2000 km in 2 months with my Maruti XL6: Upgraded from Celerio

The XL6's fuel efficiency remained at a respectable 12.2 km/l.

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Well, buckle up, folks, because I'm about to take you on a 2-month, 2000 km journey with my trusty steed, the XL6 Zeta AT, affectionately known as "Slatey" for his dashing Slate Grey attire. The only accessories he sports are a handy reverse parking camera and floor mats, quite the minimalist.

We embarked on our journey together on 15th Oct '23, and our first month took us through the wilds of Bangalore's mixed traffic. Slatey, like a well-behaved horse, never galloped past 80 kph. We often navigated the infamous ORR, known for its traffic beast, and ventured through KR Puram, Hebbal, and Silk Board. Despite these tough terrains, Slatey's fuel efficiency remained at a respectable 12.2.

Upgrading from a manual Celerio to the automatic 'Slatey', felt like moving from a bicycle to an aeroplane. The quick acceleration and hill hold assist was like having my jet pack, although the turning radius was a bit like trying to turn a cruise ship on a dime. Ah, I missed my Celerio then! The paddle shifters, though, were a dream come true, especially when overtaking those slow-coach auto and pickups.

The seats were like a king's throne, even for a 6ft royal like myself, although the headrest could sometimes feel like a brick wall. The window controls were a throwback to cars from yesteryears, a quaint reminder of budgeting efforts. The captain seats in the second row were a hit with the family, making us feel like we were on a private jet.

The first service was smooth as silk, complete with home pickup and drop. The Suzuki Connect app was like a vigilant hawk, keeping an eye on Slatey's activities for any mischief by the driver. However, it has a blind spot in my basement parking since it cannot connect to the telematics.

The second month saw us cruising to Banerghatta Zoo and Mysore. Slatey proved his mettle on these expeditions. The engine's growl became more pronounced at 120kph, reminding me that this was a family car, not a racehorse. A reckless BMW and Audi duo whizzed by, almost driving me to the kerb, reminding me to not get too adventurous. So I piped down and the music kept me chirpy and energized till we reached Mysore.

The boot is about as spacious as a kangaroo's pouch, fitting just two mid-sized bags. But hey, who needs luggage when you've got a comfortable ride? Despite some cost-cutting corners, Slatey is a reliable companion. He's not a performance beast, but rather a reliable family wagon. So if you're looking for a vehicular Mary Poppins - practically perfect in every way - Slatey might just be the car for you.

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