Maruti Suzuki XL6 Review

Introduction

Maruti Suzuki XL6, a 6-seater MPV, utilizes the Maruti Ertiga as its backbone. It was introduced in India in 2019 and is marketed by Maruti through their upscale NEXA dealerships. The 1.5-liter K-series Dual Jet, Dual VVT petrol engine that powers the XL6 develops 102 bhp and 136.8 Nm of torque and is offered in petrol and compressed natural gas (CNG) versions. Both a 6-speed automatic and a 5-speed manual gearbox are offered for the petrol engine. The 5-speed manual gearbox is paired with the 87 horsepower and 121.5 Nm of torque that the CNG engine is capable of.

The XL6 has various amenities, including a height-adjustable driving seat, a 360-degree camera, cruise control, paddle shifters, and a 7-inch touch-display infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and ISOFIX baby seat anchors are among the safety options.

The XL6 costs 11.56 lakh and 14.82 lakh rupees (ex-showroom, Delhi). It competes directly with vehicles like the Toyota Innova Crysta, Mahindra Marazzo, and the Kia Carens.

Here are a few advantages and disadvantages of the Maruti Suzuki XL6:

Pros

• A roomy and welcoming interior
• Excellent fuel economy
• Features-rich
• Appealing styling

Cons

• Costly
• No choice for a diesel engine
• Engine power might be increased.

Customers seeking a roomy, comfortable 6-seater MPV with an excellent equipment selection may consider the Maruti Suzuki XL6. However, some consumers could be turned off by its high price and lack of a diesel engine option.

Maruti Suzuki XL6: Exterior

Compared to the outgoing model, new front and back bumpers, a new grille, and new alloy wheels are minor exterior changes to the 2022 XL6. Although the XL6's general style is similar to the Ertiga's, its chrome accents and LED lights give it a more upscale appearance.

It's a game of identifying the difference when contrasting the new XL6 with the earlier model. When examined closely, the updated grille and a substantial chrome strip that unites the LED DRLs in the headlights are visible. Instead of having all-black wheels like its predecessor, the new XL6 has larger 16-inch wheels with new styles that are finished in metal. This time, they make the vehicle seem much more proportioned by adequately filling the wheel arches. The roof rails and the imposing black paneling are still present. The taillamps in the back still have the same form as previously but now have a smoked appearance. And lastly, the boot lid also has a chrome bar. Overall, a minor modification.

The 2022 XL6 features a more upscale and fashionable look compared to the outgoing model. The car now has a more contemporary appearance thanks to the redesigned grille, headlights, and taillamps, and the new alloy wheels give it a more upscale feel. There is a considerable selection among the six exterior colors, so you will likely discover one you prefer.

Maruti Suzuki XL6: Interior

In terms of style, it's a similar tale on the inside because the modifications take some time to become apparent. The faux wood panel style has been altered, but the dashboard arrangement remains unchanged. The HVAC switchgear, instrument cluster, and steering wheel design are all brought back from the previous iteration. Nevertheless, the steering has received a helpful mechanical upgrade that includes a telescopic function and tilt, which aids in finding a more comfortable driving posture.

The SmartPlay Pro UI, which has been upgraded, also receives an update for the 7.0-inch touchscreen and adds extra capabilities. The technology for connection is also novel. With the addition of Amazon Alexa integration and Suzuki Connect App compatibility for the XL6, 40 new functions are now available for smartphone control. In essence, you can ask the Alexa-enabled smart speaker in your house to precool your parked XL6, although this feature is only available on the automated gearbox model. Additionally, the app allows you to lock or unlock the car, turn on the headlights and danger lights, and more.

The other two new additions are a 360-degree camera and a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system), which are highly useful.

Perforated leatherette cooled seats, available on the top-spec Alpha+ trim, are ideal for our hot and muggy atmosphere. The system's intriguing feature is that it works the opposite of how traditional ventilated seats function on the XL6, which blows air via the backrest and squab. The impact of cooling is noticeably quicker and better since the mechanism draws in the ambient air from the seat surface. Installing blowers in the front cupholders, which will help retain your beverage cold longer, is another nice improvement. The absence of USB ports is not welcomed, however. Considering this is a large family car, there is just one port throughout the interior, which is an odd mistake for an upgrade emphasizing new technology.

Captain's seats, enormous windows, and roof-mounted AC vents are all included in the second row. There is much room, with decent headroom and ample legroom. The comfortable, well-cushioned, and flexible captain's chairs allow for easy adjustment of the third-row passenger capacity. Speaking of which, currently is not much to complain about being seated in the final row of the XL6 due to the relatively simple access to them. Although there is less room than in the center row, tall passengers can still find adequate room at the back. Taller passengers will find their heads brushing the roof when the backrest is reclined.

Unfortunately, no AC vents are back here, so it can feel a little stuffy during a hot day. However, you can fold the rear seats to provide 550 liters of additional cargo capacity if you decide not to use them. The safety features of the Maruti XL6 have also been improved. Despite not undergoing crash testing, all variations now come standard with four airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, and hill-hold assist. The incorporation of ESP will greatly enhance active safety.

Maruti Suzuki XL6: Performance

Maruti replaced the outdated 1.5-liter K15B engine with a new K15C 1.5-liter DualJet petrol engine for the 2022 upgrade. The engine's output is 103 horsepower and 136 Nm, down 2 hp and 2 Nm from the earlier vehicle, respectively. However, Maruti claims an increase in mileage of 20.97 kph over the prior engine thanks to including two injectors in every cylinder.

It is still a moderate hybrid, with the start-stop technology helping to conserve gasoline while driving in traffic and the motor contributing to some of the acceleration. Although it does move somewhat when prodded, the system is smooth, and the engine is generally calm and linear. Off-the-line reflexes are as predicted, relaxed, and power delivery is slick. Everything will be all right if you drive it slowly. Overall, it's a pleasant driving experience with good refinement and no vibrations.

Although over 15-second 0-100kph duration confirms the lack of excitement or fun, an MPV is meant to provide a serene and relaxing ride. The manual transmission's soft clutch makes long travels pleasant with a progressive bite point and dead pedal. The car's maneuverability is outstanding. The gears are evenly spaced out, and the second gear allows you to slow down to as little as 7 kph for crawling. You don't have to skip first and second gear to overcome speed bumps.

The new 6-speed automatic significantly strains the engine if you accelerate quickly. The downshifts take time, the upshifts take time, and it always supports to be timely. The new XL6 is slower than the older model in kick-down by over a second. With a full load, the dash from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour is much more linear. However, this requires wringing the engine, which becomes boomy and somewhat noisy past 3,200 rpm.

However, if you relax your right foot, the auto' box becomes much more comfortable. The changes are seamless at city speeds, part-throttle reactions are decent, and when your left leg is relaxed, you won't be disturbed by its sluggishness. A manual mode with paddle shifters, which gives you complete control of the gearbox, is a significant benefit. If you require quicker reactions, this is the perfect environment. Put it in "M" and control the paddle shifters. The responsiveness of the shifts adds to the drive's excitement.

Maruti Suzuki XL6: Should You Buy One?

The XL6 has always been a comfortable and roomy vehicle, and adding additional amenities and improvements has undoubtedly increased its attractiveness. The 6-speed auto and more fuel-efficient engine will undoubtedly increase its popularity. Still, the XL6 has also become more costly, particularly at the top, with pricing ranging from Rs 11.29 lakh to Rs 14.55 lakh.

Unlike the Kia Carens, there is no diesel engine version, although a CNG variant will come. Should you choose to purchase it over Carens? While only a thorough comparison will answer that question, the XL6 does a lot to ensure that it is a strong challenger with its additional amenities, connected technology, and tuned powertrain on top of what is already a very roomy and comfortable car.