The Suzuki XL-7 SUV is deceptive. It looks like it might be one of your standard suburban mom soccer buggies. But under those GAP duds can be found the body and heart of a US Navy Seal. At close to 5000 lbs soaking wet and nearly 185 inches in length - Jeep Grand Cherokee territory - it isn't a "little Suzuki" anymore.
The XL-7 has ladder box frame construction, that is, body on frame. Not only does this feature make it significantly stronger, but also quite a bit heavier than direct competitors like the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. Both have unibody construction. Ladder box frames can be a bad thing and a good thing. On one hand, carrying that extra weight will mean going fewer miles on a gallon of gasoline; on the other hand, if you get into a nasty accident, you’ve got a better chance in an XL-7. For 2003, it earned top honors in the IIHS crash tests.
Even though Suzuki calls the XL-7 a "luxury SUV", it ain't. What it is - is a workhorse, which is also capable of going way, way off-road. Based on the Grand Vitare, the XL-7 is almost 20 inches longer and much more than just a stretched Grand Vitara (even though that’s what it looks like). The XL-7 has four large passenger doors plus a big side opening rear cargo door with a very useful vacuum strut, which makes opening and closing both easier and more controllable.
This year the XL-7 comes in both five and seven passenger configurations. Identical in both appearance and exterior dimensions, the difference is simply an available third row of seats, which is a reasonable-priced option. Both second and third row seats are stepped for a theater-like ride.
The second and third row seat backs fold flat for carrying long or bulky objects. However, they don't fold completely into the floor or even up-and-out-of-the-way like some seats do. If you want a flat floor, you have to remove seats.
There’s adequate room in the second row rear seat for two full sized, leggy (but not too leggy) people. Three little people or two more full size (but not supersized) people can be accommodated in the third row seats for short periods of time.
Fabric covered seats are standard but leather is also available, as is a sunroof and other luxury clues like aluminum wheels. The redesigned-for-2003 interior also features ersatz wood-grain trim here and there.
Both 2WD and 4WD configurations are available for 2003, but the engine is only available as a 24 valve, 2.7 liter V6 putting out 183 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque.
Acceleration is actually quite good, when you consider this is a heavy vehicle. It can get a bit buzzy when shifting under hard acceleration - especially when the automatic moves from 2nd to 3rd gear. However, it's surprisingly quiet at highway speeds with little of the expected wind noise and tire whine.
The longer wheelbase takes almost all of the shorter Vitare's ride choppiness out of highway cruising. What it doesn't do, though, is improve on the Grand Vitare's legendary thirstiness. While the EPA rates the XL-7 at 17/22 mpg, expect real world combined city/highway driving to be a lot less than that - probably in the 15 or 16 mpg range.
Two transmissions are available - a 4-speed auto with an overdrive feature that reduces engine speed in each gear by about 500 rpm. A 5-speed manual is also available.
With the exception of its not-so-great fuel economy numbers, the 2003 XL-7 makes a good family-type hauler. It’s reasonably priced, has great Japanese-type build quality and will be nearly unstoppable in the bad weather. And as a bonus, on weekends you could even use it for off- (but not too far off) roading.
MSRP for the base 2WD Touring is $20,194. MSRP for the base 4WD Touring is $21,894. MSRP for the loaded 4WD Limited model is $26,694.
Vancouver-based Colin Hefferon is About's test-driver-at-large. He looks at cars from the viewpoint of the average driver. Which, after all, is most of us.