Read our Maruti Suzuki XL6 long-term review with real-world pros and cons to help you decide if this premium MPV is the right fit for you.
Recently we received Maruti XL6 AT in our long term fleet. During the time it was with us, I drove this car around a fair bit in a mixed use scenario with around 70% drive within Delhi and rest on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway and NH48 highway. In this review, I share with you my experiential review of living with the XL6 for these 3 weeks. I have curated this review in a pros and cons format so that it is easy for a potential buyers to assess the strong and weak points of this MPV and they can decide whether this car is suitable for them or they should look at some other vehicle.
The XL6 has carved out a unique space for itself in Maruti Suzuki’s lineup. While it’s based on the tried-and-tested Ertiga, it brings a premium, SUV-inspired twist with a six-seat layout, captain chairs in the second row, and a more upmarket exterior design. After spending considerable time living with the XL6 — in both city commutes and highway runs — here’s a real-world perspective on where it shines and where it leaves room for improvement.
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Pros of the Maruti XL6
1. Practical and Spacious Cabin
The biggest USP of the XL6 is its cabin practicality. With comfortable captain seats in the middle row, accessing the third row is easy — making it ideal for families with kids or elderly passengers. The space in all three rows is well-utilized, and unlike some rivals, the third row isn’t just a token addition. Adults can manage short trips in the third row comfortably.
2. Refined and Efficient Engine
The 1.5-litre K-Series DualJet petrol engine (with Smart Hybrid tech) is smooth, refined, and silent in operation. While not sporty, it does a commendable job for urban duties and highway cruising. It delivers excellent fuel economy — expect around 12-13 km/l in city conditions and 17-18 km/l on highways, depending on how you drive. On some of my trips on newly made Dwarka expressway, with cruise control set to 70 KMPH and no passengers (except me driving the car for work commute), I even got close to 20 KMPL on a 25 Km run, which is kind of ideal scenario. But I tell you this just to make you aware that this engine can be really frugal if you are gentle with it.
3. Comfortable Ride Quality
Suspension tuning is one of the highlights of the XL6. It absorbs bumps and potholes well, especially when fully loaded. Even over broken roads, the car maintains its composure without transmitting too many shocks to the cabin. This makes it an excellent long-distance cruiser for Indian road conditions.
4. SUV-Inspired Styling
While it’s technically an MPV, the XL6’s styling leans more towards an SUV with a bold front grille, roof rails, body cladding, and raised stance. The dual-tone paint options and LED lighting further enhance its appeal. It stands apart from the typical people-mover image of an MPV.
5. Well-Equipped Cabin
The top-spec Alpha and Alpha+ variants come loaded with features like a 7-inch SmartPlay Studio infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay (sadly no wireless support), automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, 360-degree camera, cruise control etc. The all-black theme with faux leather upholstery gives a sporty vibe, but it tends to heat up as well if you park the car in the sun. Having said that, the seat comfort is admirable, especially the first two rows with full size captain seats.
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6. Easy to Drive
Despite its size, the XL6 doesn’t feel bulky behind the wheel. The steering is light, visibility is excellent, and the automatic (6-speed torque converter) variant makes it even more convenient for city driving. It’s a great option for those looking to upgrade to a larger car without dealing with the learning curve of a full-size SUV.
7. Maruti’s Service Network and Reliability
As with all Maruti Suzuki cars, you get the peace of mind of a vast service network, affordable maintenance costs, and strong resale value. For many buyers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, this alone is a major factor.
Cons of the Maruti XL6
1. Limited Boot Space with All Rows Up
While the XL6 is spacious for passengers, the boot space with all three rows up is quite limited. You’ll have to fold down the third row to fit larger suitcases, which limits its practicality on long trips with a full house. On the plus side, if you are a smaller family of 4 or you don’t commute with more that 4 people, you can fold down the rear two seats and you get a ton of space (550 litre). With the boxy shape of this cabin, it is very easy to carry objects like large appliances, wheelchairs or work supplies for people who have a job which requiring them to carry a lot of supplies. So for such specific scenarios, it can be a great 4 seat vehicle with huge boot, but for a full load of 6 passengers, the luggage space is modest 209 litres which is not enough for a very long trip with everyone’s luggage on-board.
2. Lack of Diesel Option
With the discontinuation of diesel engines across Maruti’s lineup, the XL6 is now petrol-only. This could be a dealbreaker for high-mileage users or fleet buyers who still prefer diesel for its torque and fuel efficiency on highways. On the plus side, there is a CNG version available but only with manual transmission, so no CNG AT.
3. Not Very Enthusiastic to Drive
Though the engine is refined, it’s not particularly exciting to drive. The focus here is clearly on comfort and efficiency rather than performance. Enthusiasts will find the acceleration adequate but not engaging. Even the paddle shifters on the automatic variant feel more like a novelty than a performance tool.
4. Misses Some Premium Features
While it’s well-equipped overall, a few features are missing when compared to similarly priced rivals. There’s no panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, or a larger touchscreen system, which some buyers in this segment might expect.
Verdict – Who Should Buy the XL6?
If you’re looking for a spacious, family-friendly vehicle that blends MPV practicality with SUV-like looks and easy driving manners, the Maruti Suzuki XL6 is a strong contender. It’s particularly well-suited for urban buyers who want three-row flexibility without compromising on comfort or fuel economy.
It may not be the most feature-loaded or the most thrilling to drive, but it covers all the essential bases with Maruti’s trusted reliability, low ownership costs, and everyday usability.
