Maruti Victoris CNG

CNG mileage and running cost

The Maruti Victoris CNG carries an ARAI-certified mileage of 27.02 km/kg, which is among the highest claimed figures for any factory-CNG SUV in India. In Autocar India's independent real-world test (June 2026, by Saumil Shah), the car returned 18 km/kg in city driving and 26 km/kg on the highway — the highway figure coming remarkably close to the ARAI number. City average speed during testing was 18 kph; highway average was 55 kph.

With CNG prices typically ranging between ₹75–95 per kg across major Indian cities, the Victoris CNG's running cost works out to roughly ₹3.5–5.3 per km in city conditions and ₹3.0–3.7 per km on the highway. Compare this to the petrol MT variant's 21.18 km/l ARAI figure, and the CNG version can cut fuel costs by 40–55% depending on local CNG and petrol prices. At 1,000 km per month, owners can realistically save ₹2,000–4,000 monthly over the equivalent petrol variant.

The CNG variant carries a premium of approximately ₹1 lakh over the corresponding petrol manual variants. Given the running cost savings, this premium is typically recovered within 12–18 months for buyers doing 1,000+ km per month — making the Victoris CNG a financially sound choice for high-mileage urban and semi-urban users.

CNG kit, tank, and boot space

The Victoris uses Maruti's All-New Underbody S-CNG system — a segment-first design where the CNG cylinder is mounted beneath the vehicle floor rather than inside the boot. The tank holds 55 litres (water equivalent), which translates to approximately 7.4–8 kg of usable CNG depending on ambient temperature and pump pressure. Based on Autocar India's tests, this gives a real-world CNG range of around 180 km per fill.

Because the tank sits under the car, the boot space remains fully usable — a stark contrast to most CNG cars (including some Maruti models) where the cylinder occupies a large portion of the luggage area. The petrol variants offer 265 litres of boot space, and the CNG variant preserves this figure. This is the single most important practical advantage of the Victoris CNG over rivals like the Hyundai Exter CNG or older-generation CNG SUVs.

The CNG kit is factory-fitted by Maruti Suzuki on the production line — not installed at the dealership. This means the full manufacturer warranty applies without any caveats, and the system is integrated with the car's ECU from day one. Buyers do not need to worry about third-party kit quality, warranty voidance, or post-installation calibration issues.

Performance on CNG

In CNG mode, the Victoris produces 64.6 kW (87.8 PS) and 121.5 Nm of torque — a reduction from the petrol mode's 74 kW (100.6 PS) and 137.1 Nm, which is typical for bi-fuel CNG engines. The 5-speed manual gearbox is the only transmission offered with the CNG variant. Autocar India's performance tests on the VXI CNG MT recorded a 0–100 kph time of 15.14 seconds, with 20–80 kph in third gear taking 16.14 seconds and 40–100 kph in fourth gear taking 22.45 seconds.

These figures are adequate for city commuting and relaxed highway cruising, though the CNG variant is noticeably less brisk than the petrol AT or the strong hybrid. The 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine is smooth and refined in CNG mode, without the three-cylinder thrum that characterises the strong hybrid variant under load. The car can switch between CNG and petrol modes, with the 45-litre petrol tank serving as a backup when CNG runs out.

The suspension setup — MacPherson strut at the front and torsion beam at the rear — is shared with the petrol variants. Ground clearance is 210 mm, which is sufficient for typical Indian road conditions. The CNG variant is FWD only; the ALLGRIP SELECT AWD system is not available with the CNG powertrain.

Cabin, space, and tech

The Victoris cabin is one of the most feature-rich in the mid-size SUV segment at this price. The three-layer dashboard design, 64-colour ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and dual-tone interiors are highlights that punch above the car's price bracket. The Smartplay Pro X touchscreen infotainment system supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the Infinity by Harman speaker system with Dolby Atmos Spatial Sound is a genuine differentiator.

The 26.03 cm multi-information digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, Alexa Auto Voice AI with 40+ features, and an in-built app store with 35+ apps round out the tech package. Next Gen Suzuki Connect offers remote operations, cabin PM 2.5 monitoring, smartwatch connectivity, and E-Call emergency assistance. The Smart Powered Tailgate with Gesture Control is a premium touch rarely seen at this price point.

Seating capacity is 5, and the 2,600 mm wheelbase — identical across all powertrain variants — ensures adequate rear legroom for adult passengers. The 1,795 mm width gives reasonable shoulder room, though three adults across the rear bench will find it snug. The CNG variant's underbody tank means the boot floor is flat and unobstructed, making it genuinely practical for family luggage.

Safety and ADAS

The Maruti Victoris has received a 5-star Bharat NCAP (BNCAP) rating, confirmed by Autocar India's specifications page. All variants, including the base Lxi CNG, come with 6 airbags as standard — a commendable decision by Maruti that ensures even entry-level buyers get comprehensive passive safety. The car is built on the Suzuki TECT platform using high-strength steel.

Active safety is handled by Advanced Level 2 ADAS, which includes features such as blind spot collision avoidance assist. The 360° View HD Camera with 11 views, Front Parking Assist Sensors with Auto 360° Camera Activation, and Electronic Parking Brake with Brake Hold add further layers of active safety. Disc brakes are fitted at both axles on the CNG variants.

CNG variants and pricing

The Victoris CNG is available in three trim levels: Lxi, Vxi, and Zxi — all with the 5-speed manual gearbox. Autocar India's variant-level pricing (as of September 2026) lists the Lxi CNG MT at ₹13.43 lakh, the Vxi CNG MT at ₹12.90 lakh (ex-showroom), with the range extending up to approximately ₹14.57 lakh for the Zxi CNG MT. HT Auto lists the overall S-CNG manual range as ₹11.50 lakh to ₹14.72 lakh (ex-showroom).

The CNG premium over the equivalent petrol manual variant is approximately ₹1 lakh across trims. The Zxi (O) and Zxi+ trims are not offered with the CNG powertrain — these are available only with petrol AT or strong hybrid. Buyers wanting the top-spec features (panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, ADAS) should check whether the Zxi CNG MT includes these, as feature availability varies by trim.

How it compares

The Victoris CNG's closest rivals are the Hyundai Exter CNG (smaller, cheaper, boot-mounted cylinder), the Tata Nexon CNG (twin-cylinder underbody setup, but priced higher), and the Maruti Grand Vitara CNG (boot-mounted cylinder, older platform). Against the Exter CNG, the Victoris offers more space, more features, and the underbody tank advantage, but at a higher price. Against the Nexon CNG, the Victoris is similarly priced but offers a larger cabin and more powertrain options across the range.

The Victoris CNG's 27.02 km/kg ARAI figure is competitive — the Nexon CNG claims 24 km/kg and the Exter CNG claims 27.1 km/kg. However, the Victoris's real-world highway figure of 26 km/kg (Autocar India tested) is strong validation of the claimed number. The 5-star BNCAP rating and factory fitment with Level 2 ADAS are advantages the Victoris holds over most CNG rivals in this segment.

Who should buy it

The Victoris CNG is best suited for buyers who drive 1,000–2,000 km per month, have reliable CNG infrastructure on their regular routes, and want an SUV with genuine boot space rather than a compromised CNG setup. Families who need to carry luggage regularly will particularly appreciate the underbody tank design. The factory fitment and 5-star BNCAP rating make it a safe choice for those who prioritise warranty integrity and passive safety.

Buyers who need an automatic gearbox, AWD, or the strong hybrid's 28.65 km/l efficiency should look at other Victoris variants — the CNG is manual-only and FWD. Those in cities with limited CNG pump density should also weigh the convenience trade-off carefully. But for the right buyer profile — high-mileage, CNG-friendly city, family use — the Victoris CNG is the most well-rounded factory-CNG mid-size SUV available in India today.