2006 Suzuki XL-7 Review - A Forgotten 3-Row SUV From The 2000's!

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The thoughts, feelings, and opinions expressed in this video are the sole thoughts of Zack and no one else. The thoughts expressed in this video do not reflect the owner, dealership, or organization that owns the vehicle featured. The purpose of this video is to provide entertainment with the hope that you will take what you see and formulate your own opinions. DO NOT make a financial decision based off of this video.
#Suzuki #XL7 #3rowsuv

Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Drivetrain
2:32 - Interior
3:40 - BFB Test
4:00 - Interior
5:04 - Back Seats
6:54 - Trunk / Cargo Space
7:29 - Exterior
7:53 - Final Thoughts
9:36 - Outro

[@jacoricooper6252]

This car has almost 278k miles and the condition that its in to be honest it looks like this car doesn't have that kind of mileage, This thing is cleeeeean💯

[@bwofficial1776]

Very unusual considering most Suzukis were run into the ground.

[@bldontmatter5319]

2nd motor and being a rental means it was likely facelifted atleast once.

[@kevinjoseph2906]

My mom has a 2004 and it has been the best car she has ever had, super reliable. here in Puerto Rico there are Grand Vitara XL-7 everywhere!!!

[@savitr7783]

I have an xl7 even with things wrong with it it still manages to push through and live another day

[@tonybruce]

2003 owner here, 4 inch lift, bar and winch on the front. on 31" tyres. 400kms a tank if im lucky. But goes anywhere. Back seat removed and its a mini van with 4wd. LOVE it.

[@LifeAfterLosing]

I owned one of these and it was the most reliable car I ever owned. It was thirsty, but it was a beast. Towed my classic canned ham camper with ease too.

[@GerbilSquadTV]

This was my old car! I sold it to Adrian a year ago and had this car throughout high school and college

[@niia.3642]

XL7 launched in the late 90s. Unfortunately by the end of the 1st gen's run (~2006), GM had replaced many Suzuki models in the US with corporate GM rebadges. Eg the 2nd gen XL7, which was just another Theta platform car. Then the late 2000s happened and Suzuki pulled out of the US and Canada. Generally a similar story with Isuzu around the same time.

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

Not only do I like the looks of those, but this is a great & very clean example!

[@user-go1mz2tu3h]

You missed the primary reason why I hunted down my 2003 Suzuki XL-7. You can flat tow this vehicle which I do behind my motorhome. It is great for this purpose because when you park the motorhome you can hop in this little lightweight, but very capable 4x4 with transfer case and pretty much go most places off-road. It is also quite spacious so it also server as a towed trailer you can put stuff in that you want to take along on your trip. Great vehicle!

[@evinsteven13]

Love the XL7's! Not trying to pick your video apart, but I would like to add some info. The XL7 was only offered with the 2.7 liter. The Grand Vitaras and Chevy Trackers had the 2.5 liter or 4 cylinder. Additionally, being that this is a 2006 model, it has a 5 speed automatic. The early iterations, from 1999-2004 had a 4 speed auto. The 5 speed was only available in the early 1999-2003/4 models. 2005 and 2006 received a heavier duty 5 speed auto trans only, as well as a super beefy steel front diff. Overall, that is one very clean XL! I wish my '06 was that clean!

[@fernandesbjp]

And here in Europe it had the PSA 2.0 HDI Diesel engine also, and the more common fro us 5 speed manual gearbox.

[@fernandesbjp]

By the way are there other "Toyota" parts in them?

[@dposcuro]

@@fernandesbjp As far as I know? No. I know the 4 speed auto was used by a lot of manufacturers, I had the same trans in a 2001 Kia Sportage.

[@ScooterJGarage]

Awesome review! I was surprised to see this, as nobody seems to care about these, which in my opinion are the most underrated vehicles in the US. I have had several, I build them into street legal SXS basically. They are surprisingly robust, and have quality components that are similar, or the same as Toyota. Back to the review.. You do have some inaccurate information unfortunately. So, the XL-7, starting in 2001 (02 model year) only was available with the 2.7, (H27), the 2.5 (H25) as only available in the 99-2005 Vitara, Grand vitara, and Tracker (in the US). Second, the Transmission in the one you're reviewing is actually a 5 Speed, (Aisin A750). The 4 speed was replaced in 2004 with 5 speed. It has a beefy transmission, the same one used in 4runner (2003-current), Tundra (05-09), Sequoia(05-09), GX470(03-09), Tacoma (05-2015). The easiest way to tell is the number 3 on the Shift gate, vs 2.

[@thezofamilychannel7204]

Question? My tranny in my 03 Zuki is slipping in 1st to 2nd? So you mean I can get a tranny from a Toyota in a yard and it will fit?🤔

[@NFSMAN50]

The Pre-GM Suzuki XL7!!!! A V6 RWD machine!!!!

[@itsPikachu]

We got them In Puerto Rico

[@tientrinh943]

I just saw this car and a new red Land Rover parked at an estate sale. I was way more interested in this car. It reminds me of what was kind of cool when it was young

[@lifeofpo00]

YES! I have one of these and I LOVE IT

[@illbehim]

I HAVE ONE! Most reliable thing ever! Mine is a 2002, 22 years old!

[@moOony43]

I still own this car until today and honestly most if these cars has been moved to Yemen and to Sudan back in the days when it was released. Lately i have fixed the car and its back on the road after it has been stopped by the door for over 4 years. Thank god the government didn't take the car, cuz my lovely neighbours had been cleaning that car for me while I'm away studying in another country. Thank god. 🎉😂

[@RoyFabian]

I had a rare 2002 xl7 with a 5 speed manual. I regret letting it go. Even with over 220k, it was such a great car.

[@mattardyantoriyadi]

I once had one of those but here in Indonesia we called it grand escudo. It has the 2.5l v6. I had it for 4 years and me and my family were generally pleased with that car. It wasn't the biggest in terms of space and it wasn't the quickest and definitely wasn't the most efficient 7 seaters suv yet that car prove to be a great car. We took it to the beaten road and sometimes off road as well. The main issue as far as my own ownership of that car was the transmission. The automatic can sometime be jerky when shifting into gear. And also honorable mention of the common issue was steering control arm. So far that's it. I must say not all of xl7 got the same issue as mine was used pretty heavily. But overall, a great car. It is comfy, sufficient in power i say and still not to big in overall size especially here in the crowded, narrow city street of Jakarta. And it is pretty cheap to maintain as well. I can recommend this car for those who need this kind of car.

[@SuthenGirl]

I have a 2004 Suzuki XL 7. The car runs great but I’m ready for a Lexus suv. I’ll sell my Suzuki to my stylist for $1500 since she could use the ride.

[@blue_lancer_es]

Boricua en la casa. 🎉

[@bldontmatter5319]

Always gotta be proud of being from a tiny island that's never done anything but be a colony, that the US practically owns now... whoopee, I guess...

[@volvomaniacmlp01]

​@@bldontmatter5319 ok 🐒

[@Parrotdise290]

Even in Europe we had this model, it was called the Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7.

[@davinp]

Looks like the owner put bright white LED lights in the interior (dome lights)

[@bwofficial1776]

Here's a car you never see any more. Suzukis tended to get run into the ground. This looks like it was trying to be upscale with all of that fake wood. 2000s cloth was fantastic, soft and breathable. The factory clear taillights are a response to the cheap Chinese clear taillight trend that was a thing back then. Suzuki should try to make a comeback in the cheap crappy car market and also bring the Jimny over. Also, again with the Puerto Rico flag. Puerto Ricans must have some rule that they must hang their flag from the mirror. I never see a Delaware flag hanging from a mirror.

[@LouisSubearth]

It's Puerto Rican pride. Also, we love Suzukis here in PR, it is said that Suzuki's PR distributor plead to the executives in Japan to continue US spec production for Puerto Rico as sales remained strong despite announcing the end of car sales, but they rejected their request.

[@brandonblanco8379]

@@LouisSubearthwhy Suzuki rejected it? It seems that Puerto Rico loves it Suzuki, more than Mexico (yet they sell it). What a stupid decision by Suzuki.

[@blue_lancer_es]

The reason the PR flag is shown is actually because in the early 1900s it was made illegal by the US for anyone to have or show a PR flag on the island. Long story but if you get bored you can read all about some day.

[@jdrancho1864]

the swing rear door would be a deal-killer for me. I can see myself trying to load something big, bulky and heavy, and not being able to heave it easily into the door opening. For that reason alone I'd look for a vehicle with a lift door.

[@PlaAwa]

these donks were supposed to be reliable and were even used in small aircraft. they're allegedly very low maintenance and as long as the oil is changed every so often, should last without issue. there was a rattle that was rectified in 2002 but that's about it. for this thing to overheat, it must've been directly related to the faulty water pump and/or the rental company was useless

[@Padawan_8000]

I miss my 02 grand vitara the timing chain snapped when I tried to start it. the car "rolled" during the moose test. the people doing the test forced it to roll then the standard test

[@kimani34]

I always felt this truck was underrated.

[@matty138]

Ive been in one. Driven one. Super solid and heavy car around the corners. Suzukis were made by GM once upon a time. Power was definitely instant. Once speed picked up, it went but it did take some time to get pass 50KM. Seat comfort were below average. Minimal to none bolstering. Incredible in the snow. Sounded like a V8. Not the most quiet car. Peak torque & HP only came on at higher RPMs. This vehicle's ride quality resonates a G wagon or older Land Rover Defender. Not a plush ride because this rides like a TANK.

[@adaml102]

Never made by GM, made by Suzuki.

[@philip4x4guy]

Up to 2006 this was made by suzuki, 2007 till the model died it was all gm garbage, hence the dying part

[@adaml102]

@@philip4x4guy the 07 ups were not the Grand Vitara XL_7 like in the thumb nail. I think the gm builds were designated XL-7 or XL7 not Grand Vitara XL_7 i get the confusion though.

[@philip4x4guy]

@@adaml102 Correct, the XL7 without the - was the GM garbage.

[@dposcuro]

There are a couple of reasons the Suzukis didn't sell all that well in the USA/Canada. The first? Look for the advertising of them back in the day. There were only, I think, one commercial when the Grand Vitara was introduced, and when they were refreshed in the 2000s. That was it, and the ads weren't....all that inspired. There was also the memories of the Consumer Reports debacle over the Samurai still lingering in the minds of people who would buy them. That shit show damn near murdered the Suzuki brand in 1988. They never really could recover from that damage done to their brand image. It added to the conception that Suzuki was the lowest rung on the Japanese car maker ladder. Toyota and Honda at the top, Mazda, Subaru and Nissan in the middle, Mitsubishi below them, and Suzuki and Isuzu at the bottom. Suzuki and Isuzu were "pet" brands of GM, their brand identity diluted by being shared as Chevys, Pontiacs, Geos, etc. So, on the concept of buying a vehicle as any form of "status" is right out. They are small and compact, when most SUV buyers wanted Bigger. Further? 4x4 was not a selling feature that 90% of the buying public cared about. 90% of the market isn't ever going to go more off road than a gravel driveway. Most considered AWD as better, because "it's always active, I never have to think about it."

[@pikachudiaz6606]

I have an 2002 suzuki xl7 it's amazing

[@BRIDGEBURNERSTV]

I’m looking at a 5-speed one of these for 3 Gs. Waiting on an answer from the guy. I hope it works out.

[@FTRVDenny]

This is so strange. This is the third review you did the same time I looked at buying one the same day. I also looked at a Kia Soul today that has 488,000 miles. It's a 2014 and I almost bought it just to get to a half million miles but passed. I'm looking for a toad for my RV

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool 😀

[@michaelantuna3648]

Can you do a review on a GMT400 please!!

[@abby8444]

I have this exact car! I was looking for videos on it lol mine doesn’t have heated seats though 😢

[@jimmywoodward4887]

I personally really like Suzuki. My thoughts on why they didn't make in north america. They kept changing their model names. It's hard to build loyalty if you keep changing the names of your vehicles.

[@sdmc1972]

its an awesome little suv until you gotta replace the roll over vent valve in the fuel tank....

[@dave11686]

My brother in laws aunt had one but it had to be scrapped due to lack of parts

[@robertdiehl9003]

I would like this truck but afraid that parts would be hard to find...

[@American_Voyager101]

my neibour used to have a 1999 vitara the shorter wheel base with the 2.5L engine and that thing is quick and torquey and comfortable. in grenada i seen the JDM version of the XL7 called The grand escudo. in general in the US market they should use the ESCUDO nameplate, i love that name, I dont like the name Vitara for me it doesnt look like a vitara. i seen some XL7s in new york but not plentiful as before

[@smokymtng8r525]

Not Beige color ? Sandstone. I have problems with electrical won’t run using Die Hard Batteries profusely

[@robertchand]

I have a 2002 and 2004 best cars i have owned both of mine don't have 3rd row seat holds its own off road

[@Andyface79]

I saw a unicorn they other day, a Suzuki Verona which is a rebadged Daewoo Magnus that Suzuki sold in the early 2000s and which helped tank their brand equity. I don't know for sure but I feel like this was probably forced by GMM.

[@trev0909]

Sometimes I wonder how the highway would look if Suzki never left the US

[@Donny_ESP]

Escudo XL-7 only 4X2 here in Indonesia

[@sreekanth619]

This thing has any connection with mitsubishi?

[@udithabandara4432]

I am from Sri Lanka,I own 2004 Suzuki grand Vitara XL7

[@dimitrakoniari4722]

Do a 2023 suzuki vitara review pls

[@patricklinkous]

They don't sell those in the United States

[@LouisSubearth]

Unless a Mexican viewer drives up to Illinois in one, it's unlikely (they are sold in Mexico)

[@brandonblanco8379]

@@LouisSubearththere’s a lot of Mexicans in Illinois, specifically in the Chicago area, so it is possible.

[@brandonblanco8379]

@@patricklinkous Unless he goes to San Diego or El Paso.

[@dimitrakoniari4722]

Well surely can't bring mine from europe

[@Dankcatvacs]

trail blazer can tow 5000 lbs this tows 3000 lbs

[@Andyface79]

Well, it was outdated compared to other Japanese options, and American truck buyers weren't gonna buy these. Plus they sold rebadged Daewoos which can't have helped the perception of the brand.

[@bushikciwa]

The Puerto Rican flags do not surprise me at all.

[@volvomaniacmlp01]

That is my car. We love them in PR 🇵🇷

[@misaeldominguez9387]

🇵🇷

[@itsPikachu]

Si mi Amigo eso es correcto

[@boricuacarenthusiast2553]

Acá las veo de vez en cuando.🇵🇷

[@chryslerfordgm]

It was not reliable, especially the newer generation with GM engine

[@davidp2888]

My father rented one in the early to mid aughts. It was horrible.

[@pinyodono]

Did he overheat it by any chance?

[@blue_lancer_es]

@@pinyodono 🤣🤣🤣

[@different-abled5332]

Traveling

[@BenyKorenberg]

Over here in Israel we had this as a Grand Vitara until around 2014ish i think, with a very different front facia... In 2016 a new "Vitara" was introduced here and it just sucks... A horrible and small "drive to the mall" type of an "suv" which has nothing really to do with the real Vitara models... Kinda like the horrible new Chevy Trailblazer which has nothing to do with the real Trailblazer model...

[@FBPrepping]

"A vehicle of a bygone era"...🤣🤣. How old are you? 16? I would feel "offended" if I weren't a GENXer. I have one of these I bought in 2011.