2004 Suzuki XL-7 Review

In the world of compact sport-utilities, Suzuki is one of the few makes built on a truck-type frame with select-on-the-fly 4-wheel-drive plus low-range for rock crawling. Thus it qualifies as a genuine off-roader. The 2004 Suzuki XL-7 is a "luxury" version of the Grand Vitara, offering optional third-row seating and a standard V-6. It tries to be both country boy and city slicker and for the most part succeeds. US $18,849 base; as tested, $21,749. Warranty 7 years/100,000 miles powertrain.

First Glance

Let's say you and your fishing buddies hear of this fabulous lake where the trout are said to be big and tasty and hard to catch. With a trail map as guide, you file out in a parade that includes your Suzuki XL-7 plus a trio of cute-utes (or soft-utes, take your pick) following along. The road turns into a rocky path and as you head into the mountains those rocks get big. A stream needs to be crossed. The surface is soft and slippery. But you've already gone to 4-wheel-drive and hit the switch for 4-wheel low gear to maintain control descending steep slopes; the Suzuki's higher ground clearance getting you over intimidating high spots. Finally the lake appears, sparkling in the mid-day sun. A fish jumps, causing the water to cascade like tiny jewels. You check your mirror. No sign of your buddies. Too bad: they never made it. Because in this class, only the Suzuki XL-7 and a handful of truck-based compact utes can demonstrate what it takes for true off-road driving. At least you have the fish all to yourself.

In the Driver's Seat

Tortuous the route may be but inside, Suzuki has done its best to convince you the XL-7 is a luxurious ride. A half-acre of fake wood, plenty of chrome trim, lush carpets (uh, for backwoods romping?), extra soundproofing, and a most-welcome sunroof are part of the package. So are steering wheel-mounted controls, a good sound system with 6-disc CD-changer, and power-assisted doors, windows, and mirrors. Seat adjustment is manual, though. Neither I nor my passenger were comfortable with the front seats and with the tilt-wheel in its lowest position, where I like it, the top half of the speedometer was blocked from view, as was the fuel gauge. As for those previously mentioned controls, I didn't discover them until three days into the test because they're mounted on the back of the wheel at the bottom. The air controls are simple and easy to operate once you're accustomed to the position indicators on the knobs... invisible at night, though. As with most compact SUVs access to front and rear is easy, with a miniumum of bending. Rear seat roominess is adequate but less so if you go for the fold-down third seat.

On the Road

The Suzuki XL-7 comes with a V-6 as standard. With 185 horses, it actually has less power than some 4-cylinder SUVs but torque is more than ample and of course the extra two cylinders offer a smoother sound and delivery. The XL-7 also provides one more gear with its 5-speed automatic transmission, a real plus as it keeps engine revs in the healthiest range. Fifth is an overdrive, controlled by a button on the shifter. I used it occasionally but with the indicator light blocked by the steering wheel, tended to forget I'd shifted down. (Okay, okay, that's what tachometers are for!) In corners the 2004 Suzuki sits flatter than you'd expect and consequently traverses winding roads with ease. But it's still an SUV and I wouldn't recommend pushing it to the point where tires slide off the pavement; not if you want to stay upright. Parking this vehicle is a breeze thanks to its height and relative narrowness; unfortunately those wide C-pillars, combined with the back seat headrests, hamper rear vision when reversing. You can, by the way, order your XL-7 with rear-wheel-drive only, but why?

Journey's End

Much of my time with the 2004 Suzuki XL-7 was spent on smooth highways and local roads, using it the way most people actually drive sport-utes. With the sunroof open, the V-6 gurgling away (or is it gargling?), the radio delivering KPLU, my favorite Seattle-Tacoma jazz station, and the convenience of power assists, it was much like driving any passenger car. Nice to know the 4-wheel-drive system is available if I was ever dumb enough to move back to the snowy east. This is not an all-wheel-drive vehicle, by the way; normally it hums along using rear-wheel-drive, leaving you to decide when to hit the high-range 4-wheel-drive switch, which you can do up to 60 mph. If you're exceeding that speed in a sport-ute on snow or ice, stop and let me off. Please. You're outta your flippin' mind, with the emphasis on "flip." The 2004 Suzuki XL-7, then, is a bit of a hybrid which, for folks who honestly need the traction of on-demand 4-wheel-drive, is an appealing package. So what did I like most? The color. Raspberry juice in a silver spoon. Yum!