The XL-7 gets a tire-pressure monitoring system and a chrome "S" badge on the spare tire cover.

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.

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.

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.

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.