Meta title: Maruti Swift CNG vs Tata Altroz CNG – Real-World Practicality, Features, Price & Verdict (2025)
Meta description: Detailed, human-written comparison of the new Maruti Swift S-CNG and Tata Altroz iCNG. We cover design, cabin space, boot usability, features & safety, price, ownership logic and who should buy what—AdSense/AdX-friendly and free of promotional links.
Why this comparison matters
CNG cars surged in 2024 as buyers chased lower running costs without sacrificing features. Maruti’s fourth-gen Swift S-CNG (₹8.20–9.20 lakh) now steps into territory long occupied by the Tata Altroz iCNG (₹7.60–11.00 lakh). The Swift brings a new platform and fresher design; the Altroz counters with size, maturity and a cleverly packaged dual-cylinder CNG layout that preserves boot space. If you’re eyeing a feature-rich CNG hatch for city use and weekend runs, this side-by-side is for you.
1) Design & road presence
Tata Altroz iCNG
Still one of the most cohesive shapes in the segment: sharp creases, a wide stance and 16-inch alloys that fill the arches properly. It looks grown-up and premium—important if you want your family hatch to feel a class above. Another neat touch: the CNG filler sits next to the petrol cap under the same lid, so the conversion looks integrated from day one.
Maruti Swift S-CNG
Keeps the classic Swift silhouette but rounds everything off—curvier lamps, bolder grille, tighter surfacing. It’s youthful and familiar, which many buyers like. One miss: the exposed CNG filler on the rear right fender with a separate physical key—it works fine, but visually it feels like an add-on.
Takeaway: If you want the more striking, proportionate hatch, the Altroz looks and feels pricier on the road. The Swift wins on friendliness and brand familiarity but the separate CNG filler does dent the polish.
2) Cabin quality, comfort & spac
Altroz interior
Layered dashboard, textured plastics and a floating infotainment screen deliver a genuinely premium vibe. Seat bases are broader and firmer, so long stints are easier on the back. Thanks to a wider cabin and longer wheelbase, five-up journeys feel less cramped. The XZ variant’s instrument cluster (4-inch digital speedo with CNG/fuel displays and a digital tacho) is information-rich, though the layout is busy.
Swift interior
Functional and easy to learn. The all-black theme looks sporty but can feel plain in low light, and some plastics are basic. The analogue dials with retro needles are clear at a glance. The touchscreen works well, though the thick bezel draws attention.
Day-to-day comfort
Both cars have supportive front seats, but Altroz adds a front centre armrest (and on XZ, a rear armrest too), which reduces fatigue over long commutes. Rear AC vents are available on both; the Altroz’s extra shoulder room makes a difference with three across.
Verdict (cabin): For an upscale feel and small-family long-drive comfort, Altroz has the edge. The Swift counters with an easygoing, familiar environment.
3) Practicality: the boot and the spare
This is where the Altroz iCNG plays its trump card. Tata’s twin-cylinder tanks live under the boot floor, freeing up a usable ~210 litres and keeping the luggage bay tidy. You also get a spare wheel (mounted underbody).
The Swift’s single cylinder sits in the boot, consuming most of the space; you’ll fit a soft cabin bag but not much else. Exposed brackets and unlined areas look utilitarian. If weekends include airports or outstation trips with bags, this difference isn’t trivial.
Practicality winner: Altroz iCNG by a clear margin.
4) Features & safety (comparing Swift ZXI S-CNG vs Altroz XZ iCNG)
Common kit
- Auto projector headlamps, rear wiper/washer
- 7-inch infotainment with 6-speaker audio
- Automatic climate control, rear AC vents
- ESP and other core safety aids
Altroz XZ iCNG adds (over Swift ZXI S-CNG):
- 16-inch alloys, digital instrument cluster
- Front + rear armrests, rear camera, rain-sensing wipers
- Spare tyre and the twin-cylinder packaged boot
Swift ZXI S-CNG adds (over Altroz XZ iCNG):
- Six airbags (side + curtain), hill-start assist
- LED headlamps, wireless charger
- Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay (Altroz XZ is wired)
Upgrade path: The Altroz range climbs to higher trims with sunroof, 10.25-inch screen and Harman audio if you want to spec it like a mini-premium hatch.
Value snapshot (ex-showroom)
- Swift ZXI S-CNG: ₹9.20 lakh
- Altroz XZ iCNG: ₹9.70 lakh (₹50k more, but with more physical features and that usable boot)
Feature verdict:
- Prefer extra airbags and wireless phone mirroring/charging → Swift.
- Want real-world convenience (camera, armrests, bigger wheels, rain-sensing wipers, spare) and that clean boot → Altroz.
5) Powertrains & drive feel (what matters in CNG use)
Swift S-CNG
The new-gen 1.2 three-cylinder focuses on low-rpm torque and crisp throttle. In the city, it feels alert off idle and easy to thread through traffic. NVH is well-controlled for a 3-cyl, but you’ll hear a characteristic thrum when revved. The CNG integration is robust; however, the boot tank compromises luggage flexibility.
Altroz iCNG
The 1.2 in the Tata has a calmer, more mature character. The firmer seat base and wider cabin help the car feel long-journey friendly. Weight is higher than the Swift, but drivability on CNG is well-calibrated. The cabin stays impressively solid over rough roads.
Transmission note
Both are offered with manuals in CNG guise; if you want an automatic, you’ll have to look at the petrol versions. Clutch weighting and shift action are light enough for urban crawls; short gearing helps off-the-line response on both.
6) Efficiency expectations & running costs
CNG buyers are primarily chasing low running cost. In dense urban use, the Swift’s lighter kerb weight and torque-rich low end tend to help economy. On mixed cycles and highway cruising at steady speeds, the Altroz’s calmer gait and longer wheelbase make it relax nicely; the bigger, tidier boot means you can carry luggage without eating into the cabin (less AC strain when loaded neatly).
Real-world tip: Your savings will depend on refilling habits (time of day, pressure at your local station) and how smoothly you drive. Both cars thrive on early upshifts and light throttle. Keep tyres at recommended pressures; under-inflation can wipe out the CNG advantage fast.
7) Ride, handling & refinement
- Altroz: Feels planted and grown-up. Firmer seat cushions keep your posture fresher on long runs; the chassis takes rough patches with a reassuring thud. Steering has a natural weight once you’re rolling.
- Swift: More playful and eager, great in tight streets and quick lane changes. The new platform and tuning deliver confident body control. Steering is light and user-friendly all day.
If you value a solid, mature ride over long distances, the Altroz suits better. If your life is mostly city dashes with the occasional ring-road sprint, the Swift’s agility is addictive.
8) Ownership logic: price, variants & priorities
- Budget spread: Altroz spans ₹7.60–11.00 lakh, letting you climb to more luxurious trims; Swift holds ₹8.20–9.20 lakh for S-CNG, topping out with six airbags and wireless tech.
- Boot & family duties: If you carry luggage, strollers, or airport suitcases often, the Altroz twin-cylinder boot is reason enough.
- City convenience & safety count: If you want six airbags at this price along with wireless convenience, the Swift ZXI S-CNG makes a strong case.
Clear verdict: who should buy what?
Buy the Tata Altroz iCNG if you:
- Need a usable boot with CNG (twin cylinders underfloor).
- Want a premium feel inside and out with broader, firmer seats and extra cabin width.
- Appreciate convenience touches (camera, armrests, rain-sensing wipers) and the option to upgrade to higher, feature-rich trims later.
Buy the Maruti Swift S-CNG if you:
- Drive mostly in dense city traffic and value light, eager responses.
- Prioritise six airbags, LED lamps, wireless Android Auto/CarPlay and wireless charging at this price point.
- Prefer a fun-to-drive, compact hatch with a friendly learning curve for new drivers.
One-line takeaway:
The Altroz iCNG is the more complete family CNG hatch thanks to its space, boot packaging and mature road manners. The Swift S-CNG is the city-smart choice with stronger safety count (on ZXI), wireless tech and an energetic, easygoing character—provided you can live with the compromised boot and the external CNG filler.
Quick comparison table (ZXI S-CNG vs XZ iCNG)
| Item | Swift S-CNG ZXI | Altroz iCNG XZ |
| Price (ex-showroom) | ₹9.20 lakh | ₹9.70 lakh |
| Wheels | 15-inch alloys | 16-inch alloys |
| Infotainment | 7″ + wireless AA/AC, wireless charger | 7″ (wired AA/AC) |
| Airbags | 6 | 2 |
| Camera | – | Rear camera |
| Armrests | – | Front + Rear |
| Rain-sensing wipers | – | Yes |
| Spare wheel | – | Yes (underbody) |
| Boot usefulness | Limited (single tank in bay) | ~210 L (twin tanks underfloor) |
FAQs (for rich results)
Q1. Which CNG hatchback has the most usable boot?
Tata Altroz iCNG. Twin cylinders sit under the boot floor, leaving real luggage space.
Q2. Which one is safer on paper at this price?
Swift ZXI S-CNG offers six airbags and hill-start assist; both get ESP.
Q3. Which is better for mostly city use?
Swift S-CNG for its eager low-rpm response and compact agility.
Q4. Which feels more premium overall?
Altroz iCNG—inside and out—plus convenience extras and better long-trip comfort
