Short Take Road Test
The Suzuki XL7 used to carry the distinction of being the most affordable seven-passenger SUV on the market. But if you didn't need all seven seats, the truck-like ladder frame (shared with the Grand Vitara) and the solid rear axle made the more-car-like Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 a better choice. So for 2007 the XL7 rides on an all-new platform that's shared with the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent while the Grand Vitara still has its own rear- or all-wheel-drive chassis.
As the granddaddy of all Suzukis, the XL7 is the most powerful. The General Motors "high feature" 3.6-liter V-6-built by Suzuki under license from GM-mated to a five speed automatic transmission is the only powertrain, but it comes with an impressive 252 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. Two-wheel-drive models are propelled by the front wheels and all-wheel-drive is an option. The third row of seats is also optional, and adds load-leveling shocks to the independent rear suspension.
On the outside the XL7 has grown immensely. The overall length is up almost 10 inches to 197.2, which outstretches most mid-size SUVs. Width is up 2.1 inches, and the new XL7 is taller by almost an inch. Ground clearance has also improved, but the longer front and rear overhangs, which reduce approach and departure angles, give away the XL7's true nature as more of an all-weather people hauler than a true off-roader. But even if the XL7 is a thinly disguised minivan it makes a good effort to haul its occupants in comfort and safety. Front airbags and side curtain airbags are standard, as is ABS and stability control. The top-of-the-line Limited model comes with leather seats, wood trim, remote starter, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Our loaded test vehicle also had all-wheel drive and the Platinum package, which includes DVD navigation, power sunroof (which gets rid of the rear DVD entertainment) and chrome wheels.
Versatility can be found in any trim level of the XL7; the third row seat is a $1350 option on the standard and Luxury trim levels. Unlike in the Equinox, the second row of the XL7 does not slide fore and aft, but it folds and tumbles making a flat floor, and the front passenger seat folds down for longer items. Unfortunately, the quality of the XL7's interior doesn't match up to the flexibility. The materials, some of which come from the GM parts bin, feel cheaper than the interior pieces found even in the lesser Grand Vitara, and fit and finish is sub-par. The third row seat is difficult to access (as in most seven-passenger SUVs), and is not suitable for adults, but should be just fine for small children.
True to its soft-roader aspirations, the XL7 rides comfortably but carries an expected amount of body roll and numb steering. The major downfall of the XL7 comes from sticker shock. Our test vehicle came at a topped-out as-tested price of $32,384. In that territory there are a lot of SUVs that are more luxurious, comfortable, and refined. A front-drive seven-passenger XL7 starts at a more reasonable $24,884. Go easy on the extras and the XL7 is still a good, quick, affordable people hauler. Value is the XL7's best competitive edge, however, so its appeal decreases as the sticker price goes up.
