2009 Suzuki XL7 Review
2009 Suzuki XL7 Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+73
Used XL7 for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Affordable price, lengthy standard equipment list, generous warranty coverage.
Cons
- A few subpar interior materials, lackluster vehicle dynamics, tight shoulder room.
What’s new
For 2009, the Suzuki XL7's base trim has been dropped and the third-row seat is standard across the line. Boosting both fuel efficiency and performance, a six-speed automatic transmission also comes online for 2009.
Edmunds says
While the 2009 Suzuki XL7 comes up a bit short in terms of driving dynamics and interior quality, it does offer a lengthy features list and a low price.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2009 Suzuki XL7 Premium 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.80 per gallon for regular unleaded in Pennsylvania.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Pennsylvania
$236/mo for XL7 Premium
XL7 Premium
vs
$216/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
If Target were to sell a crossover SUV, we imagine it would be a lot like the 2009 Suzuki XL7. Like many of the non-brand-name products found in that popular store, whether it's a pair of blue jeans or kitchen accessories, the Suzuki XL7 offers solid quality and value along with some style. This Suzuki may not be the most prestigious or exciting choice, but it's hard to argue with getting a lot for your money.
Based on a stretched version of the platform found under the Chevy Equinox and Pontiac Torrent crossover twins, the XL7 boasts more room as well as a third-row seat. It also has distinctive styling and a muscular, 252-horsepower V6 engine designed by General Motors but built by Suzuki in Japan. This year also sees the debut of a six-speed automatic transmission that promises better performance and fuel efficiency compared to the previous five-speed auto.
As before, Suzuki's 2009 XL7 is also pleasant to drive and comes standard with a lot of upscale features -- even the lowest trim level boasts automatic climate control and a self-leveling rear suspension. Furthermore, although it's priced more like smaller crossovers, the XL7 is on the larger side in terms of passenger and cargo capacity.
When compared to top midsize or large crossover SUVs such as the Hyundai Veracruz, Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Highlander, the big Suzuki falls short. It's rather unremarkable to drive compared to the sporty Mazda and refined Highlander, and although build quality is respectable, some of the interior materials look and feel downmarket compared to the handsome Hyundai's. Overall, though, the 2009 Suzuki XL7 is worth a look for shoppers focused on value, what with its generous helping of standard features and long warranty coverage. Whether you're looking at a pair of jeans or a $26,000 SUV, value is difficult to ignore.
Performance & mpg
The XL7 features a 3.6-liter V6 that delivers 252 hp and 243 pound-feet of torque. It is connected to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. All trim levels are available with all-wheel drive.
In performance testing, last year's FWD XL7 went to 60 mph in a tidy 8.2 seconds; we'd expect the new six-speed automatic to be slightly quicker. Fuel economy estimates stand at 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models, while the all-wheel-drive version rates 1 mpg less across the board.
Safety
The 2009 Suzuki XL7 comes standard with full-length side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, stability control and traction control. In government crash testing, it scored a perfect five stars in all frontal and side crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the XL7 its highest possible rating of "Good" in its frontal offset crash test and its second-highest rating of "Acceptable" in side impact crash testing.
Driving
The 2009 Suzuki XL7's V6 engine provides power and fuel economy on par with some of the big names in this increasingly competitive segment. On the highway, the XL7 delivers a quiet and comfortable ride, but soft suspension settings result in cornering performance that's hardly sporty. This won't be a problem for the majority of buyers, but if you want a family SUV with a more engaging demeanor and can stretch your budget, consider the Mazda CX-9 or Nissan Murano.
Interior
The current XL7 is the largest, most comfortable SUV Suzuki has ever built. The interior is spacious and functional, though the quality of some interior pieces is a bit iffy, and we could live without the widely spaced window switches on the central console. When it comes to head- and legroom, the XL7 is quite accommodating. Shoulder room, though, is narrower than that of most other midsize crossovers.
The 60/40-split folding middle-row seats tumble and fold, and the 50/50-split third-row seat can be folded flat into the floor for additional cargo-carrying room. Also, a fold-flat front passenger seat enables the XL7 to carry longer items with ease. There are some missteps, however -- third-row access is cumbersome due to the tumble-and-fold second row, and the third-row seat's head restraints must be removed and stored before folding, an extra step many competing vehicles don't require. With the rear seats lowered, the XL7 has an impressive maximum cargo capacity of 95 cubic feet.
2009 Suzuki XL7 models
The 2009 Suzuki XL7 is a midsize crossover SUV available in three trim levels: Premium, Luxury and Limited.
The Premium comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, an auto-leveling rear suspension, tinted windows, a third row seat, auto on/off headlamps, full power accessories, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, automatic climate control with rear controls, a trip computer and a six-speaker stereo with a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio jack. The Luxury trim adds leather upholstery, a power driver seat, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a sunroof and an in-dash six-CD changer.
The Limited adds 17-inch chrome wheels, foglamps, remote engine start, satellite radio, a premium Pioneer sound system and a touchscreen navigation system. Limited models can also be equipped with a rear-seat DVD entertainment system (in lieu of the sunroof) as well as a rear parking camera that's displayed in the rearview mirror.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2009 Suzuki XL7.
5 star(69%)
4 star(15%)
3 star(13%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
61 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
2008 XL7
tap17, 03/30/2015
2008 Suzuki XL7 Luxury 4dr SUV AWD w/3rd Row (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
I love this vehicle. I bought it with 35,000 miles in 2011. It's been 3 years and 50,000 miles later and I still love it.
The body is holding up well (no rust, no peeling paint...still looks great!). The engine is holding up well (no leaks, sounds good, etc.). The interior leather, etc. is still in excellent condition.
Overall, I have no complaints. It's not a luxury make, … but I didn't have to pay a luxury price.
3 out of 5 stars
I relate..Good&Bad.
K.M., 04/06/2016
2008 Suzuki XL7 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
The bad-Reading through these reviews has opened my eyes to a few things..i tried opening my pass side door and found myself standing outside of the vehicle holding the door handle in my hand,I see others have had the same thing happen and my locks can be tricky sometimes & now i realize the locks must not be great to begin with if its happening on other xl-7's...and my last complaint … is the fenders i read others have had their fenders start to pull out of place which has happened on both front fenders of my Suzuki.
The good-
It has amazing space,3rd row. My kids can control their heat/air from the back seat & the vents are on the roof so they dnt play with them,they stay in the position i put them in. I like the rear wiper blade,nice to have in a 3d row to make it easier to see in snow/rain. There is a charger port in backseat as well,comes in handy for kids & their electronics. Alot of Space when putting dwn the seats. Back hatch opens very nice but i had one problem with it slowly shutting itself only happened one time. I bought my Suzuki used & over 5 yrs old but have read that even a few yrs newer have the same issues..Locks/Fenders/Door Handle/Sensors. So it must be a common problem and i wldnt purchase this vehicle for any more than half of the price its worth bc of the problems but i do recommend buying it if its at a low cost or reduced price,bc it seems to have no major issues and is a nice family vehicle when all the little things aren't going wrong. Thanks everyone Your reviews really helped me understand my vehicle & that im not at fault for those things.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Excellent SUV
metrodesign, 12/24/2012
2008 Suzuki XL7 Luxury 4dr SUV AWD w/3rd Row (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
This is a follow-up review I posted at 22,000 miles under the name "Michael." Now I have 64,000 miles on this vehicle and am just as impressed as I was back then. I have had almost no problems (still original brakes) and consider the performance superb. The best features are: acceleration, smooth power transfer, handling, stability and reliability. The only repairs I had was to replace … the driver's door handle twice and replace the anti-sway bar bushing and links, but this is a small price to pay for an otherwise excellent vehicle. It needs quality tires like Goodyear CS Assurance TripleTred for good handling.
5 out of 5 stars
Super Suzuki
Tg, 03/03/2016
2008 Suzuki XL7 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
No SUV with better interior space! Interior has held up very well! Nearly 200,000 miles and only basic maintenance!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2009 Suzuki XL7, so we've included reviews for other years of the XL7 since its last redesign.
2009 XL7 Highlights
Premium
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $25,745 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $236/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the XL7 include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 2009 Suzuki XL7 info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Kia Sportage 2013
- Used BMW X6 M 2012
- Used Acura TSX Sport Wagon 2011
- Used Ford Fusion Plug-In Hybrid 2014
- Used Chevrolet Suburban 2013
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 Toyota 4Runner
- Porsche Carrera GT
- Jeep Renegade2023
- Acura TLX
- Cadillac XT 4
- Subaru WRX
- Nissan Versa Versa
- 2024 Defender
- 2023 Subaru Forester
- Audi Q5 Audi
Other models
- Used Mini Cooper-Clubman in Far Rockaway, NY
- Used Maybach 62 in Dacula, GA
- Used Toyota Tundra in Chatsworth, CA
- Used Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight in Garfield, NJ
- Used Hyundai Santa-Fe-Sport in Naugatuck, CT
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer-Sportback in Aberdeen, MD
- New Toyota Venza for Sale in Springfield Gardens, NY
- New Nissan Leaf for Sale in Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Used Ford Excursion in Shelbyville, KY
- Used Volkswagen Jetta-Hybrid in Kenner, LA