2007 Suzuki XL7 Test Drive

An SUV for the highway; a minivan for the backroads

At last, a Suzuki SUV with real sophistication. The XL7 moves the Japanese builder into an all-new class where comfort and convenience count yet is still capable of manhandling mountains if, that is, you specify your XL7 with all-wheel-drive. The base XL7 offers front-wheel-drive with five seats; our tester featured seven seats and a host of luxury equipment. A 252 hp V-6 engine and 5-speed auto are standard. Priced at $27,549, it achieves a respectable EPA mileage of 19 city/28 highway.

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.

Big guys like Jason and old guys like me will have no difficulty slipping into the XL7 and once inside, it's a good fit. Seats are moderately contoured and all-round visibility is good, whether on the highway or in tight spaces. Large, easily-read instruments are welcome and for once, weren't obscured when the tilt-wheel was lowered to my prefered ex-race driver position. Suzuki got around the dreaded on-floor parking brake by neatly tucking it into an alcove next to the cupholders. Air controls were kept simple, but the rear wiper switch is awkwardly located.

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.

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.

By the time my test had ended I'd begun to wonder if I was driving an SUV or a minivan. Diehard SUV fans might consider that a negative but the Suzuki XL7 is so spacious, comfortable and versatile, anyone considering a minivan would do well to check it out. And if they don't need the offroad advantages of an SUV, they can save a bundle by staying with front-wheel-drive and taking advantage of the traction and stability control when the going's slippery. The only real difference between this and a minivan is the lack of sliding doors. But does that really matter?

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.