The Grand i10 Nios by Hyundai and the Tiago from Tata Motors are widely used hatchbacks for family use. Both come with 1.2L petrol engines, manual and automatic gear systems, CNG kits, and comfortable interiors. The Nios prioritises smooth operation and ease of use, while the Tiago offers more power, tougher build quality, and a longer CNG range, with an automatic option.
Their mileage comparison is not as straightforward as the engine sizes suggest. Published figures favour the Tiago petrol automatic, whereas the Nios leads the manual CNG comparison. Real-world petrol efficiency is closer because traffic, gearbox behaviour, weight and air-conditioning use affect both cars. The Tiago CNG AMT also has no direct Hyundai equivalent. Here is how their mileage, range and running costs compare.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios vs Tata Tiago Specs
The table below highlights the mechanical differences that affect mileage and the everyday driving experience.
| Specification | Hyundai Grand i10 Nios | Tata Tiago |
| Engine | 1.2-litre Kappa petrol; 1.2-litre petrol with CNG | 1.2-litre Revotron petrol; 1.2-litre petrol with CNG |
| Displacement | 1,197 cc | 1,199 cc |
| Cylinders | Four | Three |
| Petrol power | 83 PS | 86 PS |
| Petrol torque | 113.8 Nm | 113 Nm |
| CNG-mode power | 69 PS | 75.5 PS |
| CNG-mode torque | 95.2 Nm | 96.5 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual; 5-speed AMT; CNG with manual only | 5-speed manual; 5-speed AMT for petrol and CNG |
| Drive layout | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Petrol tank | 37 litres | 35 litres |
| CNG cylinders | Dual cylinders, 60 litres water-equivalent capacity | Twin cylinders, 60 litres water-equivalent capacity |
The Nios has a smooth four-cylinder engine for better idling and low-speed acceleration. The car has lower output than the Tiago, but its light controls and predictable throttle response suit city driving. With Hyundai’s AMT, you need gentle accelerator inputs because the system changes gears electronically.
The Tiago’s three-cylinder engine produces 3 PS more in petrol form and considerably more power in CNG mode. Its heavier body absorbs some of that advantage. Tata offers manual and AMT gearboxes with petrol and CNG. The latest AMT also has paddle shifters, allowing the driver to select a gear before an overtake or incline.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios vs Tata Tiago: ARAI Mileage Figures
The certified mileage is evaluated under standard conditions. Therefore, it is a good benchmark for comparison but does not include all the variables present in real-life driving. Below are the figures mentioned for both cars.
| Engine and Transmission | Fuel Type | Grand i10 Nios Mileage | Tata Tiago Mileage |
| 1.2-litre petrol manual | Petrol | 18 km/l | 19.01 km/l |
| 1.2-litre petrol AMT | Petrol | 16 km/l | 19.00 km/l |
| 1.2-litre CNG manual | CNG | 27 km/kg | 26.49 km/kg |
| 1.2-litre CNG AMT | CNG | Not available | 28.06 km/kg |
For manual transmissions, the Tiago’s figure is 1.01 km/l better than the Nios’s mileage, and the difference for the automatics is 3 km/l. Both numbers are almost the same, meaning there is no major loss in certified mileage. The AMT number is lower than the Nios manual figure, but in daily conditions, the difference may be insignificant.
The CNG comparison is split. The Nios manual claims 27 km/kg, edging the Tiago manual by 0.51 km/kg. Tata’s CNG AMT claims 28.06 km/kg and is the highest figure in this table, but there is no automatic CNG Nios to compare it against. CNG is measured in kilograms rather than litres, so petrol and gas figures should not be compared numerically. Running cost per kilometre provides a more useful comparison.
Also Read: Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Tata Tiago
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios vs Tata Tiago: Real World Fuel-Efficiency
These typical ranges refer to usual test results and user experiences, not a guarantee of outcomes. The Tata Tiago 2026 has the old powertrains, but it has less long-term user data than the Nios. Factors such as traffic jams, short distances travelled, low tyre pressure and heavy loads can lead to results lower than the specified range. The petrol range is calculated based on a filled tank and various mileage. As a rule, drivers refill the tank well before it runs empty.
| Driving Condition | Nios Petrol Manual | Nios Petrol AMT | Tiago Petrol Manual | Tiago Petrol AMT |
| City | 13–16 km/l | 13–15.5 km/l | 13–15 km/l | 12–14.5 km/l |
| Highway | 17–19 km/l | 17–18.5 km/l | 17–20 km/l | 17–19 km/l |
| Mixed average | 15–17 km/l | 14.5–16.5 km/l | 15–17 km/l | 14–16.5 km/l |
| Theoretical petrol range | 555–629 km | 537–611 km | 525–595 km | 490–578 km |
| Driving Condition | Nios CNG Manual | Tiago CNG Manual | Tiago CNG AMT |
| City | 20–23 km/kg | 18–22 km/kg | 18–22 km/kg |
| Highway | 24–27 km/kg | 23–26 km/kg | 23–27 km/kg |
| Mixed average | 22–25 km/kg | 20–24 km/kg | 20–24.5 km/kg |
| Typical CNG-only range | 180–230 km | 180–240 km | 185–250 km |
The petrol versions are almost equal in terms of efficiency. Both deliver 15–17 km/l in city driving, but the Nios is considered better in traffic due to its four-cylinder engine. The manual version of the Nios gets about 13–16 km/l in the city and 17–19 km/l on the highway. On the other hand, the Tiago manual returns around 13–15 km/l in the city; however, thanks to its better highway performance and slightly more powerful engine, it can achieve 17–20 km/l when driven steadily.
The AMTs reward a calm driving style. Hyundai’s early upshifts can make the Nios automatic surprisingly efficient in moderate traffic, although repeated kick-downs reduce the benefit. The Tiago AMT may hesitate between lower gears in congestion, and rapid accelerator inputs can pull city mileage closer to 12 km/l. On the highway, both can approach their manual equivalents because they spend most of the journey in fifth gear. Selecting a lower gear manually before an overtake also avoids a sudden, inefficient kick-down.
The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios seems to have a slight advantage in real-world CNG fuel economy. It can deliver 20–23 km/kg in urban areas and 24–27 km/kg on highways. The Tiago CNG versions, by contrast, yield about 18–22 km/kg in the city and 23–27 km/kg on the highway. However, one test with the upgraded Tiago CNG AMT showed a mileage of over 33 km/kg on the mixed route. It is, however, an exception and shouldn’t be regarded as an average figure. The actual CNG mileage can also vary depending on factors such as filling pressure, temperature, and the amount of gas left in the cylinder.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios vs Tata Tiago: Fuel Cost Comparison
The following calculation assumes a monthly distance of 1,500 km, petrol priced at ₹112.04 per litre and CNG at ₹95.75 per kg in Pune. One representative mixed figure has been selected for each powertrain. The estimates exclude the small amount of petrol a CNG car may consume during starting or periodic petrol operation.
| Powertrain | Mileage Used | Monthly Fuel Use | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost | Five-Year Cost |
| Nios petrol manual | 16 km/l | 93.75 litres | ₹10,504 | ₹1.26 lakh | ₹6.30 lakh |
| Nios petrol AMT | 15.5 km/l | 96.77 litres | ₹10,843 | ₹1.30 lakh | ₹6.51 lakh |
| Nios CNG manual | 23.5 km/kg | 63.83 kg | ₹6,112 | ₹73,340 | ₹3.67 lakh |
| Tiago petrol manual | 15.5 km/l | 96.77 litres | ₹10,843 | ₹1.30 lakh | ₹6.51 lakh |
| Tiago petrol AMT | 15 km/l | 100 litres | ₹11,204 | ₹1.34 lakh | ₹6.72 lakh |
| Tiago CNG manual | 22 km/kg | 68.18 kg | ₹6,528 | ₹78,341 | ₹3.92 lakh |
| Tiago CNG AMT | 23 km/kg | 65.22 kg | ₹6,245 | ₹74,935 | ₹3.75 lakh |
At the disclosed petrol mileage figures, the Nios manual is estimated to cost around ₹340 less in fuel expenses per month than the Tiago manual version. The same difference is true for the comparison of Nios and Tiago AMT versions. These differences are not fixed; a Tiago driver may be able to turn the tables by getting better results on a highway, while the Nios used only in traffic jams may cost more as well.
CNG reduces the fuel bill far more dramatically. The Nios CNG saves around ₹4,400 per month compared with its petrol manual, while the Tiago CNG manual saves about ₹4,300 compared with the Tiago petrol manual. Tata’s CNG AMT offers nearly the same estimated cost as the manual Nios while adding automatic convenience. Buyers should also consider the CNG variant’s higher purchase price and whether dependable filling stations are available on their daily route.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios vs Tata Tiago Price
| Model | Variant Range | Approximate Ex-Showroom Price |
| Hyundai Grand i10 Nios | Era to Asta AMT | ₹5.60 lakh to ₹8.04 lakh |
| Tata Tiago | Smart petrol MT to Creative CNG AMT | ₹4.70 lakh to ₹8.55 lakh |
The Tiago is the most economical and has many more CNG variants, including automatics. The adult version of the Nios comes in at a premium but has a shorter list of variants. Prices can be different based on factors such as colour, limited editions, market, and manufacturer price alterations; therefore, the consumer must check the final invoice before choosing the variant.
Summary
For petrol buyers, there is no decisive real-world mileage winner. The Nios can be slightly more efficient in routine city use, while the Tiago’s published certified figures are higher and its manual performs well on highways. Buyers should choose between the Nios’s smoother engine and the Tiago’s stronger output rather than relying on a small mileage difference.
Regarding CNG vehicles, the Nios comes with a manual transmission, and it is an effective vehicle as well, whereas the Tiago offers much more variety. The Tiago even comes with CNG AMT that provides an option to experience CNG without using a clutch. In this regard, the Nios has a manual transmission, which is more focused on fuel efficiency compared to the Tiago CNG AMT.
Also Read: Comparison: New Tata Tiago EV vs Used Tata Tiago EV
FAQs
Q. Which car delivers better real-world petrol mileage, the Grand i10 Nios or Tata Tiago?
Their petrol manuals are closely matched at roughly 15–17 km/l in mixed driving. The Nios may perform slightly better in city traffic, while the Tiago can match or exceed it during relaxed highway use.
Q. Which car delivers better CNG mileage?
The Nios CNG manual generally has a small advantage, returning approximately 22–25 km/kg in mixed use. The Tiago CNG versions commonly deliver around 20–24.5 km/kg, although individual results can be higher.
Q. Does the Grand i10 Nios offer a CNG automatic?
No. The Grand i10 Nios CNG is paired only with a five-speed manual gearbox. Buyers wanting a factory-fitted CNG automatic can consider the Tata Tiago CNG AMT.
Q. What is the real-world mileage of the Tiago petrol AMT?
The Tiago petrol AMT typically returns around 12–14.5 km/l in city traffic and 17–19 km/l on highways. A practical mixed average is approximately 14–16.5 km/l.
Q. Which car is cheaper to run for 1,500 km per month?
The Nios CNG manual has the lowest estimated fuel bill in this comparison. The Tiago CNG AMT comes close and adds automatic convenience. Among petrol variants, the Nios holds a small advantage at the representative averages used here.
