The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is the highest-selling MPV in the country, and what helps its popularity even more is its CNG/dual-fuel powertrain. With space to seat seven people in relative comfort and a frugal CNG powertrain which reduces fuel costs by around 40 per cent as compared to the petrol-only powertrain, it is obvious why the Ertiga CNG is so popular. And now it is available in more than one variant. Let’s check out what’s new, what’s better, and what could have been improved — via pictures.
The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG looks no different now, except that it has received the same facelift as the non-CNG model. This includes a new chrome-studded grille, new dual-tone alloy wheels, a thin chrome insert on the tailgate, and a refreshed interior with a new touchscreen infotainment system.
The only visual indication on the outside to differentiate this CNG variant from its petrol-only brethren is the easily missed CNG sticker on the rear windshield.
Open the fuel door and you see two filler caps — one covering the petrol inlet while the other, slimmer one, covers the CNG nozzle.
Talking about boot space, open the tailgate and you will be greeted by a large rectangular hump which hides the 60-litre (water equivalent) CNG tank underneath. This eats into the 290-litre boot space offered by the petrol-only Ertiga by as much as 100 litres, we reckon.
Inside the cabin, on the right of the steering wheel column is a button which helps switch between the two fuel sources. Unlike older cars, the switch is hardly noticeable and the drop in performance is negligible.
Then, there is a new dial on the instrument cluster which indicates the CNG reserve in the tank. More importantly, Maruti has added new digital pages in the colour digital driver display. These offer additional information and are easier to read now.
Where the new Ertiga CNG feels even better is in the higher ZXi trim. This brings along more features, which in turn makes it feel more appropriate as a family car.
Some of the more important features now available with the CNG powertrain include alloy wheels, automatic climate control, keyless start/stop button, Suzuki Connect telematics system, height adjustable driver's seat, front centre armrest with storage, rear windshield defogger and wiper, front fog lights, and touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
While it is good to see the Ertiga CNG getting more features, it misses out on an essential one — a reverse parking camera with a large display on the infotainment screen. For an MPV measuring 4.4m in length, this is a serious safety omission. And the aftermarket cameras don’t offer the same quality and field-of-view as Maruti’s factory-fitted cameras offered on the ZXi Plus variant.
Lastly, we have to talk about the third-row seats. With no tumble-and-fold second-row seats, ingress and egress are not easy. But once you do get in ungracefully, the seating ergonomics and space are not bad.
In fact, three passengers with around 5ft. height can be seated one behind the other in the Ertiga easily, and the third-row occupants won’t feel tired or uncomfortable over longer journeys too.
