Upgrade from Wagon R CNG to Good Safe, Reliable CNG Car

Dear Pratap ji,

Tata Motors did considerable good job in offering :-
a) Safe Car Experience
b) Yes boot space has still some usable space in Tigor CNG as against Tiago CNG - so choose in Tigor CNG
c) Suspension is fair well sorted

But let me also tell you that nothing comes close to CNG Tune up as what seen in Maruti Suzuki Cars. For instance
1. Pickup feels slow post 60 kmph speed
2. 3 Cylinder Engine has vibrations
3. Tata to revolutionalize by upgrading Tigor CNG with Dual Cylinder set up (launching Altroz CNG now - which will be changed further to Tiago, Tigor CNG) - so existing one would be like obsolote

and for all practical reasons - Maruti Brezza CNG makes up the game where
1. CNG Tune up is undoubtedly the best
2, Maruti S CNG Performance in Brezza - not only in terms of pickup but in terms of refinement is lot superior
3. Adding on comfort oriented suspension
4. Plus Usable boot space in Brezza CNG which adds on as even bigger boot space set up

Importantly - if you considering an upgrade from Wagon R CNG where boxy tall call look - Brezza CNG again makes a point. From Rear seat legroom space perspective, reliability perspective, ENgine NVH Level, Comfort Oriented, Space front and lets admit that if CNG Car comes to play - no other OEM so far can beat Maruti knack of CNG Tune up as of now

So recommendation for you is opt for Maruti Brezza Lxi CNG
But - biggest issue is availability, as most of the showroom quote much longer wait for Brezza Lxi CNG - only if can get the car in defined time then can opt for the car.

Hope should help !!

Hi thanks for the detailed answer, i am already inclined towards breeza cng and your revert has made it stronger case.

One of the reason to upgrade is safety. Older breeza was 4 star rated, can we safely assume that the new one will also be 4 or better ?
Or we can't say till ncap testing is performed ?
In your know how how is the build quality and safety standard of new breeza?

Also wanted to know how much estimated price is expected rise once the 6 air bag becomes mandatory in oct 2023. ( Can it be around of 30..40 k or more ? )

Hi,

Although Global NCAP revised safety ratings with more stringent test parameters from 2023 - but no reasons to be worried for Brezza
Structurally strong and now with improved safety including ESP

Also wanted to know how much estimated price is expected rise once the 6 air bag becomes mandatory in oct 2023. ( Can it be around of 30..40 k or more ? )

Yes Max 30K, but by the time same turns mandatory - a mid price hike can happen to extent of another 15K to 20K too

Hope should help !!

Going by the lack of features in Lxi breeza decided to go for vxi however vxi does not seem value for money. ZXI seems value for money...so it's either lxi or zxi for me now.

ZXI cng would cost almost 14 laks..if I have to stretch my budget till 14 laks what are other car in this budget that I can consider basis
- safety
- longevity
- resale value

One that comes to my mind is skoda salvia, what are its pros and cons, running cost etc. Seems like people are either big fan of it or know nothing about it.

Can you give some more options in this range, can be suv sedan or hatchback.

Hi,

There are considerable differences when you compare in a CNG SUV with a Petrol Sedan
Like
a. Skoda Slavia TSI Petrol Engine has strong punch post 2000 rpm.
b. Much Better Steering feedback on higher speed
c.. Lot more fun with tuned suspension - makes it significant better on higher speed
d. Interiors feels more plush, better legroom space
e. Yes at same time Build Quality is immaculate

But
a. When you compare Cabin Insulation - Brezza feels lot more silent in 4 cylinder engine. adding on Skoda has noisier AC too
b. Clutch feels significant stiff in Slavia with much longer travel range
c. Ingress and Egress not as easier, you feel like sitting lower in Slavia
d. Car Running cost has no comparison - Brezza CNG running cost would be like 50% to Slavia
e. Somehow in city drive - Brezza feels more comfort oriented

So you need to make an apt choice on what exact is your need.
If comfort, lower running cost, relaxed drive with majorly in city - Brezza CNG
If high speed dynamics, fun, superior handling on higher speed, relative better build - Skoda Slavia

My Suggestion: If you seek CNG - opt for Brezza Lxi CNG and upgrade with 3 elements
a. Touchscreen with Camera - can add Sony XAV Ax7000, entire system with camera will cost Rs 30K
b. Add in Rear Seat Head restraints from after market as dealer wont do
c. If you seek styling factor add in Alloy Wheels from a good reputed alloys store - will be done in around 20K to 25K (set of 4)

and you will end up with a car with almost every essential modern age feature to it. Refer Brezza Lxi CNG Features

Hope should help !!

Till now I have taken the test drive of
Breeza
Grand vitara
Altroz
SKODA Slavia

SKODA Slavia is way ahead from all vehicles in terms of handling and suspension however not considering because of high cost of ownership.

Altroz Surprised me with superior handling and suspension, however would rate in lower than Maruti in terms of easy of driving. Loved it overall as a package considering safety rating as well however the design was not to the liking of near and dear ones.

Breeza is decent , though it does not feels like a big upgarde from Wagon R when compared to Grand Vitara and Slavia however LXI variant is best value for money and after adding few accessories that you have mentioned above. Problem is that the boot space is completely gone in the cng model and the usable boot space is less than the usable boot space in my Wagon R, does not feel like a upgrade so not keen on breeza.

Grand Vitara - Sigma is having many features when compared to Breeza (including higher mileage) like better suspension, bigger body, recline in back seat, all disk brake, bigger usable boot space etc, (not a fan of sun roof which is additional in Breeza ZXI), however CNG is not available in the sigma model and upgrade from Sigma petrol to Delta CNG is almost 2.2 Laks onroad in Mumbai with mostly cosmetic features except for Cruise control which I feel is very good to have feature and music system.

More inclined to buy Grand Vitara however I am not sure if this much price is justified, should I just buy Grand Vitara Sigma Petrol and fit music system and camera from outside(for about 30K ) or go ahead with Delta CNG.
Going by ARAI number and the current fuel price in Mumbai can drive 79000 Km in Petrol before the price difference merge.

Want to understand how much of actual mileage can be expected from Petrol in City and highway with light foot driving as compared to the ARAI mileage for grand vitara.

Also Global ncap rating has not come, can we expect it to be rated 4 since it is based on same platform as breeza or we cant predict till the test is actually performed.

Dear Pratap Sahab,

Hi Doing great.
Pls find my comments against remarks

SKODA Slavia is way ahead from all vehicles in terms of handling and suspension however not considering because of high cost of ownership.

Myth. New Skoda cars have near 90%+ localisation and spare part prices are actually considerably lower in new Skoda range of Slavia, Kushaq to erstwhile Skoda Cars (Rapid, Octavia) as used to be 5 to 6 yrs backs

Skoda also offering 4 yr AMC Maintenance pack which include all scheduled services at Rs 26000 (which too offered complimentary) and car comes with standard warranty of 4 yrs

To brief some wear & tear items cost
> Front Brake Pads - Rs 4000
> Clutch Plate with Pressure plate & Release bearing - Rs 16,000
> Both Wiper Blade - Rs 1000
> Brake Disc - Rs 2500 each side
> Shockers - Rs 8000

Also for scheduled servicing
> Engine Oil (4 litrres) + Oil Filter : Rs 3000 (every service)
> Brake Fluid : Rs 650 (every 2 yrs)
> Air Filter : Rs 350 (every 2 yrs)
> Cabin AC Pollen Filter : Rs 650 (every service)
> Spark Plug - Rs 1200 (once every 4 yrs)
> V Belt - Rs 600 (once every 4 yrs)
> Labor charge including GST : Rs 3000 approx (every service)

No need of transmission oil replacement

So - essentially not very high service cost experience.

Grand Vitara however I am not sure if this much price is justified, should I just buy Grand Vitara Sigma Petrol and fit music system and camera from outside(for about 30K ) or go ahead with Delta CNG.
Going by ARAI number and the current fuel price in Mumbai can drive 79000 Km in Petrol before the price difference merge.

See you need to make a choice basis average running. If we check On road price in Mumbai where CNG Cars gets rebate - on road price difference is around 2.2 Lakh but apart from price difference you get additional features too
> Cruise Control, Rear View Camera,
> Ambient Footwell Light in Front
> Silver Skid Plate in Front and Rear
> 7 Inch Smart Pro Play Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple Car PLay with Suzuki Connect with Steering Mounted Bluetooth

You can expect real world running cost of near around 18 Km in CNG
With CNG Prices at Rs 80 / kg - running cost would be like rs 4.5 per km

In petrol can expect near around 14 kmpl in city use. With Petrol prices at Rs 106 Litre
running cost would be like Rs 7.5 / Km

So can save in near Rs 3 / Km for real world condition - with near 70000 Kms can recover in cost
Now if you like driven 45000 Kms in Wagon R CNG in 3 yrs - it means can recover upfront cost difference in 5 yrs with Grand Vitara CNG plus additrional factory fitted features over Sigma Petrol

So - if keen on Grand Vitara - somehow Grand Vitara Delta CNG is recommended over Sigma Petrol

Safety Rating
Maruti claims that Grand Vitara is signature product and considering fact that its made in collab with Toyota - we do anticipate better safety score over Brezza, plus all 4 disc brakes

So need not worry on same if you choose GRand Vitara

Hope should help !!