The launch of Kia Carens Clavis has once again challenged for the throne of the best three row passenger vehicle in the sub 20 lakh MPV market. One of the main rivals of the Kia Carens Clavis is the Maruti Suzuki XL6. Just as the Carens Clavis features cosmetic and feature updates over the regular Kia Carens, the Maruti Suzuki XL6 too is a more premium version of the highly utilitarian Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.
Both MPVs, the Carens Clavis and the XL6 are trying to offer a premium experience in an MPV segment that expects them to also be comfortable, fuel efficient, and most of all, cost effective. Ultimately, the Kia Carens Clavis and Maruti Suzuki XL6 will appeal to different types of buyers, all of whom want a three row vehicle for multi purpose role. To find out which one would do the job for you, we have put together this comparison between the two, taking a look at their dimensions, powertrains, features, safety tech and their price.
Kia Carens Clavis vs Maruti Suzuki XL6: Dimensions
| Kia Carens Clavis | Maruti Suzuki XL6 | |
| Length | 4550 mm | 4445 mm |
| Width | 1800 mm | 1775 mm |
| Height | 1708 mm | 1755 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2780 mm | 2740 mm |
| Boot space | 216 litres (all three rows up) | 209 litres (all three rows up) |
| Ground clearance | 186 mm | 180 mm |
On paper, it is the Kia Carens Clavis which is longer and wider than the Maruti Suzuki XL6. It also has a slightly longer wheelbase. The Maruti MPV is however taller than its South Korean compartment and narrowly falls behind it in the boot space department. The Carens Clavis also has a slightly higher ground clearance than the XL6.
While the differences between the two aren’t big enough to call for a night and day difference, parked next to each other, the Carens is visibly the larger car. Its cabin is also more spacious than the XL6. However, as the XL6 is only available in a six seater configuration with captain seats in the second row, the Maruti MPV offers a relatively comfortable seating experience. Its taller roofline also liberates better headroom, which once again increases the overall sense of space inside the cabin. Lastly, the boot space on offer with all three rows up is almost similar, although it’s the Carens Clavis with slightly more space on offer.
For city commutes, the Carens Clavis and XL6 are going to offer a similar cabin experience and will also feel similar in terms of their footprint on the road. However, the Carens Clavis is the better MPV when asking for better comfort over longer journeys, especially for road trips.
Kia Carens Clavis vs Maruti Suzuki XL6: Engine & Transmission
| Kia Carens Clavis | Maruti Suzuki XL6 | |
| Engine options | 1.5 litre NA petrol engine1.5 litre turbocharged petrol engine1.5 litre diesel engine | 1.5 litre NA petrol engine |
| Transmission options | 6 speed MT (all engines)6 speed iMT and 7 speed DCT (turbo petrol engine)6 speed AT (diesel engine) | 5 speed MT6 speed AT |
| Power | 115 PS (NA petrol engine)160 PS (turbo petrol engine)116 PS (diesel engine) | 104 PS (Petrol)88 PS (CNG) |
| Torque | 144 Nm (NA petrol engine)253 Nm (turbo petrol engine)250 Nm (diesel engine) | 137 Nm (Petrol)122 Nm (CNG) |
| Mileage | 15.3 km/l (NA petrol engine)15.95 – 16.66 km/l (turbo petrol engine)17.5 km/l to 19.54 km/l (diesel engine) | 20.97 (Petrol MT)20.27 (Petrol AT)26.32 km/kg (CNG) |
The powertrain comparison between the Kia Carens Clavis and Maruti Suzuki XL6 is a bit lop sided. The Kia MPV is offered with three engine options whereas the Maruti MPV is only offered with one engine option, albeit it can be run on two different types of fuel. Essentially, both cars feature a 1.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, and it is the Kia’s engine that is slightly more powerful. In the Korean MPV, this engine is only available with a 6 speed manual transmission, whereas the Maruti MPV can be had with a 5 speed manual or a 6 speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, the XL6 is also offered with a factory fitted CNG kit on certain variants, although it can only be had with the manual transmission.
Additionally, the Kia Carens Clavis is also offered with a 1.5 turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.5 litre diesel engine. The petrol motor makes the segment best power figures and offers better acceleration than the others. It also comes with the most transmission options; a 6 speed manual transmission, 6 speed iMT (clutchless manual) and a 7 speed DCT (dual clutch transmission). The diesel engine too offers well rounded performance and it can be mated to either a 6 speed manual or a 6 speed automatic transmission. The diesel engine is great for highway cruising and proves to be the most efficient of all the engines of the Carens Clavis.
The Kia MPV is the one offering variety when it comes to powertrain options. Irrespective of if you are looking for refinement, performance or efficiency from the engines of the Carens Clavis, there is at least one option that will suit your needs. On the other hand, the Maruti XL6 offers better efficiency when comparing the petrol engines of the two MPVs. Furthermore, the additional CNG option also makes it more efficient to run than the diesel engine of the Kia.
Kia Carens Clavis vs Maruti Suzuki XL6: Features & Comfort
| Kia Carens Clavis | Maruti Suzuki XL6 | |
| Infotainment system | 12.25 inch HD touchscreen | 7 inch touchscreen |
| Music system | 8 speaker BOSE sound system | 6 speaker ARKAMYS tuned sound system |
| Climate control | Auto AC | Auto AC |
| Ventilated seats | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable steering | Tilt and Telescopic Adjustment | Tilt and Telescopic Adjustment |
| Drive modes | Yes (DCT/AT only) | No |
| Instrument cluster | 12.25 HD digital cluster | Analog cluster with small TFT screen |
| Sunroof | Panoramic sunroof | No |
| Adjustable seats | 4 way power adjustable driver seat | Height adjustable driver seat |
| Rear AC vents | Second and Third Row Vents with speed control | Second row vents with speed control |
| Split Rear Seats | 50:50 split in third row | 50:50 split in third row |
| Cruise control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Yes |
The Kia Carens Clavis and Maruti Suzuki XL6 are both billed as a premium MPV by their respective manufacturer. In fact, as we mentioned in the beginning, both manufacturers also offer an MPV based on the same platform as these two in their respective portfolios. However, one look at the features table above and it becomes clear that both car makers define premium features differently. The Kia Carens Clavis is equipped better than most cars priced similarly, but its reflected in the overall price of the MPV. The Maruti Suzuki XL6 doesn’t offer a lot of the same modern features but it offers almost similar levels of functionality.
In the Carens Clavis, you find a higher quality 12.25 inch HD touchscreen compared to the 7 inch touchscreen on the XL6. However, while the Kia feels more premium and offers more space on the screen, the XL6 offers a similar level of features on the screen such as smartphone compatibility and navigation abilities. The Carens Clavis also has more speakers and they are from BOSE, compared to the generic speakers of the XL6, however, they have been tuned for better audio. Other features found on the Kia Carens Clavis that elevate its ownership experience are the digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, power adjustable driver seat and Adaptive Cruise Control.
The Kia Carens and Maruti Suzuki XL6 are similarly equipped as far as basic comfort features are concerned such as an audio system, second and three row AC and height adjustable driver seat. However, the Carens Clavis goes the extra mile by offering premium features that don’t just improve the overall driving experience, but make it more premium as well.
Kia Carens Clavis vs Maruti Suzuki XL6: Safety Features
| Kia Carens Clavis | Maruti Suzuki XL6 | |
| GNCAP safety rating | Not Tested | Not Tested |
| Airbags | 6 airbags | 4 airbags |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | Yes |
| Traction control | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Rain-sensing wipers | Yes | No |
| Hill-hold assist | Yes | Yes |
| Hill descent control | Yes | No |
| Rear sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Rear parking camera | Yes | Yes |
| ISOFIX child seat anchor points | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS | Yes | No |
With MPVs being bought for their primary capability of being able to ferry passengers, safety is an important discussion before deciding which one you should buy. Both cars have not been tested by Global NCAP. However the Carens Clavis is based on the regular Kia Carens which did receive a 3 star rating from the crash testing agency. Furthermore, the XL6 too is based on the Ertiga’s platform, and the latter has been tested and awarded 3 stars by Global NCAP. While without a crash test, it can be premature to comment on the crash test capabilities of the two MPVs, we do expect them to secure at least a 3 star rating if they were tested today.
On the features front, both the Kia Carens Clavis and Maruti Suzuki XL6 are neck and neck in most areas, except for the Kia MPV having two more airbags. Furthermore, it also has rain sensing wipers and hill descent control, both of which are not offered on the XL6. Lastly, the Carens Clavis is also equipped with a Level 2 ADAS system which adds safety features like auto emergency braking and others to the vehicle.
By modern standards, both MPVs do offer all features that become a common place on new Indian cars sold today. However, the XL6’s four airbags do leave something to be desired. However, Maruti Suzuki is in the process of revamping its model line up so that six airbags are available across all models. Ultimately, it is the Carens Clavis which is the safer of the two MPVs on merit, however, the XL6 is not far behind and offers a great safety package for its price.
Kia Carens Clavis vs Maruti Suzuki XL6: Price Comparison
| Kia Carens Clavis | Maruti Suzuki XL6 | |
| Base Variant | Rs. 11.50 lakh to Rs. 14.55 lakh | Rs. 11.84 lakh to Rs. 13.24 lakh |
| Mid Variant | Rs. 13.50 lakh to Rs. 18 lakh | NA |
| Upper Mid Variant | Rs. 18.40 lakh to Rs. Rs. 19.50 lakh | NA |
| Top Variant | Rs. 19.40 lakh to Rs. 21.50 lakh | Rs. 13.44 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh |
The Kia Carens Clavis is offered in multiple variants, with further powertrain sub divisions. The Maruti Suzuki XL6 is broadly available in two variants, with further subdivisions on the basis of powertrain combinations. That said, it becomes a game of apples and oranges comparing their price across four categories (Base, Mid, Upper Mid and Top variants).
That said, the Kia Carens Clavis offers a great price range with better powertrain and features becoming a part of the package as you move up the price ladder. While its lower variants offer a similar pricing as the lower variants of the XL6, the Carens Clavis differentiates itself due to the premium pricing of its higher variants.
Ultimately, the Carens Clavis is offering a wider choice, and those interested in the higher variants can opt to pay the premium for them. On the other hand, the XL6 is offering only two main variants that are priced quite aggressively and offer great value for budget conscious buyers.
Summary
The Kia Carens Clavis is a relative newcomer whereas the Maruti Suzuki XL6 is the established player in the segment. Those looking to shop for an MPV for the family mostly start off by looking at the XL6 and if you are on budget, the XL6 offers almost everything that one can demand from a modern MPV under Rs 20 lakh. Furthermore, if you are looking to elevate your ownership experience and want to splurge on features that don’t just add to the driving experience and passenger comfort, but also make you feel that extra bit special, the Carens Clavis has you covered.
However, in that process the ex showroom cost of it can balloon past Rs. 20 lakh. So, if you want a fully loaded experience and are willing to pay the extra money for it, the Carens Clavis makes perfect sense. On the other hand, if you want a comfortable passenger and refined driving experience without spending as much, then the XL6 will be just the right fit for you.
FAQs about Kia Carens Clavis vs Maruti Suzuki XL6
Q. Which is the more feature rich between Kia Carens Clavis and Maruti Suzuki XL6.
A. Both SUVs are equipped with modern features such as a digital touchscreen, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver seat, and Auto AC. However, the Kia Carens Clavis ultimately offers more and better features in the form of a panoramic sunroof, bigger and better quality touchscreen, an 8 speaker BOSE sound system and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Q. Which is the safer MPV between Kia Carens Clavis and Maruti Suzuki XL6?
A. The safety features on the Kia Carens Clavis and Maruti Suzuki XL6 are mostly identical with both MPVs getting ABS with EBD, ESP, hill hold assist, ISOFIX mounting points and a rear parking camera. However, the Kia Carens Clavis has 6 airbags compared to the 4 of the Maruti Suzuki XL6. Furthermore, the Kia MPV has hill descent control, rain sensing wipers and most crucially ADAS, all of which are not found on its Maruti counterpart.
Q. Which is the more efficient MPV between Kia Carens Clavis and Maruti Suzuki XL6?
A. The Kia Carens Clavis is offered with an option to choose between two petrol and one diesel engine. Of the three it is the diesel engine which is the most fuel efficient and has the lowest running cost. The Maruti Suzuki XL6 is available with only one petrol engine, and it is more fuel efficient than both the petrol engines of the Carens Clavis. Additionally, this engine is also available with a factory fitted CNG kit which lowers the running cost of the XL6, bringing it below that of the diesel engine of the Kia MPV.
Q. Which MPV between Kia Carens Clavis and Maruti Suzuki XL6 offers better performance?
A. The Kia Carens is available with a turbocharged petrol engine, and it makes the most horsepower and torque than any of its other engines. It is much more powerful than the power output of the petrol engine in the XL6. Furthermore, the diesel engine of the Carens Clavis offers great low end torque and is great for driving in urban environments at constant but slow speeds.
Q. Is the Kia Carens Clavis available as a 6 seater?
A. Yes, the Kia Carens Clavis is available in a 6 seater configuration in which the middle row is replaced by captain seats. However, this option can only be picked in the top spec HTX+ variant of the Carens Clavis. Furthermore, this variant is only available with the turbocharged petrol engine of the Carens Clavis. Other engine options and variants are limited to a 7 seater configuration.
Q. How many people can sit in the Maruti Suzuki XL6?
A. The Maruti Suzuki XL6 is a three row MPV, however, it can only seat a maximum of 6 people. This is because the XL6 features captain seats in the second row in all variants.
