Article Comments: 2007 Suzuki XL-7 First Drive

24 messages, Last post on Feb 21, 2007 at 5:10 PM

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What is this discussion about? Suzuki XL-7, SUV

Article comments for First Drive: 2007 Suzuki XL-7 - As a matter of fact, the XL-7 is really little more than a stretched version of the Chevrolet Equinox and most of its engineering took place in suburban Detroit. Like its American cousin, the XL-7 is a front-wheel-drive unibody sport-ute with optional all-wheel drive. (more)

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#17 of 24 Replies to above, more... by ribbonspeakers Jan 05, 2007 (12:33 pm)
I think the XL-7 is so new it would be wrong to compare it to earlier Suzukis regarding reliability. Look at Hyundai: Early cars were useless piles of junk practically as they left the assembly line. They now are among the most reliable cars extant. Japanese manufacturer's generally have better than average reliability. I think buying this car is a reasonably safe bet regarding reliability. To me the 6-speed's advantage is way overstated above. Except for a straight up race how could it matter? In that case it probably would barely equal the difference of a slight difference in load. Besides, the Acadia/Outlook are WAY heavier (close to 1k lbs heavier) & that should exceed the difference of 1/5th more gears (20%). The fuel savings of the extra gear may not equal the difference in correct tire psi. That one seems like a red herring to me (only my opinion). Besides, the GM version of the 3.6 has about 25 more hp (275), considerably greater difference than only one extra gear. I don't know if the 6-speed mentioned is the same as that in the full-size GM SUV's & trucks, but someone who builds those vehicles told me there are reported reliability issues w/ that 6-speed (he was not happy that he may be stuck w/ that new 6-speed tranny on his next truck, the '07 Silverado). This GM 3.6L V6, w/ variable valve timing, is one of my favorite motors. It's incredibly smooth, silky sounding, & makes great power & has great driveablity throughout. Very interesting that, in the new Acadia/Outlook, it makes more power than in the Cadillac CTS, yet uses a lower fuel grade (regular in the SUV's vs. premium in the CTS). I'm looking forward to driving the XL-7. Looks like a great package & maybe an unbeatable value. I'm glad it's not a complete girlie-looking vehicle the way almost every car made these days seems to be. The TV commercial w/ the girl riding the Suzuki M109R, chasing the XL7, then trading keys w/ the XL7 driver, are totally corny but may be effective. What do other members think about it?
#18 of 24 commercial by guxu Jan 06, 2007 (5:34 pm)
I thought the commercial was the motorcycle and XL7 heading to each other. Replies to this message: coldcranker (Feb 18, 2007 9:21 pm)
#19 of 24 Outlook has 26 mpg highway rating by guxu Jan 06, 2007 (7:57 pm)
Comparing to 24 mpg for XL7. And Outlook is 1000+ lbs heavier with 20+ hp more power. So I guess 6-speed transmission does make some difference. Replies to this message: joey2brix (Feb 02, 2007 7:06 am) kc5yti (Feb 20, 2007 9:24 am)
#20 of 24 Re: Outlook has 26 mpg highway rating [guxu] by joey2brix Feb 02, 2007 (7:06 am)
Replying to: guxu (Jan 06, 2007 7:57 pm) That 6 speed is a new tranny for GM. Would you buy the first year of anything GM made? That Suzuki cycle chick is HOT.
#21 of 24 Re: commercial [guxu] by coldcranker Feb 18, 2007 (9:21 pm)
Replying to: guxu (Jan 06, 2007 5:34 pm) guxu, An earlier XL7 commercial had a whole gang of super-model biker chicks stopping an XL7, while the latter commercial featured just one biker chick about to swap vehicles with someone.
#22 of 24 Re: Outlook has 26 mpg highway rating [guxu] by kc5yti Feb 20, 2007 (9:24 am)
Replying to: guxu (Jan 06, 2007 7:57 pm) Just came back from a long trip in ours. With a strong head wind, we acheived around 20MPG, and with a moderate tailwind, around 25MPG. I was getting about 27MPG at around 55-60MPH. One I got it up to 70-75, it seems to drop to about 24-25MPG. Very happy with this result. This was with a family of 6 and all of their gear in the back. Also had a cargo carrier on the hitch. I would say that she did very well. The same scenario in my 2002 XL-7 would give me full economy number around 17-20MPG.
#23 of 24 Gas Mileage by guxu Feb 21, 2007 (10:46 am)
I got about 16 mpg from my last tank, even though the trip computer showed 17.5 mpg This is a FWD limited. And I am not lead-foot. Replies to this message: kc5yti (Feb 21, 2007 5:10 pm)
#24 of 24 Re: Gas Mileage [guxu] by kc5yti Feb 21, 2007 (5:10 pm)
Replying to: guxu (Feb 21, 2007 10:46 am) We get similar, but I am not overlly concerned. Most of the low numbers are due to long waits at stop lights, traffic, and drive throughs. I mitigate the econ numbers by taking less traveled routes, routes with larger spacing of traffic lights, and so on. It is also winter. My wife and I let it warm up before heading out. I have seen it fluctuate from 15-18. I expect this to get better as it warms up. My 2002 will usually do between 13-17 city during the winter. I feel that the 2007 is an improvement. BTW, I am rather easy on both.