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2008 Suzuki XL7 Performance Review

October 30, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Acceleration is plenty quick
Autoblog

ample power from any speed
ConsumerGuide

On the highway, the XL7 delivers a quiet and comfortable ride
Edmunds

Steering is responsive, even on unpaved roads
Kelley Blue Book

According to the reviews consulted by TheCarConnection.com, the 2008 Suzuki XL7 is above average in terms of overall performance.

Cars.com reports that the Suzuki XL7's engine is a "252-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 designed by GM and built by Suzuki...towing capacity is rated at 3,500 pounds." According to ConsumerGuide, the Suzuki XL7 "has ample power from any speed, with little difference between 2WD and AWD versions." Autoblog remarks that "acceleration is plenty quick...[it] managed to sprint one through the quarter mile in 16 seconds flat, and they found 60 mph in 7.7 seconds."

Cars.com points out that the engine in the 2008 Suzuki XL7 "teams with a five-speed automatic transmission with a clutchless manual mode," which Autoblog says is "geared tall for fuel economy" and offers "serenity at speed." ConsumerGuide praises this transmission: "ultra-smooth automatic transmission kicks down promptly for swift passing, and it always seems to be in the right gear. Its manual shift gate is helpful in mountain driving."

ConsumerGuide also reports that in their tests, this Suzuki 2008 vehicle "averaged 16.6 mpg," and "uses regular-grade gas." FuelEconomy.gov cites official federal ratings of 15 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway in the all-wheel-drive version, and 16/22 mpg in the front-wheel-drive models.

There are few Suzuki XL7 handling issues to speak of; according to Kelley Blue Book, "steering is responsive, even on unpaved roads...[on a] severe washboard road there was, naturally, some shake and vibration but the XL7 Limited we tested ran straight and sure." On the other hand, ConsumerGuide notes "comfort-biased suspension means marked body lean that demands slow speeds when entering corners...steering has a numb, artificial feel, [and] a wide turning circle complicates close-quarters maneuvering." Autoblog acknowledges that "there's no mistaking this vehicle for a sports car," but contends "handling is competent without excessive roll, dive, or squat, and it clings well to the tarmac...steering is weighted nearly perfectly, if devoid of feedback, and the XL7 drives with solid composure." Edmunds also reports that "soft suspension settings result in cornering performance that's hardly sport."

Conclusion

The 2008 Suzuki XL7 has plenty of power for its class, though its handling won’t suit hotfoots.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Acceleration is plenty quickAutoblogample power from any speedConsumerGuideOn the highway, the XL7 delivers a quiet and comfortable rideEdmundsSteering is responsive, even on unpaved roadsKelley Blue Book According to the reviews consulted by TheCarConnection.com, the 2008 Suzuki XL7 is above average in terms of overall performance. Cars.com reports that the Suzuki XL7's engine is a "252-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 designed by GM and built by Suzuki...towing capacity is rated at 3,500 pounds." According to ConsumerGuide, the Suzuki XL7 "has ample power from any speed, with little difference between 2WD and AWD versions." Autoblog remarks that "acceleration is plenty quick...[it] managed to sprint one through the quarter mile in 16 seconds flat, and they found 60 mph in 7.7 seconds." Cars.com points out that the engine in the 2008 Suzuki XL7 "teams with a five-speed automatic transmission with a clutchless manual mode," which Autoblog says is "geared tall for fuel economy" and offers "serenity at speed." ConsumerGuide praises this transmission: "ultra-smooth automatic transmission kicks down promptly for swift passing, and it always seems to be in the right gear. Its manual shift gate is helpful in mountain driving." ConsumerGuide also reports that in their tests, this Suzuki 2008 vehicle "averaged 16.6 mpg," and "uses regular-grade gas." FuelEconomy.gov cites official federal ratings of 15 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway in the all-wheel-drive version, and 16/22 mpg in the front-wheel-drive models. There are few Suzuki XL7 handling issues to speak of; according to Kelley Blue Book, "steering is responsive, even on unpaved roads...[on a] severe washboard road there was, naturally, some shake and vibration but the XL7 Limited we tested ran straight and sure." On the other hand, ConsumerGuide notes "comfort-biased suspension means marked body lean that demands slow speeds when entering corners...steering has a numb, artificial feel, [and] a wide turning circle complicates close-quarters maneuvering." Autoblog acknowledges that "there's no mistaking this vehicle for a sports car," but contends "handling is competent without excessive roll, dive, or squat, and it clings well to the tarmac...steering is weighted nearly perfectly, if devoid of feedback, and the XL7 drives with solid composure." Edmunds also reports that "soft suspension settings result in cornering performance that's hardly sport." ConclusionThe 2008 Suzuki XL7 has plenty of power for its class, though its handling won’t suit hotfoots. 2008 SUZUKI XL7 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "a balanced exterior" Mother Proof: "looks great" The Auto Channel: "striving toward distinctive, recognizable styling" Autoblog: "looks like a remnant from some 1970s house of funk" A major redesign for the Suzuki XL7 ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Suzuki XL7 is part of a growing class of crossover utility vehicles that stretch between compact and mid-size, and feature a small third-row seat that’s only good for small children—but nevertheless expands passenger capacity to seven. The third-row seat in the XL7 is more useful than the extremely pinched ones in the Outlander and Tribeca, but comparable to that in the RAV4. Compared to these other vehicles, the XL7 has what’s perhaps the softest, most comfortable ride, while still allowing decent handling. The Outlander and Tribeca feel much sportier behind the wheel, even though the amount of power they have to haul their weight around is similar. The XL7’s engine, a 3.6-liter V-6 made by Suzuki in Japan, is especially smooth. The Santa Fe, Outlander, and RAV4 all offer more economical four-cylinder engines, but in the Santa Fe and Outlander the four-cylinder is only offered with the five-passenger layout.

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See the Suzuki XL7 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

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