A BETTER LIFE

That’s what the new XL6 promises. But does it deliver?

- Kartik Ware

Most of the time between the previous-generation Maruti Suzuki XL6 and this newest one has passed in a pandemic-induced blur. When I heard about the new one, I thought, ‘Already?’ But of course, it’s been nearly three years since then, which is also the reason why I couldn’t remember what I thought about the first one. And so, I approached the new XL6 with more of an open mind than usual, promising myself that I’d look up the previous one’s specs and story when writing this. As it turns out, I shouldn’t have bothered.

While there are a number of changes on the new XL6, they are more or less addressals of the first one’s shortcomings wrapped in new clothes. And quite the ensemble it is, too. The front end is entirely new, with LED headlamps and DRLs flanking an imposing grille. Blackedout pillars let the roof ‘float’ above the rest of the car, while smoked-out tail-lights add their own cool factor to the XL6. And the fact that it all finally sits on 16-inch wheels means that the XL6 no longer looks like it skipped leg day at the gym.

All in all, the XL6 gave me the distinct impression that it’s ready to be badged a Toyota, and I mean that in the best of ways. Also, the XL6 is the same length and width as before, but thanks to the upsized wheels, it stands 55 mm taller. And the manual and automatic versions are 20 kg and 35 kg heavier respectively. But do these changes really make a difference to the way the XL6 drives?