Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 for 2002 - Barbie gets a Suburban

By Vince Bodiford
Automotive Editor

SOMEWHERE NEAR IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - It's cute. It's big, at least among the tiny SUV's. It has a name I cannot figure out (XL-7; extra-large, seven passenger?) Best of all, after having her own Jeep, pink Corvette and mini-motor home, Barbie finally gets a Suburban.

Why hasn't someone thought of this sooner?

By stretching the standard Grand Vitara chassis 12.6 inches longer, Suzuki has been able to create an extra-large small SUV, complete with a third-row back seat - even though that seat is more suited for doll-sized passengers than the real thing. Still, it's an impressive package that adds some much needed room and luxury in otherwise compact SUV's.

We enjoyed driving the XL-7, and its road manners are better than expected. Its engine is peppy without sacrificing fuel economy - the only real reason for buying one of these instead of a Suburban. Most striking is the high level of luxury - we were impressed by the bang for the buck in terms of luxury trim like leather, window tinting, sunroof and more.

By adding roominess, utility, comfort and above all, luxury to the small sport-utility vehicle equation, Suzuki has created an entirely new animal. Enter the XL-7. With an MSRP of $25,999 for the top-line Limited Edition, the XL-7 price tag comes in far, far below high-dollar prestige nameplates

The XL-7 Standard model includes AM/FM audio system with in-dash CD player, air conditioning, power windows/door locks/mirrors, micron air filtration system, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, keyless remote entry and an automatic lighting system, multi-reflector halogen headlights, rear wiper/washer, privacy glass and adjustable armrests. The Plus model gains rear air conditioning, 16-inch aluminum wheels and third-row seating. ABS is now available as an option on the Standard and Plus models. The Touring model adds anti-lock brakes, power tilt/slide sunroof, AM/FM cassette stereo with in-dash CD and fog lamps.

We tested the top-of-the-line Limited Edition model, which is graced with standard automatic transmission, leather upholstery and step-side running boards. Joining the Limited Edition's standard equipment list for 2002 are a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knobs, and wood grain center console trim.

Stand-alone options were added to our test vehicle, and include a four-speed automatic transmission in place of the standard five-speed manual gearbox (except the Limited Edition, which has a standard automatic), and a floor carpet upgrade. Ours was Burgundy Pearl (purple), and other available exterior colors are White Pearl, Black Onyx, Catseye Blue Metallic, Grove Green Metallic and Cool Beige Metallic.

Cushy comfort is a virtual given among luxury SUVs. In that respect, the XL-7 does not disappoint. Plush highway comfort is just the beginning of the story, however, and the XL-7 suspension, steering and braking systems have been carefully tuned to provide secure, balanced handling and serious off-road ability.

Suzuki has a long history of building championship-winning four-stroke engines. A bit of that experience is in evidence in the XL-7 engine's specially tuned crossover induction system. We found the V-6 to be quiet, smooth and abundantly powerful.

For typical urban drivers, the standard rear drive is a perfect fit; for people who do a lot of driving in inclement weather or travel extensively off-road, the optional four-wheel drive system is the way to go. The system can shift-on-the-fly between two-wheel-drive high and four-wheel-drive high at any speed up to 60 mph, while traveling in a straight line. An easy to use console-mounted selector lever engages the front differential and front axle when you select four-wheel drive. In low range, the torque multiplication at the wheels makes it easy to crawl over rocks and ruts, and to keep churning forward even in soft sand, mud or slush.

All 2002 Suzuki models are covered by a 36-month/36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and a 24-month/24,000-mile battery warranty.

Suzuki Motor Corporation of Brea, Calif., founded the Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1985. ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer, selling a variety of vehicles in 191 countries. Founded in 1920, it is based in Hamamatsu, Japan.

2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 - Technical Specifications

Four-door, Hard-top
EPA Vehicle Class: Sport-utility
Front Engine, Rear/Four-wheel Drive
Ladder Frame with Boxed Rails
Steel Body-on-frame
Five or Seven Seating Capacity

SUSPENSION
Front Independent MacPherson strut, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Rear Rigid Five-Link, Coil Spring, Solid Axle

STEERING
Type Power Rack-and-pinion
Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb 38.7 ft.
Turning Radius 19.4 ft.

BRAKES
Power/Hydraulic
Front Ventilated Disc, Rear Drum

WHEELS AND TIRES
16x7 inch Aluminum Alloy
Tires - Type All-season, Steel-belted Radial, P235/60R16
Full Size Spare

RESTRAINT SYSTEM Driver and Front Passenger airbags 3-point harness seat belt, all positions

ENGINE
Aluminum Alloy 2.7-Liter, V6, DOHC, 24-Valve gasoline engine
Multi-point Electronic Fuel Injection
Horsepower: 183 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 180 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
City: 18 miles per gallon.
Highway: 20 miles per gallon.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Suzuki vehicles, and to locate a dealer near you, visit www.suzuki.com

ENJOY THE DRIVE...Remember, always buckle-up, drive safely, obey all highway laws and never drive impaired. Driving maneuvers, impressions, and statements of the author are that of a highly skilled, professional driver; do not ever attempt high-performance driving.

COPYRIGHT (c) 2001, The Weekend Drive, All Rights Reserved. Suzuki, Grand Vitara, XL-7, names and logo, registered trademarks of American Suzuki Motor Corporation. Test vehicle, photographs, specifications and some information provided courtesy of American Suzuki. Used by permission. Barbie® is a registered trademark of Mattel. Suburban® is a registered trademark of Chevrolet Division of General Motors.

The Weekend Drive