Monday, October 1, 2007

2008 Suzuki XL-7 Review

Suzuki introduces its new 2008 XL7 full-size SUV which is right up there in size and features with its competitors. It comes with seating for up to seven and sports a 3.6 liter engine that provides the XL7 with 252 hp and 243 ft-lb torque. Power to its AWD system is controlled through a 5-speed automatic transmission. With four wheel independent suspension and respectable ground clearance, the XL7 is at home on dry pavement or muddy road.

Loads of features come standard on the XL7 such as: AM/FM/CD with 6 speakers, air conditioning, power door locks and windows, folding 60/40 split rear seats for more cargo room, well-designed instrumentation, and remote keyless entry. You can order several XL7 option packages including navigation, DVD, and luxury packages which offer cow hide seat treatments, overhead DVD for the rear seats, and GPS. Overall there is ample passenger room, even in the third row seating. Finally we liked the attractive interior metal and faux-leather interior surfaces.

Standard on the 2008 Suzuki XL7 are driver and front passenger side airbags, side curtain airbags, tire leak sensors, stability control, and a rollover avoidance system. Less visible but just as important to safety is the steel-reinforced cage cradling the passenger compartment, and frame rails that traverse the entire length of the vehicle. The 2007 XL7 also comes with front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones for additional protection against intrusion into the passenger area.

With its 3.6 liter V6. the 2008 Suzuki manages respectable fuel economy with 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Visibility in the 2007 Suzuki XL7 was somewhat lacking as it presents the driver with an unfortunate hide-and-seek pattern of blind spots through the rear and side windows. All things considered, the XL7 offers a fresh new face on mid-size SUVs and fits in nicely with others in its segment and in the Suzuki stable of vehicles.

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