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2009 Suzuki XL7 Performance Review

July 3, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

uses regular-grade gas
ConsumerGuide

soft suspension settings result in cornering performance that's hardly sport
Edmunds

Steering is responsive, even on unpaved roads
Kelley Blue Book

Acceleration is plenty quick
Autoblog

The 2009 Suzuki XL7 has plenty of power for its class, though its handling won’t suit hotfoots.

For 2009 Suzuki replaces the old five-speed transmission with a six-speed automatic featuring manumatic shifting. The new transmission improves fuel economy upward of 10 percent with EPA estimates of 17/24 mpg for city/highway and upward of 5 percent for all-wheel-drive models with EPA estimates of 16/23 mpg city/highway. The official EPA fuel economy ratings are 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.

ConsumerGuide praises the six-speed 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." Cars.com points out that the engine in the 2009 Suzuki XL7 "teams with a six-speed automatic transmission with a clutchless manual mode," which Autoblog says is "geared tall for fuel economy" and offers "serenity at speed."

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 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."

When it comes to handling, 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 "soft suspension settings result in cornering performance that's hardly sport." On the other hand, Kelley Blue Book says "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."

Conclusion

The 2009 Suzuki XL7 is above average in overall performance, but again, it's not particularly exciting.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:uses regular-grade gasConsumerGuidesoft suspension settings result in cornering performance that's hardly sportEdmundsSteering is responsive, even on unpaved roadsKelley Blue BookAcceleration is plenty quickAutoblog The 2009 Suzuki XL7 has plenty of power for its class, though its handling won’t suit hotfoots. For 2009 Suzuki replaces the old five-speed transmission with a six-speed automatic featuring manumatic shifting. The new transmission improves fuel economy upward of 10 percent with EPA estimates of 17/24 mpg for city/highway and upward of 5 percent for all-wheel-drive models with EPA estimates of 16/23 mpg city/highway. The official EPA fuel economy ratings are 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. ConsumerGuide praises the six-speed 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." Cars.com points out that the engine in the 2009 Suzuki XL7 "teams with a six-speed automatic transmission with a clutchless manual mode," which Autoblog says is "geared tall for fuel economy" and offers "serenity at speed." 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 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." When it comes to handling, 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 "soft suspension settings result in cornering performance that's hardly sport." On the other hand, Kelley Blue Book says "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." ConclusionThe 2009 Suzuki XL7 is above average in overall performance, but again, it's not particularly exciting. 2009 SUZUKI XL7 STYLING | [7 out of 10] MotherProof: "sleek lines of the body hint at luxuries within" Autoblog: "looks like a remnant from some 1970s house of funk" The Auto Channel: "striving toward distinctive, recognizable styling" Kelley Blue Book: "a balanced exterior" Most ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The 2009 Suzuki XL7 is part of a growing class of crossover utility vehicles that stretch between compact and mid-size, and that feature a small third-row seat good for small children only—but nevertheless expands passenger capacity to seven. 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 available with the five-passenger layout. The Outlander and Tribeca feel much sportier behind the wheel, even though they boast similar amounts of power for hauling their weight around. The third-row seat in the XL7 is more useful than the extremely pinched units in the Outlander and Tribeca, but comparable to that in the RAV4. In relation to these other vehicles, the XL7 has perhaps the softest, most comfortable ride, while still allowing decent handling.

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See the Suzuki XL7 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

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