First Glance
I should be test driving the Ark, I thought, as water streamed over the XL7's windshield. Vancouver's weather forecast had called for a severe rain alert and the forecast turned out to be correct as several nearby communities were badly flooded. Still, if you're going to conduct a test drive during a monsoon it may as well be in a comfortable SUV, equipped with all-wheel-drive to keep it moving and satellite radio to keep me amused.When the clouds finally cleared enough to take photos I realised that Suzuki's designers had gone all out to make the XL7 handsome. Few people noticed a Grand Vitara but many observers gave my test vehicle an approving glance. The front end is particularly appealing. Though bordering on excess enough chrome's been applied to make a strong visual statement, while the headlight surrounds remind me of Japanese Kabuki art.
Our tester was a loaded model, packed with every luxury feature you could possibly want, yet I suspect the base XL7 with front-wheel-drive would still be a good buy for most folks. It won't have the third row seat that makes the XL7 useful for large families but it will come with the same powerful V-6 and spacious, practical interior.
In the Driver's Seat
Our tester came with a GPS nav system that goes against everything I was taught as a pilot: Always hold the chart (map) in the direction you're flying. Other than N/S headings this one moves horizontally. Parked facing a river it showed the river behind; had I believed it I'd truly be testing an Ark! However the same panel also offered satellite radio, a totally new experience for this writer. Within seconds I'd found a contemporary jazz channel, and swathed in heated leather seats during those torrential downpours was a happy test driver. Anyone considering a base XL7 needn't be disappointed, though, for this is one SUV that puts you at ease regardless of trim.
On the Road
There is little doubt that Suzuki has repositioned its SUV from rugged, go anywhere off-roader to a versatile family hauler with style. And with performance,too. You can now put your foot down and be greeted by a new 3.4 liter V-6 engine producing 252 hp. A 5-speed auto offers the option of Manumatic manual shifting, though that seems out of character for a family vehicle. I tried it once, soon forgot it. The engine's normally quiet but loves to rev and delivers a delicious growl if you keep your foot down. In normal driving, fuel mileage is quite reasonable.A real plus in this class and one that further shows how Suzuki's moved away from truck underpinnings, is the fully independent suspension system, aided by a self-leveling rear suspension in the 7-seat model to compensate for load changes. With standard electronic stability and traction control the XL7 displayed better than average handling in our wet weather tests. Steering turn-in and response was surprisingly good for this type of vehicle. I gave it high marks for ride comfort, lack of road and wind noise, and all-round driving pleasure.
Journey's End
However my tester was the luxury model so I'd be remiss if I didn't pay homeage to the luscious leather, wood trim, sunroof (which I actually tried when the rain let up), and previously mentioned GPS map and satellite radio. And the graphic on the instrument panel that informed me "94% oil life remaining." And the automatic tire pressure reminder. And the separate air-conditioning system for rear seat passengers... the list goes on. Of equal importance is that every XL7 comes with front and side-curtain airbags and a 7-year warranty. Rain or shine, I'll award this handsome Suzuki 2007 XL-7 five stars as an SUV for the highway and a minivan for the backroads.
