• 2007 Suzuki XL7

• Used Suzuki XL7
• Repairs Suzuki XL7

These scores and this review are from when the car was new.

Scorecard

Overall:	2007 Suzuki XL7 U.S. News Best Cars 6.6
Critics' Rating:	6.5
Performance:	6.7
Interior:	6.5
Safety:	7.6
Reliability:

How we calculate scores

Research analyzed for this review

Pros & Cons

• More spacious than most compact SUV/crossover competitors
• Optional third row makes it a comparatively inexpensive seven-seat vehicle
• Comes with industry-leading powertrain warranty

• Mixed reactions to quality of interior finish
• Road and engine noise
• Third-row seat is snug and difficult to access
• Some reports of potentially unsafe, long braking distances

Research Other Years

• 2009 Suzuki XL7
• 2008 Suzuki XL7

The XL7 falls on the larger side of the compact SUV class and now includes an optional third-row seat for seven-person capacity. While it's a competent people hauler, the XL7 can't match the acceleration, handling and interior quality standards of class leaders. If you're in the market for a compact SUV, you should also consider the Honda CR-V or the Toyota RAV4. The Honda Pilot and value-priced Hyundai Santa Fe are good midsize SUV alternatives.

Redesigned for 2007, the Suzuki XL7 has been transformed from a truck-like SUV to a modern crossover. Its most prized feature is an optional third-row seat, making the XL7 a value priced seven-passenger vehicle. Yet some auto reviewers are hesitant to unconditionally recommend the XL7. U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman concludes that it has some "minor shortcomings," such as a noisy engine and some unrefined features, but if those don't faze you, "you might be perfectly comfortable in the XL7." BusinessWeek finds the XL7 to be Suzuki's "biggest and fanciest SUV ever -- but in this competitive sector, is this where you want to put your $30,000?"

Straddling the line between classes, the 2007 Suzuki XL7 is either one of the largest, priciest compact SUVs or among the least expensive midsize SUVs. The Chicago Sun Times finds it competitively priced. Car and Driver considers the low base price to be the XL7's "best competitive edge." It also says that when options are added, the XL7's loaded price is its "major downfall." IntelliChoice gives the 2007 Suzuki XL7 a "poor" overall value rating, based on its projected five-year total cost of ownership, compared to other vehicles in its class.