Maruti XL6

The Maruti XL6 still looks like a fresh product despite being last updated in 2022. While it does lack the tech of the modern era, and its performane and comfort are only average, it still makes it way into people's homes. But what does it have to offer that makes it a good contender in the MPV space?

• The 2025 Maruti XL6 still looks premium and attractive, that too three years after any major update.

• Its LED reflector headlamps and LED DRLs have a bold look and they blend neatly with the grille.

• The front has a bold look due to the chunky bumper and the overall design is somewhat aggressive.

• From the side, you’ll appreciate the size of this MPV, and realize that length hints towards good cabin space.

• Here, the 16-inch alloy wheels feel right for its size and they fill the wheel arches perfectly.

• All variants of the XL6 come with 16-inch alloy wheels.

• The rear end’s design is like a typical MPV as it is upright and flat, but Maruti has added a chunky bumper, a skid plate, and black finish between the LED tail lamps to make it look rugged.

• Maruti XL6 is available in 7 monotone shades: Nexa Blue, Brave Khaki, Opulent Red, Grandeur Grey, Splendid Silver, Arctic White, and Pearl Midnight Black.

• Splendid Silver, Opulent Red, and Brave Khaki are also available in a dual-tone shade with a black roof.

• While there are obvious similarities with the Ertiga, Maruti has done just about enough to give the XL6 a more premium feel.

Design & Quality

• With the XL6, you get an all black cabin with black stone-like inserts on the dashboard.

• There are subtle silver inserts on the steering wheel and on the doors, but the overall cabin has a rather simple look.

• It looked modern when the updated XL6 was launched in 2022, but now this cabin has started to look outdated.

• Even the cabin quality is not up to the mark. All the plastics feel hard and shiny, and the climate control buttons look rather cheap.

• While its exterior design looks fresh and premium, the cabin lacks these traits.

Driving Position

• The XL6 gets a height adjustable driver seat along with tilt and telescopic steering wheel as standard, which makes finding your ideal driving position pretty easy.

• The front seats are comfortable and provide good side support along with more than enough space for 6-footers.

• From the mid-spec Alpha variant, you get leatherette seats, which add a sense of premiumness.

Passenger Comfort

• Since there are no 7-seater variants, the second row gets captain seats.

• These seats have more than enough room for passengers of all height and frames, and you get individual armrests for both passengers.

• The third row is the one which left me surprised.

• It has good space for two adults and they can sit here for longer journeys.

• The fact that the third row has a recline function makes this comfortable for adults during long road trips.

Storage Options

• The 2025 XL6 gets almost all the necessary storage options you’d expect from a family MPV.

• It gets 1-litre bottle holders in all four doors, two cupholders in the front, a tray to keep your phone, a sunglass holder, front armrest storage, and a glovebox.

• Second row passengers get seat back pockets, and a tray below the 12V socket to keep their phone. But there are no cupholders here.

• Third row passengers get two cupholders.

Features

• For a model that came out in 2022, the Maruti XL6 has a decent feature list.

• It gets a 7-inch touchscreen which has an easy to understand interface but it feels outdated, and a bigger screen should have been present, at least in the top variant.

• The screen supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which work as intended.

• This system is further paired with a 6-speaker Arkamys sound system which has a clear and crisp audio quality.

• Both the driver and front passenger seats are ventilated, which helps out on hot summer days.

• There is a 360-degree camera as well which has a good resolution but the feed is distorted. Nonetheless, it is useful while coming out of tight spaces.

• Other features include automatic climate control with rear AC vents, cruise control, and electrically adjustable ORVMs.

• This feature list would have been better with a wireless phone charger, a sunroof, and dedicated AC vents for third row passengers.

• The standard safety kit of the 2025 XL6 has 4 airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, hill hold assist, rear wiper washer, rear defogger, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.

• Higher variants come with a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and a 360-degree camera.

• Maruti should have added 6 airbags to the XL6 by now, as it is not even offered in the top-spec variant.

• With all three rows up, the XL6 has enough space to keep 2-3 small suitcases and some shopping bags.

• But if you fold the third row, you get a flatbed to keep the luggage of an entire family for a weekend getaway.

• The 2025 XL6 comes with a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated (NA) petrol engine with smart hybrid assist.

• For transmission options, this is paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

• You can get this engine with a factory-fitted CNG kit and a manual transmission, but the CNG variants do not get smart hybrid assist.

1.5-litre Petrol

• The 1.5-litre engine is refined and stays quite up to the 4000 RPM mark.

• This engine offers a lot of torque at lower speeds, which results in easy city driving.

• Even at city speeds, you can cruise around in 3rd or even 4th gear without needing to change gears frequently.

• When you want quick acceleration, the engine provides that without delay, and overtakes become easy.

• Even at high speeds, you get the required amount of power for effortless overtakes, but in 6th gear (automatic), you need to wait for the engine to kick in.

• The manual transmission has a light clutch and the gear shits are slick.

• For a more convenient drive, we’d recommend the 6-speed automatic.

• The gear shifts feel smooth with little to no jerks, and it downshifts quickly when you need more power for overtakes.

• With the automatic, you get paddle shifters for the manual if you need more control.

• With the manual, you can get a fuel efficiency of around 13 kmpl in the city, and close to 20 kmpl on the highway.

• The automatic will give you 11-12 kmpl in the city and will return north of 18 kmpl on the highways.

1.5-litre Petrol + CNG

• The CNG variants are only available with a manual transmission and offer a similar drive experience as the petrol in the city.

• However, you’ll feel the drop in power on the highways when overtakes will require some effort and planning.

• The upside is a high fuel economy which is better for those who do a lot of highway commutes.

• At slow speeds over smaller potholes, the XL6 remains stable with little movement.

• But when driving over deeper potholes, there is a noticeable amount of side to side movement and thuds coming from the rear.

• The rear passengers feel more movement inside the cabin and you’ll need to slow down to keep them comfortable.

• On the highways, it remains stable. But over undulations, the cabin becomes a little bouncy.

• In most conditions, the XL6 will keep you somewhat comfortable, but it does not offer the outright plush ride quality you expect from a Maruti.

• The 2025 Maruti XL6 is available in three variants: Zeta, Alpha, and Alpha+.

• While the automatic transmission can be had in all variants, CNG is only available with the base.

Zeta

• Only CNG variant in the entire lineup.

• Gets 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, all LED lighting elements, and a shark fin antenna.

• The cabin gets black fabric seats, silver accents, and stone-like finish on the dashboard.

• For infotainment, it comes with a 7-inch touchscreen, wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and 6 speakers.

• Features include automatic climate control, push button start/stop, cruise control, and electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs,

• The safety kit gets 4 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability program (ESP), hill hold assist, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.

Alpha

• Adds gloss finish to the B- and C-pillars.

• The cabin becomes more premium with a leather wrapped steering wheel and leatherette seat upholstery.

• Infotainment gets a voice assistant, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and an Arkamys tuned 6-speaker sound system

• The only major feature addition is auto headlamp function.

• The safety kit gets a 360-degree camera.

Alpha+

• Exterior upgrades include a rear spoiler, chrome garnish on fenders, and dual-tone colour options.

• Feature additions include a tyre pressure monitoring system and ventilated front seats.

CarDekho Recommends

• Go for the base-spec Zeta variant if you’re on a budget or if you want a CNG powertrain. It gets a good design, all basic daily use features, and comes with the option of an automatic transmission.

• Pick the mid-spec Alpha variant if you want a more premium cabin with better features. Only go for the Alpha+ if you want ventilated front seats, otherwise skip.

The Maruti XL6 is not the best MPV in the market and it is certainly not so relevant in 2025. The interior design and quality needs an update, there is a lack of feel good features, the safety kit feels outdated, and the highway performance and overall ride comfort is just average. 

However, it is an affordable product which does offer good space for 6 occupants, and while there are some drawbacks, the city performance, automatic transmission, engine refinement, and its everyday use features makes it a good product for those who just want a big car for their family on a budget.

Other Options To Consider

Maruti Ertiga/ Toyota Rumion

Reasons To Consider

• More comfortable ride quality

• More affordable

Reasons To Ignore

• Typical MPV design looks old

• Less third row space

• Less features

Renault Triber

Reasons To Consider

• Much more affordable

Reasons To Ignore

• Cabin feels outdated and cheap

• Less features