Based on the Grand Vitara, the XL7 is extra large and seats 7. In past years, the resemblance to the Grand Vitara was rather strong, but more recently the XL7 has been restyled, inside and out, to become more of its own vehicle. The change is welcome and makes the xl7 a better deal than it was in 2002. The luxurious feel of the doors and trim is now matched by woodgrain on the elegant center console, with its thermostatic climate control, and a well-designed instrument panel with chrome-ringed gauges.

The XL7 is a mid-sized SUV, large for a Suzuki but relatively small for the current American monster trucks. This allows for a nimble feel and good handling, as well as a relatively small engine for decent if not actually good gas mileage. The engine feels overtaxed when going uphill, especially with the air conditioning on, but otherwise provides good acceleration.

The transmission shifts moderately firmly, but lacks authority. There is a power mode switch which delays upshifts and speeds downshifts, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness at the cost of economy. The 2003 implementation feels better programmed than in our past experience.

Our limited model had two wheel drive, but the four wheel drive models can be shifted in and out of four wheel drive at moderate speeds (in a straight line).

There is good room for four, with the middle seats easily flipping forward (from either driver or passenger side) to produce extra seats for a pair of children or dwarves. With the third row of seats folded down, there is good cargo space. Access is easy, thanks to a reasonable height - you neither have to climb up nor down, as in larger SUVs or cars. It seems to have been designed as an SUV for those who really need a minivan but can't bring themselves to get one, with the convenient and pleasant interior and height.

The rear is covered by a door, rather than a hatch; it opens to the right, which is more convenient in right-hand-drive nations.

Visibility is good for an SUV, thanks partly to the low height. The wipers and defrosters are effective in both front and back.

The controls are sensible and well designed, including the cruise control, which has a separate (Toyota-style) stalk. When the system is activated, a Cruise light goes on; when a speed is locked in, Set is added, a good way to do it. The climate controls were very well designed, with automatic and manual modes, and knobs and buttons which could easily be manipulated through thick gloves. Heat came quickly through both front and rear vents. The rear vent fan can be controlled by front or rear passengers, but oddly faced forward, so that the rearmost passengers would not reap its benefits. In summer, owners will appreciated the vented moonroof cover, which lets you leave the moonroof in vent position to exhaust hot air without allowing sunlight in. Dual moonroof controls for venting and opening are handy, too.

The center console is small and includes a sliding top which can be used as an armrest, or be flipped over backwards to serve as cupholders for middle row passengers. There are also front cupholders underneath an elegant sliding lid. Front doors have map pockets, as well.

The stereo, which on our Limited model included seven speakers and a subwoofer, is very capable, with strong stereo separation and clear sound.

Our $25,000 test vehicle included the 2.7 V6, automatic, ABS, sixteen inch alloy wheels, power windows, mirrors, and locks, sunroof, remote keyless entry, front and rear air conditioning with thermostatic control, CD changer, cruise, tilt steering with remote stereo controls, leather seats, and a seven year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. That's not a bad package for a seven-seat SUV. It's not even a bad price for a seven-seat minivan, though minivan buyers will get a more responsive engine, better mileage, and more space, not to mention a sliding side door. If this package was sold by Ford, it would easily double, all by itself, Suzuki's total US sales. While that's not going to happen, it might well end up being sold by Chevrolet at some point - sort of but not really competing with the TrailBlazer.

Overall, the Suzuki XL-7 has been much improved over last year's model, and is a good alternative to full-sized behemoths such as the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Suburban. No, it's not a towing monster, but it has room for seven or lots of cargo, is more comfortable than those full-size monsters, and is much more comfortable on the wallet - both in purchase price and in gas mileage. Those with more modest needs for space may want to save a few dollars and consider a responsive and off-road-ready Jeep Liberty, while those wanting more power and height might want to try the Chevy TrailBlazer. Buyers may even want to consider throwing style to the wind and checking out a minivan or station wagon. Any way you look at it, though, compared with similarly priced SUVs, the XL7 is a good deal with a surprisingly good interior.

Comparison chart: Suzuki XL7 versus competitors

	2003 Suzuki XL-7*	2003 Toyota Highlander AWD V6	2003 Honda Pilot LX	2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 Laredo	2003 Ford Explorer 4x4 XLT 4.0L	2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4x4 LS	2003 Saturn VUE AWD V6
Price With Freight	$23,339	$27,370	$27,360	$28,640	$31,335	$28,800	$23,150
Horsepower	183	220	240	195	210	275	181
rpm	6,000	5,800	5,400	4,600	5,100	6,000	6,000
Torque	180	222	242	230	254	275	195
rpm	4,000	4,400	4,500	3,000	3,700	3,600	4,000
4wd type	part-time	full-time	automatic full-time	part and full-time; off-road ready	automatic full-time	automatic full-time	full-time
locking hub control	auto	permanent	permanent	permanent	auto	auto	permanent
transfer case shift	manual	none	none	manual	electronic	electronic	none
front suspension	independent	independent	independent	non-independent	independent	independent	independent
rear suspension	rigid axle	independent	independent	rigid axle	independent	rigid axle	independent
brake type	front disc/rear drum	4 wheel disc	4 wheel disc	4 wheel disc	4 wheel disc	4 wheel disc	front disc/rear drum
vented discs	front	front	front	front	front	front+rear	front
abs	option	4-wheel	4-wheel	4-wheel	4-wheel	4-wheel	option
abs channels	4	4	4	4	3	4	3
mirror activation	power remote	option - power remote	power remote	power remote	power remote	manual	power remote
heated mirror	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no
	Suzuki XL-7	Toyota Highlander	Honda Pilot	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Ford Explorer	Chevrolet Trailblazer	Saturn VUE
max seating	7	5	8	5	7	5	5
front armrest	driver/passenger	driver/passenger	center	center	center	center	driver/passenger
Rear Seats
folding	60-40	60-40	60-40	60-40	40-20-40	65-35	70-30
reclining	manual	manual	manual	none	none	none	manual
descriptor	split-bench	split-bench	split-bench	split-bench	bench	split-bench	bench
3rd Row Seats
folding	50-50 split bench	none	50-50 split bench	none	bench ($670)	none	none
	Suzuki XL-7	Toyota Highlander	Honda Pilot	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Ford Explorer	Chevrolet Trailblazer	Saturn VUE
dashboard insert	simulated wood	metal-look	none	aluminum	metal-look	none	none
console insert	simulated wood	metal-look	metal-look	none	none	none	none
Overhead console	full	mini	mini	none	full	none	none
storage	yes	yes	yes	no	yes	no	no
lighted glove box	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no
instrument panel storage	bin	none	bin	none	none	none	none
interior concealed storage	yes	no	yes	no	no	no	no
seatback storage pockets	2	2	2	1	2	none	1
rear door bins	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	yes
front underseat tray	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no
audio media storage	yes	no	yes	yes	no	yes	no
Cargo Space
cover	roll-up	option	option	option	none	option	none
cargo tray	yes	no	no	no	no	no	yes
Amenities
air conditioning	automatic	manual	manual	manual	manual	manual	manual
rear air conditioning	yes	none	yes	none	option	none	none
air filter	yes	yes	yes	no	no	yes	yes
underseat ducts	yes	yes	no	yes	yes	yes	yes
cassette	no	yes	no	no	yes	no	no
speakers	7 including sub-woofer	6	4	6	4	6	6
steering wheel controls	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no
Antenna	retractable	fixed	window grid	fixed	fixed	fixed	fixed
	Suzuki XL-7	Toyota Highlander	Honda Pilot	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Ford Explorer	Chevrolet Trailblazer	Saturn VUE
fuel door release	mechanical	mechanical	mechanical	none	none	none	none
driver foot rest	yes	yes	option	yes	no	yes	yes
first aid kit	yes	option	no	no	no	no	no
door lock activation	power with 2 stage unlock	option - power with 2 stage unlock	option - power with 2 stage unlock	power	power with 2 stage unlock	power	power with 2 stage unlock
remote locks	keyfob (all doors)	keyfob (all doors)	keyfob (all doors)	none	keyfob (all doors)	none	keyfob (all doors)
auto locking	yes	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no
EPA mpg	17/20	18/22	17/22	16/21	15/21	15/21	19/25
curb weight (lbs.)	3,682	3,660	4,416	3,975	4,374	4,616	3,470
max trailer weight	3,000	3,500	4,500	5,000	7,000	6,200	2,500
Leg room
front (")	41.4	40.7	41.4	41.4	43.9	44.6	41.2
rear (")	36.4	36.4	37.4	35.3	37.2	37.1	36.8
third (")	31.3	0	30.2	0	34.8	0	0
Head room
front (")	40	40	41.9	39.7	39.9	40.2	40.4
rear (")	39.2	39.8	40.9	39.5	38.9	39.6	40.3
third (")	38.9	0	38.9	0	39	0	0
Hip room	Suzuki XL-7	Toyota Highlander	Honda Pilot	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Ford Explorer	Chevrolet Trailblazer	Saturn VUE
front (")	50.7	55.1	57.5	56.5	55	55.5	51.6
rear(")	50.6	54.9	56.6	52.4	54.3	58.1	52.7
Shoulder room
front (")	52.8	57.9	61.6	58.9	59.1	58.5	55.4
rear (")	53	57	61.4	57.8	58.9	58.5	55.3
passenger volume (cu-ft)	127.5	105.7	176.9	94.6	0	0	100
maximum cargo volume	75.1	81.4	90.3	72.3	81.7	80.1	63.8
length (")	183.6	184.4	188	181.5	189.5	191.8	181.3
body width (")	70.1	71.9	77.3	72.3	72.1	74.6	71.6
height (")	68	66.1	70.6	69.4	71.4	74.5	66.4
wheelbase (")	110.2	106.9	106.3	105.9	113.8	113	106.6
Powertrain warranty	84	60	36	84	36	36	36
distance (mi.)	100,000	60,000	36,000	70,000	36,000	36,000	36,000

 * xl7 data: Touring 4x4 AT (with ABS and 3rd Row Seat)