The Maruti Suzuki Swift has long been one of India’s most popular hatchbacks, thanks to its sporty design, peppy engine, and reliability. In 2024, Maruti added a CNG variant to the Swift lineup, aiming to offer better fuel economy and lower running costs without compromising on the Swift’s core DNA.
But how does the Swift CNG perform in real-world driving conditions? Can it deliver on the mileage figures promised by Maruti, and does it still feel like a Swift behind the wheel?
In this in-depth blog, we explore the real-world mileage, performance, and practicality of the Maruti Swift CNG, based on thorough testing in city and highway conditions.
1. Overview: What the Maruti Swift CNG Offers
Launched as part of Maruti Suzuki’s green fuel initiative, the Swift CNG is powered by the same 1.2L DualJet Dual VVT petrol engine, but tuned to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
🔧 Key Specs:
- Engine: 1.2L K-Series DualJet Petrol (CNG-compatible)
- Power Output (CNG Mode): 77.5 PS @ 6000 RPM
- Torque (CNG Mode): 98.5 Nm @ 4300 RPM
- Gearbox: 5-speed manual only (No AMT option in CNG variant)
- Claimed Mileage: 30.90 km/kg (as per ARAI)
While the Swift CNG retains the same sporty stance and comfort features as the petrol variant, it’s tuned for efficiency rather than outright performance.
2. Real-World Mileage: City vs. Highway
📊 City Driving (with AC & traffic conditions):
In urban conditions, where traffic is stop-and-go and AC usage is frequent, the Swift CNG delivered an average mileage of 23–25 km/kg.
Factors like:
- Peak traffic hours
- Frequent gear shifts
- Idle time at signals
all play a role in slightly reducing efficiency from the ARAI-certified figure.
🛣 Highway Driving (steady speed, 80–100 km/h):
On open roads and highways, where the engine runs more consistently, the mileage improves significantly. Our testing revealed an impressive 29–31 km/kg, very close to Maruti’s official claim.
This makes the Swift CNG ideal for inter-city commuters, fleet operators, and budget-focused long-distance drivers.
3. CNG Running Cost Comparison
To understand the real savings, let’s compare running costs:
| Fuel Type | Mileage | Fuel Price (Approx) | Cost/km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 20 km/l | ₹100/litre | ₹5.00 |
| CNG | 25 km/kg (avg) | ₹75/kg | ₹3.00 |
✅ Savings per km: ₹2
For a monthly drive of 1000 km, you save ₹2000–₹2500, which adds up significantly over a year.
4. Driving Experience: Is It Still a Swift?
While the CNG kit adds about 100 kg of extra weight (mostly due to the tank), the car remains nimble and comfortable for daily commutes.
✅ Positives:
- Smooth gear shifts and light clutch
- Predictable handling in city and highway
- Cabin insulation remains good
- Good visibility and turning radius
⚠️ Trade-offs:
- Reduced boot space due to the CNG tank
- Slight power lag in CNG mode during rapid acceleration
- No AMT option for now
- You may feel underpowered during overtaking on highways if car is fully loaded
In short, while the Swift’s fun-to-drive nature is slightly toned down, it still offers a balanced, comfortable ride.
5. Interior, Features & Practicality
Maruti has kept the feature list consistent with the petrol Swift for the most part.
🔸 Key Features (Swift CNG VXi):
- 7-inch touchscreen infotainment (SmartPlay)
- Steering-mounted controls
- Dual front airbags
- ABS with EBD
- Rear parking sensors
- All-black sporty interiors
However, since the CNG kit is factory-fitted, the fit and finish are top-notch compared to aftermarket kits, and safety sensors are calibrated for the dual-fuel setup.
The boot space takes a hit, dropping from 268 litres to approx. 180 litres (usable). This limits luggage-carrying capacity, especially for weekend getaways.
6. Maintenance & Service Experience
Maruti Suzuki has a well-established service network, and Swift CNG benefits from:
- Affordable spare parts
- Trained CNG technicians
- Service intervals similar to petrol Swift
Some components like air filters, spark plugs, and CNG valves need closer monitoring, but overall, maintenance cost is just slightly higher than the petrol variant.
Warranty remains the same – 2 years/40,000 km standard, extendable to 5 years/1 lakh km.
7. Who Should Buy the Swift CNG?
The Swift CNG isn’t for everyone, but it makes perfect sense for:
✅ Daily urban commuters
✅ Budget-conscious buyers
✅ Fleet or cab owners
✅ Drivers with predictable daily routes
✅ Environmentally conscious customers
It may not thrill speed lovers or boot space seekers, but it’s an economical and eco-friendly choice for most city dwellers.
8. Price and Variants
As of early 2025, the Swift CNG is available in VXi and ZXi trims.
| Variant | Ex-Showroom Price (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Swift CNG VXi | ₹7.80 lakh |
| Swift CNG ZXi | ₹8.45 lakh |
Compared to the regular petrol Swift, the CNG version costs around ₹95,000–₹1 lakh more, but you can recover this within 2–3 years of usage if you drive over 1000 km/month.
9. Competitors in the CNG Segment
The Swift CNG faces competition from:
- Tata Tiago CNG – Slightly cheaper, decent features
- Hyundai Grand i10 Nios CNG – Better interiors, similar mileage
- Maruti Baleno CNG – More premium, costlier
Still, Swift stands out for:
- Brand trust
- Wide service network
- Maruti resale value
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Buying?
The Maruti Swift CNG is a smart buy for drivers who want low running costs without giving up the Swift’s trusted legacy. While it’s not the most powerful or premium CNG hatchback out there, it delivers excellent mileage, predictable handling, and peace of mind ownership.
If you can live with a smaller boot and don’t need automatic transmission, the Swift CNG is a well-rounded daily driver for 2025.
Hello, my name is Muskan Kumari and I am an experienced Digital Marketer. I have been blogging for the last 3 years and I have special interest in SEO. Here I give you easy bikes and writes easy-to-understand reviews and news about the latest bikes, helping readers choose the best options.. My aim is to always provide you with accurate, new and useful information.
