2007 Suzuki XL7 JLX AWD NAVI Road Test

3.6 under the hood
What a nice surprise to benefit from GM's excellent 3.6-liter V6 in the XL7. This is one of the best 6-cylinder engines that the General has built so far, and it makes this Suzuki more interesting than its Equinox and Torrent counterparts which are saddled with the old 3.4-liter. With 252 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, the XL7 is lively and sounds good. The truck weighs over 1,800 kilograms (4,000 lbs), but it doesn't feel that ponderous.

The 3.6L V6 emits a nice growl.

My average is 14.7 L/100 km over the course of the week; I could've done better, but flooring the gas pedal is hard to resist in the XL7. The 3.6 should soon turn up in the 2008 Equinox Sport and Torrent GXP SUVs, but for now, the Suzuki has it all to itself.

The rest of the package is quite pleasant. The ride is nice and smooth, but the suspension works well when the pace picks up. The all-wheel drive system in the XL7 powers the front wheels in normal driving, and sends power to the rear wheels if it detects a loss of traction. I didn't really have a chance to put the AWD hardware through some harsh testing, but it seems to work seamlessly, because I never felt it while driving.

Competition
Very few compact SUVs offer 7-passenger seating. Hyundai's Santa Fe 3.3 GLS AWD costs $35,995. Toyota's RAV4 Limited V6 costs $36,970, but the optional leather eliminates the 3rd-row seat. Mitsubishi's new Outlander XLS 4WD is well-equipped and costs $32,998. So, the Suzuki is in very competent company.

The XL7 deserves to be considered if you are in the market for this kind of vehicle.

This XL7 JLX AWD costs $35,995, plus another $2,000 for the navigation system, so the price is right. You can also choose a rear-seat DVD entertainment system for $800, but it can't be combined with the navigation and it eliminates the sunroof.

Conclusion
The XL7 might have its little faults here and there, but the sum of its parts makes it the best small SUV General Motors has built so far. The fact that it's found on Suzuki dealer lots is ironic, but who cares? The powertrain warranty might not be as long as the one the Equinox or the Torrent, but the XL7 is a superior machine nonetheless, and a rival for the Santa Fe, RAV4 and Outlander that's worth taking a look at.


Nice powerful engine--one of GM's best
Competitive pricing
Distinctive looks (at least from the front)


Fuel consumption
Interior material quality



Creaks and rattles in the cockpit


For more details concerning this vehicle, please refer to the technical specifications and to the standard features list.

If you wish to test-drive or receive a price quotation for this vehicle, you only have to perform a retailer / dealer search in your region.
photo:Philippe Champoux