In India’s busy car market, two cars stand out as great options for families: the Kia Carens and the Maruti Suzuki XL6. They both have roomy interiors, modern tech, and seats for six people. But which one is better? Let’s compare them closely. We’ll look at their features, how they perform, and how much they cost. Kia Carens offers cool design and high-tech safety features, while the Maruti Suzuki XL6 is known for its fuel efficiency and trusted brand. Explore these 6-seater SUVs and pick the one that fits your family best for your journeys ahead.
Key Features
Kia Carens
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Price Range (ex-showroom, Delhi)
₹10.45 Lakh – ₹17.49 Lakh
₹11.61 Lakh – ₹14.04 Lakh
Engine Options
1.5L Petrol (113 bhp), 1.4L Turbo Petrol (140 bhp)
9-inch touchscreen infotainment, sunroof, cruise control, 4 airbags, smart key, hill hold assist
Engine & Transmission
Feature
Kia Carens
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Engine
1.5L Petrol (Smartstream G 1.5)
1.5L Petrol (K15C)
Displacement
1497 cc
1462 cc
Power
115 PS @ 6300 RPM
105 PS @ 6000 RPM
Torque
144 Nm @ 4500 RPM
135 Nm @ 4400 RPM
Transmission
6-speed Manual, 7-speed DCT (Petrol)
5-speed Manual, 6-speed Automatic
N/A (CNG)
5-speed Manual (CNG)
The Kia Carens offers a more powerful engine compared to the Maruti Suzuki XL6 in its petrol variant.
The XL6 provides the option of a CNG variant, which is not available in the Carens.
The Carens offers a 7-speed DCT automatic transmission, while the XL6 has a 6-speed automatic option.
The XL6 generally offers slightly better fuel efficiency in its petrol variants.
Fuel & Performance
Feature
Kia Carens
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Engine Options
1.5L Petrol (115PS, 144Nm)
1.5L Petrol (103PS, 136Nm)
Transmission
6-speed Manual, 7-speed DCT
5-speed Manual, 6-speed Automatic
Fuel Type
Petrol Only
Petrol & CNG
Fuel Efficiency
16.9 – 18.1 kmpl (MT) (Petrol)
17.0 – 18.9 kmpl (MT) (Petrol)
N/A (CNG)
26.1 – 26.7 km/kg (MT) (CNG)
Acceleration (0-100km/h)
10.42 seconds (MT), 9.67 seconds (DCT)
11.6 seconds (MT), 10.46 seconds (AT)
Top Speed
170 km/h (MT), 185 km/h (DCT)
180 km/h (MT), 170 km/h (AT)
Driving Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
None
Paddle Shifters
Available (Automatic)
Available (Automatic)
The Kia Carens offers a more powerful turbocharged petrol engine option which is not available in the Maruti Suzuki XL6.
The Kia Carens offers better fuel efficiency in the automatic transmission variant compared to the XL6.
The Kia Carens offers faster acceleration times across all variants compared to the XL6.
The Kia Carens offers driving modes which allow for customization of the driving experience, while the XL6 does not.
Both cars offer paddle shifters in the automatic transmission variants.
Suspension, Steering & Brakes
Feature
Kia Carens
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Front Suspension
McPherson Strut w/Coil Spring
McPherson Strut w/Coil Spring
Rear Suspension
Coupled Torsion Beam Axle (CTBA) w/Coil Spring
Torsion Beam & Coil Spring
Steering Type
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Brakes (Front)
Disc Brakes
Disc Brakes
Brakes (Rear)
Disc Brakes
Drum Brakes
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Standard
Standard
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist (BA)
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold Control (HHC)
Standard
Standard
Traction Control System (TCS)
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
Available in select variants
Not Available
Driving Modes
Sport, Eco, Comfort
None
Turning Circle Diameter
10.9 meters
10.2 meters.
Rear Suspension: The Kia Carens uses a more sophisticated Coupled Torsion Beam Axle (CTBA) compared to the simpler Torsion Beam of the XL6, potentially offering slightly better handling and comfort.
Brakes: The Kia Carens has disc brakes on all four wheels, providing better stopping power than the XL6’s combination of disc brakes in front and drum brakes at the rear.
Additional Features: The Kia Carens offers additional features like Hill Descent Control and Driving Modes, not available on the XL6.
Dimensions & Capacity
Feature
Kia Carens
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Dimensions (mm)
Length (mm)
4540
4445
Width (mm)
1800
1775
Height (mm)
1708
1755
Wheelbase (mm)
2780
2740
Ground Clearance (mm)
195
180
Capacity
Doors
5
5
Seats
6/7
6
Boot Space (Litres) – 3rd Row Up
216
209
Boot Space (Litres) – 3rd Row Down
531
617
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres)
45
45
Both cars offer 6-seater and 7-seater configurations.
The Kia Carens is slightly larger in most dimensions compared to the Maruti Suzuki XL6.
The Kia Carens offers marginally more boot space with the 3rd row up, but the XL6 takes the lead with the 3rd row folded.
Captain seats with individual armrests (top variants)
Bench seat with 60:40 split, sliding and reclining
60:40 split, sliding and reclining, AC vents, USB ports
AC vents, USB ports
Third Row Seats
Two individual seats (6 seater) or bench seat (7 seater)
Bench seat, fixed, headrests
Split folding, headrests
Headroom
Ample headroom in all rows
Generous headroom in all rows
Legroom
Good legroom in first two rows, decent legroom in third row
Ample legroom in first two rows, limited legroom in third row
Sunroof
Panoramic sunroof (top variants)
Electric sunroof
Ambient Lighting
Yes (top variants)
No
Infotainment System
10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, connected car features
SmartPlay Studio touchscreen, navigation, Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument cluster (top variants)
Analog instrument cluster with MID
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Manual or automatic climate control
Wireless Charging
Yes (top variants)
No
Keyless Entry & Start
Yes
Yes
Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Reverse Parking Camera
Yes
Yes
360-degree Camera
Yes (top variants)
No
The Kia Carens offers a more modern and premium interior design compared to the Maruti Suzuki XL6.
The XL6 has a slightly larger boot space than the Carens.
The Carens offers more features, especially in the top variants, but comes at a higher price point than the XL6.
Exterior
Feature
Kia Carens
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Overall Design
Bold, modern SUV-inspired
Sleek, premium MPV-inspired
Headlights
LED Projector with DRLs (optional)
LED Projector with DRLs
Taillights
LED with signature lighting
LED with chrome garnish
Front Grille
Tiger-nose grille with chrome accents
Sleek grille with chrome accents
Wheels
16-17 inch alloy wheels
15-16 inch alloy wheels (optional)
Roof Rails
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Optional
Optional (Dual Tone variants)
Door Handles
Body-colored
Body-colored
Side Mirrors
Integrated turn signals
Integrated turn signals
Fog Lights
Front and rear
Front only
Rear Spoiler
Available on higher variants
Available on higher variants
Chrome Accents
Abundant on grille, windows, and bumpers
Subtler accents on grille and windows
Overall Dimensions
Slightly larger (4540mm x 1800mm x 1700mm)
Slightly smaller (4445mm x 1775mm x 1700mm).
The Kia Carens offers a wider range of exterior customization options, including different grille designs, alloy wheel designs, and two-tone paint options.
The Maruti Suzuki XL6 has a more subtle and premium exterior design, with a focus on chrome accents and sleek lines.
Both cars offer a variety of exterior features depending on the trim level.
Comfort & Convenience
Feature
Kia Carens
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Seating
6/7-seater (captain chairs optional)
6-seater (bench seat)
Upholstery
Leatherette (higher variants)
Fabric
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control with rear vents
Manual AC with rear vents
Sunroof
Available
Panoramic sunroof
Cruise Control
Yes (all variants)
Yes (top trim)
Power Windows
All four windows
All four windows
Central Locking
Yes
Yes
Keyless Entry
Yes
Yes (top trim)
Push Button Start
Yes
Yes (top trim)
Steering Mounted Controls
Yes
Yes (top trim)
Touchscreen Infotainment System
8” or 10.25”
7” SmartPlay Studio
Navigation
Available (top variants)
Available (top trim)
Wireless Charging
Available (top variants)
Not available
Ambient Lighting
Available (top variants)
Not available
Ventilated Seats
Available (top variants)
Not available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Available (top variants)
Not available
Automatic Headlights
Available (top variants)
Not available
The Kia Carens offers a wider range of comfort and convenience features, especially in the higher variants.
The Maruti Suzuki XL6 is more affordable but offers fewer features.
Safety
Feature
Kia Carens
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Airbags
3 (std.), 6 (opt.)
4 (std.), 6 (opt.)
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Yes
Yes
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Yes
Yes
Brake Assist
Yes
Yes
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Yes (std.)
Yes (opt.)
Hill Hold Control (HHC)
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Yes (rear)
Yes (rear)
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360° Camera
Yes (opt.)
No
Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
Yes (opt.)
No
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Yes
Yes
Automatic Headlamp On
Yes
Yes
Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
Yes
Yes
Fog Lamps
Yes (front & rear)
Yes (front)
Central Locking
Yes
Yes
Engine Immobilizer
Yes
Yes
Child Seat Anchors (ISOFIX)
Yes
Yes.
The Kia Carens comes with more standard safety features than the Maruti Suzuki XL6, such as ESC, HHC, and TCS.
Both cars have optional features including upgraded airbags, 360° camera, BSM, LDW and DAW.
The XL6 provides a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, which is helpful when there is a loss of control in slippery situations.
ADAS
Feature
Kia Carens
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Yes (with Auto Emergency Braking)
Yes
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
Yes (with Car-to-Car and Pedestrian Detection)
Yes (with Car-to-Car and Pedestrian Detection)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Yes
Yes
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
Yes
No
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Yes
No
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Yes
No
Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
Yes
No
High Beam Assist (HBA)
Yes
No
360-Degree Camera
Yes (optional)
No
Parking Sensors
Yes (front and rear)
Yes (front and rear)
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Yes
Yes
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Yes
Yes
Traction Control System (TCS)
Yes
Yes
Advance Internet
Feature
Kia Carens
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Infotainment System
10.25-inch touchscreen with Kia Connect
SmartPlay Studio with 9-inch touchscreen
Connectivity
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, UVO Connect telematics
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Suzuki SmartPlay Studio app
Kia voice assistant with natural language processing
None
Internet Hotspot
Yes
Yes
Over-the-Air Updates
Yes
Yes (limited features)
Digital Instrument Cluster
Optional 7-inch digital instrument cluster
Optional colored multi-information display
Head-Up Display
Optional head-up display
Not available
Wireless Charging
Optional wireless charging pad
Not available.
Both cars offer a variety of other internet-related features, such as Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, and AUX input.
Kia Carens offers a wider range of connected features and a more advanced infotainment system compared to Maruti Suzuki XL6.
Maruti Suzuki XL6 is generally more affordable than Kia Carens.
Entertainment & Communication
Feature
Kia Carens
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Touchscreen Infotainment System
Yes (8-inch or 10.25-inch)
Yes (7-inch or 9-inch)
Navigation System
Yes (optional)
Yes (optional)
Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
6 or 8
4 or 6
Wireless Charging
Yes (optional)
No
Head-Up Display (HUD)
Yes (optional)
No
Ambient Lighting
Yes (optional)
Yes (optional)
Voice Commands
Yes (optional)
Yes (limited)
Rear Seat Entertainment System
Yes (optional)
No
Sunroof
Yes (optional)
Yes (optional)
The Kia Carens vehicle can be equipped with a variety of extra features, such as a larger touchscreen, HUD, wireless charging and rear seat entertainment system.
The Maruti Suzuki XL6 has a less advanced infotainment system as compared to the Maruti Suzuki XL6 but it is still useful and user-friendly.
Both cars have a wide array of audio features such as Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
The Kia Carens is more modern and premium on the inside whereas the Maruti Suzuki XL6 feels more traditional.
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