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2022 Maruti XL6 AT: Impressions after test drive on a variety of roads

5th August 2022, 11:06 by Dev Shah

On my test drive route, there were a couple of occasions (on the quicker sections) when the lethargic engine caught me pretty much by surprise.

BHPian itwasntme recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Test drove an immaculate XL6 AT yesterday over 10 km of backroads, a fast single carriageway and a congested dual carriageway. My quick take:

Engine tuning:

Can totally identify with the lackluster engine and the dead mid/top-range.

Maruti have really messed up the XL6 engine tuning - unlike an Ertiga, this one is likely to be driven by an owner-driver as a primary or occasional secondary car. However, the engine tune is abysmal for such a use case.

On my test drive route, there were a couple of occasions (on the quicker sections) when the lethargic engine caught me pretty much by surprise. Even with the pedal pushed uncomfortably down, there was a lot of engine revs but no real acceleration. And this was with only me and a SA!

One of my use cases is ~90% chauffeured usage + 3 rows (3 pax + luggage + 2 dogs) + a reasonably 'drivable' vehicle that we could take to the hills or mild off-road places. BUT, given the engine tune, I seriously doubt how it will fare (with a full load) on say the Kalhatty Ghat 36 hairpin section. The torque number is also 137 Nm which is worrying to say the least. Expect a lot of screaming engines on the way up.]

I am really hoping Maruti will retune the K15C in a later avatar. Nothing to say about the Aisin 6AT torque converter. It just did it's job as intended.

Interiors:

The Alpha+ AT I drove was spacious, good seats, chiller of an AC, well laid out overall and with a good infotainment unit.
Ventilated seats were excellent.
Rear seat view was like a LHB AC coach; amazing window - was very impressed.
Downside in my opinion was the iffy leatherette quality of the seats. It just does not match the ~14-19L OTR price in Bangalore. Maruti should definitely improve the quality here.
Adequate boot space with 3 rows and excellent with 2.
Superb UV glass, and urgently needed for that huge glasshouse area.

Exteriors:

I like the looks. Very mature without weird Carens type bling.
Alloys look commensurate for the height.
Blue is our preferred colour and I think it really suits the XL6.
Modern and imposing front end, well integrated 4 chamber LED headlights & neat DRLs.
Side view is mature as well, like the integrated foot steps.
Rear very Volvo-ish, nothing to dislike really. Integrated hatch back spoiler is a requirement. 11K accessory in the lower variants.