Suzuki XL-7

Here's a direct link to Edmund's First Drive of the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7, by Karl Brauer.
What do you think? ;-)
Pocahontas,
Edmunds.com/Roving Host
What do you think? ;-)
Pocahontas,
Edmunds.com/Roving Host
Tagged:
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
We appreciate your efforts, but for copyright reasons we cannot allow articles from other sources to be directly copied onto this website without written consent from that source. Please send me an email, if you need to discuss this any further. Thanks.
And now back to the subject of the Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7. Happy Motoring. ;-)
Pocahontas,
Edmunds.com/Roving Host
I am a former owner of a '93 Sidekick JLX and really liked the vehicle. Rear seat leg room was not great but it was livable. I am interested in the XL7 but the 33" of rear seat leg room does not excite me. If the second row seats are around 36" like the Grand Vitara and the third row is at 33" then it may be something I could consider . . . however, if the second row is 33" and the third row is even less than that it is another matter altogether.
I have test driven the Subaru Forester several times and like the driving position but I could never fit a normal sized person in the back seat of the Forester while I am driving. I'm 6'-7" tall and need the driver seat all the way back when I drive. The Forester has 33" of rear seat leg room and it is WAY too small for a normal sized person to fit behind the driver seat. If anyone has any input I would appreciate it.
As far as leg room is concerned the second row is 36.4" max as it could be adjusted and the third row is 31.3". It's also got a wheel base of, get this 110.2" long. The closest of it's competitors is only 104.3" in the KIA Sportage!!
Should hit showrooms the end of the first week of Dec or early second.
See ya
This sounds like its going to be an Escape/Tribute killer. It has my interest peaked...
car19 - in reference to the legroom numbers that you have posted; is the second row legroom numbers based on having the second row all the way back AND the front seats all the way back? That 36.4" sounds pretty good to me if that is the case. But the MAX number at the end of the 36.4" makes me think that they have the front seats forward and the 2nd row seats back to achieve that 36.4" Also, does the 31.3" third row number have the second row slid all the way forward? I assume from the 31.3" MAX number that you need to push the 2nd row up to get that number.
It looks like I may have to wait until early next year to get in one and verify this stuff myself. The Suzuki website has some information but doesn't specify 2nd and 3rd row data for head and leg room. I was told by a local dealer that the brochure will become available about the same time as the XL7 hits the showroom floor (sometime in January). I was hoping that the review by Edmunds would include a link to the vehicle specification. The article does elude to the fact that there is sufficient room in the 2nd and 3rd rows for adults for short trips though.
There are not a lot of Suzuki dealers in my area either but there are several auto shops around that are familiar with the Suzuki vehicles. Once the warranty expires I know of several places I can take the vehicle for service. Parts availability is kind of an unknown for me. I owned the Sidekick for seven years and the only major part I had to have replaced (besides tires) was the water pump and that was available for installation the same day I brought it in for service. I also replaced the battery after 5 years but that was also readily available. The local "quick lube" places here in town did not have the air filter in stock on several occasions. I don't know if that has changed in the past year or so. I do see a lot of Suzuki GV's and Sidekicks around the roads here so I would think they would be stocking them now. Just my $.02
-John
s3jyu@titan.vcu.edu
They did have the full color detailed brochures. I've been pouring over the info. While the brochure does list interior dimensions for 1st and 2nd rows, it fails to for the 3rd row. However, it does say there is 37.0 cf of space "with 3rd-row seats down" and 73.0 cf "with 2nd- & 3rd-row seats down". Has only a 16.9 gal fuel tank. The EPA mileage figure for the 2WD manual tranny model is 18/20. The other 3 combinations, incl 4WD manual & automatic, are 17/20. Doesn't clearly say if it comes with 4-wheel disc brakes or rear drums.
I was pleased to see that the XL-7 Touring can be had with a 5-speed manual. The Limited, which only adds leather seats and automatic tranny to the Touring, can NOT be had with manual.
Biggest failure is the serious dearth of safety equipment. Wife and I know already we'll have to wait till '02 model out. XL-7 does NOT have side air bags, no traction control (ABS is standard on both Plus and Limited but not an option on Standard or Plus). Does have front seat pretensioners but no mention of force limiters. Too bad. I'd love to get one but won't risk my life to do so.
Oddly enough, in 01/01 issue of R&T there was a big ad for the XL-7. It said call an 800# for more info. I did but the Suzuki customer service reps at the # had yet to get anything from Suzuki on the XL-7.
I've owned two Suzukis and loved both. An '89 Geo Metro 3-dr hatchback and a '91 Suzuki Swift 4-dr sedan. Wife and I loved them both. Never had any troubles with them but when we added kids the cars were just too small. Traded the Swift in for a '93 Chrysler Concorde and the Metro for a '92 Merc Tracer Wagon. We loved them both so much that we still have pictures of them both. Praying the XL-7 is as reliable.
The leather is a big issue for the Mrs. and we're thinking about getting the Touring and having leather added b/c the dealer didn't know when or if he could get the Limited and the display only showed a grey leather.
Overall, the ride was good. It's quiet. It's very windy here today and we had it up to 75mph on the highway and it was still smooth and quiet.
Unfortunatly, the power isn't anything to write home about. There were three of us in the car and it never seemed to really want to accelerate. I changed the transmission to the Power setting and didn't notice any difference.
Third seat room was Ok. Not as good as the Durango, not as bad as the Montero. It was a little tricky for an adult to get out of.
We're considering this as a more stylish substiture to a Toyota Sienna. The Toyota wins on quality and ease of use. Don't know which way we'll go.
But back to the XL7, this looks like a good competator with the execption of the power issues. Especially because it should come in @ around $23K max for the one that is stickering @ $25K
-mike
We are a family of 4 plus one large dog and had been looking at either Passat Wagon or Toyota Sienna. We were going to save up a down for either one to make our monthly's more affordable, but when we saw the deal on the LX-7, which seated 7 and had the v-6 engine, we bought one.
Got it for $99 over invoice, about $24,7 out the door. It's a nice ride. Much better than our '89 Isuzu I-mark we were going to have to depend on for a year while we saved up a down for a more expensive car.
I have the Touring model. By sunshield, do you mean a outer visor attachment along the front windshield top edge? If so, no -- no models come with that nor is it available as an accessory.
If you mean the manual sliding inner cover that blocks the sun from shining through your sunroof, yes, it should have come with one.
regards,
-L
bini44! The color of your car is it the same as seen in the suzuki.com page is that the "cool beige" color, bright beige/silver ?
+ I cant see that sunroof wind reflector is included, they talk about sunshade, colored glass roof or the thing you pull across the sunroof.
Is it possible to remove the 3rd seat row, I find it unbelievable if you are stuck with them. I want them in or out at my own choice.
And for anyone to inform me, I see that the car is bigger, versus the standard Grand V. But what car does it compare to size wise.
The body is wider, correct me if I am wrong!
Or am I a Landcruiser wannabe !
I really like this edit-30 min. thing
-mike
noleman - The 3rd row seats are not removable but they do fold down out of the way. The rear area is not flat with them folded however, the folded seats cause the floor line to slope up towards the second row of seats.
2. Feb '01 issue of Car & Driver has a 1-page preview on p. 89. They are a bit hard in their review: "it's a stopgap, a product of undergraduate whimsy in competition with grown-up machines."
Is it in the most forward position or does it let a full grown adult sit normal with foot space and back in good position.
Or does it just fold up and down without touching the 2nd row
When they say part-time 4wd, what do you do when you drive off snowy
road to a dry one, does the 4wd go automatic off or do you have to
take it in and out of 4wd.
I wonder because I read somewhere that you cannot drive in 4wd on dry
asphalt.
-mike
A nice touch: the 2nd row seats have height adjustable seat anchors. A little glitch: the cupholders for both the front and 2nd row seats are in the low center console, near the back. Shaped rather square. Looked like many type cups wouldn't fit well and it was a bit awkward reaching for them when in front seats. 3rd row cupholders are round.
I saw one with a manufacturer's plate at Lowe's the other day. I thought it looked pretty sharp, 2nd row legroom seemed pretty similar to regular Grand Vitara (not that great), third row seat was folded down to yield a smallish cargo area. I have a good overall impression of Suzukis even though I've never owned one. Considered a Sidekick/4-door Tracker but ended up with something bigger and more expensive (Isuzu Trooper) .
I am wondering if owners of a 4wd XL-7 have measured their fuel consumption yet. The stats read that the XL-7 has a 16.9 gal tank and fuel consumption is 17/20mpg.
So, if I assume that I use up 15 gallons with average mpg 18.5, this only allows me to drive 277.5 miles on one tank. What have owners experienced?
BTW, I owned a Suzuki Sidekick JX 4X4 2dr for 5 years and never had any problems. Great car.
Thanks!!
I was stationed in Philippines in '90-'91. When I first arrived I ordered a new Geo Metro (a Suzuki product) from Stateside. I bought it thru the GM dealer on Clark AB, RP. It arrived by boat about 3 months later. Fortunately I didn't have any warranty work while I had it in Philippines. AAFES garage did the routine work: LOF, rotations, etc.
Hate to say it, but if I was you, I wouldn't buy anything. Wait till you get to Europe. Then by a BMW, MB, Saab, Volvo, etc.
The print commercial at least points out the towing capability and shows it pulling a nice boat out of a lake.
-mike
What they should do is offer a XL-7 model that only seats 5 and increase 2nd row leg room and leave the back for cargo. The biggest complaint I had on the GV is the lack of cargo room behind the 2nd row and the lack of 2nd row leg room.
I think the XL-7 is nicely styled, functional, and tough enough to be more male-oriented. How did that Irish Spring commercial go? Manly, yes, but I like it, too!
I've just got to agitate enough so that Suzuki will put side air bags into it!
Also, is there a cover for the cargo area?
Many thanks...
well(7 seats are mandatory)except that I normally won't be
doing any hard-core off roading.
I understand that 4 wheel mode is not for dry pavements but
I would like to use 4H mode when the whether is bad.(rain or snow)
Will it cause any damage to the drive train if I use it that way?
What should I consider when using 4H mode?
I believe peace of mind AWD will be a more good option for me.
Toyota Sequioa (seats 7, AWD Mode)
Toyota Land Cruiser (seats 7, AWD mode)
Dodge Durango (seats 7, AWD available)
Mitsubishi Monter (seats 7, AWD mode)
Isuzu Trooper (seats 5, AWD mode) you'd have to add a 3rd row from www.littleseats.com
Or, the best bet for you would be an AWD Mini-van. Have you thought about the following:
Dodge Caravan AWD
GMC Safari AWD
-mike
I believe that the XL7 just requires regular 87 Octane gas.
In response to Cargo Cover:
I believe that if you get the Touring or Limited model, you get a cargo cover.
In response to AWD vs Transfer case:
You can drive in 4H in the snow. You can shift to 4H on the fly up to 60mph. You can also use 4H in rain, although I would only use it in heavy rain when you expect some traction loss or hydroplaining.
In response to Suzuki target audience:
Suzuki is targeting Women for the XL7. in particular "soccer" moms that don't want a minivan and don't want a huge monster SUV either.
Regarding other 7 seat automobiles in this class, there are none except for a couple of minivans in this price range. The cheapest 7 seater after the XL 7 is the Dodge Durange, which will cost you between 26L - 31K.
Question:
Any feedback from current XL7 owners on actual fuel consumption. How many miles were yo able to drive on a tank. What is your mileage City/HWY?
Thanks.