2022 Maruti XL6 Facelift Automatic Petrol Review: Big MPV With 17 Kmpl Mileage

We drove the XL6 for a whole day to find out more. Maruti has changed the XL6 in many ways including a new engine and finally, a new automatic gearbox. The XL6 now gets more interior features as well.

2022 Maruti Suzuki XL6 SUV

Source : ABP

New Delhi: The XL6 has been a bit of a hit with Maruti Suzuki ever since it was launched due to the fact that it looked like an SUV yet was a spacious MPV along with typically high fuel efficiency. It was a winning recipe but today, the XL6 has been joined by new rivals and it was time to give it an update due to competition from all sides including new SUVs too. Hence, Maruti has changed the XL6 in many ways including a new engine and finally, a new automatic gearbox. Not only that, the XL6 now gets more interior features as well. We drove the car for a whole day to find out more.

Exterior styling

Different and the same. The XL6 is recognisable instantly but also looks new at the same time. There are new LED reflector headlamps at the front (with DRLs) while the wider new grille with a bigger chrome bar helps to get a more premium look. Faux skid plate and cladding at the side bring the 'SUV-like' stance as well. However, the real deal is the 16-inch alloy wheels which we think make a world of a difference over the earlier smaller wheels. The rear also gets smart new LED taillamps with a grey finish. While there are new dual-tone shades, the Nexa Blue continues to be the best colour as it sure gives a more premium look. The paint finish is nice and the build quality is tougher too.

Interior and features

The interior gets an all-black theme which is different from the Ertiga but new is a silver finish which runs across the entire dashboard along with being present on the steering wheel too. Big differences are seen with the build quality as the doors close with a more reassuring sound along feel more solid. The roof lining and door pads are of better quality too. A big jump is in the features department with a 7inch touch screen along with an all-new infotainment system.

We do feel the touchscreen size is too small but the interface and touch response is quite good, no doubt. There are plenty of new features too with a 360-degree view camera with multiple viewing angles alongside highlights like ventilated cooled seats (which cool very fast and strong), connected car technology including remote access via a smartphone app and smartwatch and a lot more.

Premium features are added like ambient lighting, tyre pressure monitoring system, telescopic steering, Four Airbags (Driver, Co-driver and front-seat side), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Hill Hold Assist (HHA). We would have wanted six airbags/ more USB ports but that aside, the feature list is admittedly impressive.

Space

You buy an MPV for space and that's what you get in the XL6. It continues with the 6-seater layout with individual captain seats. The leatherette upholstery feels soft and plush while space is plentiful in the second row with excellent headroom while legroom/thigh support is adequate. You can recline and adjust the seats as well. Even the 3rd-row seats are reclining. While there is no sunroof, the roof-mounted vents with 3 stage controls are very effective in the worst of summers.

Driving experience

The XL6 continues with one petrol engine only but it is a new one now being a 1.5l unit with 103bhp/137Nm. This new petrol comes with Dualjet technology along with being a smart hybrid which means that it comes with an idle start/stop system. Alongside a 5-speed manual, the introduction of a 6-speed automatic brings a huge change to the driving experience while paddle shifters are also offered. The engine is silent and smooth at low speeds. Plus the light steering makes using the XL6 easy on tight roads or in heavy traffic. The good ground clearance and compliant suspension further make it an ideal compact like MPV. The engine works best when driven at a relaxed pace and even highway use is better now with the 6-speed automatic gearbox making it possible to cruise at higher speeds. Plus the XL6 feels more stable at high speeds too. The gearbox is well tuned with the rest of the car and feels smooth enough. While sudden acceleration or hard driving brings out the lack of torque, the smoothness and refinement of the motor are impressive. What is also impressive is the fantastic 16/17 kmpl mileage that we got. You simply cannot get a more fuel-efficient automatic petrol MPV.

Should you get one?

We have to say that prices have gone up by a big margin now with the starting price now kept at Rs 11.2 lakh while top-end models are Rs 14.55 lakh. However, compared to rivals it is still competitively priced while now offering more features. More than that, the new engine, better build quality and efficiency are what make this an attractive package.

What we like - More features, excellent efficiency, space, new gearbox

What we do not like - More safety features are needed and top-end variants are a lot more expensive now