2008 Suzuki XL7

The XL7 is Suzuki's answer to a mid-size SUV that can haul around plenty of stuff and up to seven people in relative comfort. It sits at the top of Suzuki's model range.

First offered in 2001, Suzuki partnered with General Motors for the latest second-generation XL7. As such, it shares some parts with GM's Chevy Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and Saturn Vue and rolls down the same assembly line as the Chevy and Pontiac in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada.

Suzuki has kept up with the competition by equipping the XL7 with a standard 3.6-liter 252-horsepower V6 engine with variable-valve timing, a five-speed automatic transmission, plus a full complement of safety features.

These safety features include dual front airbags plus curtain airbags for all rows of seats, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Electronic Stability Program with traction control, side impact beams and more. The XL7 has achieved a five-star safety rating in front- and side-impact crash tests.

Four trim lines are available: base, Premium, Luxury and Limited. All but the base version are available with a third row (to seat seven people), otherwise the XL7 has two rows and seats five.

The base version is also the only trim not available with all-wheel drive.

Standard amenities across all trims include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control and a six-speaker CD stereo.

A leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats (heated up front) and power sunroof are standard on the Luxury and Limited.

The option list includes a DVD navigation system, rearview back-up camera, rear-seat DVD entertainment system and self-leveling rear suspension. The latter is standard on the Limited.

Refinement is not class-leading and fuel economy numbers confirm this. The EPA gives city-highway ratings of 16 and 22 mpg for the front-drive XL7, 15 and 22 for the all-wheel-drive version. Compare this to the Toyota RAV4's 19 and 26 mpg, respectively (better mileage than the Suzuki), when it is equipped with its 3.5-liter 269-horsepower V6 (more power than the Suzuki), and you can see that there is room for improvement.

The trapezoidal headlights are striking and may not be suited to all tastes, but there is no mistaking the front end for anything but a Suzuki XL7. Otherwise styling is complimentary.