What is it?
2007 Suzuki XL7
What's special about it?
Suzuki was the first manufacturer to squeeze seven seats into a compact SUV, but the original XL7 soon had to move aside as larger, more space-efficient crossovers arrived on the market.
The second-generation Suzuki XL7 is larger. This is a full-fledged midsize sport-ute. And it's no longer truck-based. Instead, Suzuki worked off the unibody Chevrolet Equinox platform. Its wheelbase length is the same as the Chevy's, but with room for a third row of seats, the XL7 is 8 inches longer than the Equinox.
"The all-new XL7 is the largest vehicle Suzuki has ever produced and delivers the style, performance, roominess and adaptability our customers want," said Gene Brown, vice president of marketing and public relations for American Suzuki. After examining the XL7 for ourselves, we're inclined to agree.
In place of the weak 185-hp V6 in the original XL7, the 2007 model has an all-aluminum, double-overhead-cam 3.6-liter V6 good for an estimated 250 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. The engine is based on GM architecture, but Suzuki builds this version in Japan and ships it to the CAMI plant in Ontario where the XL7 is assembled alongside the Equinox and Pontiac Torrent.
A five-speed automatic transmission is standard, and both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations are available. Fuel economy rates 17-18 mpg in the city and 23-24 mpg on the highway for this 4,000-pound SUV.
Inside, the 2007 XL7 is much more upscale and ergonomically sound than its predecessor. Red-backlit audio and climate controls are attractive and easy to use. Materials quality is average for this segment, but significantly improved over last year's XL7.
Most children will have ample room in the optional third row, though second-row legroom is merely average. Unlike in the Equinox, the second-row seat is not fore/aft adjustable as it must now fold and flip to provide access to the third row.
As you'd expect, there's precious little cargo room available with the third-row seat in use. But with the headrests removed, the 50/50 sections fold flat into the floor, opening up considerably more room, though Suzuki has not yet released a cargo capacity figure.
Every important safety feature comes standard, including a stability control system with rollover avoidance logic, front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. Major options include leather upholstery, a rear DVD entertainment system and a navigation system.
Suzuki's new XL7 goes on sale in the last quarter of 2006. Pricing will be between $23K and $29K, depending on how you equip it.
What's Edmunds' take?
With numerous car-based SUVs now offering three rows of seating, including the very similar Saturn Outlook also unveiled at the New York auto show, the 2007 Suzuki XL7 is unlikely to be a dominant player in this segment. It is, however, a vastly more useful and desirable SUV than its predecessor. — Erin Riches
2007 Suzuki XL7
What's special about it?
Suzuki was the first manufacturer to squeeze seven seats into a compact SUV, but the original XL7 soon had to move aside as larger, more space-efficient crossovers arrived on the market.
The second-generation Suzuki XL7 is larger. This is a full-fledged midsize sport-ute. And it's no longer truck-based. Instead, Suzuki worked off the unibody Chevrolet Equinox platform. Its wheelbase length is the same as the Chevy's, but with room for a third row of seats, the XL7 is 8 inches longer than the Equinox.
"The all-new XL7 is the largest vehicle Suzuki has ever produced and delivers the style, performance, roominess and adaptability our customers want," said Gene Brown, vice president of marketing and public relations for American Suzuki. After examining the XL7 for ourselves, we're inclined to agree.
In place of the weak 185-hp V6 in the original XL7, the 2007 model has an all-aluminum, double-overhead-cam 3.6-liter V6 good for an estimated 250 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. The engine is based on GM architecture, but Suzuki builds this version in Japan and ships it to the CAMI plant in Ontario where the XL7 is assembled alongside the Equinox and Pontiac Torrent.
A five-speed automatic transmission is standard, and both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations are available. Fuel economy rates 17-18 mpg in the city and 23-24 mpg on the highway for this 4,000-pound SUV.
Inside, the 2007 XL7 is much more upscale and ergonomically sound than its predecessor. Red-backlit audio and climate controls are attractive and easy to use. Materials quality is average for this segment, but significantly improved over last year's XL7.
Most children will have ample room in the optional third row, though second-row legroom is merely average. Unlike in the Equinox, the second-row seat is not fore/aft adjustable as it must now fold and flip to provide access to the third row.
As you'd expect, there's precious little cargo room available with the third-row seat in use. But with the headrests removed, the 50/50 sections fold flat into the floor, opening up considerably more room, though Suzuki has not yet released a cargo capacity figure.
Every important safety feature comes standard, including a stability control system with rollover avoidance logic, front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. Major options include leather upholstery, a rear DVD entertainment system and a navigation system.
Suzuki's new XL7 goes on sale in the last quarter of 2006. Pricing will be between $23K and $29K, depending on how you equip it.
What's Edmunds' take?
With numerous car-based SUVs now offering three rows of seating, including the very similar Saturn Outlook also unveiled at the New York auto show, the 2007 Suzuki XL7 is unlikely to be a dominant player in this segment. It is, however, a vastly more useful and desirable SUV than its predecessor. — Erin Riches
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