Maruti Suzuki XL6

Maruti Suzuki XL6 is a premium version of the successful Ertiga and now comes with all the premium features, 9 spectacular colors and unique features backed by Maruti’s Quality service and convenience making Maruti Suzuki XL6 one of the most Promising 6-seater SUVs in the market at an affordable price.

How’s the design?

The XL6 resembles an Ertiga that has more masculine features and a rugged off-road look. It has more of a rough aesthetic, so to speak, and the redesigned frontal section gives the XL6 a little extra character. The car has a faux SUV appearance owing to a taller bonnet height, a wider as well as bolder grille, along with a scratch-plate making it appear more stylish with aesthetic appeal. The full-LED headlamps on the XL6 are another brand-new feature. The only shortcoming in the design is the mismatch of the wheels to the body due to the dark bordering of the car side making the 15-inch rim look smaller than usual. The ergonomic design of the car body is great to look at from the front and back nonetheless.

How does it perform?

The XL6 offers a smooth ride on highways, metropolitan streets, and even uneven tarmac thanks to its strong and fuel-efficient engine. The new 1.5L hybrid petrol engine of the new XL6 also generates 137Nm of torque and 103PS of power. Compared to the previous engine, and this makes 2PS less power and 1Nm less power. But it does deliver 1.96 to 2.28 kmpl more than the previous engine, though. Thus, the car can achieve 0-100 in 12 seconds flat and has a great top speed of 170 KM owing to 6000 rpm torque beneath the hood.

How’s the mileage?

currently, there are no diesel engine options, however, the BS6 1462 cc petrol engine in the XL6 has moderate hybrid technology capability and has been offered with either a selection of manual or automatic transmissions. There are 8 variants at different price points where the car's mileage is based on the road condition and engine used. The Automatic transmission has a lesser mileage owing to the engine consumption while manual transmission gives a 1-2 KM edge over fuel economy.

How’s the driving experience?

The level of comfort the XL 6 provides is unmatched by the other cars in this price range and Maruti's highly accessible service all over India makes it a car fit for adventure. The shock absorbers are aided by ventilated disk brakes along with a tailing drum break. The allow wheels and tubeless tires 185/65 R15 along with great ground clearance of 180 mm make for a comfortable ride in the city and make you not feel the bumps and potholes. The 5-speed manual transmission on the XL6 is simple to operate, and the clutch is nicely weighted. A 4-speed torque converter automatic is also available. The device is nice and shifts easily during a typical town drive.

How is its off-road capability?

Despite having an SUV-like exterior, the Maruti Suzuki XL6 is actually an MPV rather than an SUV. As a result, it is not recommended to use off-road trails because it lacks characteristics like a skid plate. Even though the vehicle features 4X4 wheel drive, it serves as a wonderful city commuter and a comfy MPV for a large family rather than an adventure sports vehicle.

What’s the interior like?

The Maruti Suzuki XL6 interiors are very clean and the display panel is easy to use. The car has wide seats with comfortable leg areas for the passengers. But the plastic finish of the dashboard takes away the premium feel that the XL 6 aims to profess. The black Mono-tone of the entire interior from the Dashboard to the seats is a bit bland and needs a personal touch to make it stunning. But the interiors are great when compared to the affordable pricing of the car.

Tech and infotainment

The Next Generation K-Series 1.5L Dual Jet Dual-VVT Engine with Progressive Smart Hybrid Technology is featured in the All-New NEXA XL6. Additionally, the vehicle includes a 9" HD Android Car Stereo by Woodman BIG B for Maruti Nexa XL6. The implementation of smart hybrid technology contributes to enhanced driving efficiency as well as fuel efficiency. When idling, the engine automatically shuts off to improve fuel efficiency.

Safety Equipment

Maruti Suzuki XL6 has Suzuki TECT-body, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and many other features. Additionally, the Maruti Suzuki XL6 received a 3-star NCAP safety rating. but is outperformed by the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, which has four stars. However, the All-New NEXA XL6 has 4 Airbags, including 2 Front and 2 Front Seat sides.

Which variant to buy?

If you are looking for manual transmission the Alpha MT is the car for you and hits a sweet spot in specs to price ratio. Though the automatic transmission option gives less mileage the best variant is the Alpha Plus AT. The auto transmission technology is one of the best in the market and you would not be bothered by any shortcomings in the performance department

Which cars compete in this segment?

The Vitara Brezza, Kia Carens, Hyundai Creta, Mahindra's Marazzo, Renault's Lodgy and Honda's BR-V are the main competitors of the XL6 in the Indian market. The Maruti has a competitive edge owing to its lowest pricing to feature value making it the most popular MPV in the market though it is disguised as an SUV.

Verdict (Value for money)

Maruti shouldn't have too much trouble persuading customers to upgrade to the XL6 since the majority of Ertiga sales are centered at the upper end. The Ertiga's solid underpinnings are built upon by the XL6, which also boosts the package's level of premium-ness. The car has its attractions, being both practical and moderately upscale. It is unfortunate that Maruti's fantastic in-house 1.5 diesel isn't available as an option. That would have only served to highlight the attraction of this extremely competent and capable MPV. Prices for the XL6 range vary from Rs 11.41 to 14.51 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), starting where the Ertiga line ends. The petrol-manual XL6 Zeta is a decent offer considering that it costs only about Rs 20,000 more than the similar top-spec Ertiga ZXi+ and is surely a promising buy and is highly recommended if you are looking for a comfortable family car.