The Maruti Dzire and Tata Tigor are both compact sedans for consumers who want the benefits of a boot without upgrading to midsize, more expensive cars. The cars are both equipped with 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engines and are offered with a choice of manual, AMT, or CNG systems. However, a key difference is that the Dzire CNG is only offered with a manual gearbox, while Tata gives buyers the option of a manual or AMT for the Tigor CNG.
The Dzire is known for its lightweight construction and mileage-focused engine tuning. The Tigor produces slightly more power in petrol, has a larger boot, and offers twin-cylinder CNG technology that preserves more luggage space. On paper, the Dzire has a substantial fuel-efficiency advantage, but certified figures don’t always reflect crowded city roads or fast highway driving. This comparison examines their specifications, claimed mileage, real-world efficiency, fuel range and running costs to identify the more economical sedan.
Maruti Dzire vs Tata Tigor Specs
The table below highlights the specifications that influence performance, fuel economy and everyday usability:
| Specification | Maruti Dzire | Tata Tigor |
| Engine | 1.2-litre Z12E petrol/CNG | 1.2-litre Revotron petrol/CNG |
| Displacement | 1197 cc | 1199 cc |
| Cylinders | 3 | 3 |
| Petrol power | 82 PS | 86 PS |
| Petrol torque | 111.7 Nm | 113 Nm |
| CNG power | Approximately 70 PS | Approximately 74 PS |
| CNG torque | 101.8 Nm | 96.5 Nm |
| Petrol transmission | 5-speed MT; 5-speed AMT | 5-speed MT; 5-speed AMT |
| CNG transmission | 5-speed MT | 5-speed MT; 5-speed AMT |
| Drive layout | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Petrol tank capacity | 37 litres | 35 litres |
| CNG cylinder capacity | 55 litres water equivalent | 70 litres water equivalent |
| Petrol boot space | 382 litres | 419 litres |
The Tigor’s petrol engine has a slight power advantage, but the Dzire produces more torque on CNG. Neither car is built for speed, but the Tigor feels more powerful when accelerating in petrol mode. Because of the Dzire’s lightweight design, it puts less strain on the engine, which means it uses less fuel. The Z-series engine in the Dzire is equipped with idle start-stop technology, which minimises unnecessary petrol consumption at traffic signals under ideal working conditions.
The Tigor counters with greater CNG practicality. Its twin cylinders sit below the luggage floor and leave around 205 litres of usable boot capacity, whereas the Dzire uses a conventional single cylinder that occupies more of the boot. The Tigor also provides the convenience of a CNG AMT, making it one of the few sedans that combines automatic gear changes with lower CNG running costs. This additional weight and convenience, however, affect its real-world efficiency.
Maruti Dzire vs Tata Tigor: ARAI Mileage Figures
Based on the statistics, the Dzire has a clear efficiency advantage. The petrol manual variant of the Dzire is rated at 24.79 km/l, while the AMT version boasts 25.71 km/l. The claimed figure for the Dzire CNG is 33.73 km/kg. The petrol manual version of the Tigor is rated at 19.28 km/l, while the AMT variant is claimed to deliver 19.6 km/l. The Tigor CNG manual claims 26.49 km/kg, and the CNG AMT offers even better performance, with a claimed figure of 28.06 km/kg.
| Engine and Transmission | Fuel Type | Maruti Dzire ARAI Mileage | Tata Tigor ARAI Mileage |
| 1.2-litre manual | Petrol | 24.79 km/l | 19.28 km/l |
| 1.2-litre AMT | Petrol | 25.71 km/l | 19.6 km/l |
| 1.2-litre manual | CNG | 33.73 km/kg | 26.49 km/kg |
| 1.2-litre AMT | CNG | Not available | 28.06 km/kg |
In both cases, the claim is that AMT gearboxes provide better performance than manual gearboxes. Although an AMT is based on a manual gearbox configuration, it automatically actuates the clutch and shifting system. During a controlled drive, early preprogrammed upshifting keeps the engine in an efficient operating range. However, in the real world, the outcome depends on how one uses the throttle. If activated aggressively, an AMT will hold the gears, while an experienced manual driver can use the gearbox more safely and efficiently than the AMT alternative.
Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Dzire Real World Mileage: A Detailed Overview
Maruti Dzire vs Tata Tigor: Real World Fuel Efficiency
Real-world fuel economy values are smaller and less reliable. The Dzire petrol AMT returns roughly 14.1 km/l in tough urban conditions and 19.42 km/l on highways. The manual figures indicate approximately 14.5 km/l and 19.7 km/l under the same conditions. In real life, owners report better efficiencies, especially on less congested roads, where the mix is about 20–22 km/l. The petrol version of the Tigor shows approximately 14–16 km/l in the city and 18–21 km/l on highways, with an average of around 17 km/l.
| Driving Condition | Maruti Dzire Petrol | Tata Tigor Petrol |
| City | Manual: 14.5–20 km/l; AMT: 14–19 km/l | Manual: 14–16 km/l; AMT: 13–16 km/l |
| Highway | Manual: 19.5–24 km/l; AMT: 19–23 km/l | Manual: 19–21 km/l; AMT: 18–20 km/l |
| Representative mixed average | Around 19.5 km/l | Around 17.3 km/l |
| Approximate full-tank range | Around 650–720 km | Around 540–605 km |
| Driving Condition | Maruti Dzire CNG | Tata Tigor CNG |
| City | Manual: 27–30 km/kg | Manual: 17–23 km/kg; AMT: 17–21 km/kg |
| Highway | Manual: 30–33 km/kg | Manual: 24–28 km/kg; AMT: 21–24 km/kg |
| Representative mixed average | Around 29 km/kg | Manual: around 22 km/kg; AMT: around 21 km/kg |
| Approximate practical CNG range | Around 220–250 km | Around 210–260 km |
The Dzire’s lighter build and elevated gearing leads to a superior performance when running tests for CNG. In city driving cycle, Tigor CNG manual provides 16.85 km/kg and on highways it offers around 25.86 km/kg. CNG AMT also does well in city tests scoring between17-20 km/kg and on highways the number is around 22 km/kg. Furthermore, with smoother driving and less traffic the averages can go up to between 24-28 km/kg.
Although the Tigor consumes more CNG, its larger 70-litre water-equivalent twin-cylinder system can hold more gas than the Dzire’s 55-litre cylinder. Consequently, their practical CNG-only ranges can overlap despite the Dzire’s efficiency advantage. Actual gas quantity changes with filling pressure, ambient temperature and station equipment, so the distance available after every refill will not remain identical. The Tigor’s direct CNG start and automatic option add convenience, whereas the Dzire focuses more strongly on reducing fuel use.
Maruti Dzire vs Tata Tigor: Fuel Cost Comparison
The following calculations have been made under the assumption that the total distance of 1,500 km was traveled in a month at the petrol price of ₹112.04 per litre and CNG at the price of ₹95.75 per kg. In terms of this, the drivers have used the average mileage based on experience: Dzire – petrol 19.5 km/l; Tigor – petrol 17.3 km/l; Dzire – CNG 29 km/kg; Tigor – CNG manual 22 km/kg. The negligible amount of petrol consumed while starting or switching between the fuel systems was ignored in calculations.
| Cost Detail | Dzire Petrol | Tigor Petrol | Dzire CNG | Tigor CNG |
| Monthly running | 1,500 km | 1,500 km | 1,500 km | 1,500 km |
| Monthly fuel use | 76.92 litres | 86.71 litres | 51.72 kg | 68.18 kg |
| Average monthly fuel cost | ₹8,618 | ₹9,714 | ₹4,953 | ₹6,528 |
| Average annual fuel cost | ₹1.03 lakh | ₹1.17 lakh | ₹59,431 | ₹78,341 |
| Five-year fuel cost | ₹5.17 lakh | ₹5.83 lakh | ₹2.97 lakh | ₹3.92 lakh |
At this usage rate, the Dzire petrol saves around ₹1,096 a month compared to Tigor petrol, for a difference of around ₹66,000 over five years. The Dzire CNG acts similarly, saving approximately ₹1,575 monthly and nearly ₹95,000 over five years. The difference may significantly change based on driving conditions, with the Tigor showing 25-26 km/kg, which is much better economically than the table indicates, compared to the average speed-driven Dzire, which may not be able to maintain 19.5 km/l efficiency.
CNG is still cheaper for both sedan models with high usage, but simply considering the cost of fuel should not be the only reason for the purchase. The CNG versions are costlier than their petrol counterparts, require purchase near convenient filling stations, and have some compromise in performance. The Tigor is easier to manage with its twin-cylinder and CNG AMT, whereas the Dzire only offers CNG in manual mode that draws the buyer who looks for the lowest running cost.
Also Read: Should you buy a pre-owned Tata Tigor
Maruti Dzire vs Tata Tigor Price
| Model | Variants | Price Range (Ex-Showroom) |
| Maruti Dzire | LXi to ZXi+ | Approximately ₹6.31 lakh–₹9.41 lakh |
| Tata Tigor | XM to XZ+ | Approximately ₹5.55 lakh–₹8.84 lakh |
Compared to the starting and ending prices points of the Dzire, the Tigor provides a better entry point in terms of price. The Tigor offers better fuel efficiency, as well as more CNG options, including the automatic CNG variant. While the Dzire may be more expensive, it compensates for it with good fuel efficiency. In case the customer wants to compare the prices of the choices at hand, it is better to compare similar fuel and transmission upgrades since the costs of various trim levels do not matter much.
Summary
Maruti Dzire is preferred for fuel efficiency. Both the petrol variant and the CNG model of Maruti Dzire score higher in terms of claimed efficiency, while also having a lower running cost in reality. The Tata Tigor, on the other hand, is still appealing because it is cheaper to buy, has a larger boot space for petrol version, CNG boot space and features a CNG-AMT variant. Go for Maruti Dzire if mileage is of more importance to you. If the cost, boot functionalities and automatic CNG convenience are your top priorities, then go for Tata Tigor instead.
FAQs
Q. Which delivers better real-world mileage, the Maruti Dzire or Tata Tigor?
The Dzire generally delivers better real-world mileage in both petrol and CNG forms. The difference is most noticeable in CNG driving, where the Dzire can return approximately 27–30 km/kg in the city and 30–33 km/kg on highways.
Q. What is the ARAI mileage of the Maruti Dzire petrol?
The Dzire petrol manual claims 24.79 km/l, while the petrol AMT claims 25.71 km/l. Actual mileage varies with traffic, driving style, road conditions, passenger load and air-conditioner use.
Q. What is the claimed mileage of the Tata Tigor CNG?
The Tigor CNG manual claims 26.49 km/kg. The CNG AMT claims 28.06 km/kg, although independent city and highway tests have generally returned lower figures.
Q. Does the Maruti Dzire offer a CNG automatic variant?
No. The Dzire CNG is available only with a five-speed manual transmission. The Tigor offers CNG with both five-speed manual and five-speed AMT gearboxes.
Q. Which sedan is better for high monthly running?
The Dzire CNG is preferable when the lowest running cost is the main requirement. The Tigor CNG AMT is better suited to high-mileage city users who want automatic convenience and more usable luggage space.
