Suzuki's Not-So-Super XL7

The XL7 is Suzuki's biggest and fanciest SUV ever—but in this competitive sector, is this where you want to put your $30,000?

by Thane Peterson

Editor's Rating:

The Good: Rebates, improved interior, bigger engine, great warranty

The Bad: Small dealer network, nearly inaccessible third-row seats, hard-to-use controls

The Bottom Line: A much improved small SUV, but still a tough sell

Reader Reviews

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Up Front

Would you pay more than thirty grand for a Suzuki? The newly redesigned Suzuki XL7 sport utility vehicle tops out at $32,384, in the top-of-the-line all-wheel drive Limited trim level with the Platinum Touring options package, the version of the vehicle I recently test-drove. Going that far upscale is quite a demographic shift for the Japanese company, until now known as a budget carmaker.

The 2007 XL7 is a big step up for Suzuki, a roomy, mid-sized crossover SUV that competes with such models as the Jeep Liberty, Nissan (NSANY) Xterra, and Hyundai Santa Fe. At 197 inches long, 10 inches longer than the model it's replacing, the XL7 comes with either two or three rows of seats, enough for five or seven passengers, and the third row is less cramped than in the previous model.

Although General Motors (GM) has sold most of its stake in Suzuki, the two companies still have extensive cooperation agreements, and the new SL7 is based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Equinox mid-sized SUV. Its engine, a 252-horsepower, 3.6 liter V6, is far more powerful than the 185-horse, 2.7 liter V6 in the 2006 XL7. The new rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel independent suspension give the 2007 XL7 a smooth, car-like ride. Exterior fit-and-finish is good, and the interior is well-designed and much improved.

In short, the new XL7 is a vast improvement over the last Suzuki I drove, the budget-priced Aerio station wagon (see BusinessWeek.com, 2/22/06, "Suzuki's Draggin' Wagon"), a real dog of a car with a cheap interior, poor fit-and-finish inside and out, a too-small engine, and a choppy ride. I gave the Aerio a mere Two Stars, my lowest rating ever at the time (see BusinessWeek.com, 12/7/06, "Chevy's Below-Average Aveo").

The XL7 is a whole different kettle of fish. The five-passenger version comes in base or luxury trim levels; the fanciest, seven-passenger-only Limited versions come with just about every option you can imagine, from all-wheel-drive to a DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system.

The list price of the base model XL7 remains low, considering the size of the vehicle and the power of its engine. The stripped down, two-wheel drive version starts at just $23,534, or $24,884 with seven-passenger seating.

Adding all-wheel drive to the base model raises the price to $25,134, or $26,484 with a third row of seats. Inexpensive as they are, the base models come with a long list of standard gear, including privacy glass, 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, six-speaker CD system, cruise control, and power windows and doors.

The seven-passenger base model has a self-leveling rear suspension system, rear air conditioning with separate controls, and storage compartments under the rear deck. Move up to the Luxury trim level, and you get a power driver's seat, wood interior trim, leather seats, seat-heaters up front, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

With the Limited trim level, you get even more goodies, including either a rear-seat entertainment system or a navigation system (part of the $2,200 Platinum Touring Package, which also includes a sunroof). There's even a remote keyless startup system (like the one in Cadillacs and the new Chevy Silverado pickup truck) that allows you to start the car remotely from inside your house or a restaurant, so it can warm up (or cool off in summer) before you get in (see BusinessWeek.com, 1/23/07, "Chevy's Silverado Lining").