CNG MPVs explode in India’s family hauler wars as petrol breaches ₹100/litre—Kia Carens CNG battles Maruti Ertiga CNG for supremacy. Both 1.5L NA kits deliver 26km/kg sips, 7 seats, and ₹1/km running, but diverge on premium punch vs bulletproof value. Priced ₹10.8-12.2 lakh ex-showroom, they dominate 1.5 lakh+ annual sales amid urban fuel crunch. Carens flexes luxe cabin; Ertiga nails TCO. We pit specs, space, ride—your wallet’s verdict awaits.
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Ertiga CNG undercuts across variants, saving ₹50k-70k—ideal for fleets, first-time 7-seaters.
| Variant | Maruti Ertiga CNG (ex) | Kia Carens CNG (ex) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | ₹10.80 lakh | ₹11.50 lakh | ₹70k |
| Mid | ₹11.20 lakh | ₹11.90 lakh | ₹70k |
| Top | ₹11.90 lakh | ₹12.20 lakh | ₹30k |
On-road Delhi: Ertiga ₹12.5-14 lakh; Carens ₹13.5-15 lakh. December deals: Ertiga ₹20-30k off; Carens ₹15k + accessories. Resale: Maruti 85% @3yrs; Kia 75%.
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Engine Face-Off: Twins with Twist
Identical 1.5L NA petrol-CNG (88PS/121Nm CNG mode)—6MT Ertiga vs 6MT Carens. Seamless factory kits; no power lag post-switch.
- Mileage: Ertiga 26.11km/kg ARAI (real: 24 city/27 hwy); Carens ~26km/kg (23/26).
- Perf: Ertiga lighter (1,175kg vs 1,300kg)—zippier city; Carens torquier loaded.
Ertiga edges efficiency; both cruise 100kmph relaxed.
| Spec | Ertiga CNG | Carens CNG |
|---|---|---|
| Power (CNG) | 88PS | 87PS |
| Torque (CNG) | 121Nm | 121Nm |
| Mileage Real | 24/27 km/kg | 23/26 km/kg |
| 0-100kmph | 13s | 13.5s |
Space & Comfort: Carens Crushes Rows
Carens’ 3,090mm wheelbase dwarfs Ertiga’s 2,740mm—third row adult-viable (knee room galore).
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- Ertiga: 2+3+2 setup; row3 kids-only, 85L boot (CNG eats 100L).
- Carens: Lounge-like; ottoman seats mid-row slide, 216L boot, roof AC all rows.
Ride: Carens’ IRS plush over bumps; Ertiga torsion-beam jiggly loaded. Captains optional Carens (₹50k extra).
Family Win: Carens hauls 7 adults highway-ready.
Features Firefight: Tech vs Tough
Carens dazzles: 10.25-inch dual screens, 6 airbags std mid-up, ventilated fronts top, 360-cam, ADAS hints. Ertiga basics: 7-inch screen, 2-6 airbags, ESP top.
| Feature | Ertiga | Carens |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment | 7″ | 10.25″ dual |
| Airbags | 2-6 | 6 std |
| Sunroof | No | Yes |
| Vent Seats | No | Top |
| Boot (CNG) | 85L | 216L |
Mileage & Running Cost
| Parameter | Kia Carens CNG | Maruti Ertiga CNG |
|---|---|---|
| Claimed Mileage (CNG) | ~26 km/kg (expected) | 26.11 km/kg |
| Fuel Tank (CNG) | Dual-cylinder (expected) | Dual-cylinder |
| Real-World Running Cost | ₹3–4/km (approx.) | ₹3–4/km (approx.) |
Seating, Space & Practicality
| Parameter | Kia Carens CNG | Maruti Ertiga CNG |
|---|---|---|
| Seating Layout | 6 / 7-seater | 7-seater |
| Second Row | Captain seats (select trims) | Bench seat |
| Third Row Comfort | Better legroom | Average |
| Boot Space (CNG) | Reduced but usable | Limited |
| Cabin Feel | Premium | Functional |
Carens premium; Ertiga functional.
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🛡️ Safety & Features
| Feature | Kia Carens CNG | Maruti Ertiga CNG |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Up to 6 (variant-wise) | 2 |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| ESC / TC | Yes (select trims) | No |
| Rear AC Vents | Yes | Yes |
| Infotainment | Large touchscreen | 7-inch touchscreen |
| Wireless Android Auto / CarPlay | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated Seats | Yes (select trims) | No |
Ride Dynamics & Ownership TCO
Handling: Ertiga nimble city (205mm clearance); Carens stable hwy (195mm). Brakes: Both discs front.
Costs (15k km/year):
- Fuel: ₹25k (CNG ₹75/kg).
- Service: Ertiga ₹4k; Carens ₹6k.
- Total: Ertiga ₹35k; Carens ₹42k.
Maruti’s 4,000+ nets crush Kia; insurance 10% lower.
Verdict: Match Your Mission
Ertiga CNG: Value assassin—cheaper buy/run, resale rockstar, city fleets. Pick if budget rules, maintenance minimal.
Carens CNG: Comfort conqueror—space king, feature fest, family luxe. Choose for full loads, highways, premium vibe.
Ertiga saves ₹2 lakh lifetime; Carens spoils 7 souls. Test both; CNG era crowns practical kings!
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