Stylish Suzuki XL-7

srobertson

Vehicle offers features not found on other compact sport utilities.

Test your automotive knowledge.

True or false:

1. Suzuki engines power Toro lawnmowers.

2. Suzuki engines power Arctic Cat snowmobiles.

3. In 1954 Suzuki was producing 1,000 motorcycles per month.

4. Suzuki sells more automobiles worldwide than BMW, Mercedes and Saab.

5. A modified Suzuki outboard motor powers the Mars lunar explorer vehicle.

Even though scientists hope to find water on Mars, I hope you answered "false" to the last question -- we do not have an outboard motor on Mars, but Suzuki has been building outboards for nearly five decades! If you answered "true" to all the other questions, give yourself a star, although, technically, in 1954, Suzuki was producing an astounding 6,000 motorcycles per month! The following year Suzuki gave the world the 1955 Suzulight -- a small, technologically advanced vehicle with then-radical innovations such as front-wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering. In 1982, when other manufacturers were producing tip-over-prone three-wheel ATVs, Suzuki came out with the first 4-wheeler, called QuadRunner, and ATVs have never been the same. Not bad for a little company that began in 1909 as a manufacturer of the world's finest weaving machinery. Today, Suzuki employs tens of thousands of workers worldwide and builds more than 1.7 million automobiles -- more than Mazda, Subaru and Isuzu-- and 2 million motorcycles each year. But Suzuki is not satisfied. The company's publicized goal, called the "357 strategy," is to triple sales in five years by 2007.

That's certainly an ambitious plan. To accomplish it, Suzuki is going to have to offer exceptional vehicles with outstanding warranties. The XL-7 is one of those vehicles. There's nothing else like it on the market. It is the only compact SUV that provides third-row seating, rear air conditioning, automatic climate control, and a five-speed automatic transmission. It's built on a stout truck-type frame, and employs a dual-speed transfer case for real off-road capability. The XL-7 is intended to compete against the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, Ford Escape and other compact SUVs, but because of their many similarities, it is most often compared with the larger and more expensive Ford Explorer.

Initial impression

This is a traditionally styled SUV, with a handsome, muscular stance and pleasingly sculptured lines. There are touches of chrome here and there, fender flares, roof rack and attractive alloy wheels. The interior is nicely executed with heated leather seating, heated mirrors, cruise control, power windows and a tasteful dash layout. I found it very comfortable, but large or tall folks may feel cramped. This is, after all, a compact SUV. The second row of seats recline and adjust fore and aft. The third row is fine for children, or adults can ride back there for short distances.

A tilt steering wheel with integrated stereo controls is connected to a sound system that drives seven speakers, including a subwoofer. A powered sunroof tilts and slides to let the sun shine in. Under the hood is a modern 24-valve V6 engine producing 185 horsepower from 2.7 liters of displacement. The transmission is a five-speed automatic, driving a two-speed transfer case controlled by push buttons on the dashboard.

The XL-7 provides sporty acceleration combined with a surprisingly quiet, smooth ride. Everywhere I drove it, whether lightly loaded, or with four men on board, the Suzuki gave a car-like, well-controlled, compliant ride. This may be due in part to the unusually long wheelbase -- the distance between the front and rear wheels. The XL-7 measures 110 inches, while competitors such as the Kia Sorrento rides on 106 inches, Jeep Liberty uses 104 inches, the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape sit on 103 inches and the Subaru Forester rides on just 99 inches. (For comparative purposes, the Ford Explorer sits on a 113-inch wheelbase.)

I also had the opportunity to check out the Suzuki's abilities in snow and ice conditions. In one test, with four men aboard and the transfer case set in normal "two-wheel drive" mode, we stopped pointed uphill on a snow and ice covered driveway. The rear tires spun when we tried to drive forward, and the vehicle began to slip sideways. With a simple push of a button we selected "four-wheel high," applied power, and the XL-7 pulled right up the driveway. Impressive! We shifted back into "two-wheel" mode and drove rapidly in a tight circle on snow-covered grass. The rear end of the Suzuki swung wide, out of control, and the front tires were unable to provide directional control. We shifted back to "four-wheel high" mode and conducted the same test. This time the Suzuki went through the circle under complete control. "Four-wheel low" provided similar results. Next we tested the ABS brakes. We accelerated to 30 mph on the ice covered gravel driveway, and stomped on the brake pedal. The pedal pulsated as the system applied and released the brakes, bringing the vehicle to a halt under control, without swerving.

In 40-mph frontal offset crash testing, the XL-7 earned the highest possible score. Consumer's Reports rates it as a "Best Buy."

Steve Robertson of Robertson's Creative Photography is a car enthusiast and former staff writer/photographer for the Southeast Missourian.