easier to run on long routes

  • Parking needs more attention due to its size

10. Tata Tiago / Tigor iCNG

These cars are good value for buyers on a budget. Both offer decent mileage, a safe structure and low overall cost, making them ideal for everyday city travel.

Key Points:

  • Mileage: ~26.49 km/kg

  • Engine: 1199 cc

  • Affordable CNG option

  • Works well for daily office travel

  • Power is modest under full load

  • Simple interiors

Things to check before buying a CNG car

When choosing a CNG car, match the car with your needs. Below are a few simple points that help you decide the right model for daily use, family travel, or highway driving.

  • Boot space (dual-cylinder vs single): If you need more luggage space, pick a dual-cylinder car such as Tata Punch, Tata Nexon or Tata Tiago. In many single-cylinder CNG cars, the tank uses most of the boot space.

  • Safety rating: Always check crash-test ratings from Global NCAP. Models from Tata (Punch, Nexon, Tiago/Tigor) and some models from Maruti give better protection and a stronger build.

  • Engine power: Power drops slightly in CNG mode. If you drive often on highways, a model like Tata Nexon CNG with a turbo option gives better pickup and makes long travel easier.

  • Maintenance: Maruti and Hyundai cars are simple and low-cost to maintain because of their wide service network. Tata’s new iCNG range has also improved in servicing and upkeep.

Final Advice

Choose your car based on your budget, daily use, family needs and the level of safety you want. For strong mileage, Celerio or Wagon R works well. If you want better safety or more space, options like Tata Punch, Tata Nexon or Maruti Ertiga are more suitable.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Manual CNG Cars in India

Q1. Are CNG cars good for long-distance travel?

Answer: Yes. CNG gives much lower running costs compared to petrol. If your daily or monthly usage is high, a CNG car will save a lot of money over time. Many people use CNG cars for long routes without issues, as long as they maintain the car and follow service schedules.

Q2. Will automatic CNG cars launch in 2025–2026?

Answer: Right now, most CNG cars in the market come with manual gearboxes. A few brands are working on automatic CNG options, and you may see some models in the next few years. Still, the manual versions usually give better mileage, which is why they remain more common.