The Maruti Suzuki XL6 has found a special place in the Indian vehicle market. The XL6 is a high-end 6-seater MPV with some SUV style. It is perfect for Indian families who need more space, practicality, and most significantly, fuel efficiency. And in a world where rising fuel prices are always a concern, the XL6 says it will get good fuel efficiency on paper. But how does it work when you put it to the test?
This blog discusses the real-world mileage of the XL6 across its petrol manual, automatic, and CNG variants. We’ll also discuss factors that influence mileage, input from genuine users, and suggestions to get the most out of every litre (or kilogram) of fuel.
Maruti Suzuki XL6 Engine and Transmission Options
The Maruti Suzuki XL6 has a 1.5-litre K15C DualJet petrol engine with Smart Hybrid technology. You can choose between a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. There is also a factory-installed CNG version with a 5-speed manual transmission. Each setup is designed to provide you with a different balance of performance and fuel economy.
Claimed vs Real-World Mileage
ARAI Mileage vs Real-World Mileage: Every car in India is evaluated under standardised conditions by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). These tests cause an “official” mileage figure, but it’s important to understand that these numbers are calculated in ideal conditions, constant speeds, no traffic, and no air conditioning.
Here are the ARAI mileage figures for the Maruti Suzuki XL6:
Petrol Manual: 20.97 km/l
Petrol Automatic (6-speed torque converter): 20.27 km/l
CNG Manual: 26.32 km/kg
These numbers look great on paper, but real-world mileage depends on how, where, and how much you drive. Let’s break it down.
Real-World Mileage for Petrol Manual:
City: 12–14 km/l
Highway: 16–18 km/l
Driving in a mix: 14–16 km/l
The XL6 petrol manual operates well in both urban and highway settings. City traffic may push the average down significantly, especially in bumper-to-bumper situations. On the highway, a light foot and speeds between 80–90 km/h can help you get close to the 18 km/l mark. Add the Smart Hybrid system into the mix, and you can benefit from idle start-stop and regenerative braking capabilities.
XL6 Petrol Automatic:
City: 10–12 km/l
On the highway: 15–17 km/l
Mixed driving: 13–14.5 km/l
While the automatic transmission provides convenience, it modestly reduces mileage in stop-and-go traffic. But on highways, you can get mileage numbers that are comparable to those of the manual version. Maintaining a steady speed and utilising cruise control can help narrow the gap in efficiency.
XL6 CNG Variant:
20–22 km/kg in the city
24–26 km/kg on the highway
Average overall: 22–24 km/kg
People who use CNG say that it works quite well all the time, especially on smooth city roads and highways. The cost of running a kilometer is far lower than that of petrol, but you will need to organise your journeys around the availability of CNG stations. Keep in mind that the CNG cylinder takes up some space in the trunk.
What Affects Maruti Suzuki XL6’s Mileage in Daily Use
There are a number of real-world things that affect how well your XL6 uses fuel:
- How you drive: Going too fast, stopping suddenly, and changing gears too often can all cut down on fuel mileage. Driving smoothly always gives greater benefits.
- The state of traffic: Heavy traffic, extended waits, and stop-and-go traffic can all lower fuel economy, especially in cities.
- Pressure in the tires: Tires that aren’t filled enough make it harder to roll, which lowers mileage. Always check the pressure on your tires, especially before you go on the highway.
- Air conditioning: Running the air conditioning at full power, especially in the summer, puts more strain on the engine and makes it less efficient. Be smart with your AC.
- Payload: A car that is completely loaded with passengers and luggage weighs more overall, which puts greater stress on the engine and lowers the mileage.
Variant-Wise Mileage Comparison
| Variant | City Mileage | Highway Mileage | Mixed Driving |
| Petrol Manual | 12–14 km/l | 16–18 km/l | 14–16 km/l |
| Petrol Automatic | 10–12 km/l | 15–17 km/l | 13–14.5 km/l |
| CNG Manual | 20–22 km/kg | 24–26 km/kg | 22–24 km/kg |
How to Improve Maruti Suzuki XL6 Mileage
Here are some useful suggestions to help you get the most fuel efficiency with your XL6:
- On highways, keep your speed consistent. 80 to 90 km/h is best.
- To save fuel, use cruise control whenever you can.
- Don’t speed up quickly or brake hard.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to keep tires properly inflated.
- Follow the usual service schedule and change the air filters, engine oil, and spark plugs when they need to be.
- Use eco-driving tactics like shifting up early, driving in higher ratios, and not idling when you don’t have to.
Summary
The Maruti Suzuki XL6 is more than just a roomy, high-end MPV. It’s also a fuel-efficient car that works well for both short and long trips. The XL6 is a perfect combination of practicality and efficiency. You can choose the petrol manual for better control, the automatic for simplicity of use, or the CNG option for the best savings.
Important Points:
- If you drive a petrol version, you may expect to get 12–18 km/l in real life, depending on how and where you drive.
- The CNG version gets 22–26 km/kg, which is great for people who have to drive a long way every day.
- You can easily get the most out of every drop of fuel if you drive carefully and keep up with routine maintenance.
- The XL6 makes a strong case for being a high-end MPV that won’t cost you a lot of money every time you fill up.
FAQs About Maruti Suzuki XL6 Real World Mileage
Q. How many km/l does the Maruti Suzuki XL6 get in the city?
The petrol manual gets about 12–14 km/l in city driving, while the automatic gets a little less, about 10–12 km/l.
Q. Does the Maruti XL6 get decent mileage on highways?
Yes, the manual version gets about 16–18 km/l on the highway, while the automated version gets 15–17 km/l when driven well.
Q. Is there a CNG version of the XL6?
Yes, the XL6 comes in a CNG version with a manual transmission. It has great gas mileage, between 22 to 26 km/kg.
Q. What can I do to get more fuel efficiency out of my XL6?
The greatest strategies to get better fuel efficiency are to keep the right amount of air in your tires, use cruise control, minimise aggressive driving, and get your car serviced on schedule.
Q. Is the XL6 a better choice than the Ertiga for fuel efficiency?
The XL6 is a little heavier than the other car because it has more features. The Ertiga may have a tiny edge, but the difference is small, and the XL6 is more comfortable and stylish.



