Among the 46 sedans on sale in India, none makes the running-cost argument as bluntly as this one: the Dzire's claimed economy sits 73% above the sedan segment's median, with the Z12E petrol rated at 25.71 kmpl and the CNG version at a remarkable 33.73 km/kg. Translated to money, that is roughly ₹3.9-4.1 per km on petrol and ₹2.4-2.7 on CNG at typical prices (both indicative) — figures that explain why the Dzire is the default of India's most cost-conscious sedan buyers.
Among the 46 sedans on sale in India, none makes the running-cost argument as bluntly as this one: the Dzire's claimed economy sits 73% above the sedan segment's median, with the Z12E petrol rated at 25.71 kmpl and the CNG version at a remarkable 33.73 km/kg. Translated to money, that is roughly ₹3.9-4.1 per km on petrol and ₹2.4-2.7 on CNG at typical prices (both indicative) — figures that explain why the Dzire is the default of India's most cost-conscious sedan buyers.
The 2026 car pairs that frugality with equipment the nameplate never used to carry: a single-pane sunroof, LED headlamps and DRLs, an electronic boot release and listed driver-assistance features. The Z12E petrol makes 81 PS and 112 Nm moving a light 920 kg, and offers three transmissions — 5-speed manual, AMT and a conventional automatic — while the CNG sticks to the manual. Price runs ₹6.26-9.36 lakh across a tidy 9 variants, ranking it fifth-cheapest of those 46 sedans.
What it is not is quick or cavernous: 12.9 PS per lakh is an economy car's ratio, and the 382-litre boot gives up 20 litres to the Hyundai Aura. The 2,450 mm wheelbase is segment-standard. But as a whole-life-cost proposition — purchase price, fuel, and the resale gravity of the badge — the Dzire remains the compact sedan the others are measured against.
| Variant | Fuel | Transmission | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| LXI | Petrol | 5-Speed Manual | ₹6.26 Lakh |
| VXI | Petrol | 5-Speed Manual | ₹7.22 Lakh |
| VXI AMT | Petrol | 5-Speed Automatic | ₹7.67 Lakh |
| VXI CNG | CNG | 5-Speed Manual | ₹8.11 Lakh |
| ZXI | Petrol | 5-Speed Manual | ₹8.23 Lakh |
| ZXI AMT | Petrol | 5-Speed AMT Automatic | ₹8.68 Lakh |
| ZXI Plus | Petrol | 5-Speed Manual | ₹8.91 Lakh |
| ZXI CNG | CNG | 5-Speed Manual | ₹9.11 Lakh |
| ZXI Plus AMT | Petrol | 5-Speed AMT Automatic | ₹9.36 Lakh |
Ex-showroom prices. See the city-wise on-road price for your city.
1197 cc · 81 PS @ 5700 rpm · 112 Nm @ 4300 rpm · 5-Speed MT / 5-Speed AT / 5-Speed AMT AT · ARAI 25.71 kmpl · BS VI 2.0
1197 cc · 70 PS @ 5700 rpm · 102 Nm @ 2900 rpm · 5-Speed MT · ARAI 33.73 km/kg · BS VI 2.0
Length: 3995 mm · Width: 1735 mm · Height: 1525 mm · Wheelbase: 2450 mm · Ground clearance: 163 mm · Boot space: 382 litres · Fuel tank: 37 litres
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Central Locking, Child Safety Locks, Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Side Airbag, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Engine Immobilizer, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-Pinch Power Windows: Driver's Window, ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts, Hill Assist, Global NCAP Safety Rating: 5 Star, Global NCAP Child Safety Rating: 4 Star.
Annual/10,000 km-style paid services typical of Maruti sedans (indicative)
Z12E parts ride on Maruti's network scale — routine services are among the cheapest of any sedan; CNG adds periodic tank certification checks (indicative)
Mainstream compact-sedan premiums; the factory CNG variant should be declared as such in the policy (indicative)
Indicatively: petrol at ~₹100-105/L and 25.71 kmpl is ₹3.9-4.1/km; CNG at ~₹80-90/kg and 33.73 km/kg is ₹2.4-2.7/km
Already own one? Check Dzire challans, verify RC details, compare insurance quotes or recharge FASTag on GaadiInfo.
Dzire vs Hyundai Aura: From ₹6.00 lakh with a 402-litre boot and a rare conventional-AT option — but its 22 km/kg CNG and 17 kmpl petrol trail the Dzire heavily. See the Hyundai Aura.
Dzire vs Tata Tigor: Cheapest of the set at ₹5.55 lakh with a 28.06 best figure — a value alternative that undercuts rather than outruns. See the Tata Tigor.
Dzire vs Tata Xpres: From ₹5.59 lakh in petrol and CNG, positioned for fleet duty — relevant if the Dzire Tour S is also on your list. See the Tata Xpres.
Dzire vs Hyundai Prime SD: CNG-only sedan from ₹6.96 lakh aimed at commercial buyers — costs more at entry than a private Dzire CNG. See the Hyundai Prime SD.
The Dzire stays the rational pick of the compact-sedan class, and the current car removes the old excuse that it was dull to sit in. My recommendation splits by fuel: heavy users buy the mid-spec CNG manual and enjoy sub-₹3/km motoring; everyone else buys the mid-to-upper petrol with the conventional AT, which suits the car's relaxed 81 PS character better than chasing the top trim does. The ₹9.36 lakh flagship is for those who simply must have every box filled.
25.71 kmpl for the Z12E petrol and 33.73 km/kg for the CNG — 73% above the sedan segment's median economy figure, and the core reason the car sells.
Yes — a single-pane sunroof features on upper variants, alongside LED headlamps, DRLs and an electronic boot release.
City-heavy drivers should pay for the conventional AT, the smoothest of the three. The AMT saves money but pauses between shifts; the manual remains the efficiency-and-control default. CNG is manual-only.
For cruising, comfortably — the car weighs just 920 kg. For brisk overtaking with a full load, you will plan moves in advance; this drivetrain is tuned for economy, not urgency.
₹6.26 lakh to ₹9.36 lakh ex-showroom across 9 variants, making it the fifth-most-affordable of India's 46 sedans.
Indicatively, the CNG saves roughly ₹1.4-1.6 per km over the petrol. At 1,500 km/month that is over ₹2,000 monthly — enough to recover the CNG premium within a typical ownership period. Below ~1,000 km/month, stick with petrol.
382 litres handles two large suitcases plus soft bags. If you routinely carry more, the Aura's 402-litre boot is the segment's bigger option — but note the CNG tank eats into either car's space.
Yes — the current car lists driver-assistance equipment, a first for the nameplate, alongside automatic headlamps and the modern LED lighting package.