2005 Suzuki XL-7
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$25,344*
* Price does not include sales tax, title, and arbitration fees.
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| Selling Price $25,344* |
| Trim: LX | Body Style: 4dr SUV |
| Exterior Color: Blue | Interior Color: |
| Mileage: 16,538 | Engine: |
| Transmission: | Driveline: 4WD |
| Stock #: 5162 | VIN: JS3TX92V554106354 |
- Specifications
- Review
- Standard Feature
| Length: 187.40 in.
| Width: 70.10 in.
|
| Height: 68.50 in.
| Wheel Base: 110.20 in.
|
| Curb Weight: 3704 lbs.
| |
| Front Head Room: 40.00 in. | Rear Head Room: 39.20 in. |
| Front Hip Room: 50.70 in. | Rear Hip Room: 50.60 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room: 52.80 in. | Rear Shoulder Room: 53.00 in. |
| Front Leg Room: 41.40 in. | Rear Leg Room: 31.40 in. |
| Luggage Capacity: 40.30 cu. ft. | Maximum Seating: 5 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.90 gal. |
| EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway) |
| Manual: 17 mpg /
22 mpg
|
| Range in Miles: (City/Highway) |
| Manual: 287 mi. /
372 mi.
|
Review of the
What's New
The XL-7 gets a tire-pressure monitoring system and a chrome "S" badge on the spare tire cover.
Introduction
Suzuki introduced the XL-7 in 2001. Its marketing campaign was aimed at people who didn't want to drive lumbering SUV giants, but needed lots of passenger space. In a crowded segment, the XL-7 offers smaller dimensions, an affordable price and the ability to haul seven passengers. Based on the Grand Vitara, the XL-7 has a 12.6-inch-longer wheelbase. The increased length allows for an optional third-row seat and increased cargo capacity. However, we've found the third-row seating to be of dubious value. There's plenty of luggage room with the rearmost seat folded down, but when the third row is in use, cargo capacity is very limited. Also, the mechanism to drop the third-row seating is fussy and awkward. The third row doesn't fold completely flat and it creates "canyons" into which loose cargo items can fall. The XL-7's longer wheelbase and body-on-frame construction do give it a rugged feel. In our testing, we enjoyed how the XL-7 communicated road feel to the driver. The steering, chassis and suspension all work together to provide predictable on-road handling, though shoppers are apt to find the driving dynamics of car-based SUVs like the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 more likable. Four-wheel-drive XL-7s are equipped with a two-speed transfer case, however, allowing the Suzuki to handle the rough stuff better than any of its car-based competitors. While the XL-7 does offer seven-passenger seating and a reasonable price in a small package, it doesn't match up well with its segment competition. Compact SUVs like the Escape, CR-V and any number of other car-based SUVs are more refined, and the Nissan Xterra, Kia Sorento and Jeep Liberty have more off-road capability. Unless you really desire three rows of seating in a compact package, we suggest looking elsewhere.
Interior Design and Special Features
Equipped with the optional third-row seating, the XL-7 can pack in seven passengers. It's not until you start shopping larger SUVs (with their larger price tags) that you'll find this feature. However, due to the Suzuki's smaller dimensions, legroom is very tight in both the second and third rows and there's little room for cargo with all the rear seats in use. With the third-row bench out of the way, you'll have up to 40 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second-row seats, while folding these seats opens up 75 cubic feet of space.
Safety
The XL-7 comes standard with antilock brakes, but side airbags aren't available. In 40-mph frontal offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, the XL-7 earned a "Good" score (the highest possible). The NHTSA hasn't crash tested the XL-7.
Driving Impressions
The XL-7 handles competently on- and off-road. Ride quality is decent for a truck-based SUV, but car-based SUVs like the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V have more refined road manners. The 185-horsepower V6 provides some initial off-the-line grunt, but it gets wheezy at higher engine speeds, particularly when climbing highway grades.
| Automatic Climate Control |
| Privacy Glass |
| Single-Zone Climate Control |
| Tilt Steering Wheel |
| Audio Steering Wheel Controls |
| Clock |
| Cruise Control |
| Electroluminescent Instrumentation |
| Front Center Console With Storage |
| Heated Exterior Mirrors |
| Overhead Console With Storage |
| Power Exterior Mirrors |
| Power Windows |
| Remote Power Door Locks |
| Roof Rack |
| Tachometer |
| 5-Speed Manual Transmission |
| Automatic Locking Hubs |
| Power Steering |
| Skid Plates |
| 2.7L V6 DOHC 24V FI Engine |
| + ENTERTAINMENT TELEMATICS |
| 16 Inch Wheels |
| Alloy Wheels |
| Intermittent Windshield Wipers |
| Rear Defogger |
| Rear Window Wiper |
| 4-Wheel ABS |
| Automatic On/Off Headlights |
| Daytime Running Lights |
| Driver and Passenger Front Airbags |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System |
| 5 Passenger Seating |
| Cloth Seats |
| Folding Center/Rear Seats |
| Front Bucket Seats |