|  Suzuki was the first manufacturer to squeeze seven seats into a compact SUV, but the original XL7 soon had to move aside as larger, more space-efficient crossovers arrived on the market.
The second-generation Suzuki XL7 is larger. This is a full-fledged midsize sport-ute. And it's no longer truck-based. Instead, Suzuki worked off the unibody Chevrolet Equinox platform. Its wheelbase length is the same as the Chevy's, but with room for a third row of seats, the XL7 is 8 inches longer than the Equinox.
The XL7 is based on the Concept-X2 concept car from the 2005 New York auto show, with simpler, more conventional side mirrors, cleaner bodysides and a standard roof rack. Compared to the previous-style XL-7, the 2007 is 9.3 inches longer, 2.1 inches wider and 0.9 inches taller and it has 2.2 inches more wheelbase. Chrome twin tailpipes are standard. The Premium trim level's wheels measure 16 inches, and the Luxury's are 17 inches.
The all-new 2007 Suzuki XL7 evolves from a rear-wheel-drive, truck chassis SUV into a crossover SUV based on the sophisticated GM Theta platform with full-length underbody rails for added strength. The XL7 is now a front-wheel-drive vehicle that features four-wheel independent suspension and available all-wheel drive. The standard powertrain for the Suzuki XL7 is a GM-designed, Suzuki-built 3.6-liter, V6 DOHC engine rated at an estimated 250 hp with 243 lb-ft of torque.
The XL7's 3.6-liter, High Feature (HF) engine with variable valve timing will be built under license by Suzuki in Japan using Suzuki engine-building technology at the Sagara engine plant.
The XL7 engine was developed as a joint effort between Suzuki and GM engineering and features unique Engine Control Unit (ECU) calibration. The use of the existing platform architecture accelerated the completion of the vehicle, which has been in development for three years.
The 3.6-liter, six-cylinder, DOHC engine is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission that features a manual-shifting (manumatic) mode. Although the new engine is nearly one liter larger than the 2.7-liter engine used in the previous XL-7, the new, larger XL7 was designed to deliver fuel economy equal to or better than its predecessor. EPA fuel economy estimates are 18 mpg/city and 24 mpg/highway for front-wheel-drive variants and 17 mpg/city and 23 mpg/highway for all-wheel drive. Towing capacity is rated at 3,500 pounds.
The 2007 Suzuki XL7 offers the driver and passengers a spacious, functional interior that provides upscale sophistication and refinement. The unique third-row seat delivers seven-passenger capability and real comfort.
With its six-inch deep footwell, the stretched platform delivers comfortable third-row seating, offering nearly 40 inches of legroom and 38.8 inches of headroom. In addition, the 50/50 split folding third-row seat can be folded flat into the floor for additional cargo carrying room, and the fold-flat front-passenger seat allows room for longer items such as skis, surfboards or even a small kayak.
In addition to the practicality of ample storage consoles and areas and the convenience of four 12-volt power outlets, the interior of the 2007 Suzuki XL7 features upscale wood or satin nickel appliqués on the instrument panel and doors, chrome accents throughout and matte black, low-gloss surfaces. Leather seating surfaces and leather-wrapped steering wheel are also part of certain trim packages.
The XL7 comes with side curtain-type airbags, but there's no mention of separate torso airbags for front occupants. Four-wheel antilock brakes and an electronic stability system are standard, as is a tire pressure monitoring system.
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