KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Renault Kiger RXE is the most affordable option at Rs 6.89 lakh with solid safety features and all four power windows
- The Tata Punch CNG stands out for its rugged design, strong performance, and safety kit at Rs 7.29 lakh
- The Hyundai Exter CNG offers the most modern features like a touchscreen and six airbags but is also the priciest at Rs 7.50 lakh
In a country where fuel prices are highly unpredictable, compact SUVs running on CNG have become the new smart choice, especially with options like the Tata Punch, Renault Kiger and the Hyundai Exter now offering factory-fitted CNG kits. The question arises; which one gives the best bang for your money at the entry level?
In this comparison, we shall pit the base variants of these micro SUVs against each other. Before moving ahead make sure to join the 91Wheels WhatsApp community to never miss out on any automotive updates.
Design
Design is the most important factor nowadays. The Renault Kiger offers an overall bulkier design, and the sleek headlamps add some flair to its face. At the side, it flaunts the flared wheel arches and a slightly downward-sloping roofline. Coming to the rear, the Kiger gets distinctive C-shaped LED taillights with a small spoiler. These tail lights may remind you of another compact SUV; we'll leave it to you to guess which one.
Meanwhile, the Tata Punch is a bold and rugged micro SUV that exudes a sense of adventure and confidence. The sleek LED DRLs are connected by a piano black panel, along with the Tata logo sitting in the middle. It rides on stylish 16-inch alloys. At the rear, it offers distinct LED taillamps with a tro star pattern along with a rugged rear bumper with a spare mounted beneath it.
At last, the Hyundai Exter looks a bit small as compared to the other two rivals. It offers a boxy design with H-shaped LED DRLs at the front. Along with this, it gets chunky faux skid plates at both ends. At the rear, the taillamps are similar to the nios along with a similar H-shaped design.
Features
Since were looking at the base CNG variants here, you wont get a super long list of features but the basics are covered. The Tata offers central locking, front power windows, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, 3-point seatbelts, electronic stability control, rear parking sensors, ISOFIX, LED indicators on ORVMs and a basic 4-inch digital cluster among other things.
Meanwhile, the Renault Kiger RXE variant offers an LED instrument cluster, keyless entry, manually adjustable ORVMs, all four power windows, and adjustable headrests for driver and passenger both. For safety, it relies on ABS, ESC, TPMS, hill start assist, reverse parking sensors, airbags for the driver and front passenger etc.
At last, the Hyundai Exter gets fabric seats, a digital instrument cluster along with 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Additionally, it offers front and rear power windows, driver seat height adjustment and adjustable rear headrests. For safety. it has six airbags, TPMS, ABS with ESC, hill start control etc.
| Feature | Tata Punch (Pure CNG) | Renault Kiger (RXE CNG) | Hyundai Exter (CNG Base) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Windows | Front only | All four | Front & rear |
| Instrument Cluster | Standard | LED digital | Digital |
| Infotainment System | Not available | Not available | 8-inch touchscreen |
| Keyless Entry | Not mentioned | Yes | Not mentioned |
| ORVMs | LED indicators on ORVMs | Manually adjustable | Not specified |
| Steering Adjustment | Tilt only | -- | __ |
| Seat Upholstery | Fabric | -- | Fabric |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | No | No | Yes |
| Adjustable Headrests | Not mentioned | Driver + Passenger | Rear headrests adjustable |
| Safety Airbags | Dual front | Dual front | Six airbags |
| ABS + ESC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitor) | -- | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | -- | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts | Yes | Not mentioned | Yes |
| Central Locking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Powertrains
The Tata Punch is powered by a 1.2-litre Revotron CNG engine which belts out 73.5 PS and 103 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, it belts out 87.8 PS and 115 Nm of torque in petrol mode. The Renault Kiger is equipped with a 1.0-litre petrol unit which churns out 72 PS and 96 Nm of torque. At last, the Hyundai Exter is available with a 1.2-litre engine which produces 69 PS and 95.2 Nm of torque.
| Car | Engine (CNG) | Power (CNG) | Torque (CNG) | Power (Petrol) | Torque (Petrol) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Punch | 1.2-litre Revotron | 73.5 PS | 103 Nm | 87.8 PS | 115 Nm |
| Renault Kiger | 1.0-litre petrol unit | 72 PS | 96 Nm | -- | -- |
| Hyundai Exter | 1.2-litre petrol engine | 69 PS | 95.2 Nm | -- | -- |
Pricing
Pricing remains to be the most important factor for budget-conscious buyers. The Tata Punch CNG lineup begins from the Pure CNG variant, which can be had from Rs 7.29 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards, while the Renault Kiger RXE is priced at Rs 6.89 lakh (ex-showroom). At last, the Hyundai Exter CNG can be had from Rs 7.50 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards.
| Car | Variant | Ex-Showroom Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tata Punch CNG | Pure | Rs 7.29 lakh |
| Renault Kiger CNG | RXE | Rs 6.89 lakh |
| Hyundai Exter CNG | Base | Rs 7.50 lakh |
Read more: India's Most Affordable Car With Captain Seats - Starts At Rs 5.44 Lakh
Verdict
If you're looking for the best value under Rs 7 lakh, the Renault Kiger RXE packs decent power and safety at the lowest price. For those prioritizing performance and rugged design, the Tata Punch CNG strikes a solid balance. However, if features and tech are your top priority, the Hyundai Exter CNG, though slightly pricier, offers the most premium experience among the three.
