Maruti Ertiga Petrol or CNG - Which is Better?

When it comes to family cars in India, the Maruti Ertiga has been a popular choice for years. With its spacious interior and affordability, it successfully caters to many needs. Recently, I had the chance to test both the Ertiga petrol and CNG variants and I found myself wondering which one truly stands out. To illustrate my experience, let me introduce you to Ankit, a family man from Pune who upgraded to the Ertiga from a sedan.

Meet Ankit: The Family Man

Ankit is a 35-year-old architect who loves weekend getaways with his family. He chose to buy the Ertiga to accommodate his family's size and needs, as he often travels with his wife and two kids. After thorough research, he narrowed his options down to the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. Curious about whether he went for petrol or CNG? Keep reading to find out.

Maruti Ertiga: Price Sheet

Trim	Price (ex-showroom)	Transmission
LXi(O) Smart Hybrid	Rs. 8.69 lakh	Manual
VXi(O) Smart Hybrid	Rs. 9.83 lakh	Manual
VXi(O) CNG	Rs. 10.78 lakh	Manual
ZXi(O) Smart Hybrid	Rs. 10.93 lakh	Manual
VXi Smart Hybrid	Rs. 11.23 lakh	Automatic
ZXi+ Smart Hybrid	Rs. 11.63 lakh	Manual
ZXi(O) CNG	Rs. 11.88 lakh	Manual
ZXi Smart Hybrid	Rs. 12.33 lakh	Automatic
ZXi+ Smart Hybrid	Rs. 13.03 lakh	Automatic

Maruti Ertiga: Design and Comfort

Both versions share the same body design and spacious interior, which is a big plus for families. As Ankit explored the cabin, he noticed that the Ertiga offers ample legroom and headspace, making it comfortable for all passengers, especially during long drives. He also likes the rear AC vents that cool the surroundings in no time and the large window area that lets in a lot of light. 

Maruti Ertiga: Boot Space

This is where things get a lot different. The CNG variant’s tank is cleverly placed underneath the boot floor, which raises the height of the loading area. He found it a bit inconvenient when loading heavier bags but appreciated the fact that there was a decent amount of space left (about 100 litres). On the other hand, the petrol Ertiga boasts a 209-litre boot space with all the seats up which can be further increased to 550 litres with the third row folded down. It also provides straightforward access to the boot, making it easier to pack for family trips.

Maruti Ertiga: Performance

Ankit test-drove both variants to learn about their performance. The 1.5-litre K Series engine produced 102bhp, making it responsive and mildly peppy on the road. He felt confident merging into fast-moving traffic and loved the smoothness of the new six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

On the other hand, the Ertiga CNG, with a lower 87bhp, surprised him. He had assumed for a sluggish drive, but to his delight, it was mildly peppy. Also, the transitions between CNG and petrol were seamless with the touch of a button. The only downside was the lag during acceleration from a halt.

Maruti Ertiga: Fuel Efficiency

One of Ankit’s primary requirements was running costs. The CNG variant boasts an impressive mileage of 26.11km/kg, while the petrol version offers about 20.51kmpl. Considering the higher-priced petrol, CNG does make more sense. Interestingly, CNG prices have increased significantly in recent months.

During his test drives, he noted that the running cost per kilometre for the CNG variant was around Rs 3.4, whereas, petrol cost him about Rs 5.5.

Maruti Ertiga: Safety Features

Both cars come with safety features like dual airbags, ABS and EBD. However, you get up to four airbags in the top-end ZXi Plus AT petrol. However, you only get 2 airbags with the CNG ZXi MT. 

Maruti Ertiga: Overall User Experience and Convenience

As Ankit drove around the city, he was impressed with the ease of driving both cars. However, the CNG Ertiga had some quirks. It cannot start in CNG mode, which is something to keep in mind, especially for daily trips. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system also felt easy to use for music and navigation. 

Final Choice Between Petrol and CNG

After driving the two, Ankit opted for the Ertiga ZXi Plus AT petrol variant. It turned out to be more convenient for everyday use with better boot space and performance. He felt it provided a more balanced experience for daily commutes and family outings, while still offering decent fuel economy. The choice between the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG and petrol boils down to individual needs, but for families like Ankit’, both options deliver quality, comfort and practicality. 

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