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Suzuki XL7 Car Review Suzuki XL7: A Vast Improvement
You have to admire Suzuki. For years they have been trying to do battle with vehicles that had stellar warranties, but lacked the sophistication of their motorcycles and thus deprived dealers of the sizzle needed to gain sales except for price. Into those showrooms now comes two vehicles that are as different as rock and country music. The new SX4 is a small, fun to drive, SUVish vehicle that costs $15,000 (US) or less is better than any other small car Suzuki has ever created. In addition, they have hatched, or borrowed, the basic ingredients of General Motors SUVs to produce a good looking XL7 for $23,000 (US). It is so much better than the previous model it is a shame that Suzuki didn’t give this new unit a more distinct name to separate it from the past.
For us the smaller SX4 was clearly the better vehicle despite a buzzy engine that clearly needed a sixth gear. The XL7 just reminded us of a restyled Chevrolet Tahoe, abeit with a superior warranty and better styling. The bottom line for us is that if you need a cross over SUV of the Tahoe’s size and are near a Suzuki dealer so you can take advantage of the terrific warranty should anything go wrong the vastly improved and family friendly XL7 is a good value. On the other hand if you are looking for an all wheel drive station wagon type vehicle that is priced well under the competition the SX4 is a lot of frugal fun.
The XL7's rear overhang is nine inches longer than those of the Chevy Equinox and Pontiac Torrent with which it shares an Ontario assembly plant, making space for an optional third-row seat large enough for small children. While the Equinox/Torrent suffer GM's crude pushrod 3.5-liter V-6, the XL7 gets GM's "high-feature" 3.6 with variable valve timing, built in Japan under license with a Suzuki engine control unit and shipped to Ontario.
This makes the XL7 a crossover with Theta's Novocain constant-ratio power steering, floaty ride, and okay handling, but with a refined, responsive engine and smooth transmission. Its toughest competitor will be the new seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe. The XL7's engine and third row make it a viable competitor and a much better buy than Equinox and Torrent
| 2007 Suzuki XL7 | | Base price | $22,000-$29,000 (est) | | Vehicle layout | Front engine, FWD or AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV | | Engine | 3.6L/252-hp/243 lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6 | | Transmission | 5-speed automatic | | Curb weight | 3900-4050 lb (mfr) | | Wheelbase | 112.4 in | | Length x width x height | 197.2 x 72.2x 68.9 in | | 0-60 mph | 8.0-8.5 sec (mfr est) | | EPA city/hwy fuel econ | 17-18/23-24 mpg |
At last, a Suzuki SUV with real sophistication. The XL7 moves the Japanese builder into an all-new class where comfort and convenience count yet is still capable of manhandling mountains if, that is, you specify your XL7 with all-wheel-drive. The base XL7 offers front-wheel-drive with five seats; our tester featured seven seats and a host of luxury equipment. A 252 hp V-6 engine and 5-speed auto are standard. Priced at $27,549, it achieves a respectable EPA mileage of 19 city/28 highway.First Glance
I should be test driving the Ark, I thought, as water streamed over the XL7's windshield. Vancouver's weather forecast had called for a severe rain alert and the forecast turned out to be correct as several nearby communities were badly flooded. Still, if you're going to conduct a test drive during a monsoon it may as well be in a comfortable SUV, equipped with all-wheel-drive to keep it moving and satellite radio to keep me amused.
When the clouds finally cleared enough to take photos I realised that Suzuki's designers had gone all out to make the XL7 handsome. Few people noticed a Grand Vitara but many observers gave my test vehicle an approving glance. The front end is particularly appealing. Though bordering on excess enough chrome's been applied to make a strong visual statement, while the headlight surrounds remind me of Japanese Kabuki art.
Our tester was a loaded model, packed with every luxury feature you could possibly want, yet I suspect the base XL7 with front-wheel-drive would still be a good buy for most folks. It won't have the third row seat that makes the XL7 useful for large families but it will come with the same powerful V-6 and spacious, practical interior.
Big guys like Jason and old guys like me will have no difficulty slipping into the XL7 and once inside, it's a good fit. Seats are moderately contoured and all-round visibility is good, whether on the highway or in tight spaces. Large, easily-read instruments are welcome and for once, weren't obscured when the tilt-wheel was lowered to my prefered ex-race driver position. Suzuki got around the dreaded on-floor parking brake by neatly tucking it into an alcove next to the cupholders. Air controls were kept simple, but the rear wiper switch is awkwardly located.
Our tester came with a GPS nav system that goes against everything I was taught as a pilot: Always hold the chart (map) in the direction you're flying. Other than N/S headings this one moves horizontally. Parked facing a river it showed the river behind; had I believed it I'd truly be testing an Ark! However the same panel also offered satellite radio, a totally new experience for this writer. Within seconds I'd found a contemporary jazz channel, and swathed in heated leather seats during those torrential downpours was a happy test driver. Anyone considering a base XL7 needn't be disappointed, though, for this is one SUV that puts you at ease regardless of trim.
On the Road
There is little doubt that Suzuki has repositioned its SUV from rugged, go anywhere off-roader to a versatile family hauler with style. And with performance,too. You can now put your foot down and be greeted by a new 3.4 liter V-6 engine producing 252 hp. A 5-speed auto offers the option of Manumatic manual shifting, though that seems out of character for a family vehicle. I tried it once, soon forgot it. The engine's normally quiet but loves to rev and delivers a delicious growl if you keep your foot down. In normal driving, fuel mileage is quite reasonable.
A real plus in this class and one that further shows how Suzuki's moved away from truck underpinnings, is the fully independent suspension system, aided by a self-leveling rear suspension in the 7-seat model to compensate for load changes. With standard electronic stability and traction control the XL7 displayed better than average handling in our wet weather tests. Steering turn-in and response was surprisingly good for this type of vehicle. I gave it high marks for ride comfort, lack of road and wind noise, and all-round driving pleasure.
The time my test had ended I'd begun to wonder if I was driving an SUV or a minivan. Diehard SUV fans might consider that a negative but the Suzuki XL7 is so spacious, comfortable and versatile, anyone considering a minivan would do well to check it out. And if they don't need the offroad advantages of an SUV, they can save a bundle by staying with front-wheel-drive and taking advantage of the traction and stability control when the going's slippery. The only real difference between this and a minivan is the lack of sliding doors. But does that really matter?
However my tester was the luxury model so I'd be remiss if I didn't pay homeage to the luscious leather, wood trim, sunroof (which I actually tried when the rain let up), and previously mentioned GPS map and satellite radio. And the graphic on the instrument panel that informed me "94% oil life remaining." And the automatic tire pressure reminder. And the separate air-conditioning system for rear seat passengers... the list goes on. Of equal importance is that every XL7 comes with front and side-curtain airbags and a 7-year warranty. Rain or shine, I'll award this handsome Suzuki 2007 XL-7 five stars as an SUV for the highway and a minivan for the backroads.
Lengthy standard equipment list, affordable price, generous warranty coverage.Cons A few cheap interior pieces, tight shoulder room.
What's New for 2007The Suzuki XL-7 has been redesigned for 2007. Compared to last year's model, the new one is larger, roomier, more comfortable and more powerful.
2007 Suzuki XL-7 Overview
Introduction
Introduced in 2001, the original Suzuki XL-7 seven-passenger SUV was compact in dimensions and geared for people who didn't want the hassles and expense of a midsize and full-size sport-utility but still needed the option of third-row seating. Unfortunately, its truck-based design, claustrophobic second- and third-row seats, poor-quality interior pieces and lack of side-impact airbags soon relegated it to bit-player status among a growing and increasingly refined field of compact and midsize contenders.
Suzuki is making amends in 2007 with a completely redesigned second-generation XL-7. Ten inches longer and 2 inches wider than before, it's the largest Suzuki SUV ever. Naturally, it's meant primarily for the North American market. In fact, much of its underlying mechanicals are based on a modified version of GM's midsize crossover SUV platform that's used for vehicles such as the Chevrolet Equinox.
The 2007 XL-7's unibody structure helps to provide a carlike ride and better handling reflexes. With a new rack-and-pinion steering system and a four-wheel independent suspension (with load-leveling rear shocks on seven-passenger models), the XL-7 has newfound comfort, confidence and capability when matched up against other leading midsize sport-utility vehicles. Some XL-7 shoppers might be dismayed to learn that the new model lacks the previous one's off-road capability, but the new on-road bias is much more in line with typical buyer needs. Additionally, the '07 XL-7's 252-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 is a welcome replacement for the previous model's anemic 2.7-liter V6.
Overall, the new 2007 Suzuki XL-7 is much improved and more competitive in just about every way. We think value-conscious shoppers will certainly want to give it consideration as an alternative to vehicles like the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-9. That said, there are a few notable drawbacks, such as tight shoulder room and interior materials that don't quite meet the high standards set by other competitors. These issues become even more apparent when the XL-7 is loaded up with options and its lead in value diminishes. If you're going to buy a Suzuki XL-7, we'd advise you to stick with the base trim level for maximum value.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2007 Suzuki XL-7 is a well-equipped five- or seven-passenger midsize crossover SUV. Five-passenger XL-7s are offered in base and Luxury trim levels, while seven-passenger models come in base, Luxury and Limited versions. Buyers have a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive on all trim levels.
Included on the base trim is a long list of standard features, including 16-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, automatic climate control, a six-speaker CD stereo, cruise control and full power accessories. Seven-seat base models also feature a load-leveling rear suspension, under-floor cargo storage and rear air-conditioning with separate controls. The upscale Luxury trim level adds 17-inch wheels, leather seating, wood-grain accents, a power driver seat, heated front seats and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. Both five- and seven-passenger Luxury models are eligible for an optional sunroof, but only the seven-passenger version can be equipped with a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. For the XL-7 Limited, Suzuki adds the DVD entertainment system, a selection of exterior trim upgrades, keyless startup and a premium audio system with satellite radio. The Limited's Platinum Touring Package replaces the entertainment system with the sunroof but adds a navigation system and special wheels.
Powertrains and Performance
The all-new Suzuki XL-7 is motivated by a General Motors-derived 3.6-liter V6 producing 252 hp and 243 pound-feet of torque. It's mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. Suzuki says zero to 60 mph takes fewer than 8 seconds and EPA-estimated fuel economy is 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway for front-wheel-drive models and 17/23 for AWD XL-7s. For those with toys to haul around, the XL-7 has a 3,500-pound tow capacity.
The XL-7's available all-wheel-drive system uses an electronically controlled rear differential that engages those wheels immediately when slippery conditions are encountered up front. While it can handle snow and ice and gentle dirt trails just fine, venturing far off the beaten path to rocky outcroppings is now best left to more focused off-road vehicles.
Safety
The 2007 Suzuki XL-7 is equipped with antilock disc brakes, traction control and stability control with a rollover sensor. Additional safety features include side curtain airbags (for all three rows on seven-passenger XL-7s) and a tire-pressure monitoring system.
Interior Design and Special Features
The 2007 XL-7 is the largest, most comfortable Suzuki SUV ever built and offers a spacious, functional interior. The overall design looks modern, but the quality and fit and finish of some interior pieces is a little iffy. When it comes to head- and legroom, the XL-7 measures within an inch of the Honda Pilot in all three rows. Shoulder room is a different story, however, as it's narrower than that of most other midsize crossovers. The 60/40 split-folding middle-row seats also tumble and fold, and the optional 50/50 split-folding third-row seat can be folded flat into the floor for additional cargo-carrying room; a fold-flat front-passenger seat enables the XL-7 to carry longer items with ease. With the rear seats lowered, the vehicle has a maximum cargo capacity of 95.2 cubic feet.
Driving Impressions
Although the 2007 Suzuki XL-7's new V6 engine is significantly larger and more powerful than the engine in the previous-generation XL-7, it also returns fuel economy equal to or better than its predecessor. On the highway, the XL-7 delivers a quiet and comfortable ride, but soft suspension settings result in cornering performance that's hardly sporty. This won't be a problem for the majority of buyers, but if you do want a family SUV with a more athletic demeanor, you could always look at the CX-9 and Nissan Murano
-Written by The Car Family
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