Honda City vs Maruti Suzuki XL6: Comparing Their Automatic Variants Priced Rs 13-15 Lakh for Family-focused Car Buyers

As a family man, you consider only the best, or top family cars in India when deciding on which one to buy. Today, let’s look at the Honda City and Maruti Suzuki XL6, and find out what makes them family-friendly car models in India.

In this article, we will share

• What family-focused buyers look for in a car
• Honda City vs Maruti Suzuki XL6 – a detailed analysis of their features, space, and safety
• How to pick the right car for you

So, are these perfect cars for a small family, or can they accommodate large families, too? And which of these is the right car for a family man? Read on.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

What a Family-focused car buyer looks for in a car

Here’s what a family-focused buyer should look for in car:

• Safety – A car must have essential safety features, and a good safety rating
• Space and comfort – The car must have ample space to accommodate all family members, and must include convenience features like rear AC vents
• Ride and handling – The car’s ride and handling need to be good

Family car buyers need space for kids and elders, comfortable seats, automatic transmission for city drives, fuel efficiency for budget runs, parking aids, essential safety like airbags and ABS, infotainment to keep rear passengers engaged, reliability and low maintenance. 

Practical storage spaces and charging ports are also appreciated. They prefer versatile family vehicles fitting city commutes and highway trips without much fatigue.

Why Honda City and Maruti Suzuki XL6 are popular

The Honda City offers one of the most spacious cabins in its segment with legroom to stretch even for tall occupants and great visibility. Its lane watch camera and rear parking sensors optimize safety. 

The City gets auto headlamps, auto AC, steering controls, electric sunroof and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment. Interiors feel premium with soft-touch materials.

The Maruti XL6 brings the convenience of auto transmission to an affordable bracket. Its middle row slides and reclines for flexible kneeroom. Smartplay Studio infotainment offers rear-seat entertainment. 

Exterior design looks butch like an SUV, which families love. The variant range stretches from Rs 12-15 lakh, opening accessibility. Light controls, peppy drive and Toyota’s reliability makes the XL6 a practical people mover.

Honda City and Maruti Suzuki XL6 Automatic Variants Shortlist in Rs 13-15 Lakh Range

For Honda City, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 29 November 2023
V CVT	₹13.62 lakhs
VX CVT	₹14.74 lakhs

For Maruti Suzuki XL6, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 29 November 2023
Zeta AT	₹13.06 lakhs
Alpha AT	₹14.06 lakhs

Honda City V CVT

The Honda City V CVT itself packs segment-leading space, one-touch electric sunroof, auto AC, rear AC vents, steering controls, push button start and essential safety tech like Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist, crumple zones and 4 airbags. Mileage is rated 18.4 km/l. If you’re a performance enthusiast, you can check out our comparison of the City with Hyundai Verna and Skoda Slavia.

Honda City VX CVT

The VX CVT adds side and curtain airbags taking total count to 6, plus auto LED headlamps, 15-inch alloys, electric sunroof and rear sunshade. So the upgrades seem practical. If you’re safety-conscious, you can read our comparison of the City with Skoda Slavia.

Maruti Suzuki XL6 Zeta AT

In the XL6 range, the Zeta AT gets all basics like auto transmission, steering controls, rear parking sensors, auto AC, push button start, 4 airbags, alloy wheels and 20.27 km/l mileage. Infotainment offers Android Auto and Apple Carplay. If you’re a style-conscious car buyer, you can check out our comparison of the XL6 with Kia Carens.

Maruti Suzuki XL6 Alpha AT

The higher Alpha AT trim provides additional comforts like auto headlamps, cruise control and front center armrest. So the extra spend seems justified.

Our Pick for the Best variant among Honda City and Maruti Suzuki XL6 for Family-focused car buyers

The best variant for a family buyer is the Honda City VX CVT priced at Rs 14.74 lakhs.

It offers brilliant blending of cabin space, upmarket interior quality, premium comfort features and reassuring safety pack. The wheelbase of 2600 mm creates class-leading rear leg space where 3 adults can sit in genuine comfort. Ergonomic seats get lumbar support. Auto climate control, rear sunshade and AC vents optimize cooling.

Safety aspect is robustly covered with 6 airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist, ISOFIX child seat anchors and pedestrian injury mitigation. The lane watch camera and rear sensors assist in safe parking. High beam assist auto-switches between high and low beams.

It also gets a modern package like LED headlamps, one-touch electric sunroof, 8-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, steering-mounted controls, brake assist and cruise control. 15-inch alloy wheels and chrome door handles add style.

Smooth CVT gearbox, light steering wrists and 18.4 km/l mileage makes it easy to drive over city errands and highway trips without fatigue. Honda’s reliability and after-sales service quality further tips scales in its favor.

The Top 3 choices

1. Honda City VX CVT
2. Maruti XL6 Alpha AT
3. Honda City V CVT

Variant	Price	Key Strengths
Honda City VX CVT	Rs 14.74 lakhs	Class-leading rear legroom 6 airbags Feature-loaded package
Maruti XL6 Alpha AT	Rs 14.06 lakhs	Leatherette seats Cruise control 20.97 km/l mileage
Honda City V CVT	Rs 13.62 lakhs	One-touch sunroof 4 airbags 18.4 km/l mileage

How to Pick the Right Car for You

• The Honda City VX CVT clearly stands out for its segment-best cabin spaciousness, cushy seats, upscale cabin experience and reassuring safety.
• The Maruti XL6 Alpha AT gives it competition by virtue of leatherette seats, auto headlamps and higher 20.97 km/l mileage coupled with affordable pricing.
• The City V CVT holds its own with a one-touch electric sunroof, 18.4 km/l economy and packaged with necessary safety tech.

For family transportation, the City VX CVT is hard to beat. But Maruti’s value pricing on the XL6 makes it tempting, too. 

If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered