Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 2004 test drive - 2006 SUV

Double hint

Grand, and even XL! A double and completely unambiguous hint of the solid dimensions of an SUV. Well, let's check if this car is so majestic - Suzuki Grand Vitara XL -7, as the manufacturer designated it.

 
The XL-7 should be considered a descendant of the compact SUZUKI VITARA SUV 1989. This all-wheel drive was comparable to the domestic Niva and could boast of an examantic frame and connected by all-wheel drive. In 1997, Vitara grew a little, receiving a new body with chubby sides and Grand in the name. And three years later, the XL-7 was represented with a 320 mm wheelbase and large rear overhang. Thus, an SUV with a generic word Vitara in the name reached almost 5 m (4760 mm) in length and now, according to this parameter, it only does not reach the giant Toyota Land Cruiser 100 (4940 mm). At the same time, the price of the XL -7 is very affordable by the standards of large SUVs - from $ 33,000.

 
The Grand Vitara XL-7 model of 2000 has already managed to become confused on the capital's streets, and this is the merit of not only official Suzuki dealers, but also companies specializing in the car second-house and supplying three-year-old XL-7 from North America. The only thing, in my opinion, was not enough for this machine-aggressive and memorable appearance, it was not without reason that many owners adorned their XL-7 massive kangaroos in order to at least somehow revive their dull faces.

 
And so, it seems, the Japanese heard the grumble of customers or just looked at the calendar and decided that it was time to refresh the exterior of the model, and at the same time finalize the boring interior. You will also call the new XL-7 handsome man, but he certainly became recognizable, besides, the designers worked clearly taking into account fashion trends. Hefty floodlights, united with turn signals, received polycarbonate caps, the radiator grille was illuminated by a wide chrome strip, and it is not at all necessary to hide all this beauty behind a kangaroo. It is redesigned and the front bumper - it makes the car a little longer and therefore more solid, but geometric cross -country ability was affected.

 
The main new detail of the cabin is the instrument panel with optital backlight like that used in some Toyota models. You get into the car - and a black hole is in front of your eyes, but you should turn the ignition key, as the arrows flare up, and then the white -moon scales of the devices appear. The inscription Hello is displayed on a small display - well, let's go ...
 

Grand Vitara XL-7 went to me in the maximum configuration with 2.7 liters of engine and automatic, leather interior, cruise control and other goods of automotive civilization. Climate control and remote control of the central lock, built into the key, are provided.
 

I am not a fan of sports stools, but I do not like to ride on a swinging couch. But it happens that the SUV manages to demonstrate simultaneousness and shaking at the same time. Fortunately, the XL-7 is not among these. He very worthy protects the peace of the inhabitants of the passenger compartment on road irregularities and at the same time is almost completely spared from swing. Of course, Grand Vitara does not have sports control, which some SUVs can boast - do not allow the frame design with a hard beam of the rear axle. Nevertheless, in a city where frequent rebuilding cannot be avoided, the car feels confident enough.
 

I did not wait for any positive revelations from the 185-horsepower engine, and even with the automatic machine, but here the XL-7 pleasantly surprised. The motor confidently pulls from the bottom, and at 2500-3000 rpm. You can confidently leave the city stream. At a low start, the engine is removed in each gear to 6,000 rpm. Than even a little scares-quiet enough on the bottom, it, exceeding the 4 thousandth mark, generously fills the 7-seater salon with noise. No, it is better to leave quick acceleration to other cars.
 

The brakes were initially surprised. There are no complaints about their effectiveness, but the slowdown process was somehow frantically. And only then it came - the car was new from the needle, the pads were not lost. After a hundred kilometers, everything will be fine ...
 

The theme XL -7 is a relatively unhurried movement along the highway. Up to 120-130 km/h in the cabin is enough sound comfort. Moderately loudly sing tires, the engine rummages, the breeze whistles. If you accelerate quickly, the duo of the motor begins to dominate, which has to try pretty, dispersing a high machine, and aerodynamic noise. Added gas - the motor soloes, dropped - listen to the batch of wind. At the same time, Grand Vitara XL-7 rides. The deviation of the steering wheel from the zero position requires a certain effort, therefore, with straightforward movement, the steering wheel can be held with the fingers of one hand. It is convenient to attach the second on a sliding box and sheathered with leather with inserts under the tree of the machine gun.
 

The only thing that annoyed on the highway was the unopetable location of the steering wheel relative to the driver's seat and pedals. The steering column is adjusted along the angle of inclination, but I also wanted to pull the steering wheel on myself, and alas, there was no such adjustment. In addition, drivers taller than 185 cm may not be enough for the range of longitudinal adjustment of the chair, and there will probably be no place above their heads - it was eaten by the hatch.
 

On the back, or rather, the middle sofa turned out to be moderately spacious. The central tunnel is not very high, the legs for the legs are enough, but without reserve. The seats of the third row are purely childish fun. It is not very humane to put adults there, they will be forced to support the chin, and it is inconvenient to make your way there. In addition, the trunk in a 7-seater version is very small. Therefore, if there is no serious need in the rear seats, it is better to fold them - you will get 5 places and a large trunk with an even floor.
 

Even in a 7-seater version, XL-7 pleased with good visibility. The headrests with holes do not overlap the rear view too tightly, and the almost vertical front struts of the body do not interfere in the corners. As they say, I sit high, I look far away. Oval lateral mirrors show everything that is happening on the sides of the car, and thanks to the high height they can be configured so that both the road is visible from the back and what is happening in front of the rear wheels - this is important when maneuvers on the roads.
 

Meanwhile, having overcome several tens of kilometers, we reached the sand career. How will XL-7 show itself here?
 

While we are moving on the back drive. The front bridge can be connected and turned off at speeds up to 100 km/h. As soon as they left for the sand, Bridgestone road tires refused to push the car forward - she began to dig in. Okay, let's not experiment, the performance of the jack and other devices for rescuing a car from the sand is not planned for today. I move to 4WD mode, and the XL-7 seemed to be replaced. He confidently starts from the place and gains speed - almost like on the asphalt. Ahead of a small tubercle; Jump - the suspension copes with him as easily as with the bedridden police, no breaks and hard strokes.
 

The inclusion of all -wheel drive changes the behavior of the car on the sand - it does not willingly turn as much as on the rear drive, but the probability of a skid that frightens inexperienced drivers in winter. It can be provoked, sharply pushing the gas pedal and turning the steering wheel to the stop. In other situations, XL-7 remains controlled by the driver; In the case when the latter did not calculate the speed in the bend, the car simply slides out the turn of the turn with front wheels, demonstrating insufficient rotation. If you want to frolic, you can safely turn off the front bridge, and then (if there is enough adhesion properties of the tires) Suzuki fervently hides the tail, generously scattering the sand in different directions - just have time to twist the steering wheel in the direction of skidding (almost four turns from the stop to the stop). The steering wheel herself is exactly the same as on Suzuki passenger models. The diameter of the rim and section is well selected, and, sheathed with leather, it deftly lies in her hands.
 

Well, and, as usual on off -road pokatushki, it was not without diagonal hanging. Here, XL -7, even in 4WD mode, surrendered without a fight - as soon as the long passages were chosen, and two wheels (diagonally) hung in loose sand, the SUV immediately stopped - he does not have inter -long locks. Perhaps we could get out without outside help, if the machine has an electronic anti -circus system, but it is not even as an option. And the rear self -locking differential for surcharge is offered only in the American market. However, in real life, it is not very often necessary to face diagonal hanging, but while the XL-7 confidently holds on to the ground at least three wheels, it will stubbornly climb forward. The main thing is to overcome obstacles, do not forget about the long rear overhang, where the gas tank is fixed under the floor. Let it be covered by a mighty steel leaf.
 

Due to the large wheeled base and the rear history of the XL-7, compared to the usual Grand Vitara, it has slightly lost its geometric cross, but in its habits there is more solidity, it is smoother on the go, and a couple of additional seats may be useful.


Suzuki Grand Vitara XL -7 is a full -size SUV at a very, very attractive price. Naturally, the machine is not devoid of shortcomings, but for the most part they are due not so much by savings or the miscalculations of developers, but in the inevitable design features of this SUV.
 

Text: Igor Sirin

 
 
 
 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 11/2004]