2009 Suzuki XL-7 Review

Overview

The 2009 Suzuki XL7 is a four-door, seven-passenger, crossover SUV available in Premium, Luxury, and Limited trims with America's Number 1 fully transferable 7-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty including roadside assistance and courtesy vehicle program.

Power and performance

An all-aluminum, 3.6-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 engine with variable valve timing rated at 252 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic with Manumatic shift mode delivers 17/24 mpg (city/highway) in the 2009 XL7. Front-wheel drive is standard with optional electronically controlled all-wheel drive. The AWD models deliver 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. The cargo volume (cu. ft.) figures with 3 rows up/2 rows up/1 row up are 14.0/49.4/95.2 respectively. The towing capacity has been estimated at 3500 lbs.

Body and styling

Seventeen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are standard on Premium and Luxury trims while the Limited features 17-inch chrome- plated aluminum-alloy wheels. Daytime running lights (DRL); 220 pound capacity roof rack with rails; rear privacy glass; heated mirrors (AWD only); multi- reflector, jewel-type headlamps; dual chrome exhaust tips/true dual exhaust; tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) monitor for all four tires; windshield wiper; and rear glass wipers are standard exterior features on the 2009 Suzuki XL7. Air conditioning with automatic climate control; rear air conditioning with second row controls; Micron air filtration; cruise control; 60/40 split, reclining, fold-and-tumble second-row seats; 50/50 split, reclining fold-flat third-row seats with under- floor hidden storage; driver information center with outside air temp, elapsed time, door ajar warning, gear position indicator, average speed, average MPG plus driving range, fuel level warning indicator, battery voltage status, oil life index and individual tire pressure display; luggage room under-floor compartment; 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary input jack (on Premium); 6-speaker in-dash 6-disc changer AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary iPod/MP3 player input jack (on Luxury trim); and 7-speaker in-dash 6-disc changer AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary iPod/MP3 player input jack (on Limited trim) are standard features for the interior of the 2009 XL7. Rear-seat DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones and dual-media capability is optional on the Limited trim.

Safety Features

Electronic stability program (ESP) with traction control system (TCS); four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD); side-curtain airbags (SRS) for all rows; rear child-seat LATCH system (lower anchors and tethers for children); daytime running lamps; and TPMS are standard. Electronically controlled, on-demand, all-wheel drive system (AWD) is optional.