2009 Suzuki XL7 Sport Utility Crossover

FWD 4dr Premium

Starting at $14,675 | Starting at 17 MPG City - 24 MPG Highway

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$14,675 average Retail
$25,595 original MSRP

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Printable Version

2009 Suzuki XL7 Sport Utility Crossover

Summary

Provided by NADAguides.com

For 2009, the Suzuki XL7, an affordable crossover SUV that is available in five- and seven-passenger configurations, gets a new six-speed automatic transmission for improved fuel economy and self-leveling rear suspension. With a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, the Suzuki XL7 is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine channeling 152 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque as mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Manumatic shift mode. EPA estimated fuel economy for the Suzuki XL7 is 17 mpg city/24 mpg hwy for the FWD trim levels but only 16/23 mpg for the AWD trims. With a 5-star crash test ratings for front and side impact, Suzuki XL7 standard safety features include traction control, a four-wheel antilock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, advanced dual-stage driver airbags, weight-sensing front-passenger airbags, side-curtain airbags for all rows, head-impact protection, and much more. With the second and third row seats folded flat and out of the way, up to 95.2 cubic feet of cargo space is available and towing capacity is 3,500 pounds, when configured properly.

Benefits of Driving a 2009 Suzuki XL7 Sport Utility Crossover

The 2009 XL7 is the largest vehicle Suzuki builds, according to the automaker. The crossover SUV, oriented for on-road duty and people-moving, is closely related to the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent but fitted with a standard, Suzuki-built overhead-cam V6 across the line. The XL7 is also particularly attractive because of its generous safety features and top five-star safety ratings in both front and side impact crash tests from the federal government. A modest towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds is enough to tow a small boat or pop-up trailer, and the XL7 is covered by Suzuki's 100,000-mile, 7-year, fully transferable powertrain warranty.

What's new for 2009?

The 2009 Suzuki XL7 upgrades to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Also, the formerly optional third row is standard in the 2009 Suzuki XL7

Model Strengths

Spacious interior
safety
thoughtful standard features
strong warranty
available all-wheel drive.

Model Review

A 3.6L, 24-valve V6, making 252 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, is standard on the XL7, along with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The engine is designed for long maintenance intervals. It's also especially smooth, due to a double-isolated cradle system.

Printable Version

2009 Suzuki XL7 Sport Utility Crossover

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2009 Suzuki XL7

Source: The Car Connection

TheCarConnection.com's editors drove the new Suzuki XL7 in order to give you an expert opinion. TheCarConnection.com's crossover experts researched available road tests on the new Suzuki XL7 to produce this conclusive review and to help you find the truth where other reviews might differ.

The 2009 Suzuki XL7 should especially appeal to families who want a roomy vehicle with a small third-row seat for occasional use but not the higher sticker price or extra fuel expenses of larger SUVs.

Five-passenger seating is standard on the base, Premium, and Luxury models of the 2009 XL7 with seven-passenger seating optional, except for the Limited trim level where seven-passenger seating is the standard arrangement. The seven-passenger models add a 50/50-split folding third-row bench large enough for small children only. Entry and exit are quite difficult, but the third row can be folded flat into the floor when not in use. The second row folds forward, as does the front passenger seat's backrest for accommodating very long items.

In addition to a handsome exterior design, the 2009 Suzuki XL7 boasts a standard 3.6-liter, 252-horsepower V-6 engine teamed up with a new six-speed automatic with manual shift capability. Suzuki claims the XL7 can accelerate from 0-60 in less than eight seconds--a big improvement over the previous model. The XL7 rides and handles much like a mid-size sedan, with a relatively soft, smooth ride and handling that's safe but not at all sporty.

Front-wheel drive is standard, though the available all-wheel-drive system is good for slippery road situations, sending up to 50 percent of power to the back wheels when the fronts slip. With either drive system, the 2009 Suzuki XL7 has brisk acceleration compared to other crossover SUVs, with quiet cruising and quick downshifts for passing power.

The carlike four-wheel independent suspension uses MacPherson struts up front and a multilink rear. Seven-passenger models get a load-leveling Nivomat rear suspension that's useful for those who plan to tow or haul heavy loads; tow capacity is rated at up to 3,500 pounds.

Standard safety features include electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, front seat-mounted side airbags, and side-curtain rollover-sensing bags. Crash-test results are very good, garnering top five-star results in all of the federal government's tests, along with "good" and "acceptable" results for frontal and side impact, respectively, from the IIHS. Rear impact protection is rated "marginal," however.

The 2009 Suzuki XL7 is closely related to the older version of the Saturn Vue, the Chevrolet Equinox, and the Pontiac Torrent, but is arguably the best equipped of them. All 2009 Suzuki XL7s include automatic climate control, keyless entry, roof rails, and alloy wheels, while at the top of the range, the Limited brings many more features, such as power heated front seats, a touch-screen navigation system, a rearview camera, fog lamps, chrome wheels, and a premium sound system.

The Bottom Line:

A major redesign in 2007 transformed the Suzuki XL7 into a modern mid-size crossover with available seven-passenger seating. For 2009 the XL7 gains a six-speed automatic transmission that helps deliver an almost 10 percent increase in fuel economy.

Printable Version

2009 Suzuki XL7 Sport Utility Crossover

Safety Ratings What do the Safety Ratings mean? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) performs independent crash testing of new vehicles and then assigns them a score based on their performance. The overall crash test rating is based on how a vehicle performs in the following tests: Driver Crash Grade: Measures the chance of a serious injury to a crash test dummy that is placed in a driver's seat and driven into a fixed barrier at 35 MPH. A five-star rating means there is 10 percent or less chance of injury. Passenger Crash Grade: Similar to the driver crash grade, only now the focus is on the passenger. Rollover Resistance: Simulates an emergency lane change to measure the likelihood of a vehicle rolling over. A five-star rating means there is 10 percent or less risk of rollover. Side Impact Crash Test - Front: Focuses on the front side of a vehicle. It simulates crashes that can occur in intersections by striking a 3,015-pound weight against the side of a vehicle at 38.5 MPH. A five-star rating means there is 5 percent or less chance of injury. Side Impact Crash Test - Rear: Similar to the front side impact test only now the focus is on the rear passenger.
Driver Crash Grade	No consumer rating Rate & Review
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Side Impact Crash Test - Front	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Side Impact Crash Test - Rear	No consumer rating Rate & Review