After upgrading the CNG variants of the WagonR and the Alto to comply with the BS6 (Bharat Stage 6) emission norms, Maruti Suzuki has now done the same with the Ertiga. As before, there’s only one variant of the MPV that comes with a factory-fitted CNG kit. Based on the VXi trim, the upgraded derivative costs Rs 8.95 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Simple subtraction reveals a bump in price by Rs 7,000.

As you’d expect, the price difference comes courtesy of the upgraded hardware and software. The Ertiga CNG comes with a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine without the mild-hybrid system, and a 5-speed manual transmission. When fed with petrol, the power-plant produces 103bhp/138Nm. That output comes down to 91bhp/122Nm if CNG is the chosen fuel for propulsion. Maruti Suzuki claims that in the latter scenario, the Ertiga can return a maximum mileage of 26.08 km/kg. Although the power/torque figures are the same as before, the fuel-economy is down by 0.12 km/kg.

For a seven-seater MPV, those figures are quite impressive. And so is the list of gizmos. The Ertiga CNG offers features such as a 60:40 split second row of seats, electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs, projector headlamps, rear parking sensors, dual airbags, ISOFIX anchorages for child booster seats, ABS with EBD, a Bluetooth/USB/AUX-enabled music system and a multifunction steering wheel. What it does miss out on includes automatic climate control, a coloured-MID, rear defogger, alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a rear-view camera.

So, the question remains – is the Ertiga CNG a perfect family wagon? For those who can afford luxury marques will probably buy something else. For others, possibly yes. It has space and comes with a decent amount of features. It is pretty economical too, as far as mileage is concerned. To maintain, it won’t bother much. And if it does, you’ve got the vast Maruti Suzuki service network to take care of it.