2007 Suzuki XL7

Americans can be forgiven for knowing little about Japanese automaker Suzuki, which has not enjoyed much visibility or presence in this country. But that is changing. Known mostly for minicars in Japan and motorcycles here, Suzuki has been coming on strong of late with a raft of new U.S. models and a serious marketing effort. Among those new models is this XL7 midsize CUV, Suzuki's largest and most powerful vehicle ever.


Evolved from a 2005 concept and built on GM's Theta (Chevy Equinox, Pontiac Torrent, Saturn Vue) compact CUV architecture, this new 252-horsepower XL7 ("crossover long seven-passenger," no hyphen) is definitely more fun than the average crossover (CUV). It's quick, fun to drive, quiet and comfortable inside, smooth riding and yet surprisingly athletic in the corners.


Why a GM platform? Because General Motors owns three percent of, and has several joint venture product partnerships with, Suzuki. And the XL7's 3.6-liter variable-valve-timing 24-valve DOHC V6 is a GM engine, though Suzuki's version is built in Japan under license.

Powertrains and Chassis

This energetic powerplant pumps 252 horsepower and 243 lb.-ft. of torque through a five-speed automatic with a manual-shifting (manumatic) mode. Mounted in a double-isolated cradle, it propels the XL7 from rest to 60 mph in less than eight seconds and delivers 18 mpg EPA city and 24 highway with standard front-wheel drive and 17/23 mpg with all-wheel drive. That available all-wheel drive uses an electronically controlled rear differential that responds instantly when rear-wheel traction is needed. And with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, the XL7 is capable of hauling active owners' ATVs, dirt bikes or wave runners.


Compared to the previous model's rear-drive, body-on-frame chassis, the new XL7's unibody structure delivers car-like ride, handling, and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). The MacPherson-strut front suspension is a long-wheel-travel design, and the multi-link rear layout uses trailing arms and triple locating links to enable a low, wide floor and maximize rear-passenger space.