First Car Buying Tips: Buying your first car is a dream of almost everyone. If you are also looking for your first car in the coming days in a budget of up to Rs 10 lakh and are confused about which to choose between petrol or CNG, then this article of ours is useful for you. There are good hatchbacks to small and better SUVs to choose from in the segment priced below Rs 10 lakh. First time car buyers are often confused about two things.
The smooth performance and power of the engine should be given priority or the huge savings in fuel expenses incurred every month should be kept in mind. On one hand, petrol cars are considered reliable for their refined driving and long distance journeys, while on the other hand, CNG cars with modern technology like 'twin cylinder' have solved the age-old problem of boot space to a great extent. In such a situation, let us know which fuel option will be the best option for you in the budget of ₹ 10 lakh? We will look at different facts.
1. Running Cost and Mileage
If you are buying your first car mainly for going to office or driving within the city, where the daily journey is 40-50 kilometers, then CNG is the most economical option for you. Compared to petrol, the mileage of CNG is around 25-34 km/kg, which reduces your running cost to almost half as compared to petrol. At the same time, if your car goes out only once or twice a week or the total journey in a month is less than 500 km, then the initial low price of petrol car will be more beneficial for you.
2. Performance and driving experience
Driving feel is very important for those who drive a car for the first time. Petrol engines are known for their silent working and instant pickup (torque). Petrol engines give more confidence while overtaking on the highway or climbing mountains. Although companies like Maruti and Tata have refined their CNG kits a lot, still there is a lack of 10-15% power compared to petrol.
3. Boot Space and Utilities
Often the first car is used for family trips. In old CNG cars, the boot space was completely lost due to the cylinder. But in 2026, Tata Motors' 'Twin Cylinder' technology has changed this, where the cylinders have been shifted down and there is space for luggage on top. Still, in a pure petrol car you get full cargo space without any compromise, which is essential for long trips.
4. Maintenance and Resale Value
Servicing petrol cars is usually cheap and simple. In CNG cars, it is necessary to get the cylinder checked and leakage tested every few years. Talking about resale value, in olden times the demand for petrol cars was high, but due to the rising prices of fuel, now both the demand and price of company-fitted CNG cars have started getting quite good in the second hand market.
What's right for you?
If you are fond of driving, you need more power, your running is less and you like to travel with a lot of luggage in the boot, then petrol vehicles are best for you. At the same time, if your aim is to keep fuel expenses low, your daily running is high and you spend more time in city traffic, then feel free to buy a CNG car.