New Cars: Suzuki Xl7

Monday, June 13, 2011

Suzuki Xl7

The Suzuki XL-7 is Suzuki's mid-sized SUV, launched in 1998.The first-generation XL-7 was a Suzuki design and was essentially a stretched Grand Vitara. It had a Suzuki-designed 2.7 liter V6 on a rear wheel drive-based platform with optional four wheel drive. When introduced, the XL-7 was the least expensive SUV available with 3-row seating in North America. The Suzuki XL-7 sold over 20,000 a year, and was awarded the Consumer's Digest Best Buy award. However, sales slowed as competitors came out with SUVs with more features, lower prices, better fuel efficiency and more powerful engines, such as the Toyota Highlander, the Honda Pilot, and the Honda CR-V.Introduced in the fourth quarter of 2006, Suzuki partnered with General Motors to build the 2007 model, now called XL7 (without the hyphen). It uses the same unibody platform and many of the same components as the Chevy Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and Saturn Vue, but incorporates third row seating exclusive to the Suzuki. The second generation model uses a version of the GM High Feature engine, built in Japan and shipped to CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, where the XL7 is assembled with the Equinox and Torrent, and also the second-generation Suzuki XL7 is Suzuki's first entry in the crossover SUV segment. Styling cues on the 2007 include a chrome slotted grille and trapezoidal headlights.