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2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7

Date: 21 April 2001	Miles: 3,000
Now the Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 is definitely all truck. While not as smooth a highway cruiser as the Tribute, the XL-7's separate body-on-frame construction can really take punishment. Plus, the part-time 4X4 transfer case is ideal for serious off-roading and includes a low gear. With a stronger 2.7-liter V-6 than the standard Grand Vitara, pull is good from a start and on grades. With some 3,000 miles gone by in 2 months, fuel economy is quite good at 19.8. A figure most larger, 5-passenger SUVs will never see. The log book complaints include hard seats, and that the tall XL-7 is quite sensitive to cross winds.
Date: 9 June 2001	Miles: 7,000
The XL-7 takes Suzuki's tiny but truck-tough SUV image into a whole new family market with the addition of a third seat. Even though the narrow, split-folding back bench is only fit for children, it makes the XL-7 more flexible than any other small SUV. Performance from the 2.7-liter V-6 is more than ample with 170-horsepower on tap. Thanks to the stretched wheelbase, ride is quite comfortable on-road and off. Plus, the part-time 4X4 transfer case is ideal for serious back country exploring, and includes shift-on-the-fly capability and a low range. With nearly 7,000 miles traveled in 4 months, fuel economy has risen to a far better than SUV-normal of 20.6 miles per gallon. And, like every other Suzuki product we've tested, there is not a hint of anything going wrong.
Date: 28 July 2001	Miles: 8,400
Now, the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 is the biggest of the small SUVs, and it carries the most, a gang of seven in three rows of tight seats. We've driven almost 8400 miles in 5 months. Fuel economy with its 2.7-liter V-6 is 20.7 miles per gallon. That's even better than government estimates of 17 City and 20 Highway. And that doesn't happen very often. But log book complaints include hard seats, and that the tall XL-7 is quite sensitive to cross winds. We've also noticed that someone on our staff likes to tailgate, since there are two stone chips on the windshield. Shame on us!
Date: 21 September 2001	Miles: 11,200
The 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 finds its niche as the biggest of the small SUVs. Also unlike other small SUVs, the XL-7 uses traditional body-on-frame construction. However, we've found our XL-7 to actually be thriftier than many more fragile, car-like competitors. After 11,200 miles in 7 months, fuel economy with its 2.7-liter V-6 is a solid 20.8 miles per gallon. Solid too is reliability, with zero mechanical faults. The seats are hard, but it is a real SUV isn't it?
Date: 14 December 2001	Miles: 14,676
You have to hand it to Suzuki. They march to their own drummer. While most everyone else has gone off and built pseudo-SUVs, with a car-like unitized chassis and all- weather, not all terrain, four-wheel drive, they have been true to their school. Their latest, the XL-7, is still built body-on-frame, still uses rugged Hi-Lo four-wheel drive, and is at home on any surface that can support its weight. But that isn't to say the XL-7 isn't innovative. It's the first small SUV with seating for seven, albeit seven small fries. And it's V-6 powered while most of the competitors use 4- bangers. The overall response from our staff has been very good. It has the solidity of a truck, and ride comfort that is firm but not harsh. But, it is sensitive to cross winds. Interior fittings are also durable, if they lack the finesse in appearance and operation of a Toyota or Honda. Reliability is, so far, without question. We're also impressed with its economy. For a tall, boxy, 7-passenger, truck-like SUV, 21.3 miles per gallon after 14,676 miles is extremely good. The Suzuki XL-7 is as straightforward as an SUV comes, and it delivers exactly what it promises.
Date: 25 January 2002	Miles: 17,400
With so many small SUVs around, there are several things that could tilt a buyer in favor of the Suzuki XL-7. It is V-6 powered, it uses stout body-on-frame construction with a rugged hi-low four-wheel drive system, and it's the only small SUV with three rows of seats. That last point gives the XL-7 the family hauling capabilities of a minivan without the stigma or the price. Most of our staff were leery about the XL-7's long haul comfort, but after 17,400 miles, and much of that on interstates, log book comments have been mostly positive. The V-6 does strain a little when fully loaded, and crosswinds do push you around a bit, but then the XL-7's redeeming 21.2 miles per gallon fuel economy is higher than many smaller, less capable cute- utes.
Date: 22 March 2002	Miles: 18,647
Thirteen months ago, when we took delivery of our Long Term 2001 Suzuki XL- 7, we were more than a little doubtful if a Grand Vitara stretched to accommodate seven riders would really be viable and desirable. But, as we prepare to return our long-and-small SUV, we have no doubts it is both. Once broken in, we found the 2.7-liter, 170-horsepower V-6/automatic transmission combo in our unit more than adequate. Power is boosted 13 horses more for 2002 and works better still with the standard manual gearbox. The truck-style frame and part-time 4X4 transfer case may make the XL-7 seem like an SUV throwback, but its inherent toughness and no-nonsense operations appealed to our adventurous spirits. Indeed, this is not the most refined SUV on the block. The ride is a little bouncy, and high cross winds push you around easily. The downside from being narrow enough for city life is that the XL-7's rear seats are none-too wide, and leg room is at a premium. Yet, the powertrain is quiet until really pushed, and cornering stability is, well, stable. After 18,647 miles we averaged a fine 21.3 miles per gallon. That's at least 20% better than we expect from an SUV with 3 rows of seats. And, like every Suzuki we've previously tested, the XL-7 was completely trouble free. So, to viable and desirable, we'll add affordable to both own and operate. Indeed, the 7- passenger Suzuki XL-7 takes the urban jungle in stride.