2001-2006 Suzuki XL-7: Road Test

Suzuki's biggest SUV falls short of its midsize SUV competition in several areas. Test Touring 4x4s accelerated 0-60 mph in 9.7 seconds with a manual transmission, and around 11.5 seconds with automatic. An XL-7 also suffers from labored passing power. Low-range gearing is a bonus off-road, but nearly every rival offers more convenient 4WD that's usable on dry pavement. With 4-speed automatic and 4WD, a test XL-7 averaged 18.8 mpg, helped by plenty of highway miles. A 5-speed auto EX averaged just 15.4 mpg. The manual-shift version returned 17.1 mpg in mostly city driving, and 20.8 mpg in combined city/highway motoring. Despite having one of the longer midsize SUV wheelbases, the XL-7's ride is mostly stiff and nervous. The suspension copes well with pavement breaks, but sharp bumps register and some bounding and pitching occur over large dips and crests. Aggressive cornering induces less noseplow than on many front-drive SUVs, but grip is modest, body lean significant, and steering rather numb. Even with ABS, brakes feel mushy and slightly weak in simulated panic stops, which aren't super-short, either. Noise can be wearing except in gentle driving, with marked highway wind roar and considerable tire drone on most surfaces. The engine is strained and noisy in the high rpm operation that's required for best performance. Instruments and controls are clear, simple and handy, but 4WD engages via a console-mounted lever rather than the dashboard switch used by most rivals. Cabin materials and finish are disappointing, even at the XL-7s modest prices. Front head room is fine for six-footers, but leg space ranks only as adequate. The narrow cabin limits hip and shoulder room, and feels small. Seat cushions are too short for good leg support. Step-up is a bit high, though class-normal. Visibility is satisfactory, and better with the third-row headrests removed. Adults have good head room in the second row, but the seat is hard, narrow for three, and offers little leg room if it's shoved forward to provide knee clearance in the third row. Rear-door thresholds are narrow enough to trip feet. Third-row space is adequate, without pushing second-row seats back. But entry/exit is a squeeze. Cargo space is narrower than in other midsize SUVs, so wide items will not fit. Volume is class-average, even with both rear seats down. Only grocery-bag space is available behind the 50/50 third-row seat. Folding the 60/40 second-row seat is an ordeal of cryptic diagrams and puzzling levers. Door map pockets are hard to access.

Value for the Money
Prices might have seemed attractive when the XL-7 was new, but these SUV's were no bargain given their subpar refinement, labored acceleration, stiff and nervous ride, poor handling, and antiquated 4WD system. Basically, this is a mediocre compact SUV, stretched to become a mediocre midsize SUV, with a cramped third-row seat of questionable usefulness being its sole asset.