For a long time, CNG car owners have had to make do with large CNG tanks that take up most or even the entire trunk of their car. Tata, which entered the CNG market in 2022, found a solution to this problem in 2023 with its twin-cylinder technology. The company replaced a single large CNG tank with 60 liters of water capacity with two smaller units located under the trunk floor.
Now, the carmaker’s entire CNG series is offered with this configuration as standard. Hyundai has jumped on the bandwagon and brought its first dual-cylinder equipped CNG model to the market with its new Exter Hy-CNG Duo. Now, the Exter also comes with the convenience of a usable trunk, which raises the question of how it compares on paper to its main competitor, the Punch iCNG.
Let’s check.
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Hyundai Exter Hy-CNG Duo vs. Tata Punch iCNG: Dimensions
Starting with the dimensions, there are no differences here and there. The Punch is slightly longer (12mm) and 32mm wider than the Exter, while the Exter is 16mm taller and has a 5mm longer wheelbase. The petrol tank size is also the same in both cars and the combined CNG tank capacity of both cars is 60 litres.
The Tata iCNG Punch has a boot capacity of 210 litres while the petrol model has a capacity of 366 litres. Hyundai is yet to specify these figures for the Exter Hy-CNG Duo, which offers 391 liters of luggage space in the petrol version. Interestingly, the Exter can be bought with both the original single-cylinder layout as well as the new two-cylinder layout.
Hyundai Exter Hy-CNG Duo vs. Tata Punch iCNG: Powertrain
On paper, the Punch has the edge over the CNG model in terms of power and torque, putting out 72 PS and 103 Nm against the CNG model’s 68 PS and 95.2 Nm. Externally, the Punch also has one less cylinder than the Exter, with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder Revotron petrol engine compared to Hyundai’s traditional four-cylinder.
However, the Hyundai has a slight edge in terms of efficiency, although it’s unclear at this point what this figure will be. Keep in mind that actual mileage figures will vary depending on a variety of factors, from climate, terrain, road, and traffic conditions to your driving style.
Hyundai Exter Hy-CNG Duo vs. Tata Punch iCNG: Comparison of Features
As far as variants and features are concerned, the Punch iCNG is offered in a total of five equipment variants, unlike some of the smaller Tata models, which are not fully equipped. However, you also get the base version of the Punch iCNG with the bare minimum of features. In comparison, the Hyundai is offered in three variants – S, SX, and SX Knight, with the latter being more of a cosmetic package than anything else.
In terms of safety, the Exter CNG comes with six airbags as standard across all models, while the lower models lack other features such as electronic stability control. The Punch, on the other hand, comes with two airbags as standard, but the entire range comes with ESC as standard. The Panch CNG comes with a full-size spare wheel mounted on the underbody, while the Exter Hy-CNG Duo only gets a tire repair kit.
However, the standard Exter Hy-CNG comes equipped with a spare tire.
When it comes to comfort and convenience, the top-of-the-line punch iCNG Accomplished Dazzle S comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, LED taillights, fog lamps, projector headlights, automatic headlights, and wipers, moon roof with voice command, front center armrest, 16-inch aluminum rims, keyless start/stop system, height-adjustable driver’s seat, and rearview camera, to name a few.
The top-of-the-line trim Exter Hy-CNG Duo from SX Knight Edition lacks some features like automatic headlights and wipers, keyless start/stop system, and voice command for the sunroof, but makes up for it with technology like the larger 8-inch touchscreen, automatic air conditioning, power-folding door mirrors, and hill start assist.
However, the top-of-the-line Exter model comes equipped with smaller 15-inch alloy wheels.
Hyundai Ecstar Hy-CNG Duo vs. Tata Punch iCNG: Price
- The Hyundai Ecstar Hy-CNG Duo doesn’t have a base CNG variant, which hurts the entry price as the Panch iCNG is over Rs 10 lakh cheaper than the former.
- However, the Panch is more expensive at Rs 985,000 (ex-showroom) for a fully loaded model, but it does offer some features that the Hyundai doesn’t offer.
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