Tata Tiago

The 1.2-litre K-Series engine in the Maruti Wagon R makes it feel noticeably peppier and relatively more effortless than the 1.0-litre petrol version. Also, being a four-cylinder unit, it is a bit smoother and more refined as well. 

Yes, the 1.0 will be a bit more efficient than the 1.2; however, if you like to drive and if it falls within your budget, quite simply go for the 1.2. The Tata Tiago has its strengths, like a good sound system, and better driving manners than a Wagon R; however, in terms of space, user-friendliness, smoothness and overall sales and support, the Maruti car is the one to go for.

CNGs cars and SUVs have come a long way in the past few years. 

Carmakers like Tata, Hyundai and Maruti Suzuki all offer models with underbody CNG tanks, which means you don't have to compromise on boot space. 

As for CNG automatics, there are currently three models for sale in India in three different body styles. 

The Tata Tiago CNG AMT (Rs 7.23 lakh-8.07 lakh, ex-showroom) is a hatchback, the Tata Tigor CNG AMT (Rs 8.19 lakh-8.74 lakh, ex-showroom) is a compact sedan, while the Nissan Magnite CNG AMT (Rs 6.89 lakh-9.70 lakh, ex-showroom) is a compact SUV.

Given your requirement for a car for road trips, we recommend looking at the more powerful options within your budget, rather than the more feature-packed ones.

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis is a good fit for your needs. It has a nice 1.2-litre engine, and Maruti's easy-to-access service network also counts for a lot when venturing out of city limits.

Citroen C3 is the best-to-drive car within your budget, but the service network is small.

Tata Tiago and Tata Punch are also options to consider. They feel tough, and this adds greatly to confidence on a road trip.

Tata offers the Tiago and Tigor with a CNG and automatic combination. Both cars fit well within your budget and are convenient, pocket-friendly options.

The only downside is their automated manual transmissions (AMT), they tend to feel a bit slow and aren’t as smooth as conventional automatics.

To know more about the different types of automatic transmissions, you can check this detailed podcast: Deep Drive - All You Need to Know About Automatic Gearboxes.

The Tata Tiago CNG AMT is a good choice for city driving. It has a frugal powertrain that claims 28.06km/kg, and in our preliminary testing, the efficiency we achieved was close to this. It also has a decent amount of practicality thanks to the dual-cylinder setup that opens up boot space.