Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 2004 test drive - 2006 SUV

Half a meter

Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 is much longer and more powerful than the basic five-door modification. The increase in parameters pours into an additional $ 6,000. Is it worth a sheepskin?
 
Oddly enough, the increase in the length of 490 mm did not worsen the appearance of the Avtor car, on the contrary, he gave him on earth. In this appearance, Grand Vitara is more like a real SUV than a car for walking along the beach. And if earlier the model was perceived only as female, now men look absolutely normal behind her steering wheel. The car itself looks equally appropriate both on a forest country and at a solid office.
 
Why the office? Yes, because, if necessary, the XL-7 can quite calmly become a cockpit. Huge doors to the second row of seats are much larger than those installed on the base Vitara, so planting in the car is much more comfortable. You do not have to bend your head out of fear of hooking the back of the back stance, nor clinging to your boots for the middle one. You just sit down, and that’s it. Although, of course, it is better not easy, but with pathos - the door must open and close the driver.
 
But here it is slammed and understand that, despite the significant increase in the length of the car, the place in the second row was not increased. It is comfortable here as before, but nothing more. It turns out that the extra half meters are hiding behind the backs - the third row appeared there. As usual, you need to make your way through the second, and, to be honest, this is not pleasant.
 
But when you still penetrate there, there will be no limit to your admiration. These are two full -fledged passenger chairs, each of which has an adjustment of the back, seat belts and air conditioning system. The nozzles of the air ducts are located on the ceiling, which allows you to create an individual microclimate. The only thing you have to complain about is the lack of proper freedom for the legs, more precisely, the feet. However, they can be put under the second row of seats, and then the trip on the gallery will not seem so unpleasant.
 
The appearance of additional seats did not deprive the Grand Vitara cargo ward. Let it not be as great as we would like, but a couple of suitcases accommodates. If you fold the rear seats, the luggage volume will increase to 790 liters, if you remove the average seats - up to 1492 liters. In general, it will not seem a little.
 
It does not seem weak and the XL-7 engine. Its power is 173 hp, which is 29 more horses than the basic Grand Vitara. This is enough for a car with a full mass of 2260 kilograms. 2.5-liter V-shaped six is \u200b\u200bvery burden. Together with a five -speed mechanical KP, the motor accelerates the machine to 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds. It is quite tolerable and maximum speed - 175 km/h.
 
The increase in length has positively affected the exchange rate stability of the car. Some extra 320 mm of the wheelbase, but the car cannot be recognized. He floats along the road like a ship by sea. In the bumps, it is not a goat, in corners on an uneven road it rearranges much less often, transverse buildup is also small. On the highway to manage an SUV is a pleasure.
 
And on off -road? All the same, until it comes to overcoming the slope. Here, the disadvantages of a long base begin to appear. A slight outrage - and the car catches the ground with a belly. If the landing on the sand is not so scary, then on the stones you can damage the hand -hanging hand -up, thanks to which, by the way, Grand Vitara turns from an ordinary rear -wheel drive station wagon into a real SUV. Connecting the front bridge and an increase in torque due to the lowering transmission significantly expand the capabilities of the car on the road and on the road.
 
So is it worth paying for 6 thousand dollars for an extra half meter and three dozen horses? Oncoming question: why not? There is no freedom and strength too much.
 
Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7
 
The body is 5 -dv., On the frame o the number of places, people. - 7 o equipped mass, kg - 1690 o dimensions (length/width/height), mm - 4700/1780/1740 O base, mm - 2800 o max. speed, km/h - 175 O time of acceleration to 100 km/h, C - 10.5 o fuel consumption (funny cycle), l/100 km - 10.8 o engine - V6; working volume, cm3 - 2736; Power, L.S. at MIN -1 - 173/6000; Twisting, NM at MIN -1 - 231/3300; Power system - injection O transmission - fur., With lowering. per., 5th. o The size of the tires - 235/60R16 O Wheel suspension: front and rear - Independent O brakes: front and rear - disk ohille - with an amplifier O price, $ - 29990.
 
Text: Oleg Kalaushin
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [10/2001]