By: Southern Housewife
The 2007 Suzuki XL7 is the best of an SUV and a mini-van; roomy, with flexible seating configurations for up to seven, the XL7 is loaded with features and comforts of automobiles more than twice its price. I had occasion to rent a Suzuki XL7 while our Range Rover was in for major repairs, and I loved every moment of my XL7 experience. For one short month, I ruled the road in a Majestic Silver automatic XL7 Limited, with luxurious leather seats and classic wood grain interior.
As a vertically challenged (short), middle-aged (pre-menopausal) woman, there are two things I hate: (1) I hate feeling like I need a forklift to hoist myself and my groceries into an SUV; and, (2) I hate being hot. My brain shuts down if I am hot. The Suzuki XL7 was perfect. It was a comfortable height for me, and the air conditioning was just the artic blast I love. My elderly mother who suffers from arthritis and has had knee replacement was delighted with the ease of getting in and out of the XL7.
All the controls were intuitively placed and easy to use. Perhaps I lack imagination, but I have driven automobiles where I couldn't figure out what the obtuse symbols on the various controls even meant. I hate to admit how many times I have honked a horn or washed a windshield trying to activate a left turn signal. This was not a problem in the Suzuki XL7. The controls were clearly marked and located where you need and expect them to be. I ventured so far as to use the audio and video equipment with ease.
My husband and I enjoy bowling. While my gear consists of a modest two-ball bag, my husband's bowling apparatus is like a chest of drawers with wheels. Between the two of us, our equipment requires quite a bit of room to transport. Not knowing when a bowling opportunity might arise, (we are lazy), our bowling equipment often remains in our vehicle, so a roomy vehicle storage area is essential. The Suzuki XL7 has plenty room for hauling our bowling equipment plus groceries, still leaving seating for five.
I am strongly considering making the XL7 my next vehicle purchase, high praise indeed considering for the past seventeen years, I have refused to part with my 1989 Peugeot 505S. I'm not stubborn, but I refuse to pay more for a car than I paid for my first house. Therefore, until I found a vehicle exceeding my classic Peugeot for value, performance, safety, luxury, and style, I was happy with what I had. A few days of driving the XL7, I caught myself checking its ratings and reviews on the internet. Then I looked at its pricing, and suddenly I began to ponder if I had found the vehicle that might finally retire my Peugeot. Family and friends were stunned.
I write about what I know; therefore, I leave all the technical engine and performance statistics to those who know them best. I can tell you my husband seemed to think it had all the macho SUV stuff he wanted. In addition to the information provided by Suzuki at http://www.suzukiauto.com/sr_08/xl7/specs_and_pricing/, there are ample internet reviews and resources describing all things mechanical and engineering about the XL7. What I know best is comfort, convenience, style, and value; the 2007 Suzuki XL7 has that and more for around $25,000.
