Re: 2022 Maruti XL6 Facelift Review Hi All - Greetings! This is my first post on TeamBHP (I have been following the forum for a long time although I am not a motorphile).
Thanks for the detailed review by experts and insightful discussion by members. Tracking this thread for a few weeks as lately I have developed an inclination towards upgrading to a new vehicle. I have been using Etios 1.5 Petrol NA since 2013 and quite happy & satisfied with this no-frills, no-nonsense classic and basic sedan that has always lived up to (actually more) my expectations.
My desire (not need) as Etios is running perfectly fine: An upgrade but not sure what - sedans are fading out based on the current trend. C segment SUVs are hot and getting hotter (so many models and growing). MPVs gradually becoming lifestyle vehicles filling the gaps that compact SUVs miss. Beyond this my budget will not permit.
What did I try so far? Had a good look at Seltos, Creata, Brezza and the likes , but found these somewhat a compromise on space and don't feel an upgrade truly (other than price perhaps). The heavier ones like Innova, Safari, Alcazar and the likes appear pretty big (and costly as well) for daily office commute. So, tried Ertiga, XL6 and Carens. Here is my take on each of these based on my limited understanding:
Ertiga: TD the K15B (K15C 2022 is not available for TD). Good and reliable MPV. Will more than serve the purpose, but seems too common, lacking premium feeling and gradually becoming taxi vehicle in Bangalore (already have one in Etios, petrol though). It's now the official vehicle of Bangalore Police, as well. HM just felt like downgrading. So, discarded.
Kia Carens: Looks pretty good (very personal thing), feature rich (sales folks here call it "futures") and can be a truly recreational vehicle. Way too many options (both engine and variants) to choose from - very typical of Korean companies operating in India. Exploring 1.5 petrol NA (but no TD vehicle available as it is not in top variant). So, had to do the TD on 1.4 petrol MT - did 3 times over 2 weeks. First impression - superb comfort and ride quality, very quiet engine, little NVH and being someone how rides Etios - found it "futures" rich. However, discovered one lacuna that will impact daily commute to office in Bangalore (dubious for its B2B traffic). The turbo 1.4 lags in response in lower RPM and speed (1st, 2nd and even in 3rd gears). Expert opine it is typical of turbo charged cars (i have a different experience with another car - will mention latter). Once you cross 40+ with a little A, its a treat to ride up to any speed. Other aspects of the vehicle have already been explained in detail by members here. The recent NCAP rating dampened my spirit, but unfortunately the alternatives are not better (Ertiga, XL6, Creta, Seltos, etc.) The 3rd TD I took setting the trip meter at 0 and after a cool ride of 12 kms. in whitefield, the Carens eked out a mileage 13.1 kmpl - I consider it pretty good for such a heavy vehicle with 4 people on board. Spoke to a proud owner of the 1.5 petrol NA. An extremely satisfied owner with 2 complaints - poor mileage in city and lack of power or grunt. Meanwhile, just for lark, took a TD of Seltos as well - found the ride quality and comfort wanting and inferior to that of Carens'. I suspect the 1.5 petrol NA Carens may not be as fun to ride as the 1.4 turbo petrol is. Also, I am not sure about the reliability of this complex turbo engine. (experts please advise).
XL6: My first choice given I am a Japanese auto cos.(Toyota, Honda and Suzuki) fan, reflecting my risk averse nature. TD both manual and auto XL
6 2022 facelift in city condition (near Sarjapur road) and was really impressed by the ride in well nigh all aspects. Almost decided this is the car for me. The first TD of XL was done after TD 1 of Carens, and XL6 felt overall a much better package on a like-for-like basis (Carens 1.5 petrol NA prestige vs XL6 Zetta). Just to make sure I was right, did another TD of Carens. My thought was reinforced. However, somehow felt I must do a test ride in long highway kind of stretch to test its power and performance. I am not a performance freak. Prefer cool, sedate driving, but would be wrong to say never do excited, aggressive driving. Sometimes do - my Etios never disappoints - rides comfortably at 140+ kmph and carries an NCAP rating of 4. Did the second TD of XL6 on NH44 international airport highway. As averred by almost everyone (including expert reviewers and Sashi, the encyclopedia of XL6), the driving experience was totally different and in stark contrast to what i felt in city ride. It was literally struggling for power beyond 70 kmph with 4 passengers (this is a comparative reference, not per se). I had to work hard to push it to 100 kmph but did not dare to push further as by that time I had already crossed quite a distance. Did the TD with both MT and AT - only difference is that - at 100 kmph, the AT was cruising seamlessly while MT was asking me to move to 6th gear, which was missing. Not a very exhilarating experience. As I did with Carens, tested the mileage of XL6 petrol AT, it delivered 13.4 kmpl with a mix of all kinds of ride over 18 kms. Pretty decent.
Following this, did another TD of Carens (3rd one) - felt better than XL6 as a package now, but only with the 1.4 turbo MT petrol notwithstanding its limitation on lower speed/RPM in city traffic and XL6' limitation in higher power and speed (highway). Interestingly, after driving these two vehicles, felt very proud driving my Etios again - but not the right comparison.
The best part was reserved for another vehicle that was nowhere on my radar, but somehow my better half suggested to give it a try after noticing my ambivalence and confusion with these two competing MPVs.
The XUV 700 petrol 2.0 turbo AT - Wow - A completely different experience as far a driving is concerned - it responded exceedingly well in all possible conditions - highway, b2b traffic, sedate riding, sporty mode and so on...no complains whatsoever. I felt truly elated. Its success story and feature-rich, tech-loaded and top safety standard reviews are well documented by everyone. However, I found two primary shortcomings from my perspective. At best it is a great 5-seater full SUV (not a compromised version that C segment represents). The 7 seater is just a waste unless you want to keep it for those rare occasions. The NVH level was not very good for an SUV worth ~20L avg. Planning to do TD of the petrol MT. Customer feedback on mileage is ~10 kmpl in city and 13 kmpl in highways. Not bad at all for 2.0 Lt. turbo petrol.
All in all, I am still not sure which one to go with among these three or should look for something else I have not even thought of hitherto. My requirement is driving pleasure, safety and economy (ownership cost). Prefer MT over AT any day (XL6 could be an exception). Happy to see features - not so excited to have all. Preferred budget is 14-18L - can stretch a bit.
Grateful if experts can guide me. Sorry for being loquacious in my very first post. |