July 2025 — Maruti Suzuki has enhanced the safety credentials of its premium MPV, The XL6, by making six airbags standard across all variants. This update rolls out from July 23–24, 2025, and brings with it a modest 0.8% increase in ex‑showroom prices across the Zeta, Alpha, and Alpha+ trims. This isn’t just about increasing safety—it’s part of a broader “safety shield” strategy by Maruti Suzuki to equip nearly its entire portfolio with six airbags by year‑end.
🔒 Why 6 Airbags Now Standard?
Previously, the XL6 offered only four airbags—front and side airbags—in lower trims. The latest update includes full curtain airbags, raising the count to six, now present even in the base Zeta variant. This aligns the car with rivals in its price segment and fulfills growing consumer demand for improved safety.
This move is part of Maruti’s initiative to standardize six airbags across 97% of its cars—including models like the Alto, S‑Presso, Wagon‑R, Ertiga, Baleno and Grand Vitara—by the end of 2025.
📈 Price Hike: Marginal but Meaningful
While safety is being enhanced, the price impact on the XL6 is quite modest. Across variants, ex‑showroom pricing increases by roughly 0.8%, amounting to around ₹10,000–₹12,500 depending on the variant. For example, if a variant previously cost ₹14 lakh, the revised price could rise to around ₹14.1 lakh.
This hike is consistent with Maruti Suzuki’s wider pricing strategy, which has seen increases of up to 4% across its range from April 2025, aimed at offsetting rising raw‑material and operational costs.
🚗 The Updated XL6 at a Glance
Safety Upgrades
- Six airbags: dual front, front side, curtain airbags all standard
- Key advanced safety systems: ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Hold Assist, ISOFIX child-seat mounts, tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS), and 360° camera—all now bundled across trims.
Interiors & Features
- Premium cabin layout with six-seat configuration (second-row captain chairs)
- Ventilated front seats, footwell lighting, cruise control, tilt‑telescopic steering, auto‑AC, and push‑button start
- Infotainment includes a 7″ touchscreen with wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay, Suzuki Connect, wireless charging, Type‑C ports across rows, and voice assistant integration.
Engine & Performance
- 1.5‑litre Dual‑Jet Dual‑VVT (K15C) mild‑hybrid petrol engine delivering around 102–114 bhp and 136–139 Nm
- Available with a 5‑speed manual or 6‑speed automatic (with paddle shifters)
- Claimed mileage: ~20.9 km/l (manual), ~20.3 km/l (automatic)
- Factory-fitted CNG option only on the base Zeta trim, offering reduced power (~88 PS, 121–122 Nm) but higher fuel economy (~26 km/kg).
💬 What Buyers Are Saying
Consumers have long criticized the XL6 for offering only four airbags in top trims before this update. One Reddit user noted it was “willful negligence” in 2024 when only four airbags were offered in a flagship model. Another observed that many base variants across Maruti’s line‑up lacked proper safety, prompting this broad upgrade.
✅ Competitors & Context
With the Ertiga, Baleno and other key models already updated to six airbags, the XL6 is now firmly in line with modern safety norms. While rival MPVs like the Kia Carens offer the same level of passive safety, Maruti’s move ensures a brand‑wide consistency unmatched by some competitors.
🧾 Is It Worth It? Final Take
The XL6’s safety overhaul comes with near‑negligible price pain. At around 0.8% hike, the added protection seems well worth it—especially when Curtain and side airbags can make a tangible difference in crash outcomes. Moreover, the inclusion of ventilated seats, smart features, and captain‑seat comfort add significant value.
For Indian buyers, especially family users or those navigating long highway routes with six passengers, the update is practically mandatory by today’s standards.
If you’re considering a premium 6‑seater MPV in the ₹11.8–14.8 lakh range, the 2025 XL6 now stands stronger on both safety and features. The minor cost bump is easily justifiable given the long‑term benefits and alignment with Maruti’s safety commitment over the rest of 2025.
🌟 Summary Table
| Feature | Update in 2025 XL6 |
|---|---|
| Airbags | 6 standard across all variants (inc. curtain) |
| Price Rise | |
| Safety Systems | ESC, ABS‑EBD, CC, TPMS, ISOFIX, 360° camera |
| Ventilation & Comfort | Ventilated seats, captain row lights, cruise control |
| Connectivity & Infotainment | SmartPlay Pro, Suzuki Connect, wireless CarPlay/AA |
| Engine | 1.5 L mild‑hybrid petrol (MT/AT), CNG in base trims |
The 2025 Maruti Suzuki XL6 brings full six‑airbag protection and top-tier convenience for a very modest ₹10k-ish price hike. It’s a welcome upgrade in safety that arguably should have been in place earlier—but arrives at just the right time, solidifying the XL6’s appeal in India’s growing premium MPV segment.