2001SuzukiGrand Vitara XL-7Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-72001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 Plus 4WDSport UtilityWagon4WDJapanThe Suzuki XL-7 is an all-new midsize SUV based on a stretched Grand Vitara. It is the first in this class to offer third-row seating and a starting price of under $20,000.Base MSRP of under $20,000, functional third-row seating, spacious interior, quiet on-road demeanor, competent off-road performer.Second- and third-row seats are not removable, side-impact airbags are not available, V6 needs more power, interior materials don't match otherwise premium package.Suzuki's advertising campaign for the brand-new Grand Vitara XL-7 will feature a colossal Ford Excursion as a supporting cast member. The message to the target audience? You shouldn't have to drive a 7,000-pound truck just to enjoy the comforts of a versatile interior or the convenience of third-row seating. Nor should you have to spend well over $20,000 to get dimensions greater than those of a Ford Escape, Isuzu Rodeo, Mitsubishi Montero Sport or Toyota 4Runner. And actually, the exterior of the XL-7 measures just smaller than a Jeep Grand Cherokee's. We are particularly fond of the XL-7's interior quarters. Not only is its third-row seat standard on all trim levels and usable for adults, but it's also relatively easy to access because of the SUV's wide rear doors and the second-row seats' 3.5 inches of fore and aft travel. A low floor and a stepped roof design that rises above the second and third rows ensure adequate space for heads and feet. The XL-7's only shortcoming as a people-hauler is its narrow cabin. At 70.1 inches, it's the same width as an Escape or a Nissan Xterra, which makes shoulder room a bit tight. A punched out, 2.7-liter version of the Grand Vitara's 2.5-liter V6 powers each XL-7. This engine makes 170 horsepower and 170 ft-lbs. of torque and can tow up to 3,000 pounds. The XL-7 is available in four trim levels, in either two- or four-wheel drive, with a manual or an automatic transmission. The Standard model is equipped with power door locks, mirrors and windows; remote keyless entry; cruise control; air conditioning (with micron air filter); daytime running lights; adjustable armrests for both front seats; a first aid kit; and tinted privacy glass. The XL-7 Plus adds rear air conditioning vents and a fan speed dial, a stereo with an in-dash CD player and 16-inch aluminum wheels. Touring models come standard with four-wheel ABS, an automatic transmission, a CD/cassette player combination, a sunroof and a rear spoiler. And if you do splurge on a Limited model, you'll get all of the above, plus leather seating. All models offer a full array of today's latest safety items, including second-generation front airbags, integrated front and rear crumple zones, rear-door child safety locks and child seat-tether anchors. Still, for the market Suzuki is trying to capture and upscale image they've attached to the XL-7, side-impact airbags, at least as an option, need to find their way into this SUV. The XL-7 isn't intended for performance driving, and we expect that its 170 horses will tire rather quickly when carrying a full load of passengers and a trailer. Surprisingly though, little wind, engine, or road noise permeates the cabin at highway speeds. We have observed that this SUV leans more than we would like in sweeping turns. Further, the steering is numb, and the brake pedal feels overly stiff (though actual braking performance seems solid). Of course, many SUVs have these faults, and most drivers won't care. Four-wheel-drive XL-7s, equipped with a low-range transfer case, climb rugged terrain as deftly as any competitor. If you need functional third-row seating and don't want to part with $30,000 (or more) for a vehicle that guzzles fuel, then consider spending around $20,000 on a Grand Vitara XL-7. Chevrolet BlazerFord ExplorerMazda TributeToyota RAV4336,000336,0003UnlimitedNANANA62.7 litersV6170 hp @ 5500 rpm178 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm73 cu.ft.NA3000 lbs.183.7 in.70.1 in.68 in.3703 lbs.110.2 in.38.7 ft.7.5 in.40 in.39.2 in.NANANANA41.4 in.36.4 in.7Not AvailableStandardNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested16.9 gal.17 mpg / 20 mpg17 mpg / 20 mpg287 mi. / 338 mi.287 mi. / 338 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$20,699$22,4997.35%$500N/A3% of the Base MSRPSTANDARD 2WD (5M): 2.7L V6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 600 amp battery; 80 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rigid rear axle multi-link suspension with rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering; front disc/rear drum brakes; 16.9 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; conventional rear cargo door; roof rack, 90.7; front and rear body-colored bumpers with front and rear tow hooks, rear step bumper; body-colored bodyside molding rocker panel extensions, body-colored fender flares; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen auto on headlamps with daytime running lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored folding outside mirrors; 16" x 7" silver styled steel wheels; P235/60SR16 BSW A/S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; air conditioning, air filter, rear heatducts; manual retractable antenna; cruise control; power door locks, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, remote fuel door release; 2 power accessory outlets, front lighter element(s), driver's foot rest, ashtray, first aid kit; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, water temp, battery, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags; deep tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function, fixed 1/4 vent windows; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, rear window wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 7, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest, driver's and passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; 60/40 folding rear split-bench seat 2nd row seat with adjustable headrests; 50/50 folding 3rd row split-bench seat; front height adjustable seatbelts; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert,full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light, front reading lights, illuminated entry; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; vanity mirrors, dual auxiliary visors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box, front cupholder, instrument panel bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins, front underseat tray; carpeted cargo floor, cargo cover, cargo tie downs, cargo light, concealed cargo storage; chrome grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and chrome door handles.
PLUS 2WD (5M) (in addition to or instead of STANDARD 2WD (5M) equipment): Front and rear air conditioning, air filter, rear heat ducts; premium AM/FM stereo radio, clock, seek-scan feature, single-disc CD player, 4 speakers and manual retractable antenna.
TOURING 2WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of PLUS 2WD (5M) equipment): Driver's selectable multi-mode 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive; front disc/rear drum brakes with 4-wheel antilock brakes; rear lip spoiler, side impact bars; front power sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; clearcoat monotone paint with bodyside accent gold trim and additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights.
4WD (5M) (in addition to or instead of 2WD equipment): 5-speed OD manual transmission; part-time manual shift 4-wheel drive, and auto locking hub control.