Maruti Suzuki XL6: India’s premium MPV space was rocked yesterday when Maruti Suzuki finally took covers off the all-new XL6 and has clearly staked its claim as the ultimate choice for its “active and dynamic” customer, who is a discerning automotive buyer looking out for style, space and upscale attitude while on the road.
Striking a pose That the idea behind the Ertiga — a vehicle “hatched” at the NICE plant at Fernhill, Mysore, which will make it for Maruti at its Gurgaon plant — is now a viable product is proof of Maruti Udyog’s extraordinary ability to “smell” every new market trend in India’s booming car market, turning that ability into products that fill gaps in the market, usually in record time.
At a glittering launch in Mumbai, Maruti executives extolled the “touristic DNA” behind he Ertiga (the “tourism” base was operational at the time of the Bombay launch, as were examples f the anti-Noah, the eerie Innova), clearly indicating Maruti’s determination to dominate what is perceived as a steadily increasing market for what can be called long-distance family travel.
Maruti Suzuki XL6 Design Evolution: Premium Ambiente
As the covers came off its exterior, it was clear that Maruti has really upped the game with the XL6 in terms of design. Honing the more aggressive character of its predecessor, the new model has the utmost confidence in its design which makes the previous model look timid and shy.
The custom-formed L-shaped LED DRL and sleek headlamps bring out its distinct light signature for immediate recognition even from a distance.
In profile, the XL6’s side view looks more premium thanks to the new 16-inch dual-tone machined alloy wheels, chrome door handles and rooftop rails that now look new and purposeful at the same time. The back also features LED taillights that run across the rear tailgate, providing a cohesive yet modern feel.
The XL6 is available in six colour options, and the one that makes it pop the most is the new and ever flashy Oppulent Grey – a deep, rich colour with a hint of blue underneath which changes dramatically under light.
Cabin Craft: The Key to Long Stretches Up There
Having understood that interior experience matters more on long trips, Maruti has given the XL6’s cabin a new layout that brings in better quality materials, improved ergonomics and more comfort features.
The dashboard layout adopts a floating 9-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system as the control center of entertainment and driver assistance.
Soft touch materials abound into the dash and on the upper contact surfaces, and the leatherette upholstery with diamond-pattern stitching lends an upmarket air.
Second-row captain’s chairs (another XL6 trait) are completely re-engineered, with better cushioning, bolstering and four-way adjustable headrests.
Even the seats now have armrests and something that reclines to almost a business class level of comfort (this is a b\*tch for very long distances, I know).
Climate comfort is important and is addressed by the new tri-zone automatic which can be used to set-up the desired temperature for the driver, front passenger and rear seats individually. 2nd row passengers have their own control of the dual-ac and high adjustable blower design.
Perhaps most gorgeous is that both road and wind noises are muted to levels associated with cars that cost significantly more courtesy of added insulation material and thicker glass. During a short drive for the demonstration, a couple of us car journos noticed near-sedan levels of noise.
Touring-Focused Practicality
“Travel can take you on long adventures which require sufficient storage space,” says the co.”With the XL6, we have gone above and beyond to ensure customers can enjoy complimentary cup holders even for coffee mugs along with other storage options in each row and doors.
The cabinet offers an expansive console that is equipped with an arm rest along with useful accessories such as front console utility space with 1litres of storage space.
Boot space is decent, with 209 liters at your disposal with all the rows in position, and a cavernous 550 liters with the third row folded – plenty for a family’s long weekend away. The power lifting tailgate with hands-free operation comes in handy when walking to the vehicle with a handful of luggage or equipment.
Catering to the on-the-go connectivity needs of the tech-savvy modern-day and perennially connected traveler, the XL6 comes with seven USB charging ports along the vehicle, with each row getting at least two charging ports, enabling occupants in all rows to charge their devices.
The SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system sports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and the embedded SIM comes with connected car tech that allows the functions such as enabling or disabling the climate control remotely – handy for cooling the cabin before getting into a parked car after a summer tour.
Efficiency Designed With Performance For Effortless Cruising
Powering the XL6 is the same 1.5-litre K-series dual-jet petrol engine with Maruti’s smart hybrid technology, now generating 103hp and 138Nm of torque.
These are hardly sky-high numbers, but the engineering emphasis has been on fine tuning and economy, not on raw power.
The engine is available with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters — and the latter is especially good for long-distance touring because of its tall gearing, which allows the engine to stay in its sweet spot of peak efficiency during highway cruising.
Fuel economy that’s something plenty crucial to tourers looks promising too, at 20.97 km/l for the manual version and 20.27 km/l for the automatic – translating to a range of over 700 km on a tankful, which means you can go further for longer and cut down on fewer petrol pump pitstops along the way.
The suspension has also been tuned for our road conditions, and gets a nice compromise between ride comfort and handling stability. The heightened height from the ground at 180mm makes sure that you don’t get taken by surprise by road irregularities during transit, and improved soundproofing further maintains a tranquil cabin ambience even in the face of rougher roads.
Safety Suite to Give You Peace of Mind
Understanding that safety becomes more important on long drives especially when traveling on unknown roads, Maruti has loaded the XL6 with a variety of safety features.
Standard safety features are 6 airbags, keyless theft alarm with immobiliser, electronic stability program, hill-hold assist and tyre pressure monitoring system is offered too.
This is in addition to support from an available 360-degree camera system that provides you with park assistance, helping guide you when parking or in tight spaces, and advanced driving assistance that features lane departure warning, forward collision alert, and automatic high beam assist that help ease driver fatigue on those long highway drives.
Maruti Suzuki XL6 Market Positioning and Competition
You see, the XL6, priced from ₹11.29 lakh to ₹14.55 lakh( ex-showroom) depending on variant and transmission, plays as the premium but accessible move for families seeking a purpose-built touring vehicle without the indulgences that come in luxury territory.
That puts it up directly against cars like the Kia Carens and some versions of the Toyota Innova Crysta, though as Maruti officials were keen to point out, the XL6 will be differentiating itself with an explicit touring comfort focus.
Initial dealer inputs are also pointing towards strong interest, especially among multi-generational family units who often set out on long drives to meet fam or holiday spots and that’s exactly the TG XIII seems to be aiming for with this extensive mid-cycle refresh.
With growing popularity for domestic tourism post pandemic, the XL6 is poised to capitalize on the trend of consumers preferring their private cars over shared and public modes of transport for family holidays and weekend getaways.