Hyundai Grand i10 Nios CNG

CNG mileage and running cost

Hyundai has not published an official ARAI mileage figure for the Grand i10 NIOS Hy-CNG Duo in the data available at the time of writing. Third-party automotive portals such as Autocar India list the petrol variant's real-world efficiency at 13 km/l in the city and 16.21 km/l on the highway. CNG variants typically return 15–20% better per-kilometre running costs than equivalent petrol cars, and the dual-cylinder setup ensures the car can cover a meaningful distance before needing a refill.

With CNG prices in most Indian cities ranging between ₹75–95 per kg (varies by city and state), even a conservative real-world figure of 20–22 km/kg would translate to a running cost of roughly ₹3.5–4.5 per kilometre — compared to approximately ₹7–9 per kilometre for the petrol variant. Over 1,500 km a month, a typical urban commuter could save ₹5,000–7,000 monthly versus petrol, making the CNG premium on the ex-showroom price recoverable within 12–18 months for high-mileage users.

The bi-fuel nature of the Hy-CNG Duo system means the car starts on petrol and can switch to CNG once the engine is warm, or the driver can manually toggle between fuels using the CNG switch on the dashboard. This dual-fuel flexibility eliminates range anxiety in areas with sparse CNG infrastructure.

CNG kit, tank, and boot space

The Hy-CNG Duo is Hyundai's proprietary factory-fitted dual-cylinder CNG system. The two cylinders together hold 60 litres (water equivalent) of CNG, supplemented by the standard 37-litre petrol tank. The system is installed on the production line at Hyundai's Chennai plant, which means every CNG NIOS comes with the full manufacturer warranty intact — no separate CNG kit warranty or exclusions apply.

A key engineering decision behind the dual-cylinder layout is boot space optimisation. A single large CNG cylinder of equivalent capacity would occupy significantly more floor area; splitting the volume across two smaller cylinders allows Hyundai to retain more usable boot depth. The petrol Grand i10 NIOS has a 260-litre boot (as tested by Autocar India); Hyundai has not published the exact CNG boot figure, but the dual-cylinder design is specifically marketed as offering "more boot space" compared to a conventional single-cylinder CNG setup.

Another practical feature is the fast-refuelling nozzle, which is positioned near the petrol filler cap rather than in the boot or under the car. This makes CNG top-ups as convenient as petrol fills at a station, and reduces the time spent at the pump. Buyers should note that Hy-CNG Duo variants come with a Tyre Mobility Kit (TMK) instead of a spare tyre, as the cylinders occupy the space typically used for the spare wheel well.

Performance on CNG

The Grand i10 NIOS CNG uses the same 1.2-litre Kappa 4-cylinder engine as the petrol variants, tuned to run on both fuels. On CNG, power output is typically lower than on petrol — a characteristic of all bi-fuel CNG systems — which means acceleration is noticeably more relaxed, particularly at highway speeds or when overtaking. The 5-speed manual gearbox is the only transmission offered on CNG variants; no AMT option is available.

In city driving, where speeds are lower and the engine spends most of its time in the mid-rev range, the power deficit is barely perceptible. The Kappa engine is known for its refinement and smooth power delivery, and these traits carry over to CNG mode. The motor-driven (electric) power steering is light and well-suited to urban manoeuvring.

On the highway, drivers should plan overtakes with more deliberation than they would in the petrol version. Switching to petrol for a brief burst of power is always an option, and the transition between fuels is smooth and near-instantaneous. The front-wheel-drive setup and the car's compact 3,815 mm length make it agile in traffic.

Cabin, space, and tech

The Grand i10 NIOS seats 5 across its 5-door body. The cabin is well-regarded for its quality of materials and thoughtful storage solutions — door pockets that fit 1-litre bottles, a well-sized glovebox, an open cavity above it, and cupholders near the gear console. The rear bench is comfortable for two adults, though three abreast is a squeeze given the 1,680 mm width.

The Sportz CNG variant gets Hyundai's best-in-segment 20.25 cm (8-inch) touchscreen infotainment system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a rear-view camera with static guidelines, and cruise control. The Magna CNG is more basic but still includes a Fast USB Type-C charger from Magna upward, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and the motor-driven power steering standard across all variants.

Both CNG variants include the CNG mode switch on the dashboard, allowing the driver to toggle between petrol and CNG. The instrument cluster provides a clear indication of which fuel is active and the remaining levels in both tanks.

Safety and ADAS

The Grand i10 NIOS CNG comes with 4 airbags as standard across all variants — driver, front passenger, and two side airbags. ABS with EBD and rear parking sensors are also standard on every variant. The Sportz CNG adds Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), and Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), which are meaningful active safety upgrades for a hatchback in this price range.

There is no ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) suite on the Grand i10 NIOS — lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control are not offered. The car has not been rated by Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP at the time of writing. Speed sensing auto door lock, impact sensing auto door unlock, an immobilizer, 3-point seat belts on all seats, seat belt reminders for all positions, a speed alert system, and emergency stop signal are standard across the range.

The Sportz CNG also benefits from a rear-view camera with static guidelines, adding a useful layer of low-speed safety for parking in tight urban spaces.

CNG variants and pricing

The Grand i10 NIOS CNG is offered in three variants: Magna CNG (1.2 Dual CNG MT), Sportz CNG (1.2 CNG MT), and Sportz CNG with Dual CNG (1.2 Dual CNG MT). The overall Grand i10 NIOS range starts at ₹5,59,700 (ex-showroom) for the petrol Era MT. Autocar India lists the on-road price range for the full NIOS lineup (including petrol) at ₹6.08–8.97 lakh in Delhi as of September 2026. Exact ex-showroom prices for the individual CNG variants were not published in the official data available; buyers should confirm current prices with their nearest Hyundai dealer, as prices can change without prior notice.

All CNG variants are manual-only. The Sportz CNG is the better-value pick for most buyers, given the addition of the 8-inch touchscreen, rear camera, ESC, VSM, and HAC over the Magna CNG.

How it compares

The Grand i10 NIOS CNG's closest rivals are the Tata Tiago CNG and the Maruti Suzuki Celerio CNG. The NIOS stands out with its factory-fitted dual-cylinder Hy-CNG Duo system — both the Tiago CNG and Celerio CNG use single-cylinder factory setups. The dual-cylinder design gives the NIOS a practical edge in boot space retention and refuelling convenience.

The Hyundai Aura CNG is the sedan sibling of the NIOS and shares the same Hy-CNG Duo powertrain; buyers who need a boot lid rather than a hatchback tailgate should consider it. Against the Maruti Suzuki Baleno CNG, the NIOS is smaller and cheaper but offers fewer features at the top trim. The NIOS CNG's 4-airbag standard fitment is a genuine safety advantage over some rivals that offer only 2 airbags as standard.

Who should buy it

The Grand i10 NIOS CNG is best suited to urban commuters and first-time car buyers in cities with good CNG infrastructure — Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad being the strongest markets. The factory-fitted Hy-CNG Duo system removes the risk and warranty complications of aftermarket CNG conversions, and the dual-cylinder design means the boot remains more usable than in most CNG hatchbacks.

High-mileage users — those covering 1,200 km or more per month — will recover the CNG premium over the petrol variant within a year or two and then enjoy substantially lower running costs. Families with occasional highway use will appreciate the bi-fuel flexibility. Buyers who need an AMT gearbox, or who want the top-spec Asta trim, will need to look at the petrol variants instead.