Comparison: Tata Tiago iCNG vs. Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG

Due to the steep rise in petrol and diesel prices, car buyers in India have locked their sights on cost-effective alternatives like CNG vehicles and EVs. Since India doesn’t have a deeply penetrated EV charging network, new car buyers are making a smart change toward CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) vehicles. As a result, the countries’ leading car manufacturers, Tata and Maruti Suzuki, have launched the CNG variants of their popular models—Tiago iCNG and Celerio S-CNG, respectively.

Among all the other hatchbacks in the Indian market, the Tata Tiago iCNG and Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG are the ones that stand out. Since both cars belong to the same segment, buyers often find it difficult to choose between them. So, here’s a comparison between the Tata Tiago iCNG and Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG to help you determine which one is better suited for your needs. 

Tata Tiago iCNG vs. Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG: Dimensions

Both the Tata Tiago iCNG and the Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG have been cleverly crafted to tackle the challenges of navigating through traffic-laden Indian roads with ease. Measuring 3765 mm in length, 1677 mm in width, and 1535 mm in height, the Tiago iCNG boasts an agile, sporty, and more urbane design. The current iteration of the Tiago gets some styling tweaks, such as chrome tri-arrow elements on the front grille, projector headlamps, and trendy tail lights, that significantly sharpen its appearance.

Despite being bigger in size than its previous generation model, the Celerio S-CNG still falls short of the Tiago iCNG in terms of length, width, and ground clearance. The Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG has shifted its design from a square stance to a more curvy one. The second-gen Celerio features a new chrome grille and flared wheel arches in addition to its curvy lines. 

The boot space which is a major concern for all CNG cars is more or less similar in both these hatchbacks. Tiago boasts Tata’s innovative twin-cylinder tech that offers over 200 litres of boot space. Despite the single CNG cylinder, the Celerio doesn’t fall short either, it offers plenty of boot space too.

Tata Tiago iCNG vs. Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG: Engine & Transmission

While both the Tata Tiago iCNG and the Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG come equipped with fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly engines, it is the Tiago iCNG that hosts a bigger and more powerful core between the two. Powered by a 1.2L Revotron 3-cylinder engine, mated exclusively to a 5-speed manual transmission, the Tiago iCNG offers a peppy and responsive driving experience. This power plant delivers a spirited and lively driving encounter, showcasing an impressive best-in-class power output of 73 PS and a torque of 95 Nm.

Meanwhile, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG houses a comparatively smaller 1.0L K10C DualJet engine that generates 56.7 PS of power output and 82.1 Nm of torque. Unlike the Revotron of the Tiago, the Suzuki S-CNG engine focuses on fuel efficiency instead of power. With mileage figures north of 34 km/kg, you can cruise around town in your Celerio S-CNG without worrying about frequent visits to the pump. When compared to the Tiago iCNG’s powerful engine, the Celerio S-CNG is smoother, quieter, and more refined.

Tata Tiago iCNG vs. Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG: Features and Comfort

Taking into consideration the price segment, these hatchbacks offer a stylish and modern interior. Their comfortable upholstery and spacious cabin ensure that the driver as well as passengers enjoy long journeys without a hint of fatigue. With a kit like a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 15-inch alloys, keyless entry and go, and all four power windows, both cars have all the basic modern features accounted for. 

If you dive deeper into the comparison, it’s the Tiago iCNG that comes out on top with additional features like projector headlamps, LED DRLs, and chrome-lined door handles. To top it off, the Tiago iCNG also comes with a digital display for the driver adding to the premium quotient of the car. Other premium features include a modern digital instrument panel, a rear parking camera, and a fantastic 8-speaker Harman audio system, which is easily the best in class.

Tata Tiago iCNG vs. Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG: Safety Features

Tata Motors has left no stone unturned to make its Tiago iCNG the safest in the segment. The company has equipped the car with unique gas leakage detection technology that automatically shifts the vehicle from CNG to petrol mode upon detecting a CNG leak in the car. Along with this, a micro switch has also been provided for an immediate shutdown of the vehicle. Plus, the Tata Tiago iCNG car gets another special feature to save it from accidents. If there is any thermal incident in the car, it shuts off the CNG supply to avoid a cylinder blast. Whereas the remaining gas in the tube is released into the air. The Tata Tiago iCNG is currently the only CNG car sold in the country to receive a 4-star rating in the Global NCAP safety crash test.

Built on the Heartect platform that employs Ultra and Advanced High Tensile Steels (UHSS and AHSS), the Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG offers a comprehensive suite of safety features but misses out on the unique features offered by Tata Tiago iCNG. Moreover, like most of the other cars from the Suzuki line-up, the Celerio also received a zero-star rating in the Global NCAP crash test, which is slightly off-putting when you compare it with the Tiago iCNG.

Maruti Suzuki offers assurance for the S-CNG cars claiming they have been thoroughly evaluated and tested for durability and crashworthiness with the entire CNG set-up in place. Much like the Tata, the Maruti Suzuki has gone the extra mile to ensure its CNG structure boasts a leak-proof design. The Celerio S-CNG also comes equipped with an integrated harness to eliminate the chances of short-circuits, stainless steel pipes and joints for corrosion resistance. Maruti has also added a micro-switch as a fail-safe to ensure the Celerio S-CNG turns off and stays that way when refilling the CNG.

Tata Tiago iCNG vs. Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG: Prices & Variants

The Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG, on the other hand, has just one trim to offer—VXI. It’s equivalent to the XM variant of the Tiago and costs Rs 6.73 lakh. It’s around Rs. 17,000, cheaper than the Tiago. 

While the abundance of trim choices attracts some Indian car buyers towards the Tiago iCNG, despite the higher price range, the ones who are looking for fuel efficiency gravitate towards the Celerio S-CNG. 

Summary

Maruti Suzuki has made a name for itself with its long and unmatched legacy of creating budget cars. And that’s evident in its latest offering–Celerio S-CNG too. Celerio S-CNG remains the go-to car for buyers who are looking for a lower price point, smoother engine, and, the most important of them all, higher mileage. The significant difference in price and mileage makes it easier for Indian car buyers to decide which car they want to go for.

Despite its higher price point, the Tata Tiago iCNG draws car buyers in this segment who value premium features, comfort, and safety above everything else. From the harmonious symphony of the 8-speaker Harman system to the elegance of projector headlamps and best-in-class gas leakage detection technology, the Tiago iCNG delivers outstanding value for money.

Although the Maruti Suzuki Celerio S-CNG edges ahead of its competitor in a few domains, the Tiago iCNG’s premium quotient definitely tilts the balance in its favour. What more? Its impressive four-star safety score by Global NCAP adds a layer of reassurance that resonates with safety-conscious buyers, making it a perfect CNG car to buy.