2022 Maruti Suzuki XL6; First drive review

Maruti Suzuki is on a roll in 2022. After bringing a slew of new and updated models, the brand recently introduced the new Ertiga to the Indian market. Now, the more premium version of the Ertiga – the Nexa XL6 gets a mid-life update with a lot of changes. We drove the new XL6 and here is what we think about the new model.

What has changed on the outside?

At first glance and you may find the new XL6 look very similar to the old one. But it looks fresh because of the subtle changes. The front gets a new chrome-dipped grille that definitely attracts a lot of eyes.

There is no other change in the front. The shape of the headlamp units remains the same but Maruti Suzuki has updated the lamps with LEDs. Like before, the foglamp also gets an all-LED set-up.

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Come to the side and the new XL6 looks slightly different. The secret to this is the updated alloy wheels. The new XL6 gets new 16-inch machined alloy wheels that do look great on the new car. Everything else remains the same. The rear also gets a few subtle updates.

The shape of the tail lamps remains the same. However, Maruti Suzuki has now added a clear lens to the tail lamps with the smoked effect that adds a sporty touch. You can say that the updates are similar to adding a new fresh garnish to last night’s food to make it look better and it has worked well with the XL6.

Are there any new changes inside the car?

The dimensions of the new XL6 are exactly the same as the last model. So there is no increase in the space. The boot remains good for a couple of big bags or a few small bags. The last row of seats can be folded flat to create enormous space. But if all the seats are occupied, there is not much to keep the luggage of 6 people travelling during a weekend. It is the same problem with all the other MPVs in the segment.

The third-row passengers don’t get any additional features. It will be a familiar space for them. However, getting into the third row will require you to be agile as there is no tumbledown seat. Like before, there is a lever that reclines the seat and can slide it forward to create a narrow entrance to the third row.

The first row gets a lot of changes though. The front seats are new. They remain black in colour but the seats are now perforated and throw cool air. The ventilated seats are a great addition to the XL6.

The dashboard layout remains the same but the wooden insert now gets replaced with a darker shade. The size of the infotainment screen is the same as before. But the 7.0-inch screen now packs more features including Suzuki Connect which gains a lot of new features.

Suzuki Connect can now start the engine, show the fuel level, start the climate control system and do a slew of other tasks remotely. If you have Alexa, you can use the same to give voice commands to the Suzuki Connect. Maruti Suzuki has also added a new 360-degree camera system, which is very useful, especially while travelling in narrow lanes and parking in tight spots.

The instrument cluster, steering wheel, cooled cup holders, and sliding armrest remain the same as before.

Maruti Suzuki now offers four airbags as standard across the trims. The front seats get side airbags. There is ESP and hill hold assistant available too.

Engine and automatic transmission

The biggest change in the Maruti Suzuki XL6 is the engine and the automatic transmission. Maruti Suzuki has worked a lot on things under this hood. Even though it is still the same 1.5-litre K-Series engine, it is the next-generation variant. It produces a maximum power of 103 PS and a peak torque of 136.8 Nm.

It also gets mild-hybrid technology, which gives additional push while accelerating and saves precious fuel. While accelerating, the mild-hybrid system works with the engine to reduce fuel consumption. The battery recharges when the car slows down. You can actually feel the regenerative system working as the car slows down quicker after lifting the foot off the accelerator. It feels like a stronger version of engine braking.

How fuel-efficient is the new XL6? Well, the XL6 returns a claimed fuel efficiency of 20.97 km/l with the manual and a fantastic 20.27 km/l fuel efficiency, which is only a slight dip from the manual.

The new DualJet engine is very efficient and Maruti Suzuki has updated the SHVS system with a bigger battery pack as well. The bigger battery pack provides an additional boost while accelerating.

The ride quality of the XL6 has not changed. It remains plaint and is very comfortable on the broken roads. The car does not move much while going through bad sections of roads. It sure is a very comfortable engine.

The new 6-speed automatic transmission is a gem. It shifts through the gears quickly and does not shy away from downshifting as soon as it gets throttle input. Overtaking on the highways does not feel like a risky task. It gets a strong crawl feature, which makes it crawl forward without touching the accelerator. It is a blessing while driving through heavy traffic situations. We drove the car even in manual mode using the new paddle shifters. The gear changes are quick and the gears do not shift on their own, which gives more control to the driver.

We drove the manual as well and it is the same transmission that used to be available with the previous model. The clutch remains light and the gears slot very well.

Should you buy one?

The new XL6 has become expensive. Since Maruti Suzuki has decided to offer only the fully-loaded variant of the new model, the price now starts at Rs 11.29 lakh for the Zeta manual variant and Rs 14.3 lakh for the top-end Alpha Plus automatic costs Rs 14.39 lakh. All the three variants get automatic options and these automatic are Rs 1.5 lakh more expensive than the manual variants. Overall, the XL6 is the safest choice in the segment and with that fuel efficiency figures, we have no doubt that a major segment of car buyers will be inclined toward it. What do you think the new XL6 is missing here? Do let us know in the comments section below.

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