Suzuki XL7

Suzuki XL-7

Manufacturer	Suzuki (2001-2006) CAMI Automotive General Motors (2007-2009)
Production	2001–2009
Transmission	5-speed automatic

The Suzuki XL-7 is Suzuki's mid-sized SUV, launched in 2001.

First generation

First generation

Also called	Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 (Europe), Suzuki Grand Escudo XL-7 (Indonesia)
Production	2001–2006
Assembly	Hamamatsu, Japan, Bekasi, Indonesia
Class	Mid-size SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Engine	V6 2.7 liter,185 hp (138 kW), V6 2.5 litre 116 kW (156 hp) and 213 N·m (157 ft·lbf)Indonesia version
Wheelbase	110.2 in (2,799 mm)
Length	187.4 in (2004-06) 183.6 in (2001-03)
Width	70.1 in (1,781 mm)
Height	68.0 in (1,727 mm) 67.5 in (1,715 mm)
Related	Suzuki Escudo Suzuki Grand Vitara Maruti Grand Vitara Chevrolet Tracker Chevrolet Vitara XL-7

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.

2001–2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 (JA; Australia)

A unique trait in the U.S. market in this segment, the XL-7 was available with 5-speed manual transmission, in both 5-person and 7-person variants.

Second generation

Second generation

Production	2007-2009
Assembly	Hamamatsu, Japan Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada
Class	Mid-size crossover SUV
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
Platform	GM Theta platform/GMT193
Engine	3.6 liter, 252 hp (188 kW) V6
Wheelbase	112.4 in (2,855 mm)
Length	197.2 in (5,009 mm)
Width	72.2 in (1,834 mm)
Height	68.9 in (1,750 mm)
Related	Chevrolet Equinox Pontiac Torrent Saturn Vue

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 Chevrolet 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 second entry in the crossover SUV segment, after the second generation Suzuki Grand Vitara. Styling cues on the 2007 include a chrome slotted grille and trapezoidal headlights.

Suzuki XL7 at the 2007 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb during the record breaking run

In May 2009, Suzuki halted production of the XL7 indefinitely due to low demand.^[1] Through May 10, 2009, CAMI Automotive Inc. had only produced four XL7s for Suzuki after producing more than 12,000 units last year.

References

1. ^ Ross, Jeffrey N. (2009-05-13). "Suzuki Halts Production of XL7 Crossover". Autotropolis.com. http://www.autotropolis.com/auto-industry-news/suzuki-halts-production-of-xl7-crossover.html. Retrieved 2009-05-13. 

External links

• XL7 official website
• The ALL NEW 2007 XL7