After Ertiga, The Maruti XL6 Gets A Big Safety BOOST!
The Maruti Suzuki XL6, the stylish sibling to Ertiga, will now come with six airbags as standard on all variants, This update, effective from 23 July 2025, represents more than just a tick on the features checklist. It’s a clear response to shifting expectations around road safety, evolving government norms, and a customer base that’s increasingly aware of what’s possible, and what’s essential, in their next new car.
The Six-Airbag Move: What’s Changed and Why It Matters
Until this upgrade, six airbags were the preserve of higher XL6 variants. With this update, every single model now features protectors for driver and all passengers, including side and curtain airbags. The price? It’s nudged up by a modest 0.8% on the ex-showroom sticker, but the value added is tangible, especially as more cars on the road now offer sophisticated occupant protection as standard fare.
Modern crash-test results often emphasise airbags as a key factor in reducing injury risk during side and frontal collisions. By extending this level of protection to the full XL6 range, Maruti Suzuki further aligns with global practices, where even more affordable models get such active and passive safety gear.
Engineering the Safer MPV
From the outside, the XL6 wears the same familiar face, a bold front grille, stylish LED headlamps, 16-inch machined alloy wheels and a six-seat layout with captain seats in the second row. The big difference is now underneath the skin.
Maruti’s ‘HEARTECT’ platform has improved the safety aspect a little as it is designed to absorb and disperse impact forces away from the cabin. Combine this with six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), and hill hold assist, and the XL6 stands much better positioned to handle modern road realities.
The engine package is unchanged: a 1.5-litre petrol motor offering 102bhp and 137Nm of torque, available either with a five-speed manual for the purists or a six-speed automatic for those who prefer a relaxed drive.
There’s also a CNG variant, a nod to the cost-conscious and eco-aware, providing efficient running costs and a longer range between fill-ups.
Why Six Airbags Is Suddenly Everywhere
It wasn’t long ago that dual front airbags and ABS became compulsory for new models - a move that shifted industry thinking.
Today, the quest for higher Global NCAP ratings and regulatory talk around making six airbags standard as policy has given manufacturers fresh incentive to upgrade.
The push isn’t just about passing regulations; it’s also about staying ahead in a competitive market, where value and safety are increasingly used as sales levers.
Looking more widely, Maruti Suzuki’s declared plan is to make six airbags a universal feature on all new models by the end of 2025. With XL6 joining the Fronx, Baleno, Ertiga, Ignis, and S-Presso on this list, the brand adds both value and comfort for families who want not just space and style, but reassurance too.
Practical Impact: Does It Make a Difference?
There’s no denying the psychological boost of seeing ‘six airbags’ highlighted in a feature list. But the benefits show up in the hard numbers too. Side and curtain airbags are especially critical in reducing the risk of serious trauma to heads and necks in a side-impact or rollover, types of accidents that, while less common than frontal collisions, often contribute disproportionately to fatality rates.
The XL6’s safety update coincides with broader changes in the market. Other brands, such as Hyundai and Kia, have already offered six airbags on some models, driving the industry forward. The step-up from four to six airbags is, in this sense, both competitive and strategic - this is what buyers now expect, especially with families as primary passengers.
What About Affordability and Value?
A price hike of up to 0.8% (depending on the variant) on the XL6 won’t dent its overall value proposition. Considering the current range between ₹11.84 lakh and ₹14.99 lakh (ex-showroom), that translates to only a few thousand rupees extra for meaningful additional safety.
Given running costs remain among the lowest in class, thanks to Maruti’s reputation for reliability and after-sales economy, the XL6 remains one of the smarter picks for larger families eager to travel in style and safety - without stretching budgets unduly.