With the XL6, Maruti looks to turbo-charge the MPV market share

How does Maruti Suzuki manage to dominate most of the segments it plays in? For starters it operates on the twin pillars of value-for-money pricing and giving customers what they want as far as they can within the parameters of their economics.

Take the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment, which has been historically dominated by the likes of Toyota Innova and now has rivalry across prices with the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Mahindra Marazzo, and recent entrants Kia Carnival and Kia Carens.

The Japanese auto giant got into the segment around a decade ago. It started with the Ertiga, which was, in a matter of years, churning out between 5,000 and 8,000 cars a month. Those numbers would, by the way, be indicative of a bonafide success for most automakers.

Maruti didn’t stop there and launched its XL6, a premium version of the MPV the body of which was designed to give it a more aggressive SUV-like stance.

The volumes jumped and helped Maruti dominate the segment with total sales of over around 150,000 cars a year.

The latest XL6 is then an ode to a growing pie of MPV cars and Maruti’s acknowledgment that while it can be aggressive and foray into car segments it can exploit with its advantage of scale, manufacturing, multiple model strategy and pricing, it realises that it also has to defend its ground given the continuing onslaught from new car-makers.

The XL6, which has improved suspension, better ground clearance and larger tires (16 inch vs the older 15 inch), is notable for its utility in the great outdoors. Race the car over rough terrain, and it handles uneven surfaces with aplomb with little jerkiness or chop. In fact, the light-ish weight of the car allows for commendable handling around corners and uphill pathways, given the size of its wheelbase.

With seven seats, the XL6 is the optimum car for owners wanting to take their families, a pet or two, picnic gear and more to local hill stations for a getaway. It’s fuel efficient, with a petrol engine that claims a mileage of around 20 kmpl. The trunk has an official space of 209 litres and can handle a few large suitcases and sports equipment.

A light, easy, steering wheel mated to the XL6’s automatic transmission makes for easy driving, especially on long routes. That, combined with the firm seating and high suspension offer good comfort levels. And while the XL6 is no small car, what makes it impressive is that its wheelbase allows for making sharp U-turns without having to go back and forth multiple times.

All in all, the Maruti XL6 is a vehicle with 360-degree utility that will be hard to beat.

At lower speeds and gears, the car takes its own time to get to a racy pace, but the 1.5-litre engine does an okay job at higher speeds and is competent enough for highways and inner-city commuting.  

For those familiar with Maruti’s Nexa range of cars that are tuned up to be “premium”, the subtle changes are notable. For instance, when you shut the doors, there is none of that tinny, metallic clanging like in some cars in the past.  Instead, what meets you is dignified silence.  

The interiors are not luxurious but premium enough to be distinctly different from the Ertiga. All in all, the Maruti XL6 is a vehicle with 360-degree utility that will be hard to beat.

Spec sheet

Power: 75.8 kw @ 6000 RPM

Torque: 136.8 NM @ 4400 RPM

Transmission: 6 speed Automatic

No of Cylinders: 4

Displacement: 1462 cc

Kerb weight: 1,225 KG

Price: Rs 14.40 lakh