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Automotive Industry

2001 Suzuki XL-7

Automotive Industries, April, 2001 by Gerry Kobe

If ever there was a good case to be made for body-on-frame construction, I think Suzuki's Grand Vitara XL-7 is it Compared to the original Grand Vitara, the XL-7 is stretched some 20 inches overall, with an additional 13 inches in the wheelbase. Now maybe that doesn't sound like much in the truck world, but because Vitara is so small to begin with, that's nearly 14 percent of its wheelbase. Do that to a unibody vehicle and it will have more cross- and corner-braces than the Eiffel Tower, and even then it probably won't feel right.

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But the XL-7 stretches very gracefully, maintaining the rock solid stiffness that you expect from a truck. It'll also tow 3,000 pounds, which is enough to rip some of its "cute-ute" competitors in half. And to further drive home the message that it isn't a toy, it sports a very gutsy 2.7L V-6 that matches the tenacity of the truck's underpinnings.

From a practical standpoint, the XL-7 adds plenty of usable interior space compared to the diminutive Grand Vitara. Whether or not I agree that it is truly a seven-passenger vehicle is another issue entirely, especially because I couldn't even get three five-year-olds to sit side-by-side in the back seat without complaints of, "Not enough room."

Maybe Suzuki should rename it the XLA+2?

As for quality, XL-7 has it nailed. Good fit and finish, smooth powertrain and excellent cabin sealing are top notch considering the $20,000 base price --$21,000 for real 4WD, complete with low range.

All in all, not bad.

Automotive Industry

2001 Suzuki XL-7

Automotive Industries, April, 2001 by Gerry Kobe

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