Suzuki XL7
Casey Williams, www.car-data.com
If the Suzuki XL7 looks a little like the Chevy Equinox and Pontiac Torrent, it is no illusion.All three vehicles are manufactured in a joint-venture plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. But while theEquinox and Torrent can only carry five passengers in two rows of seats, the XL7 places up to sevenin three rows.
Suzuki dressed up the wagon with a three-bar chrome grille, multi-angle headlamps, charcoalground affects, tall roof, and long arching windowline. It looks like a very expensive and refinedSUV. Truth is, it isn’t actually that expensive, but it is fairly refined.
In Limited trim, the XL7 is also quite luxurious. Heated power leather seats up front, automaticclimate control, rear air vents, 7-speaker premium CD/MP3 audio system, and rear DVD player meetall of one’s comfort requirements. Many of the controls (radio, climate, turn signals, steeringwheel) are borrowed from the GM parts bin, but they work fine and look good. Woodgrain paneling onthe dash looks upscale. Side curtain airbags protect all three rows of passengers.
As a crossover, the XL7 rides on a four-wheel independent suspension system, self-leveling inrear, to glide over rough roads and handle like a mid-size sedan. Not toting all of the extraweight associated with an extra frame saves 10-15% in fuel. Speed-sensitive rack-and-pinionsteering is responsive and provides good road feel on the highway.
Which is good, because you’ll want to spend a lot of time there ‘ especially when you stick yourfoot into the throttle. Moved by a 252-horsepower 3.6-litre V6 engine and 5-speed manumatictransmission, the XL7 has no problem accelerating and keeping up with fast traffic. Four-wheelanti-lock brakes, and Electronic Stability Programming keep the steeds in the corral. Our testvehicle came in front-wheel-drive, but all-wheel-drive is available. Fuel economy is rated18/24-MPG without AWD.
There is no question that the XL7 is large, luxurious, and exhibits a new world of control andpower on the highway. In many ways, it is better than the GM vehicles on which it is based. With aprice tag of $27,948, the XL7 competes against the Toyota Highlander, Ford Freestyle, and DodgeJourney.
