Maruti Suzuki has recently launched the premium version of their Ertiga MPV by the name of XL6 in the Indian market. The new 6-seater MUV from the brand aims to take on the untapped luxury MPV segment below 15 lakhs in the Indian market. The price for the latest MUV from the brand has been determined at Rs 9.72 lakh, ex-showroom, which is in line with the speculated price of the car. Maruti Suzuki XL6 will lock horns with the likes of Mahindra Marazzo and Toyota Innova Crysta in the Indian market. However, Innova Crysta is priced significantly higher than the XL6 but the Rs. 10.35 lakhs starting price of Mahindra Marazzo will make for some interesting rivalry between the MPVs.
The latest MUV from the brand comes with a lot of change both outside and inside the car. The XL6 has a more aggressive stance, something that looks like a cross between SUV and MPV, with leanings toward the latter. Therefore, it is only natural that the street presence of the XL6 is compared to other SUVs in the market and today we compare the road presence of Tata Harrier and Maruti XL6.
Talking of the front first, the Harrier and XL6 both give each other a tough time as the unique design of the Harrier combined with the IMPACT 2.0 design gives it a distinct identity. Whereas, on the other hand, the front of XL6 also carries an aggressive look, courtesy the redesigned grille along with the LED elements in the headlamp. Other exterior highlights include a new front grille on the XL6. Moving on to rear, while the XL6 is more wide-bodied and reminds one of MPVs, the Harrier still continues to impress with the SUV design.
Talking about the XL6, in order to keep the cabin spacious and more upmarket Maruti offers six seats on the XL6. These seats are in the 2-2-2 layout and comprise of captain seats in the middle row with slide and recline function. The new XL6 is also a lot more premium from the inside. The XL6 also comes with a lot of features that helps it maintain its premium tag in the market. The company will sell the XL6 with a SHVS mild-hybrid 1.5L petrol engine rated to deliver 105 Bhp and 138 Nm. This petrol mill will come paired to a 5 speed manual and 4 speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The mileage for the manual transmission version is 19.01 km/l while the 4-speed automatic version returns a maximum of 17.99 km/l (ARAI figures).
Talking about the engine of the Tata Harrier, the new SUV comes only in a diesel variant with the customers getting a Fiat-sourced 2L MultiJet diesel engine under the hood. Renamed as KRYOTEC by Tata, the engine is rated for 140 PS and 350 Nm. The engine on Tata SUV currently comes equipped only with a 6-speed manual gearbox. A 6-speed torque converter unit sourced from Hyundai will be offered sometime this year as well. Tata is also expected to bring out a 7-seater version of the Harrier by the name of Cassini in the Indian market in the coming months.