EDMUNDS.COM 2004 SUZUKI XL-7
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
By offering a third-row seat in a compact SUV, Suzuki answers a question not many people are asking.
Pros
Affordable base price, competent on- and off-road handling, available seven-passenger seating.
Cons
Cramped second- and third-row seating, dated cabin design, low-grade interior plastics, side airbags not available.
What''s New for 2004
The XL-7 receives minor updates to the exterior and equipment list. The Touring and Limited models have been renamed EX III and LX III. The front grille and bumper have been reworked, and the foglights, taillights and headlights all have a new look. The front-passenger airbags are now multistage, and there''s a new panic button on the keyless remote. Lastly, the V6 engine gets two additional horsepower for a total of 185, and the automatic transmission is now a five-speed unit.
Overview
Introduction:
Suzuki introduced the XL-7 in 2001. Its marketing campaign was aimed at people who didn''t want to drive lumbering SUV giants. In a crowded segment, the XL-7 offers smaller dimensions, an affordable price and the ability to haul seven passengers. Based off the Grand Vitara, the XL-7 has an additional 12.6 inches of wheelbase. The increased length allows for an optional third-row seat and increased cargo capacity. However, we''ve found the third-row seating to be of dubious value. There''s plenty of luggage room with the rearmost seat folded down, but when the third row is in use, cargo capacity is very limited. Also, the mechanism to drop the third-row seating is fussy and awkward. The third row doesn''t fold completely flat and it creates "canyons" into which items can fall. The XL-7''s longer wheelbase and body-on-frame construction do give it a rugged feel. In our testing, we enjoyed how the XL-7 communicated road feel to the driver. The steering, chassis and suspension all work together to provide predictable on-road handling, though shoppers are apt to find the driving dynamics of car-based SUVs like the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 more likable. Four-wheel-drive XL-7s are equipped with a two-speed transfer case, however, bolstering the Suzuki''s ability to handle the rough stuff better than any of these competitors. While the XL-7 does offer seven-passenger seating and a reasonable price in a small package, it doesn''t match up well with its segment competition. Compact SUVs like the Escape, CR-V and any number of other car-based SUVs are more refined, and the Nissan Xterra and Jeep Liberty have more off-road prowess. Unless you really desire three rows of seating in a compact package, we suggest looking elsewhere.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The four-door XL-7 is available in four trim levels: LX, LX III, EX and EX III. The LX is the five-passenger base model and is well equipped with power door locks, mirrors and windows; remote keyless entry; cruise control; automatic climate control; daytime running lights; an adjustable center armrest; a seven-speaker stereo system with an in-dash CD player and steering wheel-mounted stereo controls; and tinted privacy glass. The LX III adds a two-person third-row seat plus rear climate controls. The EX is a loaded five-passenger version that gets all the LX equipment along with 16-inch alloy wheels, running boards, four-wheel ABS, leather seating, heated mirrors, a power sunroof and an in-dash six-CD changer. The EX III gives you all this, plus third-row accommodations. Heated seats are optional on EX and EX III models equipped with four-wheel drive.
Powertrains and Performance:
All XL-7 models are equipped with a 2.7-liter V6 engine that produces 185 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. LX models are available with a five-speed manual or a new five-speed automatic transmission, while EX models are available only with the automatic. Fuel economy ratings are 17-18 mpg for city driving and 20 mpg on the highway -- about average for a truck-based compact SUV. Towing capacity is a respectable 3,000 pounds. Buyers have a choice between two-wheel drive and a part-time four-wheel-drive system with a dual-range transfer case.
Safety:
The XL-7 comes standard with antilock brakes, but side airbags aren''t available. In 40-mph frontal offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, the XL-7 earned a "Good" score (the highest possible). The NHTSA hasn''t tested the XL-7, though the Grand Vitara upon which the XL-7 is based earned four stars (out of a possible five) for driver and front-passenger protection in frontal impacts.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Equipped with the optional third-row seating, the XL-7 can pack in seven passengers. It''s not until you start shopping larger SUVs (with their larger price tags) that you''ll find this feature. However, due to the Suzuki''s smaller dimensions, legroom is very tight in both the second and third rows and there''s little room for cargo with all the rear seats in use. With the third-row bench out of the way, you''ll have up to 40 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second-row seats, while folding these seats opens up 75 cubic feet of space.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
The XL-7 handles competently on- and off-road. Ride quality is commendable for a truck-based SUV, but car-based SUVs like the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V have more refined road manners. The 185-horsepower V6 provides some initial off-the-line grunt, but it gets wheezy at higher engine speeds, particularly when climbing highway grades. This year''s five-speed automatic is a slight improvement in terms of acceleration, but you may want to opt for the manual transmission for optimal performance.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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