Suzuki XL7 test drive since 2007 SUV
Combat vehicles hunting
There are fewer such cars in the market every year, but this does not mean that you have nothing to choose from. What are you deigned?
The great charm of the car in its diversity. And it doesn’t matter what kind of compartment, sedan, or, say, an alternate is being discussed. The choice is huge. You drive around the city, but you want to look courageously and fashionably buy a SUV. You use the car on the lane, and even as a carrier of low -tonnage cargo, a pickupian will suit you. You can’t get out of the swamps and do not move off the hills, take a land-Rover Defender, you won’t miss.
What are you delaying? And the image, and tolerable behavior on the asphalt, and confidence outside the roads? There is such a letter! True, in the alphabet of all -terrain vehicles, such cars will now change such cars. Marketers assure: all -terrain talents are now not in price today it is enough to appear. Almost the last of the Mogican two cars that have fallen on our today's test. And both Americans. A jeep of a native of the prairies, from the company, which came up with the very concept of a jeep.
Suzuki-Grand Vitara-XL-7 American, as they say, naturalized. Although the car is produced in Japan, the main sales market is the same states. Both with automatic boxes, the most powerful engines and in the new Russian tradition in the richest configuration. Three, two, once!
Warrior brave and biker
The golf class does not have an authoritative more than this very golf. So? In this case, the brand, who gave the name to the entire huge tribe of all -terrain vehicles, is also somewhat out of competition. The jeep, whatever one may say, sounds proudly, one might even say, pompusively. To the question, they say, what kind of jeep, Toyota or Mitsubishi you have, the owner of the American all-around can only condescendingly and even smile somewhere. There is only him! The perennial advertising slogan of the jeep itself is the best evaluation of the image. It's five!
But what about Suzuki? Ah, Suzuki but you must admit that this company was known as a manufacturer of magnificent, prestigious and expensive motorcycles to a good half of its existence. The company contacted cars not so long ago, therefore, the legends of four -wheeled Suzuki have not yet been composed. However, all -frustrations with a Bukka S on the radiator cladding create a story with their own hands (wheels?). Real Japanese quality and by no means the amateurish abilities of an all -terrain vehicle by many. Then evaluate the dimensions and become not particularly knowledgeable in stamps people often take the XL-7 for Lend-Croizer. How! Yes, and cars with 6-cylinder engines love us.
A real Indian needs only one
The appearance of the new Cheroka three years ago was accompanied by the walls of numerous fans. Still, for thirty years, the image of a middle -class jeep was firmly entrenched in the minds of millions: such a square, chopped, rude. The new Cheroki is completely different. Top, neat, somewhere even fucked, and, according to many, too Japanese.
But I suffered. And now the exterior of this jeep causes only positive emotions. Especially with regard to the version of Renegeid. The apostate flaunts the upper trunk with integrated fog lights (110 watts can be blinded!), Extensors of wings on chrome bolts painted with graphite paint with wheel discs and a reserved tint of light hacks. What do you say? Handsome and charm. Real Indians would definitely come up with such a suitable nickname, at least a fast -legged deer or a mighty eagle. Well, or something like that.
But the Suzuki leaders of the red -skinned ones would probably be recorded in pale -faced brothers. The XL-7 is quite true in the guise of much more balanced and citizens than cheerful and adventure notes. However, I must admit, with the heat of the heat, restyling went to Semerkin to the benefit. Designers clearly tried to distance the largest alternate of the company from a more democratic grandov. And powerful trapezoid headlights plus a modified grille of the radiator to the car.
It is only a pity that the fuse of designers on the physiognomy of XL-7 was exhausted. And most importantly, against the backdrop of the cheero, smeared with feathers and smeared with combat painting, a large Grand Vitara looks, say, like a wealthy summer resident who went for a walk with a gun.
And he draws wigwams to us!
Fans of the work of James Fenimor Cooper will not allow the Indian national hut to lie, it is also Vigva, and is not distinguished by perfection of layout. The same is true for the Cheroka salon. Well, explain to me, it turned out that such substantial dimensions of 4490x1820x1825 do not allow me to really walk on the couch? It is very good in width, and the knees, with the front seats pushed to the stop, rest on the back. The front seats themselves turned out to be very convenient for a long pillow, a wealth of adjustments, a practical leather-leather upholstery.
Such striped, in the style of zebra, the whole Salon of Cheroki differs by solutions. On the one hand, stylish deflectors and door handles, and on the other, the clock-tuk-free I am your friend. The swing fifth door, which opens, as it should, from the side of the sidewalk, is also equipped with a separate glass that rises separately with a glass, it will throw bags even into the crowd at the supermarket. Comfortable. But the rear passengers, except as an ashtray, have no entertainment.
The most annoying thing is that there will be more dark stripes. How unusually a block of windows is located in the center of the console, and even at an angle of 45 degrees to the driver. And in order to catch information from the board, you will have to exercise the cervical vertebrae of the display almost over your head. The backlighting dashboard is blue. Very exciting, of course, but absolutely not read. And from whom, finally, to remove the scalp for such an outlandish climate control unit? Why reinstall the bike? Guys, everything has already been invented before you, but okay, okay, I go to the neutral. In the end, there will be those who will call all these tricks to the national Indian flavor.
This is especially noticeable against the background of Suzuki. Recently, designers combed the salon of the Grand Vitars, and now it’s nice to be here. A pretty steering wheel, chrome rings on the dashboard dials, even a tree decoration does not spoil the overall picture. But most importantly, it is more convenient much more convenient here. Firstly, a 7-seater salon. Well, it’s good not 7-seater, but according to the formula 5+2, five adults, two children. You can’t find it to ergonomics. Climate we can do without instructions, the windows will understand the member of the blind society, the backlight is perfect.
There are, of course, shortcomings, but they are small, the right word. Well, think, uncomfortable control of an electric lover with two buttons. In ventilation mode, when the hatch is slightly raised, it cannot be opened completely to first cover the window.
In any case, you choose between Vigwam and the cottage, well, you understand!
A spacious, light and well -organized interior of Suzuki (left) if there is a lack, then only one finishing materials of not the highest quality
There are more complaints about sophistication and luxury in the Cheroki salon, but in everyday use, the American all -around is less practical than Japanese
If the design of the Cheroki salon wants to be called purely American, then the interior of the Grand Vitara is an average international person
XL-7 devices are ideally read at any time of the day, but it is difficult to make out what Cheroki dials show, especially at night
Yankees do not like the traditional lever of the handout, like Suzuki (photo on the left), preferring simpler buttons or levers like a jeep
Chu, the guns of the thunder is heard
Americans, not only indigenous, but all, without exception, adore dynamic cars. Given the general passion of George Bush fellow countrymen to automatic transmission and dislike of compact cars, it becomes clear why 4-cylinder engines are not relevant on the other side of the Atlantic. Unemployed, and he will surely bequent to the machine with the V6 engine. By the way, it was according to the requirements of the Americans that the engineers Suzuki arranged for their 2.7-liter V-shaped six serious revision. They added ten horses, but married it with a modern 5-speed automatic. How did it happen? In my opinion, even too cool. The response of a new duet to increase the fuel supply, almost like a sportkup: sharp, instant, sharp. And from the start of the XL-7, mom takes, do not grieve! Passport 10 C to hundreds are perceived for a couple of seconds faster. The acceleration is very glorious, and most importantly, at speeds far beyond 100 km/h, a large and long all -terrain vehicle remains Shustrik.
The most amazing thing is that Cheroki is slower than the seven. Not much, but slower. And this, given the excessive lumber of the working volume and additional 27 liters. with. engine! But the real Indian was brought by the traditions of the ancestors: a box at Cheroka from the Stone Age. Four programs (I will add four rather stretched gears from myself) in the absence of a sports transmission regime (XL-7, by the way, this is available), they suggest if not a phlegmatic riding of more than 200 horses are certainly not brisk-liquefied. Optimism does not add uterine, almost in group, sounding exhaust. Until you turn on the music louder, it does not leave the feeling that you are wiping around the city on a small dump truck.
Well, at least, the brakes are tenacious, informative. This equally refers to both cars. But all the same, the engineers of Suzuki want to threaten a finger in a bad finger on such a heavy and powerful all -terrain vehicle to put drums behind. Doubtful savings especially at full load, and at speed for 140 km/h. Therefore, the five did not work.
Do not forget to turn on the TV
Probably, in the States there is no program similar to our road patrol. Otherwise, the Yanka complaints about the insufficient power of all -terrain vehicles and pickups, if she didn’t dry out at all, then at least turned into a stream. It’s just a dangerous thing to dashing it on off-roads. The jeep has even a sticker on the anti -loner visor, they say, you are driving there as much as a car with a high center of gravity, there is a risk of a coup.
Unlike hippo -like outlines or tacho, a jeep and Suzuki on the highway behave in a vapor. Ovidable to the steering wheel, they are not prone to Ryskanya, and, by and large, they do not go braid. But they should not demand more from them. The words from this song are well known: transverse rolls, vertical buildup on bumps, skidding, wherever you get.
To this gloomy, but quite a logical hat can be added only to the next line. On wet and even more so on the winter highway, be especially careful for Suzuki. A powerful engine for one or two breaks the wheels into the boxes even on dry asphalt. And if under the feet are ice? Unfortunately, the all-wheel drive transmission regime, which can be used all-season, regardless of the condition of the roadway, does not have a Grand Vitara. The choice is for you to either constantly ride an all -wheel drive, and therefore, by raping a transmission, or soberly evaluate the road situation.
Generals of sand quarries
Those 90 percent of all -round buyers who never move out of solid coating, we recommend that you skip this head.
But you, apologists of mud, swamp lords, sands of sand quarries and fans of a deity named the winch, I will ask you to stay. There is good news. Outside of the roads XL-7 and Cheroks show their best qualities.
To begin with geometry. The only minus of the Grand Vitars is an elongated base: you can draw a frame on a mound. However, the japanese has durable and not like that But the suspension moves are magnificent. Suzuki does not want to raise his paw under any conditions, and a hard drive, coupled with a lowering gear, allow a lot of things.
Much, but not all. In fact, the seven of the seven has two disadvantages. The first rubber is quite corrected. The Bridgeto-Duler, which has long been equipped with all-resistant Suzuki, extremely does not like sorties outside the asphalt. The tread is clogged with dirt, and the sidewalls are absolutely toothless. How to cling, for what? Can you imagine a skater-virtuoso on stupid skates? Something in this spirit is the top, it seems, can, but the lower classes do not want. But even by putting something brutal on your XL-7, such as a super-suicard, you will someday regret that the differential blocking is not provided in the rear bridge. You can sit firmly on the diagonal. We sat down. And they got out of the trap, like all crustaceans, in reverse.
You can also sit on Cheroki a fool, as they say, and the tank will drown in a puddle. Especially for such a cool all -terrain vehicle as the creators present Cheroki, the levers of its front suspension are located quite low. But this is perhaps the only hole in the skin of an armadillo. Here is the magnificent protection of the units under the gas tank of a steel sheet, which approached an armored personnel carrier, and even show -off steps are suspended quite high. And if you strongly overthrow, unscrew two nuts, weaken two more, and you can throw the footboard into the trunk.
Yes, and the jeep tires are more serious buzzing, and the entrance angle should cause a trembling trembling of the real jeeper 36 degrees (only Pajero and Hammer-H2 is cooler), and the suspension moves are truly immense. Although we still sat on the diagonal. True, not for long. Fortunately, all Cheroks (except for the configuration of sports) are supplied to Russia with a self -locking differential of the rear axle. And a little bit of the self-block with a handbag, the jeep actually managed on one wheel with diagonal hanging.
A long base is not the best assistant to Jeeper. Rama XL-7 touches the Earth already on a modest mound
All -terrain vehicle with a capital letter evaluate the move of the rear suspension and the supply of space under the front bumper
Vibration massagers are not delivered
On the site of comfort, everything is extremely simple. Cheroki conquers the almost complete absence of any vibrations and a completely soft suspension. The only trouble is that the noise of the motor, along with the transmission, drowns out even aerodynamic noises at high speeds. The Grand Vitara is much quieter: a muffled whisper of the motor, a barely noticeable whistle of wind in the racks for one hundred and twenty. And by the way, exactly the same lack of vibrations. As for the smoothness of the course, it is no worse than Dzhipovskaya.
Although, of course, the presence of uncertain beams of the rear axle in any car was not a mystery. Cargo thumps, knocks and dumps accompany you like annoying flies.
The luggage compartment of the jeep is one of the most spacious in the class, at least 820 liters
The on -board computer display, it is part -time compass and a temperature sensor overboard, is located right above the head is not too comfortable
Access to the trunk with open glass makes a weighty reserve difficult
It’s not easy to get used to such a climate control unit and the location of the windows buttons
The organization of microclimate for the rear seats can be engaged in both the location and remotely
The spoiler is included in the top complexation of LTD, but for some reason there are no fog there are absent
The driver's seat is adjusted to the angle of inclination of the pillow, and not its height is not the best option
The driver's armor is adjusted in the longitudinal plane
Somersault
The case when you do not know who to believe. The American Institute for Insurance Security (IIHS) attributed the XL-7 to the safest all-terrain vehicles in the market. The general assessment is good, but the Americans do not have higher. Especially praised the structural integrity of the body during the frontal blow. But the Euroncap, which slapped Suzuki only three stars, especially criticized the results of the frontal clash. We will not give preferences either to American or European specialists. Guided by the Leninist principle to take and divide, we get a solid four for the XL-7.
With a jeep, less disabilities are less. Both Europe and America unanimously blames Cheroks for poor protection of the driver’s knees and high loads on the chest of those sitting in front.
Behind the sea is a half -leaf?
Given the ongoing offensive of the euro, any Suzuki in Russia seems to be a very attractive proposal. Because it is sold in dollars. The largest Grand Vitara is no exception. The prices of a 2.7-liter seven begin at $ 31,890, and the equipment includes climate control, and alloy wheels, and an electric package, and heating the seats. The LTD equipment, which is more expensive for $ 2200, adds a leather interior, wood, cruise control and electric lover to the list. A five -speed machine additionally asks $ 1410. The maximum is $ 35 500. Plus standard Japanese three years or 100,000 km of warranty. The middle-born of the middle class with a V-shaped six in Russia cannot be cheaper.
The jeep is significantly more expensive. Even if you take for the starting point not a stylish-primary renheid (41,850 euros), but a 3.7-liter limit, the score will start with 40 thousand. Yes, the equipment will be not bad. And the difference of five thousand for a more fashionable and pyozhonian all -terrain vehicle might seem justified. But if you transfer the euro to dollars, overpayment increases to almost ten thousand. In addition, more modest 2 years or 40,000 km, the warranty condition does not save even a unique proposal by Russian standards by a privileged service. The essence of the service is that if during the trip you have expired gasoline, the jeep’s servicemen will bring it directly to your car. Absolutely free. Well, if the problem has found you on the road, the jeep will pay you accommodation and meals. The main thing is to keep checks!
We decided:
The main execution of the jeep is an average rating 3.9 of it is a fuel appearance, plus the legendary glory of an excellent rogue, which the most modern Cheroki confirms with brilliance in practice. Another thing is that against the background of a very high price, they become incomprehensible bloopers in terms of ergonomics in the cabin, an obsolete gearbox and, frankly, not Japanese assembly quality. Fashionable toy for 40,000 euros? You can’t save on such breakfasts.
Suzuki, of course, does not attract as much attention to his own person as a real Indian. And on the off-road, the seven is inferior even to the Grand Vitar because of the elongated base. But guided by the practical considerations of the XL-7 Average rating 4.2 is a very profitable acquisition.
And not only because of the best price in the class. It is quite prestigious, thanks to the dimensions and nameplate V6, roomy as a minivan, and reliable, like a Kalashnikov assault rifle, Suzuki for everything else is still very fast and talented for off -road car. And all that you have to regret is the absence of a self -locking differential of the rear axle and the 4WD Full Time mode. Then this Suzuki could really be called the Dream Car Category The most rational purchase.
Mikhail Medvedev, photo of Maxim Goncharov
A source: Magazine "Limousine" [11/03]
