In the interest of customers, Maruti Suzuki has decided to voluntarily recall the affected vehicles for inspection/replacement of the Motor Generator Unit, free of cost. Affected vehicle owners would be contacted by the Maruti Suzuki authorised workshops.

Also Read: New Maruti Baleno Rear & Side Profile Shown in Fresh Spy Shots

The replacement of the affected part shall start from the first week of November 2021. Till then, customers are requested to avoid driving in waterlogged areas and direct water spray on electrical/electronic parts in the vehicle.

Customers of suspected vehicles can also visit the ‘Imp Customer Info’ section on the company’s websites www.marutisuzuki.com (for Ertiga and Vitara Brezza) or www.nexaexperience.com (for Ciaz, XL6, and S-Cross) and fill-in their vehicle’s chassis number (MA3, followed by a 14-digit alpha-numeric number) to check if their car needs any attention. The chassis number is embossed on the vehicle ID plate and is also mentioned in the vehicle invoice/registration documents.

Also Read: India-Made Suzuki Swift Latin NCAP Crash Test Result is a Zero-Star Rating

In other news, Maruti Suzuki’s Chairman RC Bhargava has recently expressed scepticism over switching to electric vehicles. Speaking at the 61st annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), he said that the country’s largest carmaker will not be entering the EV space in the short term. Bhargava’s concern is that entry-level car buyers don’t have the financial heft required to purchase cars that comply with European standards. Also, electric vehicles are not targeted at people who fall in the low-income brackets and, thus, should not be the first in line to be incentivised.

Kia Sonet

Kia Sonet is the brand's third offering for India and except for its signature tiger-nose grille, the Sonet is a brand-new model in terms of styling. The car is highlighted by muscular wheel arches, a connected taillight unit, gold paint, darkened C-pillar and flush door handles. If the Seltos proved anything, it was Kia’s strength in providing a car filled to the brim with features. Considering that the Venue and the Vitara Brezza have rooted themselves as the most popular contenders in the segment, the Sonet arrived with an attractive package. A few notable features from the Seltos are carried over to the Sonet which makes it the most feature-packed car in the segment.

In terms of mechanicals, the car is powered by the same engines as the Hyundai Venue. This includes a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit, a 1.5-litre petrol unit, a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel unit and a 1.2-litre petrol unit. The engine options get multiple gearbox options like a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed AT, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and the IMT. Kia is offering the Sonet in 15 variants across two trim lines, 4 engine and 5 gearbox options. Prices for the base variant starts at INR 6.71 lakh*.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

A rather unconventional choice in this price bracket is the Ertiga MPV that stands as the mainstay of the 7-seater affordable space with the most sales for any MPV in India. The car's latest update is a major step up over its previous iteration. The deal has also become sweeter with features like the touchscreen infotainment system, rear AC, automatic climate control, ABS with EBS, dual airbags, and ISOFIX rear seats among others.

After the BS-VI update, the car now comes with just one engine options ie. the 1.5-litre unit that delivers 103 bhp and 138 Nm of torque. Transmission options for the car come in the form of a manual as well as a torque converter. To attract a more premium customer who might consider Ertiga as a cab, there's the 6-seater XL6 sold through the Nexa dealerships and is a bit more premium, while having the same engine option and features.

Honda Amaze

If you are still the one with a heart inclined towards sedans but don't want to spend more than INR 10 lakh, the Honda Amaze becomes an obvious choice. Prices for the Amaze begins at INR 6.17 lakh and goes up to INR 9.99 lakh. The car is available across four variants: E, S, V, and VX. On offer in the new Amaze are two BS-VI engine options including 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel. Both are mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox along with the option of a CVT. The petrol unit is good for 90 PS and 110 Nm whereas the diesel develops 100 PS and 200 Nm. The diesel CVT, however, produces slightly less power and torque (80PS/160Nm).

Notable features in the new Amaze comes in the form of a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, rear parking camera, and passive keyless entry with push-button engine start-stop. In terms of safety, the car comes with features that include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors as standard. The car takes on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura, Tata Tigor, and Ford Aspire.

Hyundai i20

Hatchbacks are still the single biggest selling body type in India and despite sitting at the top of hatchback tree, the premium hatchback segment is commanding tremendous sales. One such car is the new Hyundai i20, earlier called the Elite i20. In its new avatar, the i20 comes with features loaded to the brim. The car now comes with Hyundai’s Blue Link connectivity system that comes along with 50+ connected features along with OTA updates. The new version, according to Hyundai is made up of 66 per cent high-strength steel and is lighter than before.

The car benefits from a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay. Also on offer, on the top-spec Asta (O) trim is a digital instrument cluster, a 7 speaker Bose sound system, sunroof, a wireless phone charger, ambient lighting and much more. In terms of safety, the car gets 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management and hill start assist, to name a few. The diesel option in question is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder unit that is also present in the Venue. As of now, Hyundai only provides the engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox in the new i20. The unit delivers 99 bhp at 4000 rpm and 240 Nm at 1500 rpm.

Renault Kiger

Last on our list the newly launched Renault Kiger, India's most affordable compact SUV, also the sole reason we listed it on our list among a plethora of options. On the outside, the design ethos of the Kiger somewhat falls in the common set with the Kwid, but that’s not a bad thing at all. It gets a high ground clearance at 205 mm and functional roof bars along with 16-inch alloy wheels. In terms of dimensions, the Kiger measures 3,991mm in length, 1,750mm in width, 1,600mm in terms of height and gets a 2,500mm wheelbase. The Kiger sports a high and wide centre console that is dominated by a 20.32 cm floating touch screen system that features wireless smartphone replication for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at higher trims.

The Kiger is fitted with a three-cylinder turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine, with a power output of 100 Ps and a torque of 160 Nm. It is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox and an X-TRONIC automatic continuously variable transmission. The ENERGY 1.0-litre 72 Ps and 96 Nm naturally aspirated engine is available with either a five-speed manual or the EASY-R five-speed robotised gearbox AMT. The new Renault Kiger has been launched at an introductory starting price of INR 5.45 lakh*.

*Ex-showroom prices

Renault Triber

The Renault Triber is the latest addition in the seven-seater space having debuted this time last year. With prices starting at INR 4.99 lakh, the MPV comes as a neat package and also India's first modular MPV. Its 5+2 iteration is more than just a passenger favourite, but fold the third row down and you have a boot that is big enough to shame the likes of a Range Rover. The car also scores handsomely in terms of practicality. You get two glove-boxes, front door pockets and storage on the front centre console and there are cup holders for the front two occupants as well.

The second row gets usable door pockets and also on offer are pillar-mounted AC vents and seats that adjust for both recline and reach. In terms of features, the car gets keyless entry and start, a touchscreen multimedia system, a driver information system, dual glove-boxes for additional storage, electric ORVMs without fold function, a cooled box in the centre, and a single-zone manual AC with rear vents that can be adjusted via a dial. The car is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 70bhp and a little under 100Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a manual transmission as well as an AMT.

Datsun Go+

The Datsun Go+ stands as the most affordable 7-seater in India. The car, which is essentially a stretched GO with an additional row of seats, is right suited for a family of seven or less. Its last facelift was back in 2018 when the car benefited from a few tweaks inside and out. However, the icing on the cake came recently in the form of an option for an automatic transmission. Visually, the car resembles its five-seater sibling on the outside, inside as well as the sumptuous list of features for its price.

This list includes elements like a 7.0-inch touchscreen system which offers all the functionality expected of a car in this segment like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity and light and dark mode, deep door pockets, covered glove box, a rear parcel shelf. At its heart, the Datsun Go+ is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 75bhp and 104Nm of torque. The car gets two transmission options including a 5-speed manual and a CVT.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

The Maurit Ertiga stands as the mainstay of the 5-seater space with maximum sales in the segment, while not being as affordable as the Datson Go+, or the Triber. The car's latest update is a major step up over its previous iteration. The deal has also become sweeter with features like the touchscreen infotainment system, rear AC, automatic climate control, ABS with EBS, dual airbags, and ISOFIX rear seats among others.

After the BS-VI update, the car now comes with just one engine options i.e. the 1.5-litre unit that delivers 103 bhp and 138 Nm of torque. Transmission options for the car come in the form of a manual as well as a torque converter. If you are one who likes a more premium car, the Ertiga can be bought as the XL6, which Maruti sells from the Nexa dealerships, having a set of features and engine, but a different seating system and updated design.

Toyota Innova Crysta

The Innova Crysta, is without any doubt, the poster boy of MPVs in India. It hasn't received any major update in the past couple of years, yet has a timeless design. In terms of dimensions, the Toyota Innova Crysta measures 4735mm in length and 1830mm in width. The car stands 1795mm high and has a wheelbase of 2750mm. The car gets a boot space of 300-litres with all three rows up, and 900-litres with the third row folded. The Innova Crysta gets a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

In term of powertrain, Toyota offers the Innova Crysta with a 2.7-litre petrol engine that outputs 166PS and 245Nm of torque and 2.4-litre diesel that delivers 150PS and 360Nm of torque. Both are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and offer a 6-speed torque converter unit as an option. The Toyota Innova Crysta comes in 18 variants. The price for the entry-level GX 7-seater variant starts at INR 16.27 lakh*, meanwhile, the top-rung ZX 7-seater variant with automatic transmission goes up to INR 24.34 lakh*.

Mahindra Marazzo

Mahindra Marazzo is the brand's first modern MPV since Bolero has been in the market for a long time now and is primary considered a rural SUV. The Marazzo, with the design inspired by Shark, recently got a bump in the prices up to Rs 39,000. Post the same the car is now priced from INR 11.64 lakh* to INR 13.79 lakh*. It is being offered in three variants: M2, M4+ and M6+ and comes in both 7- and 8-seater configurations. The Marazzo sits between the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Toyota Innova Crysta in terms of pricing.

It is powered by a 1.5-litre diesel engine rated at 122PS and 300Nm. It comes mated to a 6-speed manual. Mahindra also offers an Eco mode that reduces the engine output to a more modest 100PS. Mahindra’s MPV comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and auto climate control. In terms of safety features, the car comes with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and ISOFIX child seat anchors.

*Ex-showroom prices.

Kia Sonet

Kia Sonet, undoubtedly, is the complete package for anyone looking to buy a sub-compact SUV below INR 10 Lakh, a segment that has witnessed the maximum growth in recent years. In many ways, the Kia Sonet has created a benchmark for sub-compact SUVs in India. One of the reasons for the Sonet's success is the fact that the car borrows a good deal of features from the Seltos and packs it in a comprehensive package that is hard to overlook at its price point. It competes against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300.

Sonet gets multiple engine and gearbox options including a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit, two 1.5-litre diesel units with different state of tunes and a 1.2-litre petrol unit. The gearbox options includes a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed AT, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and an iMT gearbox. In terms of features, it gets 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system, built-in eSIM for UVO car connectivity, automatic climate control, wireless charger, electric sunroof, and much more. Prices for the base variant with the petrol powertrain start at INR 6.71 lakh*, which goes up to INR 12.99 lakh* for the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol GTX+ version with the 7-speed DCT.

Hyundai I20

Next in the line is our preferred hatchback choice - the Hyundai i20, one of the most popular premium hatchbacks in India. Just so you know, the third-gen model has been renamed the i20, unlike Elite i20 badge given to the second-gen model. In terms of design and styling, the car now falls in line with Hyundai’s current design language, bearing strking similarities with cars like the Verna and the Elantra. In terms of features, it now gets BlueLink connectivity system, touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, sunroof, wireless phone charger, ambient lighting and much more.

In terms of powertrain options, the car gets two petrol and one diesel option. The petrol units include a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol and the diesel option in question is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder unit that is also present in the Venue. As for the transmission options, the new i20 gets a 5-speed manual and a CVT automatic gearbox, while the 1.0-litre unit will come with a 7-seed DCT gearbox. The i20 competes with the likes of Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Tata Altroz among others.

Also Read : Top 10 Torque-iest Cars Under INR 12 Lakh in India - IAB Picks

Honda Amaze

Although the charm of sedans is slowing diminishing, owing to the practicality and pricing bit, the compact sedans are still holding their ground in India. One such sedan which is doing wonders for the brand, and for the segment itself is the Honda Amaze. While the car offers nothing extraordinary and is yet to receive a facelift with latest updates, it gets class leading cabin and boot space along with incredible mileage numbers. Honda Amaze goes up against the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Hyundai Aura in India.

In terms of features, the Honda Amaze gets latest Honda infotainment system with touchscreen, automatic climate control, and many other features. Engine wise, the Honda Amaze gets a 1.2-litre petrol unit and a 1.5-litre diesel unit, both of which either gets a 5-speed manual gearbox or a CVT gearbox, again a first in the segment. Prices for the Honda Amaze starts at INR 6.22* lakh and goes upto INR 9.99* Lakh for the top spec model.

Tata Nexon

If you are still looking for a compact SUV to buy and don’t want to go for Kia Sonet, the Tata Nexon is your next safe pick. Nexon has been crowned as the India’s safest compact SUV (As per Global NCAP crash test rating) and has become the best-selling Tata car crossing 9000 units last month. One of the reasons for the Nexon’s success is its multitude of variant options with engine and gearbox combinations.

The Tata Nexon is being offered with a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel unit and both the engines either gets a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox, making it value-for-money. The prices for the Tata Nexon starts at INR INR 7.09 lakh* and goes upto INR 12.80 lakh* for the top spec variant and there are at least 25-30 variants to choose from, highest among all the cars available in India. Apart from that, feature wise, it gets a floating dashtop mounted infotainment system, Harman surround sound audio system among other features.

Also Read : Top 5 MPVs You Can Buy in India: Toyota Innova Crysta, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and More

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Last on our list is the  Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, a MPV with a 7-seater cabin (also 6-seater cabin with  XL6). The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is the best-selling MPV in India and promises a value-for-money package for anyone looking to buy an affordable sub-INR 10 Lakh car with maximum seating capacity. It gets features like the touchscreen infotainment system, rear AC, automatic climate control, ABS with EBS, dual air-bags, and ISOFIX rear seats among others.

After the BS-VI update, the car now comes with just one engine options which is a 1.5-litre petrol unit that delivers 103 bhp and 138 Nm of torque. Transmission options for the car come in the form of a manual as well as a torque converter. Prices for the Maruti Eritga starts at INR 7.69 Lakh* and goes upto INR 10.47 Lakh* for the top-spec variant.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more such listicles and latest four-wheeler news.

*Ex-showroom prices

We have compiled a list of the top 5 MPVs you can buy in India-

Toyota Innova Crysta

The Toyota Innova Crysta is known as the poster boy MPV in India. The Innova Crysta borrows none of its elements from its predecessor and has a cabin design similar to expensive SUVs like the Fortuner.  The cabin now gets an updated nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The seats on the higher-spec variants are wrapped in Camel Tan (beige) leather upholstery. Added vehicle connectivity features now include geo-fencing, real-time vehicle tracking and last parked locations.

In terms of powertrain, the Toyota offers the Innova Crysta with the same petrol and diesel engines as before. This means on offer is a 2.7-litre petrol engine that outputs 166 PS and 245 Nm of torque and 2.4-litre diesel that delivers 150 PS and 360 Nm of torque. Both are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and offer a 6-speed torque converter unit as an option. The Toyota Innova Crysta comes in 18 variants. Price for the entry-level GX 7-seater variant starts at INR 16.27 lakh*. Meanwhile, the top-rung ZX 7-seater variant with automatic transmission goes up to INR 24.34 lakh*.

Also Read : Top 10 Torque-iest Cars Under INR 12 Lakh in India - IAB Picks

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

In a world dominated by compact SUVs and with the likes of the Vitara Brezza in its portfolio, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is doing rather incredibly well in terms of sales. Not only is it the best-selling Maruti car when it comes to large sized cars from the brand, but it is also the best-selling MPV in India. The Ertiga virtually has no competition and offers a 7-seater cabin at a starting price of just INR 7.59 lakh. Not only this, there’s also a premium version of the Ertiga called the XL6. It gets a 6-seater cabin with captain chairs, higher-quality components and is sold through the Nexa dealerships.

However, for buyers looking for a vehicle with a seating capacity of more than 5-seats, the Ertiga should be an obvious choice. It has loads of new-age features, good mileage, value-for-money packaging and much more. It gets only a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 103 bhp and 138 Nm of torque. Transmission options for the car come in the form of a manual as well as a torque converter. In terms of equipment, it gets SmartPlay Studio infotainment system with seven-inch touchscreen display, automatic climate control, height adjustment for the driver’s seat among others.

Renault Triber

Renault, the French automaker surprised everyone when it launched its Triber MPV in India. Renault, before Triber offered successful products like Duster and Kwid, both of which are on separate ends of the price spectrum in India. The Triber comes in between the two products with a price range starting at INR 4.99 Lakh* and having four variants at INR 50,000 price margin as you move upwards the variant chart.

The Triber is India’s first modular MPV which gets removable third row of seating to liberate additional boot space in case you want to drive the car with 5 or less passengers. It is powered by a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine and gets both manual and auto gearbox options. Renault Triber is also amply loaded with features and has made a mark for itself in no time. The biggest USP is space inside the cabin at a reasonable price tag.

Also Read : Top 5 7-Seater SUVs You Can Buy in India: Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus and More

Kia Carnival

Kia, one of the newest entrant in India, decided to tap the premium MPV market of India and bridge the gap between the Toyota Innova Crysta and ultra-luxury entrants like the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and Toyota Vellfire by offering the Carnival MPV, which came as the brand’s second offering in the Indian market. The Carnival can be had either in seven-, eight- and even a nine-seat configuration.

Kia Limousine’s VIP seats are available only in the seven-seat configuration with special reclining and sliding adjustments, along with leg extension. Kia offers a single powertrain in the Carnival. This means, on offer is a 2.2-litre diesel engine that develops 200 PS and 440 Nm and is offered with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Prices for the Carnival starts at INR 24.95 lakh* for the Premium 7-seater variant, while prices for the top-rung 7-seater Limousine variant costs INR 33.95 lakh*.

Mahindra Bolero

Mahindra Bolero is the undoubted champion of the rural India and is a preferred vehicle choice for car buyers looking for an affordable SUV/ MPV which is rugged and easy to maintain. The BS6 Bolero is available in three variants, namely B4, B6 and B6 (O). The BS6 Mahindra Bolero facelift is powered by a BS6-compliant 1.5-litre mHawk75 diesel engine that produces 75bhp at 3,600rpm and 210Nm of torque between 1,600-2,200rpm. This engine is paired to a five-speed manual transmission.

Exterior highlights of the BS6 Mahindra Bolero facelift include a redesigned fascia with a new bumper, new grille, new headlamps, rear washer and wiper and fog lamps. Inside, the model comes equipped with driver Information System with features such as distance travelled, distance to empty, gear indicator, door ajar indicator and digital clock with day and date. Also on offer are fabric seats, power windows, central locking, keyless entry and a 12V charging port.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more such listicles and latest four-wheeler news.

*Ex-showroom price

Maruti Suzuki XL6

The Maruti Suzuki XL6 was aimed to be a premium offering of the Ertiga and shares the same underpinnings and mechanicals. The car gets minor cues from the Ertiga, but the resemblance is veiled by tweaked elements. For instance, the XL6 gets new colour options like the Nexa Blue, Brave Khaki, Magma Grey, Auburn Red, Arctic White and Premium Silver. Upfront, the car also gets a new quad LED headlamps, DRLs, a chunkier bumper and a faux skid-plate that distinguishes it from the Ertiga. Also making the same case are the body claddings, new roof rails, blacked-out 15-inch alloy wheels and mirror caps.

On the inside, the car gets an all-black theme, which is a step in the premium direction from the beige seen in the standard Ertiga. In addition to this, the wooden trims in the Ertiga are replaced by black-grey finish panels. Unlike the Ertiga which gets a bench on the second-row, the Ertiga gets captain seats.

In terms of equipment, standard offerings on the car include the new SmartPlay Studio infotainment unit. This means you can expect a seven-inch touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The other notable features include automatic climate control, rear air-con vents, keyless entry with push-button start/stop, cruise control and height adjustment for the driver’s seat. The top-spec Alpha trim additionally packs automatic headlamps and a rear parking camera.

The car is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that comes paired to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a four-speed torque converter. The engine is rated at 103bhp and 138Nm of torque. Additionally, the car also features Maruti Suzuki’s SHVS mild-hybrid technology with an additional lithium-ion battery to aid fuel efficiency.

Datsun Go+

The Datsun Go+ stands as the most affordable 7-seater in India. The car, which is essentially a stretched Go with an additional row of seats, is right suited for a family of seven or less. Its last facelift was back in 2018 when the car benefited from a few tweaks inside and out. However, the icing on the cake came recently on the form of an option for an automatic transmission.

Visually, the car resembles its five-seater sibling on the outside, inside as well as the sumptuous list of features for its price. This list includes elements like a 7.0-inch touchscreen system which offers all the functionality expected of a car in this segment like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity and light and dark mode, deep door pockets, covered glove box, a rear parcel shelf.

In terms of safety, the car gets a dual front airbags, rear side crash protection, pedestrian protection regulation, central locking as well ABS with EBD as standard across the range. At its heart, the Datsun Go+ is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 75bhp and 104Nm of torque. The car gets two transmission options including a 5-speed manual and a CVT.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

The Maruti Ertiga stands as the mainstay of the 7-seater space with maximum sales while not being as affordable as the Datson Go+. This difference in price can be reasoned with various aspects. The car's latest update is a major step up over its previous iteration. The deal has also become sweeter with features like the touchscreen infotainment system, rear AC, automatic climate control, ABS with EBS, dual air-bags, and ISOFIX rear seats among others.

After the BS-VI update, the car now comes with just one engine options which is a 1.5-litre unit that delivers 103 bhp and 138 Nm of torque. Transmission options for the car come in the form of a manual as well as a torque converter. The rest of the gadgets and mechanicals are same as the XL6 we mentioned above.

Maruti Suzuki Eeco

After an unsuccessful run with the Versa, Maruti Suzuki launched the Eeco that was aimed to walk in the footsteps of the glorified Omni in India. The car does not take giant leaps in terms of looks from its predecessors but is acclaimed to be a perfect fit for Indian families and road conditions by the company. Powering the car is a 1.2-litre petrol engine which delivers 73 bhp at 6,000 rpm and a torque of 101 Nm via a five-speed manual gearbox with Diagonal Shift Assistance (DSA) that powers the rear wheels.

The Eeco comes in five-seater as well as seven-seater options. The seven-seater model can be bought in just one basic variant, whereas the five-seater is available in four variants – basic five-seater, five-seater with A/C plus heater, five-seater with heater and CNG, five-seater with A/C plus heater and the CNG. The Eeco is sold in six different colours in India namely Superior White, Metallic Midnight Black, Metallic Silky Silver, Bright Red, Metallic Blue Blaze and Metallic Glistening Grey.

Mahindra Bolero

The Mahindra Bolero is seen as the most trusted SUV/ MUV for the rural market and is still the best selling Mahindra in the market. The BS-VI Bolero is available in three variants including B4, B6 and B6 (O). The BS6 Mahindra Bolero facelift is powered by a BS6-compliant 1.5-litre mHawk75 diesel engine that produces 75bhp at 3,600rpm and 210Nm of torque between 1,600-2,200rpm. This engine is paired to a five-speed manual transmission.

Exterior highlights of the BS6 Mahindra Bolero facelift include a redesigned fascia with a new bumper, new grille, new headlamps static bending headlamps, rear washer and wiper and fog lamps. Inside, the model comes equipped with driver Information System with features such as distance travelled, distance to empty, gear indicator, door ajar indicator and digital clock with day and date. Also on offer are fabric seats, power windows, central locking, keyless entry and a 12V charging port.

The Maruti Suzuki Subscribe was already available in major cities like Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune. The company says it has received a positive response from the customers and hence extended its car subscription service to new cities for a wide reach. Maruti Suzuki has partnered with ORIX Auto Infrastructure Services India, a subsidiary of ORIX Corporation, Japan, to introduce the Subscribe program for individual customers in the newly added cities.

Also Read: Maruti Ertiga, India’s best-selling MPV, achieves 5.5 lakh sales milestone

Announcing the company’s customer-centric approach, Mr Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing and Sales) Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said:

The Maruti Suzuki Subscribe program has received encouraging response from the customers. We have received over 6,600 enquiries in the first few months of pilot launch. We are delighted to introduce the program in Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. The Maruti Suzuki Subscribe program comes with a bouquet of benefits like flexible tenure, zero down payment, insurance and complete maintenance. The program also provides the customers with peace of mind with 24x7 roadside assistance and customer support. We are aiming to introduce the Maruti Suzuki Subscribe program in 40-60 cities over a period of 2 to 3 years.

The unique initiative - Maruti Suzuki Subscribe - allows a customer to use a brand-new Maruti Suzuki car without actually owning it. The customer needs to pay an all-inclusive monthly fee that comprehensively covers maintenance and insurance for the complete tenure.

Users can opt from a wide range of new Maruti Suzuki cars offered under the Maruti Suzuki Subscribe namely - Swift, Dzire, Vitara Brezza, and Ertiga from Maruti Suzuki ARENA and Baleno, Ciaz, and XL6 from NEXA. Maruti Suzuki Subscribe offers the car in white number plate (registered in the name of customer) in these cities.

Maruti Suzuki has today announced that it has sold over 5.5 lakh units of the Ertiga since the MPV was launched in the country back in 2012. This landmark figure has been attained in 8 years and over 2 generations of the car.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Alto, Celerio and Wagon R Festive Edition kits introduced

Speaking on this commendable success, Mr Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said:

Over the years, brand Ertiga has redefined the notion of utilitarian MPVs with its sharp style, space, comfort, safety and host of technology features. As India’s first compact MPV, Ertiga continues to build a legacy of innovation. The remarkable milestone of 5.5 lakh sales is a testimony of its success. While making a purchase decision, customers often cross-consider MPVs with UVs. Despite being cross-considered with top-selling UVs in the country, Ertiga has dominated the market and increased its market share in the segment.

The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is currently available in a total of 7 variants. It has a 1.5L petrol engine which produces 104 PS of maximum power and 138 Nm of peak torque. The Ertiga is India’s only MPV that offers factory-fitted S-CNG technology. As for the transmission, customers can pick either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.

Maruti Suzuki also provides a plethora of features with the Ertiga. Depending on the variant you choose, you would get chrome studded front grille, steering mounted audio controls, air-cooled cup holders, automatic climate control, charging socket for each row, and more. In terms of safety features, the MPV comes equipped with dual airbags, ABS, EBD, electronic stability control, hill-hold assist, etc.

Maruti Suzuki has teamed up with ORIX Auto Infrastructure Services India, a subsidiary of ORIX Corporation, Japan, to launch the Maruti Suzuki Subscribe in Delhi-NCR (including Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, and Gurugram) and Bengaluru. This car subscription program allows customers to use a new Maruti Suzuki car without actually owning it and by paying an all-inclusive monthly fee that comprehensively covers complete maintenance, insurance, and roadside assistance.

Announcing the customer-centric programme, Mr Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing and Sales) Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said:

The vehicle subscription market is new to India and as such offers huge untapped potential. Globally, the penetration of such leasing programme varies between 5% and 30%. The comprehensive Maruti Suzuki Subscribe initiative offers customers the multiple advantages and peace of mind from botheration of maintenance costs and insurance renewal. The programme is especially focussed to bring convenience to the individual customers. Besides the flexibility of tenure, it also offers nil down payment and includes registration costs, insurance and its renewal as well as routine maintenance, Additionally, the roadside assistance service brings total peace of mind to the customers. Progressively we aim to offer Maruti Suzuki Subscribe in 40-60 cities in the next 2-3 years.

Depending on their needs, customers can select a duration ranging from 12 to 48 months. To give you an idea about the monthly fee, you can get a Swift LXI in Delhi for a monthly subscription fee of just INR 14,463 (including taxes) for a tenure of 48 months. After the completion of the subscription tenure, customers can also opt to upgrade the vehicle, extend, or even buy the car at market price.

Also Read: Maruti Eeco turns 10-year-old, 7 lakh units sold in a decade

Customers can subscribe to several cars including the Swift, Dzire, Vitara Brezza, and Ertiga from Maruti Suzuki ARENA and Baleno, Ciaz, and XL6 from NEXA. Based on the customers’ requirements, the Maruti Suzuki Subscribe also offers cars with white number plate (registered in the name of the customer) or black number plate (registered in the name of Orix).

Speaking on the success of the Maruti Suzuki ARENA retail channel, Mr Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said:

Maruti Suzuki ARENA was launched after listening to and meeting the expectations of a modern, dynamic, and young audience. Celebrating its third anniversary today fills all of us with great pride as it marks a transformation of our network and is a testimony of our commitment to customer satisfaction - the single-largest motivation behind our expansion, innovation, and design. We are delighted to celebrate over 745 Maruti Suzuki ARENA showrooms and look forward to offering more revolutionary customer car buying experiences.

The Maruti Suzuki ARENA showrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art modern gadgets that allow customers to customise and get detailed information digitally about the specifications and attributes of the company’s products. Also, the touch-screen navigation portal remembers customer preferences and the customisation options offered by i-Create allows them to design the car.

All Maruti Suzuki ARENA showrooms are not only equipped with the best of technology, but they are also designed to make customers completely comfortable. And in the current unprecedented times, strict sanitisation SOPs have been enforced for the safety of the customers.

The portfolio of the Maruti Suzuki ARENA retail channel includes the Alto, S-PRESSO, Wagon-R, Celerio, CelerioX, Swift, Dzire, Vitara Brezza, and Ertiga.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki launches car subscription program in Pune, Hyderabad

In other news, earlier this month, the Maruti Suzuki Alto crossed the 40 lakh sales mark in the domestic market. This makes it the only car in India to achieve such a remarkable milestone.

To create the Maruti Suzuki Subscribe service, the automobile manufacturer has joined with Myles Automotive Technologies. The new car subscription program is only for individuals. People who are looking for experiencing the benefits of owning a Maruti Suzuki car without purchasing it will benefit from this plan.

The Maruti Suzuki Subscribe covers the Swift, Dzire, Vitara Brezza, and Ertiga from Maruti Suzuki ARENA, as well as the Baleno, Ciaz, and XL6 from NEXA. Customers can choose to subscribe to any one of these cars for a period of 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 months as per their requirements.

Speaking at the launch of the Maruti Suzuki Subscribe, Mr Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing and Sales), Maruti Suzuki India, said:

In the changing business dynamics, many customers want to shift from public transport and shared mobility solutions to personal cars. They want mobility solutions that are easy on the pocket and do not involve long-term financial commitments. Maruti Suzuki Subscribe addresses these changing needs of customers. We are confident that our new offering will introduce many new customers to the brand. It will also be embraced by the millennial, who frequently look at upgrading to latest cars with flexible tenure options as low as 12 months.

Customers will pay an all-inclusive monthly subscription charge starting at INR 17,600 for the Swift LXI in Pune and INR 18,350 in Hyderabad (including taxes) with no down payment. Once the subscription tenure is over, the customer can also avail the buyback option.

Also Read: 2020 Maruti-Suzuki S-Cross Petrol - First Drive Review

The Maruti Suzuki Subscribe will offer vehicle maintenance, insurance coverage, and roadside assistance; all of which will be handled by Myles Automotive Technologies. Also, features such as zero-down payment and no resale risk should make this car subscription program a delight to the customers.

Maruti XL6 vs Ertiga Interior and Exterior

On the outside, the XL6 has a more premium design which appeals to a more niche set of audience. It gets a unique looking black hexagonal grille at the front with twin chrome slats which bridges in between the sharper headlights, chunkier front bumper, re-positioned front fog lamps, faux skid plates, black cladding on the lower body, silver garnish on the rocker panels, silver roof rails and restyled rear bumper. The company has made use of all these styling elements in a way that the XL6 look more rugged as well as premium compared to the Ertiga which look basic in all sense. The Ertiga, even though more polished in the second generation, looks rather utilitarian relatively.

The company has given the Maruti XL6 a number of eye-catching unique features such as quad-LED headlamps, all-black alloy wheels, roof rails, all-black interior, captain seats on the second row compared to the bench-seats in the Ertiga, it also gets third-row reclining seats, 7-inch SmartPlay Studio touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, leather seats and cruise control.

Also read - Maruti XL6 - First Drive Review [Video]

Maruti XL6 vs Ertiga Variants

While the Ertiga is available in a total of 10 variants including six petrol variants (Lxi MT, Vxi MT, Vxi AT, Zxi MT, Zxi AT and Zxi+ MT), three diesel variants (Vdi, Zdi and Zdi+), and one CNG (Vxi), the XL6 only comes in four petrol variants - Zeta MT, Zeta AT, Alpha MT and Alpha AT.

Also read - Top 5 Affordable MPVs Under INR 20 Lakh

Maruti XL6 vs Ertiga Engines

The Maruti XL6 gets the BS-VI compliant K15B 1.5-litre petrol engine which works tandem with the Progressive Smart Hybrid technology as standard. This system generates 105 PS of maximum power and 138 Nm of peak torque. 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic are the transmission choices. The Maruti Ertiga is available with a CNG variant of this engine also, and the BS-IV compliant E15A 1.5L diesel engine that produces 70 kW (95.17 PS) and 225 Nm of torque. The diesel engine comes linked to a 6-speed MT.

Maruti Suzuki XL6 vs Ertiga - Dimensions

In terms of dimensions, the XL6 is 4,445 mm long, 1,775 mm wide and 1,700 mm tall. Compared to the Ertiga, it is longer by 50 mm, wider by 40 mm and taller by 10 mm. The wheelbase is the same - 2,740 mm. The boot space of both the models with all three rows up and the third-row folded is 209 litres and 550 litres respectively. However, folding the second-row and third-row seats both frees up 803 litres in the Ertiga but only 692 litres in the XL6.

Also Read: Fourth-gen Suzuki Jimny to be launched in India as Maruti Gypsy

Maruti Suzuki XL6 vs Ertiga Prices

The prices of the Maruti XL6 range from INR 9.80-11.46 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The prices of its donor model, the Maruti Ertiga, range from INR 7.55-11.21 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Datsun Go+

Price: Rs 4.25- 6.99 lakh

The Datsun Go+ stands as the most affordable 7-seater in India. The car, which is essentially a stretched Go with an additional row of seats, is right suited for a family of seven or less. Its last facelift was back in 2018 when the car benefited from a few tweaks inside and out. However, the icing on the cake came recently in the form of an option for an automatic transmission. Visually, the car resembles its five-seater sibling on the outside, inside as well as the sumptuous list of features for its price. This list includes elements like a 7.0-inch touchscreen system which offers all the functionality expected of a car in this segment like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity and light and dark mode, deep door pockets, covered glove box, a rear parcel shelf. In terms of safety, the car gets dual front airbags, rear side crash protection, pedestrian protection regulation, central locking as well ABS with EBD as standard across the range. At its heart, the Datsun Go+ is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 75bhp and 104Nm of torque. The car gets two transmission options including a 5-speed manual and a CVT.

Renault Triber

Price: Rs 5.30 - 7.82 lakh

The Renault Triber is the latest addition in the seven-seater space having debuted in 2019. With prices starting at INR 5.30 lakh (ex-showroom). The Triber comes as a neat package that plenty of aspects that can woo an ideal Indian. First off, the platform. The Renault Triber sits on a wheelbase that is almost as long as the Duster, and in fact, longer than the Hyundai Creta. This spells out space. Its 5+2 iteration is more than just a passenger favourite, but fold the third row down and you have a boot that is big enough to shame the likes of a Range Rover. The car also scores handsomely in terms of practicality. You get two glove-boxes, front door pockets and storage on the front centre console and there are cup holders for the front two occupants as well. The second row gets usable door pockets and also on offer are pillar-mounted AC vents and seats that adjust for both recline and reach. In terms of features, the car gets keyless entry and start, a touchscreen multimedia system, a driver information system, dual glove-boxes for additional storage, electric ORVMs without fold function, a cooled box in the centre, and a single-zone manual AC with rear vents that can be adjusted via a dial. On the safety front, the car gets ABS, EBD, and adjustable headrests for four occupants. The car is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 70bhp and a little under 100Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a manual transmission as well as an AMT.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Price: Rs 7.81 - 10.59 lakh

The Ertiga stands as the mainstay of the 5-seater space with maximum sales while not being as affordable as the Datson Go+. This difference in price can be reasoned with various aspects. The car's latest update is a major step up over its previous iteration. The deal has also become sweeter with features like the touchscreen infotainment system, rear AC, automatic climate control, ABS with EBS, dual airbags, and ISOFIX rear seats among others. After the BS-VI update, the car now comes with just one engine options ie. the 1.5-litre unit that delivers 103bhp and 138Nm of torque. Transmission options for the car come in the form of a manual as well as a torque converter.

Mahindra Scorpio

Price: Rs 12.31 - 17.02 lakh

The Scorpio is the only SUV on this list. And it comes from the house that is known around the world for its expertise in high-hauling body types. The badge has seen immense popularity in India. On its way to the latest update that happened three years back, the Scorpio has managed to pick up a few elements that have helped it shed its affordable and price-sensitive appeal. The car now comes with features including all-four power windows, power-folding and adjustable mirrors, tilt-adjustable steering and height-adjustable driver seat. Also on offer are automatic climate control with AC vents for the rear passengers, a touch-screen infotainment system with steering mounted audio controls, a start-stop Micro-Hybrid system, and a cut-off system that switches off the engine while standing in neutral. The engine cranks up with a push of the clutch. The Scorpio also gets cruise control, electrically adjustable and folding wing mirrors, rear parking sensors with camera, dual front airbags, and height-adjustable driver’s seat. Powering the car is a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine that comes in two states of tunes, 120 bhp/280 Nm and 140bhp/320Nm of torque. While the other players benefit from an automatic transmission, the Scorpio still ships with a manual unit.

Maruti Suzuki Eeco

Price: Rs 4.08 - 5.29 lakh

After an unsuccessful run with the Versa, Maruti Suzuki launched the Eeco that was aimed to walk in the footsteps of the glorified Omni in India. The car does not take giant leaps in terms of looks from its predecessors but is acclaimed to be a perfect fit for Indian families and road conditions by the company. The Eeco comes in five-seater as well as seven-seater options. The seven-seater model can be bought in just one basic variant, whereas the five-seater is available in four variants – basic five-seater, five-seater with A/C plus heater, five-seater with heater and CNG, five-seater with A/C plus heater and the CNG. The Eeco is sold in six different colours in India namely Superior White, Metallic Midnight Black, Metallic Silky Silver, Bright Red, Metallic Blue Blaze, and Metallic Glistening Grey. Powering the car is a 1.2-litre petrol engine which delivers 73bhp at 6,000rpm and a torque of 98Nm via a five-speed manual gearbox with Diagonal Shift Assistance (DSA) that powers the rear wheels.

Following are the six best seven seater vehicles in India, ranging from entry level compact seven seaters to premium midsize MUVs

Entry level compact seven seaters

Datsun Go+

The Datsun Go+, in its facelifted avatar, has gained a bit of desirability with better retouches to the exteriors and interior cabin enhancements. The sub-compact seven seater from Datsun now gets daytime running LEDs and 14-inch machined alloy wheels on the outside, while the cabin now sees better finished upholstery and a modern touchscreen infotainment system.

The Datsun Go+ sources its power from a 1.2-litre three cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, which produces 68 PS of power with a 5-speed manual gearbox and 77 PS of power with a CVT gearbox. The peak torque is 104 Nm with both the transmission options.

Prices*

Datsun Go+ D – INR 4,19,990

Datsun Go+ A – INR 5,09,990

Datsun Go+ A (O) – INR 5,65,990

Datsun Go+ T – INR 5,99,990

Datsun Go+ T (O) – INR 6,25,990

Datsun Go+ T CVT – INR 6,69,990

Datsun Go+ T (O) CVT – INR 6,89,990

Renault Triber

The Renault Triber is a distant cousin to the Datsun Go+, but is based on a completely different platform, and has a totally different design language in and out which has a more youthful vibe to it in comparison. With more seating configurations over Datsun Go+ and a couple of more features like a fully digital instrument console and push button start with keyless entry, the Renault Triber feels more premium and versatile as well.

The Renault Triber shares its 1.0-litre three cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine with the Kwid, but here has been retuned to make 72 PS of maximum power and 96 Nm of peak torque. The Triber is being offered with both 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT gearboxes.

Prices*

Renault Triber RXE – INR 4,99,000

Renault Triber RXL – INR 5,85,500

Renault Triber RXT – INR 6,35,500

Renault Triber RXZ – INR 6,89,500

Renault Triber RXL AMT – INR 6,18,000

Renault Triber RXT AMT – INR 6,68,000

Renault Triber RXZ AMT – INR 7,22,000

Compact seven seaters

Maruti Ertiga

The Maruti Ertiga has successfully tried to fill in the void left by previous generation Toyota Innova, which grew from its rather smaller footprints to a much larger Innova Crysta. The first generation Maruti Ertiga became a runaway success backed upon by fuel efficient engines and reliability associated with the Maruti Suzuki badge.

The currently available second generation Maruti Ertiga now has only a 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine backed by Maruti’s mild hybrid technology under its hood, which churns out 105 PS of power and 138 Nm of torque. The Maruti Ertiga is available with both 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic gearbox options, with a single variant available with CNG fuel option as well.

Prices*

Maruti Ertiga LXI – INR 7,59,000

Maruti Ertiga VXI – INR 8,34,000

Maruti Ertiga ZXI – INR 9,17,000

Maruti Ertiga ZXI + – INR 9,71,000

Maruti Ertiga VXI AT – INR 9,36,000

Maruti Ertiga ZXI AT – INR 10,13,000

Maruti Ertiga VXI CNG – INR 8,95,000

Mahindra Marazzo

The Mahindra Marazzo was introduced as a replacement to the ageing Xylo, and garnered huge praises for its much more contemporary feel in and out, comfortable seats and plethora of modern features. All these factors do make the Marazzo the plushest compact MPV ever to come out from Mahindra.

The Mahindra Marazzo is yet to receive a BS6 upgrade, which is confirmed for sure. The 1.5-litre four cylinder diesel engine, which produces 123 PS of maximum power and 300 Nm of peak torque in its BS4 avatar, will be upgraded to BS6 very soon. And like before, it will continue to be available with a 6-speed manual gearbox, with the possible introduction of an automatic gearbox as well.

Premium seven seaters

Toyota Innova Crysta

The Toyota Innova Crysta is one seven seater vehicle which is accredited for redefining the segment of MPVs in the Indian market. The first generation model gained a commendable stature for itself with its reliable diesel powertrain and other mechanicals and supreme comfort. And with the new generation Innova Crysta, everything got improved inside out, making it a much more premium vehicle than ever before.

With the BS6 upgrade launched this year, the Toyota Innova Crysta is now available with two engine options – 2.7-litre four cylinder petrol engine (166 PS/245Nm with both 5-speed manual and 6-speed AT) and a 2.4-litre four cylinder diesel engine (150 PS/343 Nm with 5-speed manual and 150 PS/360 Nm with 6-speed AT).

Prices (petrol)*

Toyota Innova Crysta GX – INR 15,71,000

Toyota Innova Crysta VX – INR 19,00,000

Toyota Innova Crysta VX Touring Sport – INR 19,53,000

Toyota Innova Crysta GX AT – INR 17,07,000

Toyota Innova Crysta ZX AT – INR 21,78,000

Toyota Innova Crysta ZX AT Touring Sport – INR 22,46,000

Prices (diesel)*

Toyota Innova Crysta G – INR 16,49,000

Toyota Innova Crysta G+ – INR 17,14,000

Toyota Innova Crysta GX – INR 17,52,000

Toyota Innova Crysta VX – INR 20,94,000

Toyota Innova Crysta VX Touring Sport – INR 22,27,000

Toyota Innova Crysta ZX – INR 22,43,000

Toyota Innova Crysta GX AT – INR 18,83,000

Toyota Innova Crysta ZX AT – INR 23,63,000

Toyota Innova Crysta ZX AT Touring Sport – INR 24,67,000

Kia Carnival

For those who think that Toyota Innova Crysta feels a bit underequipped and less-premium and still don’t want to splurge on a full size luxury van, the Kia Carnival is one perfect solution for them. With bigger footprints and much more premium interior cabin and features over the Innova Crysta, the Kia Carnival feels suitable for the job of carrying seven people with utmost comfort.

Launched with a lot of fanfare at the Auto Expo 2020, the Kia Carnival in India is available with a single powertrain combination of a 2.2-litre four cylinder diesel engine mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, which belts out 200 PS of maximum power and 440 Nm of peak torque.

Prices*

Kia Carnival Premium (7-seater) – INR 24,95,000

Kia Carnival Premium (8-seater) – INR 25,15,000

Kia Carnival Prestige (7-seater) – INR 28,95,000

Kia Carnival Prestige (9-seater) – INR 29,95,000

Kia Carnival Limousine (7-seater) – INR 33,95,000

Also read: Top 5 best small cars in India - IAB picks

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog for more featured stories and the latest four-wheeler news.

*Prices are of Ex-showroom Delhi

During a conference call with analysts this month, Ajay Seth, Sr. Executive Director & CFO, Maruti Suzuki, indicated that Maruti Suzuki may never launch diesel vehicles again, owing to dropping demand and the high cost of upgrading diesel engines to make them compliant with the BS-VI emission norms.

“The contribution of sales from petrol vehicles stands at 93% in quarter 4 2019/’20,” Seth said. The final quarter of FY2020 was when Maruti Suzuki was dispatching its last remaining diesel vehicle stock. The company has stopped manufacturing diesel vehicles as none of their engines could be upgraded to BS-VI because of the high costs involved.

The shift towards petrol vehicles is more evident now, with share of diesel vehicles for the industry falling from 20% in quarter 4 2019/'20 -- falling below 20% in quarter 4 in 2019/’20.

Until now, it was expected that Maruti Suzuki may at least bring back diesel engine option in vehicles longer than 4,000 mm i.e. models like the Ertiga and the rumoured new flagship SUV. However, that also seems unlikely now. Shashank Srivastava, Head of Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki, has admitted that the demand for diesel engines in the case of 4,000 mm+, premium B-SUVs and C-SUVs is still there. At the same time, he has also indicated that petrol engines are becoming more popular even among those bigger SUVs. Below is what he has said about this matter:

It's only in the SUV category that there is -- and that too in the mid-SUV and upper category of SUV that there is a significant percentage of diesel. But the initial demand for the new launches of the competition for -- in the SUV category also indicates -- whether it's Seltos or whether it is Hector or even Creta, it does indicate that there is a lot of traction for gasoline even in those segments.

Concluding his statement of analysis about the demand for diesel engines in passenger vehicles, Srivastava said that the company expects “that the diesel percentage in the industry will further come down.”

Reports are rife that Maruti Suzuki is testing a BS-VI version of the E15A 1.5-litre diesel engine in the Ertiga. Even if that is true, the decision to commercialise that BS-VI diesel engine could change at any given point depending on the market demand. The company used to offer the BS4 version of the E15A 1.5-litre diesel engine in the Ertiga and Ciaz. Our safe bet is on mild-hybrid and full-hybrid systems serving as a replacement for diesel engines in the company’s bigger models in the future.

Also See: BS-VI Maruti Ertiga diesel (BS-VI Maruti Tour M diesel) testing continues, spied again

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Maruti Suzuki updates and other four-wheeler news.

Smartplay Studio, like SmartPlay, is a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Maruti Suzuki had introduced it first in the latest Wagon R in January 2019. The new system has a more vibrant and intuitive interface. It can play music from various sources, including USB, Bluetooth, FM/AM/DRM and AUX. It offers image and video playback support as well.

The Smartplay Studio infotainment system doesn’t have built-in navigation feature. However, it does allow smartphone-enabled navigation via the NaviMaps app from MapmyIndia. The system allows linking smartphones to it via Smartplay Studio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto apps. Also included in the package are AHA Radio, vehicle alerts, call/message and Smartplay Remote app support.

The Maruti Swift is available in Lxi, Vxi, Zxi and Zxi+ equipment lines. The Smartplay Studio infotainment system is included in only the range-topping Zxi equipment line. The Maruti Ertiga is available in LXi, VXi/VXi AT/VXi CNG, ZXi/ZXi AT and ZXi+ equipment lines. Like in the hatchback, the Smartplay Studio infotainment system is part of the features in only the top-of-the-line ZXi+ equipment line.

Also read: Maruti Suzuki Swift Facelift Finally Launching This Month With A New Heart

The Maruti Swift Zxi+ costs INR 7,58,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) if had with a manual transmission or INR 8,02,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) if had with an automated manual transmission. The Maruti Ertiga ZXi+ retails at INR 9,71,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

The Maruti Eeco, Maruti Celerio, Maruti Celerio X, Maruti Ciaz and Maruti S-Cross are the only models unavailable with the Smartplay Studio infotainment system now. The Maruti S-Cross has been temporarily discontinued and will be relaunched soon, and it’s safe to assume that it will gain this system at that time. The Maruti Ciaz also may get it later, but the other models are likely to remain as they are in the present generation.

Also Read: Suzuki Ertiga (Maruti Ertiga) gets 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Maruti Suzuki updates and other four-wheeler news.

‘Same same, but different’ – a phrase which perfectly describes the picture having the Maruti XL6 as well as Maruti Ertiga in one common scene. The two MPVs share a lot in common with each other – the basic silhouette, interior cabin layout, engineering under the skin and majority of comfort and convenience as well as safety features.

However, both of them cater to completely different audiences, which make them possess different feel altogether. Yes, there are some major changes which do differentiate them from each other.

Maruti XL6 vs. Maruti Ertiga - Dimensions

Both the Maruti XL6 as well as Maruti Ertiga are based on the same platform and do get the same wheelbase of 2,740 mm. However, thanks to the minute sheet metal changes carried out all around the vehicle, the XL6 does look and actually possesses bigger dimensions over the Ertiga. The length, width and height of the XL6 are more than those of the Ertiga.

Maruti XL6 vs. Maruti Ertiga - Design

Exterior

The Maruti XL6 takes the already appealing design of the Maruti Ertiga and moulds it into a much bolder design.

The biggest and most evident difference between both the vehicles are at the front. While the Ertiga comes with a compact trapezoidal grille, the XL6 has a bigger and more aggressive-looking hexagonal grille. The headlamps of the XL6 are bigger and edgier.

Also, while the Ertiga looks plain with its halogen projectors, the XL6 looks flashier because of its LED headlamps. The LED headlamps include daytime running LED placed in the middle, which blends well with the centre chrome garnish line of the grille. The XL6 also gets a silver finished skid plate and black plastic surround for the fog lamps.

The profile of the Maruti Ertiga and the Maruti XL6 looks almost the same, with both the vehicles sharing window panels, doors, 15-inch alloy wheels with same design and outside rearview mirrors. However, the XL6 gets the same alloy wheels and rearview mirrors painted in black, large roof rails and body cladding running across the length.

Both the Ertiga and the XL6 get the same setup of L-shaped tail lamps, a flat windshield and the same tailgate at the rear. The latter features a gloss black panel below the rear windshield running across the width of the car and a thick silver skid plate going with the rugged theme.

Interior

The interior of both the Maruti XL6 as well as the Maruti Ertiga is exactly the same – the difference lies in the colour theme and the trims. While the cabin of the Maruti XL6 is finished entirely in black with a layer of stone finish garnish running through the dashboard, the cabin of the Ertiga feels brighter with the dual-tone black and beige theme, with the atone finish being replaced here by faux wood.

Both the vehicles get the same flat-bottom multifunctional steering wheel as well as instrument console with coloured MID in between. The centre console, too, is exactly the same in both the vehicles, with a protruding 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (the XL6 getting the latest Smartplay Studio system) and an automatic climate control panel below it.

A major difference is in the second row of seats of both the MPVs. While the Maruti XL6 gets two captain seats in the second row, the Maruti Ertiga has a bench which can accommodate three people abreast.

Maruti XL6 vs. Maruti Ertiga - Features

The Maruti XL6 and the Maruti Ertiga share a common list of features, which on the inside, includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, push-button start with keyless entry, driver seat height adjustment, AC vents for all the three rows, tilt-adjustable steering and automatic climate control.

Being a more premium than the Ertiga, the XL6 does come with a few additional features in the form of LED headlamps, daytime running LEDs, LED fog lamps, leather seats and cruise control.

The list of safety features, however, is identical in both the vehicles, which includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, reverse parking sensors with camera, ISOFIX mounts for child seats, electronic stability program and hill hold assist (the last two features being available only in the automatic variants).

Maruti XL6 vs. Maruti Ertiga - Engine & Transmission

The Maruti Ertiga and Maruti XL6 both are available with the K15B 1.5-litre petrol engine (104.69 PS/138 Nm) linked to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The former is available with a CNG version of the same engine as well. Running on CNG, the same engine's maximum power and maximum torque drop to 92.45 PS and 122 Nm respectively. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard in the CNG version.

Maruti XL6 vs. Maruti Ertiga - Mileage

Given that both the Maruti XL6 petrol and the Maruti Ertiga petrol share the same powertrain in the same state of tune, their fuel efficiency figures are identical. While the variants equipped with the manual gearbox deliver a fuel economy of 19.01 km/l, the automatic variants promise a fuel economy of 17.99 km/l. The Maruti Ertiga CNG has a fuel economy rating of 26.08 km/kg.

Maruti XL6 vs. Maruti Ertiga - Price*

The Maruti XL6 surely looks and feels more premium over the Maruti Ertiga, and for the additional equipment and rugged appeal it carries over the Ertiga, it does command a considerable premium over the latter, which is quite justifiable.

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*Ex-showroom Delhi

Thailand now has the Suzuki Ertiga with the biggest touchscreen infotainment system offered in any market. The 10-inch unit offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, and supports USB, Aux and HDMI input. Its display has the best design we’ve seen on any of the various touchscreen infotainment systems of the second-gen Suzuki/Maruti Suzuki Ertiga so far.

Also read: Maruti Ertiga, India’s best-selling MPV, achieves 5.5 lakh sales milestone

In addition to the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the Suzuki Ertiga sold in Thailand has received Burgundy Red exterior colour and new 15-inch alloy wheels in a dual-tone finish. Under the hood, the MPV still has the K15B 1.5-litre petrol engine. This naturally aspirated four-cylinder mill isn’t equipped with a mild-hybrid system and it produces 105 PS at 6,000 rpm and 138 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. A 4-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Suzuki imports the new Ertiga to Thailand from Indonesia. It offers the updated MPV in the country in GL and GX grades, at THB 6,59,000 (INR 15,20,926.95) and THB 7,25,000 (INR 16,73,250.44) respectively.

Also Read: Toyota-badged Ertiga to be launched in India in 2021

In India, the Maruti Ertiga is offered with the 7-inch SmartPlay Studio touchscreen infotainment system that is available in every latest Maruti Suzuki, models as affordable as the Maruti Alto that is priced from INR 2,94,800 (ex-showroom Delhi). Dual-tone alloy wheels and Burgundy Red exterior colour aren’t offered in the Maruti Ertiga either. Prices of the compact MPV start at INR 7,59,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

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