Premium, they say, denotes a commodity that is in a way superior to its average derivative. In the automobile sector, a premium alternative can effectively translate to a car/bike that is somewhat superior to the average product. But let’s not just bore the audience with lexicons, shall I?
You see, the car you see here is based on a product that somewhat changed the norms in the Indian market upon its advent. Yes, I am fog lamps the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. Since its very arrival, the Ertiga has captured the market where the original Toyota Innova left.
Now, in its second generation, the homegrown carmaker has indeed made the Ertiga a very enticing proposition. But even then, the Ertiga had a few shortcomings of its own. The biggest weak link was the second-row bench, which, in my opinion, wasn’t quite there in comparison to other MPVs. It seems Maruti Suzuki heard our prayers – or grouses, for that matter – and launched a premium and upscale version of the Ertiga. So, here’s a quick look from our Maruti Suzuki XL6 review.
In essence, the Maruti Suzuki XL6 is an Ertiga under new clothing. Now don’t get me wrong, but Maruti Suzuki has done a fair job at distinguishing the XL6 from the Ertiga. That’s especially evident when you look at the front since the nose is now more upright and the headlamps and fog lamps are now packed with LEDs. The XL6 is also a touch rugged than the Ertiga thanks to the rugged bumpers and the black plastic cladding that runs across the body. My only grouse with this premium MPV is the 15-inch alloy wheels, which could have been a size bigger and certainly more distinguishable than the Ertiga.
The changes are much more evident on the inside. First and foremost, the all-black dashboard layout is a welcome change over the beige layout of the Ertiga. The dashboard design, in itself, remains to be unchanged, however, the faux wooden insert is now replaced with a nicer stone garnish. Taking the centre stage is the company’s new Smartplay Studio system, that features Apple Carplay/ Android Auto and a reverse parking camera. Then there are some other essential additions such as cruise control, automatic headlamps, and leatherette upholstery.
The front seats are now more comfortable, thanks to the firm cushioning. But it’s the second row of seats that’s a stark upgrade from the Ertiga. Gone is the vintage and saggy bench for a supremely comfortable pair of captain seats. The seats are far more supportive now, and the cushioning is just spot on. The seating position is also a tad bit high now, for a more commanding view for the second-row passengers, that is. The under-thigh support is also quite decent and the lower back support is also a step nicer than the Ertiga.
Under the hood, the Maruti Suzuki XL6 is powered with a sole petrol engine. The engine in tune here is the 1.5-litre K15B naturally-aspirated engine that’s good for 103bhp and 138bhp of torque. I would have loved the 1.5-litre diesel make its way to the MPV, which certainly is a missed opportunity, especially considering it propels in the Ertiga. Nevertheless, the 1.5-litre gasoline engine is mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed AT. If you’ve driven the petrol-powered Ertiga, the XL6 drives the same. The low-end is peppy, and the engine screams a nice growl as you hit the top-end.
But it’s certainly the ride quality that’s the forte of the XL6. Sure, the suspension is set a tad bit stiffer than the Ertiga, but the ride quality is simply sublime. The suspension handles bumps and potholes quite easily, without unsettling the driver or the passengers. The steering, on the other hand, weighs up nicely and shows some eagerness around bends and twists.
On the whole, the Maruti Suzuki XL6 builds on the fundamentals of the Ertiga and accomplishes its shortcomings with an added touch of opulence. Sure, the profile and rear-end aren’t very distinguishable, but Maruti Suzuki has made some essential changes to the front-end to make sure you wouldn’t mistake it for the Ertiga. And the addition of supremely comfortable captain seats only adds to the overall package. To read our full Maruti Suzuki XL6 review, be sure to tune in to autoX.
