Modern Family Van

The Ertiga's sibling in suit and tie gets its much-awaited update and now comes with a brand-new gearbox as well

- Glen Francis

LATELY, THE INDIAN MARKET HAS BEEN FLOODED WITH seven-seater cars. Indeed, the segment now has so many players that manufacturers have further diversified the segment in the form of distinct mid-size SUVs and MPVs. One of the leaders in this segment has been Maruti Suzuki's Ertiga for the longest time. When Maruti introduced NEXA as a brand, they had to offer a more premium iteration of a seven-seater that wouldn't just look different but would target the chauffeur-driven folk as well; that's how the XL6 came into existence. While the XL6 hasn't been doing great numbers for the car-maker, an update was the need of the hour. And now, for about a lakh of rupees over its predecessor, one can get a lot of bang for one's buck. So, what is new in the new XL6? Allow us to explain.

Cabin gets a new 7.0inch infotainment display

At first glance, it actually doesn't look all that different. The wide moustache-like chrome garnish on the grille remains and so do the headlamps and bumpers. However, the grille has been redesigned along with the wheels that are now an all-new 16-inch set adding a sense of buff-ness to the stance of this MPV. As we move towards the back, the tail-lamp set has been smoked out, that's topped by a new wing and a shark-fin antenna. I've always liked how distinct the XL6 looked, even though I find the chrome a little overwhelming. Maruti Suzuki are also offering an array of new colours along with three trim levels, which is nice to see.

Six-speed automatic transmission is quite impressive

Ventilated seats are a boon in the scorching heat

Its 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, petrol motor sports a 12V mild-hybrid system; it is capable of producing 103 hp and 137 Nm