The Maruti Swift has long been a fan-favorite in India, and its CNG-powered version just adds more appeal to this already popular hatchback. With rising fuel prices and a growing interest in greener mobility, the Swift CNG arrives as a budget-conscious choice that doesn’t skimp on everyday usability. We recently got behind the wheel of this dual-fuel hatch and tested its real-world fuel efficiency across city and highway conditions.
Engine
The Swift CNG runs on a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine. On petrol, this unit delivers 80bhp and 112Nm of torque. However, when switched to CNG mode, power and torque figures drop slightly to 69bhp and 102Nm. It’s available with a five-speed manual gearbox—no automatic option here, at least for now.
Even with the drop in performance in CNG mode, the Swift manages to feel adequately responsive in everyday city driving, especially when driven with a light foot. But how does it fare in terms of fuel efficiency? That’s where things get interesting.
City
We started our test within city limits, navigating the usual traffic snarls, traffic lights, and start-stop situations. The car was driven over a distance of 79.8 kilometers and consumed 3.75kg of CNG during the course.
Doing the math, that results in a mileage of 21.28km/kg in city conditions.
Now, this isn’t exactly close to the ARAI-claimed figure of 32.85km/kg, but in real-world, stop-and-go traffic, it’s not unexpected. The car used in the test was the ZXi variant, weighing 980kg, and fully loaded with passengers and luggage.
Highway
Next, we hit the open roads. Over a long and relatively uninterrupted stretch of highway, the Swift CNG clocked 119.4 kilometers. During this run, it consumed 3.41kg of CNG.
The result? A far more impressive 35.01km/kg, which actually beats the claimed figure on paper. This shows how well the Swift CNG can stretch a tank of gas when cruising at steady speeds, with minimal throttle input and fewer gear shifts.
Here’s how the numbers stack up:
| Driving Condition | Distance Driven | CNG Used | Mileage Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| City | 79.8 km | 3.75 kg | 21.28 km/kg |
| Highway | 119.4 km | 3.41 kg | 35.01 km/kg |
| ARAI Claim | – | – | 32.85 km/kg |
Comparison
If you compare these figures with the Swift petrol versions, the difference is quite clear. The petrol manual variant claims a mileage of 24.80kmpl, while the AMT version claims 25.75kmpl. The CNG version easily outperforms both on the highway, and even in the city, it remains competitive.
Verdict
If you’re someone who commutes long distances daily or frequently travels on highways, the Swift CNG can be an excellent money-saver in the long run. Sure, it may feel a bit sluggish in CNG mode compared to its petrol counterpart, but the savings at the fuel pump easily make up for it.
The Swift CNG may not break performance records, but when it comes to practicality, it’s right on the money.
FAQs
What is the Swift CNG mileage in city?
It returned 21.28km/kg in city driving.
How much mileage does Swift CNG give on highways?
It achieved 35.01km/kg on the highway.
What engine powers the Swift CNG?
A 1.2L 3-cylinder petrol engine with CNG setup.
Is Swift CNG available with automatic?
No, it comes only with a five-speed manual.
What is Swift CNG’s claimed mileage?
ARAI claims 32.85km/kg for Swift CNG.
