New Delhi: The Altroz has been added to Tata Motors' updated iCNG lineup in India. The premium hatchback order books are currently open for a nominal fee of Rs. 21,000 (approximately).

The automaker wants to compete against the Maruti Suzuki Baleno S-CNG, the current champion. Can the newcomer unseat the CNG hatchback category's reigning champion? Let's investigate.

Numerous automakers in India are choosing to switch to alternative fuels like CNG due to the rising cost of petrol and diesel. A leader in the CNG market thanks to its tried-and-true S-CNG technology is Maruti Suzuki.

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However, the market leader is currently facing competition from companies like Tata Motors and Hyundai. A larger audience base will be drawn to the new Altroz iCNG.

The Tata Altroz iCNG gets a sculpted hood, wrap-around taillamps, bumper-mounted fog lamps with LED DRLs, swept-back projector headlamps, and a blacked-out grille.

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The Maruti Suzuki S-CNG is distinguished by a sculpted bonnet, a chrome-encircled mesh grille, a wide air dam, LED headlamps with integrated LED DRLs, ORVMs mounted on indicators, flared wheel arches, and wrap-around LED taillights. Both vehicles are equipped with 16-inch designer alloy wheels.

Tata Altroz iCNG measures 3,990mm in length, 1,755mm in width, 1,523mm in height, and has a 2,501mm wheelbase. While the Maruti Suzuki Baleno S-CNG measures 3,990mm in overall length, 1,745mm in width, 1,500mm in height, and 2,520mm in wheelbase.

The dual-tone dashboard, fabric seats, keyless entry, automatic climate control, semi-digital instrument cluster, and 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment panel are all standard on the Tata Altroz iCNG.

A head-up display, leatherette seating, keyless entry, a semi-digital instrument panel, and a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system are all standard on the Maruti Suzuki Baleno S-CNG. The safety of passengers is guaranteed by multiple airbags and ABS.

The 1.2-liter "Revotron" bi-fuel engine that powers the Tata Altroz iCNG produces a maximum of 76 horsepower and a maximum torque of 97 Nm. The 1.2-liter, inline-four, K-series engine that powers the Maruti Suzuki Baleno S-CNG produces a maximum power output of 76.4 horsepower and a maximum torque output of 98.5 Nm. On both hatchbacks, a 5-speed manual gearbox handles gearbox duties.

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The Tata Altroz iCNG is anticipated to start at about Rs. 7.3 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom), while the Maruti Suzuki Baleno S-CNG costs between Rs. 8.35 lakh and Rs. 9.28 lakh in India.

With its tried-and-true K-series engine and Maruti Suzuki's greater reach of service network than Tata Motors, we believe the Baleno S-CNG makes more sense on our soil.