Maruti XL6 vs Ertiga: Recently Updated Platform Cousins Compared In Detailed Images

The 2022 Maruti Suzuki XL6 has gone on sale in India less than a week after the updated Ertiga MPV made it to our shores. Based on similar Maruti Heartect platforms, the two people-movers are closely related, but the XL6 is more premium and slots above the Ertiga in Maruti’s lineup. It’ll be sold at Maruti’s NEXA dealerships while the Ertiga shares showroom space with mass-market offerings in Maruti Arena showrooms. 

Here are the key differences between the two MPVs in detailed images: 

Both Maruti MPVs get revised exteriors, but the Ertiga doesn’t get many differentiating elements. To the casual observer, it might appear largely identical to the outgoing model. At the front, a different chrome grille is the only difference. In comparison, the XL6’s updates are a tad more substantial. It, too, gets a revised grille bisected by a broad chrome strip. 

An even bigger difference is in the alloy wheels – the Ertiga’s new wheels are diamond-cut with a new split-5-spoke design, but they are of the same size as before. The XL6 gets larger 16-inch dual-tone alloys that reduce the “under-tyred” appearance of the outgoing model to some extent. 

In addition, the XL6 gets revised tail lamps with 3D elements this time around for a more premium, modern aesthetic. Similar to the Ertiga, the chrome strip on the tailgate has been moved upwards and now sits below the rear windshield. The XL6’s tyres are a size wider at 195mm, compared with the 185mm stock tyre size in the Ertiga. 

The XL6 gets three dual-tone roof paint options. You can get a contrast black roof with the silver, khaki and red paint shades. 

Inside, the two MPVs feature similarly designed interiors and dashboards. The Ertiga has dual-tone interiors with a teak-wood finish on the dashboard, while the XL6 has an all-black interior with a stone finish on the full-width centre trim piece with silver accents on the steering wheel and dashboard. 

Both the Maruti XL6 and Ertiga have been updated with Maruti’s 7-inch SmartPlay Pro infotainment screen. It features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and “Hey, Suzuki” voice commands. The new Suzuki Connect system is also shared between the two MPVs. It gets you over 40 different connected car features, including the ability to remotely start the car and turn on the air conditioning in the automatic variants. 

The new Maruti XL6 trumps the Ertiga with its ventilated front seats – a first for Maruti in India. 

Both MPVs get three rows of seating for passengers, but the XL6 has captain seats in the middle row. It seats up to six people, while the Ertiga can seat up to seven passengers. 

For 2022, Maruti is set to update its 1.5-litre engine-equipped models with a new, more efficient K15C engine, and the Ertiga and XL6 are the first models to receive this update. It produces 103PS/136.8Nm, and the fuel economy figures are in the table below: 

Note that these are claimed fuel economy figures based on standardised testing conditions. The real-world economy may differ, so watch out for our road tests of the MPVs to know how efficient they are in regular Indian driving conditions.  

The Ertiga will also be available in a CNG variant, but the XL6 doesn’t get this option. 

Although the manual gearbox is still a 5-speed unit, Maruti has done away with its 4-speed automatic. It’s replaced with a new 6-speed torque converter transmission and for the first time, you even get paddle shifters on Maruti vehicles!  All variants of the XL6 are available with an automatic gearbox, but the base Ertiga misses out on the option of an AT. 

The Maruti XL6 and Ertiga also get better safety features than before, with the addition of front side airbags, stability control (ESP) and hill-hold assist. These features are standard on all XL6 variants, but they are reserved for higher-spec variants in the Ertiga (side airbags are only available on the top trim level). 

The XL6 also gets a 360-degree camera from the mid-spec Alpha trim level onwards. Top-spec variants also get a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS). 

Also read: 

• 2022 Facelifted Maruti Suzuki XL6 Launched In India At Rs 11.29 Lakh

• Facelifted Maruti Suzuki XL6 Launched: All Details In 10 Images

Price 

We mentioned above that the Maruti XL6 is a more premium offering than the Ertiga. That shows in its pricing as well. The Ertiga is priced between Rs 8.35 lakh and Rs 12.79 lakh. The XL6 commands a substantial premium, and it costs from Rs 11.29 lakh to Rs 14.55 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). In the XL6, the dual-tone roof option adds Rs 16,000 to the top-spec MPV’s pricing.