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2003 Suzuki XL-7
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| An appealing, economical package |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:25:23 |
| Rating |
 432 ( -6 -1.38% ) | | Author | Sue Mead |
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Description:
2003 Suzuki XL-7
An appealing, economical package
Writer's Notes
2003 Suzuki XL-7 Specifications
Base price: $22,799 (Touring model with 4WD, automatic transmission, ABS & 3rd row seat)
Engine: 2.7-liter DOHC V6
Transmission: Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic (optional)
Drive: Rear-wheel, two-wheel drive or 4WD
Maximum horsepower: 183 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Maximum torque: 180 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
Wheelbase: 110.2 in.
Length: 183.6
Width: 70.1 in.
Height: 67.5 in. (2WD); 68 in. (AWD)
Head/hip/legroom: 5-passenger: 40/50.7/41.4 (front); 39.2/50.6/36.4 (2nd row); 7-passenger: 40/50.7/41.4 (front); 39.1/50.6/36.4 (2nd row); 3rd row measurements N/A
Curb weight, lbs.: Touring: 3,516 (2WD manual), 3,638 (4WD manual), 3,588 (2WD automatic), 3,660 (4WD automatic); Limited Edition: 3,751 (2WD manual), 3,693 (4WD manual), 3,593 (2WD automatic), 3,715 (4WD automatic)
Fuel economy: manual: 18/20 (2WD), 17/20 (4WD) city/highway; automatic: 17/20 (2WD), 17/20 (4WD) city/highway
Safety equipment: Dual front airbags, LATCH child seat tethers, height-adjustable shoulder belts; rear-door child-safety locks
5 questions about the 2003 Suzuki XL-7
Why is it called XL-7? Suzuki chose this clever name to differentiate this model -extra large, holds 7-from its 5-passenger Grand Vitara.
What are the XL-7's best features? Opening the door to this compact SUV, you'll find a bright and pleasant interior with lots of elbow room and stowage capacity. Its size makes it easy to park as well as to find a parking space in urban areas, as compared to other models that hold seven passengers.
Any complaints? Traditionalists will enjoy its boxy, straightforward styling, while others might see it as dated. Its engine is adequate, but not robust.
How does it handle on and off the road? The XL-7 has great manners on both good pavement and in traction-compromised situations. We recently drove this model for two weeks on the snow-and-ice-covered roads of New England and found its ride to be comfortable and its handling competent, with responsive steering and good brakes. Low range was easy-to-engage, and provided excellent traction in mud and snow.
Where is it built and how many does Suzuki expect to sell this year? Built in Japan, the 2003 XL-7 went on sale in November. Suzuki hopes to sell 22,000.
Comments or suggestions about this review? Send an e-mail to: editor@autobytel.com
Autobytel Inc. operates the popular automotive websites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, and Autosite.com.
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With seating for up to seven people, luxury features and a price tag that starts under $20,000, the 2003 XL-7 is one of the most well-equipped, best-value mid-sized SUVs on the market.
This offering from Suzuki, which has been revamped inside and out for the '03 model year, is clearly a stand-out in its end of the crowded SUV segment. Calling the XL-7 a 'right-sized' SUV, Suzuki puts it wheel-to-wheel with the Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Highlander - and beats out the competition in interior room (127.25 cu. ft.), and comes in second in cargo space behind the Highlander. A standard V6 engine with is another plus, as is a 7-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
XL-7's boasting rights come at a crucial time for this Asian automaker that first entered the US market in 1963 with motorcycles, followed by a marine division in 1977. Since then, the brand has been better known for its motorcycles and recreational vehicles, such as ATVs and snowmobiles, than for its cars and trucks. Having been the runt of the import car litter in North America for decades, Suzuki hopes the upgraded XL-7, along with the rest of the 2003 lineup, will help to change that.
Suzuki's mid-sized sport ute is a good start. Build on the same platform as the Grand Vitara SUV, XL-7 has a longer wheelbase, length and interior space than its compact-class sibling. Two trim levels are available: Touring and Limited Edition. The names sound a bit more glamorous than the vehicles behind them; nevertheless Touring is a modestly-but-adequately equipped base model with keyless remote entry, power windows, locks and mirrors, cruise, air, steering wheel audio controls and an in-dash CD player.
Limited Edition adds ABS, a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, power tilt-and-slide sunroof, leather trim and optional heated front seats. Both trim levels can be ordered with either rear-wheel 2WD or 4WD; a third row of seats also is available on both versions.
A walk around the outside of the XL-7 reveals a very straightforward, almost cookie-cutter SUV design. The front end is simple, with a horizontally slatted grille and bumper-integrated fog lamps. The 110.2-inch wheelbase gives the vehicle a long profile, which looks a bit out of proportion with the standard 15-inch wheels (16-inch wheels are optional on Touring, standard on Limited models). Side windows are large for good visibility, while roof rails and chrome door handles break up the monotony.
Inside, the XL-7 offers a lot of interior space, with seating for five or seven passengers, depending on whether buyers choose the third-row seat. Realistically, fitting in seven adults is a tight squeeze, but the third row is excellent for stowing stuff or packing in a few extra kids.
While the looks are slightly ho-hum, the overall structure of the exterior is built well. A body-on-frame construction with ladder-type frame helps reduce noise and vibrations from the road, so the cabin in quieter than some competitor's interiors.
The standard 2.7-liter V6 engine delivers 183 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque, as well as a 3,000-lb. tow rating for trailering. It's matched to a standard five-speed manual transmission, with a four-speed automatic available as an option. A truly impressive four-wheel drive system also is available, and is worth the investment. Despite an entry-level price, the XL-7's 4WD is capable and responsive, with shift-on-the-fly up to 60 mph and a low-range option for rough terrain.
Inside, the XL-7 offers a lot of interior space, with seating for five or seven passengers, depending on whether buyers choose the third-row seat. Realistically, fitting in seven adults is a tight squeeze, but the third row is excellent for stowing stuff or packing in a few extra kids. Cargo space maxes out at 75.1 cu. ft. with the second and third seats folded; stowage is 43.3 cu. ft. with the third row folded, 37 cu. ft. in models with rear seats folded in models with only two rows. Entry and egress are made easier by wide rear doors.
A new dashboard with woodgrain accents and chrome trim features an in-dash CD player with easy-to-reach controls. Outside temperature and clock display, along with standard automatic climate control, fit neatly underneath the stereo controls. A center console with 12-volt power socket sits under a padded armrest between the front seats, and an overhead console (in Touring editions) allows for additional stowage. Vehicles with the third-row optional so have rear air conditioning controls and a first aid kit.
On the road, an independent front suspension smoothes out bumps, while the rear suspension is designed to articulate when necessary off-road. Rack-and-pinion steering help make the XL-7 more maneuverable and easier to park than many of its competitors.
Dual front airbags, the LATCH child safety seat anchor system and rear-door child safety locks are key safety features; ABS is optional.
Overall, XL-7 offers an appealing, economical package for those in the market for a mid-sized SUV. Though it lacks the brand strength of Toyota or the looks of a Hyundai Santa Fe, Suzuki's runt is worth a second look.
--Photos Courtesy of Suzuki North America
--Story by Sue Mead
Sue Mead works as a photojournalist and features writer for more than two dozen publications. She has written for Parade, Popular Science, Open Road, the Road & Track Buyers Guide, Men's Journal, Popular Mechanics and Diversion and she has worked as an auto editor for CNN/fn. Sue has co-driven in two of the world's toughest off-road races, the Baja 1000 and the Paris-Dakar Raid. She attended four Camel Trophy adventures for Land Rover North America and has participated in several long-distance adventure drives. She recently completed her first book, "Monster Trucks and Tractors" published by Chelsea House. Sue lives in New England. |
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