2001 Suzuki XL-7

I would love to have been a fly on the wall when the designers at Suzuki came up with this XL-7, a longer-wheelbase version of the Grand Vitara and the first mini sport utility to seat (gasp) seven passengers. What were they thinking? Sure, upping the passenger count is a hot concept these days and no one else has put a third seat in a small SUV. But there’s a reason for that: There’s no room!!! That obviously didn’t stop Suzuki’s designers from doing it anyway. The result is, well, see for yourself.
The Good News
The Good News is that the XL-7 is basically a Grand Vitara, which has garnered some accolades since Suzuki introduced it in ’99. The Grand Vitara, a.k.a. Chevy Tracker, showed a much more refined Suzuki than ever before with V6 power, a quieter and smoother ride and, overall, a more upscale approach to their economy market.

The XL-7 represents the largest SUV Suzuki has produced, which isn’t saying a whole lot. Its wheelbase is 12.6 inches longer than the Grand Vitara’s, increasing the total length to 19.1 inches. At almost 184 inches overall, the XL-7 is no squirt.

The engine has been “up-sized” to a 2.7-liter V6 producing 170 horses at 5,500 rpm and 178 foot pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm. Four-wheel-drive is optional, as is automatic transmission. Mine had both. The four-wheel system is shift-on-the-fly high up to 60 mph. Unlike most small SUVs, this one gives you a low gear for heavier off-road stuff.

The XL-7 also stacks up well in the standard equipment category. Even the most basic XL-7 comes with V6, air conditioning, power accessories, cruise control, keyless entry and the third seat. There is still a little room in the way back for cargo with all seats in place. Rear access is easy through the XL-7’s generous swing-out door, especially appealing after arguing with a Honda CR-V’s confounding rear setup recently for a week.

The Bad News
There is little legroom for an adult in this XL-7’s back seat, much less the third seat. The middle row does slide forward and seatbacks tilt so someone can crawl (and I do mean crawl) into the third row. But then there is no place for third seat passengers (those who obviously lost the coin toss) to put their feet. You can kinda slide them up under the second row, but who wants to?

I trust Suzuki had kids in mind when they added the seat, just not kids with knees.

Then there is the issue of cargo space. They tell you the seats easily fold forward for cargo, but it isn’t exactly presto-chango. You have to remove headrests and move seats around to get a reasonably flat floor. Otherwise, you’re left to sort of pile groceries on the tilt and then brace yourself for an avalanche before you open the rear door when you get home. It’s not pretty.

The XL-7’s extra horses power up reasonable acceleration unloaded, but start showing some effort when passenger count increases. I never had the heart to actually subject six people to a ride, but my guess is it wouldn’t have been zippy.

Gas Mileage
EPA rated at 17 mpg city/20 highway

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $24,499;
Price as tested, $25,094

Is it worth it?
Mine was the Touring model, not the top of the line but close. As I mentioned before, you can get a nicely equipped XL-7 with four-wheel-drive for just under $21,000.

I like the XL-7’s looks, its respectable performance and its good intentions. But, for the life of me, I can’t imagine anyone buying this vehicle for extra seating capacity. Unless of course you carpool with unpleasant people whose lives you want to make even more miserable.

As I wedged myself into that third row in the name of good journalism, I chuckled to discover a nifty little armrest storage and a cupholder each for the miserable twosome stowed back there. As if they could be happily riding along, sipping on drinks and contemplating what CD they’d like to hear.
While their feet went sound asleep.