Used 2006 Suzuki XL-7 Consumer Reviews
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XL-7 5-Passenger
I have had my 2006 XL-7 for a month now, it is one solid SUV. I took a trip to Key West with a family of four and was very comfortable. I was pleasantly surprized at how quiet it rides. The interior with the woodgrain makes it look more expensive than what it is. I bought the 5-passengers model because I liked and wanted all the storage space. It's amazing how much it will hold. I have had numerous compliments on how nice it looks. I'm lovin' mine.
10+ Years only ONE maintainence issue
They don't make Suzuki anymore :(. Reliable, sturdy great car for making long trips as a hospice nurse. Only one maintainence issue (brake line) in 10+ years!!!! Had to replace the CD player twice both under warranty! Overall excellent reliable easily maintained vehicle! Love! Lots of room and cargo space!!!!!!
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- Base 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,995812 mi away
- Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,9952,057 mi away
First SUV
I recently purchased my Suzuki XL-7 to pull my boat and move large items. I never owned an SUV before and was reluctant at first. However, after doing my research, I found the XL-7 to be the best buy on the market. It feels big yet is very responsive and easy to park in the city. It pulled my boat with plenty of power to spare. I love the fit and finish and it compared well to my Honda when it comes to quality and workmanship. I love the XL-7, it surpassed my expectations hands down.
Flawless Reliability
Bought this car w/25000 miles on it, it has been perfect. I have Ex III model, all options ever made for this chassis. 4x4 is awesome, having the LOW range makes it a tru truck, that is why it rides a bit rough, don't care. I get 20mpg in the city and about 23hiway. How is that pooe mileage? It does weigh 3700 lbs, I can tow my boat and quad, have no issue w/engine power, it is quick and responsive. Leather is nice, a bit cramped sometimes. Now 78k, nothing done but tires, not even brakes!
Great car for family and sports
In 2005 we decided to buy the XL7 used, 6000 miles on it looking new and for a great price, way lower than a new one would've cost. It was a dealer's test drive car. Since we've got it nothing wrong happened. I have done the brakes on it at 30000 and costed $70.00 It gives average 18 to 22 MPG combined HWY and City. Regular gas is just fine. Very resistent, reliable and confortable.4WD is wonderfull when needed. Long trips are nice and smoth. The features from manufacture are great. My wife gets complements from all her friends, her car looks Young...they say. Very good car for the price. Low cost to keep mechanicaly. Looks better and runs better now that is paid for!
Quite good SUV
Vehicle mostly used for short trips averaging under 10 miles (averaging 20 mpg) but around 26 mpg on the long range 65 mph or faster trips. The car has excellent fit and finish, nice interior, decent sound system (car is intermediate (not premium) trim package but cloth seats are fairly comfortable. We have had no (none, nada!) maintenance problems. Car was a rental for the first year of its life so we have been pleasantly surprised at its reliability since we bought it at 30000 miles. Excellent paint job, rubber door trim and doors close with a nice solid thump! V-6 engine very quiet once warmed up.
Solid Vehicle AND Value
2003 LX_7 Limited 4x4. Well constructed with thoughtfulness and care in detail execution. Solid in feel, construction, handling and performance. Well appointed and laid out interior. No gizmos: everything you need is there where you need it ... and it all works! Very smooth engine provides steady push rather than neck-snapping, wheel-spinning antics. Smoothest automatic transmission I've ever experienced in a moderately priced vehicle. 2 to 4 wheel drive shift on the fly works impecibly. Best truck-based mid-size SUV road handling in its class. Great road handler as well as city parker. Tremedous cargo and people volume, though more of one means you trade-off on one for the other.
Its fun to drive
My 2005 Suzuki XL-7 is fun to drive. It has good handling in city traffic. The driver's seat is not made for long drives though. Wind noise over 65 MPH makes the radio useless. Also, they used too much cheap plastic in the interior. It has easy entry and I like the door handles, which work well. I like the looks of the vehicle too. The engine really makes noise (runs fast) when started in cold weather and this continues until it is warmed up. I had this issue checked out and supposedly that's the way the engine is on all models.
Give it a chance! XL7 may work for you.
We got a great deal on '06 XL7 in 2010 with 37K miles as a '00 200K Honda Odyssey replacement. Wanted another, but Toyotas/Hondas too pricey even with 100K. The XL7 sounds and drives like a truck--worse than a car or minivan. Poor acceleration and gas mileage, averaging a paltry 17 city, 20 hwy. But so far, it has been bulletproof in terms of reliability at 72K miles. No problems whatsoever. With kids 11, 8, 7, we can still shoehorn 1-2 of them in the fold-down 3rd row. Long trips we flip down 1 side of 3rd row and take plenty of luggage. Vehicle is horrible in snow. 2-whl drive was a big mistake. Needs quality snow tires in winter. Buy a 4x4. Missing minivan, but XL7 is next best..
Best $27K I've spent
Bought our XL7 Premium 4x4 new in May of 2006 and still own it. It now has 110k on the odometer and I'm here to tell you that it's the best car I've ever owned in regards to being problem free and reliable. This beast has never failed me. Other than regular maintenance items, a p/s pump is all I've replaced. When shopping for a new car back in 2006, I did my homework and checked all the sources for reviews and buying advice. I knew that I was buying an old school SUV with full frame and that it wasn't going to be cutting edge with stability control and other modern features at the time. Even today, the switch gear and controls still feel like new. No rattles or squeaks and everything still works perfectly. It's a bit clumsy in terms of handling and ride quality, but that's expected in the design of an 11 year old SUV. The fuel mileage could be a little better and in all honesty, Suzuki should have stuffed another 20 or so horsepower into this little 2.7 V6. It's definitely a little hp deficient, especially if you live in the mountains like we do. On a positive note, this thing will literally climb a tree in 4wd low range. The winter traction is unbelievable. In summary, I've raised both my kids in this vehicle and would do it all over again. I will truly mourn the day I look in the rear view mirror and see our Suzie being left behind for a new SUV. ***UPDATE*** Now 13 years old and 132k miles on the odometer. "Suzie" has been semi-retired as an extra vehicle in the our family. We bought a new Nissan Rogue Sport last year for my wife. We were on the verge of trading in the Suzuki at the time but couldn't go through with it. Brought the old girl back home with us. The kids both came home for the holidays this year and we ended up using the XL-7 on a road trip to see family due to the additional seating it provides. This old girl is more like a family member to us than a car at this point. Long live my Suzie. ***UPDATE*** Now over 15 years old and 145k miles on the odometer. The old girl soldiers on flawlessly.....well, almost. Sadly, this year it wouldn't pass PA state inspection due to the frame rusting. I sent it to a frame repair shop and had it repaired. She's back home in the garage where she belongs. I noticed when we got it state inspected this month, that we drove it a mere 3k miles last year. This SUV continues to amaze me. Not one drop of fluid on my garage floor and it still looks brand new. Paint shiny, no body rust whatsoever. Still the best money I've ever spent on a vehicle.
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Dependable
We've had our fully loaded XL7 for a year and a half and only had to replace the alternator. It drives great, has plenty of power and handles well. I can't wait to try out the 4WD in the snow... We are a pretty tall family of four and room is sometimes an issue but having taken it on several long distance trips, it suits our needs well.
Cool
We traded our truck, which was roomy, powerful, and comfy for our xl-7. The truck also stayed thirsty not to mention the warranty was long gone. The Suzuki had all the things we were looking for and then some. We went shopping on the basis of warranty and service foremost. We tried the Kiabut the Suzuki won out with more room. We also got the 3rd row seat. The suzuki is just overloaded with options that came with it standard, where others, these cost a consumer extra. I agree that the seating in the XL-7 is cramped, but we knew this from the get go and we love that we can fold the seats down for cargo space. Our XL-7 isn't very old but we love it.
I LOVE MY ZUKI
I talked to the service department at my dealership.I asked them what car they have the least problems with.They all said hands down XL-7.So that's what i bought; the only thing it goes to the shop for is oil changes.That's why i've owned three....
Great Vehicle
I love the Suzuki XL-7. It has a great deal of comfort and space. I can drive long distances and remain comfortable. The left side foot rest is great. The on dash controls make everything easy. The third row will definitely help you carry 7 passengers as long as they are not all adults. The style and body shape are eye catching while the interior is equally exciting. So far my XL-7 has been very reliable and dependable. The engine power is adequate for towing. The pearl finish is beautiful, not quite white! The interior has many compartments with easy access, and the rear hidden compartment is ideal with it's tray design. Overall I look forward to buying a Suzuki when and if I am ever ready to depart with the one I have.
Woman's view point
I enjoy how it handles and the interior storage for five person seating. I was very pleased with the space and comfort on long trips. The seats are firm, providing good support for the legs, seat and back on short as well as distance trips. I was pleased with braking in emergency conditions.
A reliable car
The 2005 Suzuki Xl-7 has a more modern design than the 03 or older. One of the reasons that I bought this car was because I also own a Suzuki Aerio in which I did not have any problems. I bought the XL-7 because the price is so much cheaper than a lot of other suvs out there on the road. The woodgrain on the dashboard adds a nice touch to the interior which is standard on every XL- 7 model. The car is easy and fun to drive. The third row seating comes very handy. Suzuki's powertrain warranty (7 year/100,000 miles) makes you worry- free.
great suv
this is the most overlooked vehicle, and I can't understand why. this thing goes and goes and only asks for gas and the regular oil change. I think it's the best looking SUV around. unlike other so-called suv's, this things a real truck, with a ladder frame to prove. tough as nails. yet a great ride, smooth and comfortable. i'm almost glad more people dont buy them, because mine stands out in a crowd of minivancarsuvs that would snap in half if driven the way this truck was built to drive.
My Second XL-7
I love the fact that my XL-7 has a full frame and that the engine has plenty of power for the city and the highway. The interior is very user friendly. I love my 6 disc CD changer with subwoofer. this truck has a large cargo area and the passenger seats can be made into a chaise lounge by removing the head rest and sliding the seat forward and reclining it back.
One solid SUV!
Bought in June 2007 with 10,000 miles from dealer. just sold it with 190,000 miles. Only problems in 7 year ownership were: Year 3: change a/c pipe to back (warranty) Year 5: Gasket near oil pan ($200 part and labor) Year 6: Change wiper motor front ($200 part and labor) Year 7: A/C started to go (never replaced)
Harold's XL&
For the most part my ownership experience has been very positive. Second Suzuki that we have owned, had such good luck with first one that we went back for another. Folding 2nd row rear seats a little cumbersome and don't fold as flat as I would like. My vehicle does not have 3rd row seating, so I can't comment on those. Comfortable to drive and has relatively good performance.
Great Deal
I bought my 7-passenger XL-7 a month ago and the only disappointments are the dumb reviews. This truck is great, not cheap looking inside and has much better 3rd row seats than the RAV4. I don't understand where these other reviews I've seen are coming from. In all my research (and I did A LOT) I never came across anything about this vehicle being unreliable over the last 5 years, which is pretty darn good. It usually does not have any defects or people complaining about how they had to get this or that fixed as in MOST other consumer reviews. I mean give me a break, it's nice inside, the woodgrain looks expensive, and it is comfortable...but probably not for larger people. I love mine, and I got it for a great price.
Shiny Zuki
I owned a 2004 Suzuki Aerio from new until 2013. It was the best car I've ever owned, just brakes tires and oil changes. I just bought a 2005 XL7 with 232,800kms on it and it's in exceptional condition for its age. I will be using it for winter's only. Has far as I know right now, it needs a balljoint, but everything works, I feel very confident driving it, and have no doubt it will last me a few years after rustproofing. My father has owned 3 grand Vitaras and they've been awesome. I wish they still made them in North America. If you are looking for a Suzuki? Buy one.
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Very good SUV at a very affordable price
I would recommend this SUV to anybody whos looking for Mid-size SUV at a very affordable price. I own a 2003 Limited with 45000 miles already and havent had a single problem with it. You get a lot of options that would cost you about an extra $10,000 in other models like the Toyota Highlander. There are some inconvenient, lack of room between benches, or a bit noisy once it passes the 50 miles per hou. The 185 HP is not enough either, but its performance in general is very good , considering that the price you pay is in the low 20s . This SUV is been great off road or in the snow, as well as in very wet conditions.
Best Kept Secret
Best kept SUV secret. Great quality and perfect for anyone looking for a mid size suv. Just enough room. If you don't need seven passenger seating skip the third row. Great value.
LOVE IT
This vehicle is the best I have ever had. I've had many other vehicles from various makes and models, but this by far is the BEST.
Good Family Vehicle
My XL-7 is a great family Vehicle. It's small enough to park anywhere yet roomy enough to fit 7 comfortably with room for storage. I highly recommend this inexpensive SUV for the price conscious consumer.
SuzukiValue
I extremely enjoy the smooth drive of my 4WD Suzuki XL-7 after driving a front wheel drive vehicles for the last 13 years. The vehicle as equipped, with everything is a great package. The sound system is outstanding! I particularly enjoy the heated leather seats. A comparable mid-size competing SUV would have been considerably more expensive. The XL-7 has sufficient power, but cannot compete with the 3.0 engines the competition offers. This vehicle takes me where I want to go comfortably and with all the luxury of a more costly vehicle. I'll forego the power for the luxury.
Suzuki XL7 satisfaction
Best vehicle I've ever had for the money. Always goes where and when I need. Have had no trouble in 50,000 miles. Will tell everyone about the high quality of the vehicle and it's excellent dependability. will surely buy another when needed.
Into the Unknown
We originally owned a 1995 Suzuki Wagon 4WD and liked it very much, with the exception of slightly uncomfortable seats. We now have an XL-7 with all the toys including steering wheel radio controls and heated leather seats. We are recieving 20 mpg out of its V6 engine. The '95 Suzuki would give us 23 mpg with a 4-cyl. We find the seats in our new XL-7 comfortable. I think this car will hold up.
cheapest best 4x4 around
Its awesome on 4 wheel drive roads if you get rid of the car tires and get some all terrain tires
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2006 XL7 My first SUV
I just bought my XL7 less than a year ago, and the single CD player doesnt work, I have had my rotors "shaved" 2x, and my brake pads are completely wore down, and I am a very light braker! I'm confused with the OD button on the side of my shifter. This was the last car on the lot that I saw but once I jumped in, I knew I wanted it. Not a big fan of the wood trim in the car, but it does have style and that's what grabbed my attention. The gas is gone quite fast, but overall I would definitely buy another one although I'm having so many issues with this one. It's very reliable, and I trust the strength having my kids inside. I have filled this truck up with lots of people and lots of boxes.
Not very pump friendly
I'm not very in love with how fast the gas seems to go in my XL-7. And not only that, I had trouble with my air conditioning not even a whole year after buying it. My CD player is not working too well at this point. Things just seem to be going wrong while only having it less than two years But at least most things are still under warranty. But who wants to have to get things worked on so soon? It served its purpose when I first got it, because I needed something that seated seven. And now that I don't need the space, I feel stuck because at this point, the car is only worth about half of what I still owe!
Best SUV if you need dependable bro like vehicle.
What can I say, bought a brand new off the dealer's lot on 2001. Never gave me any problem from the day I took off the lot. Just oil change and regular maintenance. On 2015 the rust finally ate through most of the bottom exhaust, replaced it and 2017 the after market tail pipe again rusted and fell off. Following fall, the exhaust manifold finally cracked due to non other than rust. Then shortly after the crack, the rack and pinion started to leak power steering fluid. Served me well and didn't want to let go but I'm only allowed 2 parking spot on my condominium and other spot was occupied by a RV. Had Suzuki stayed in US market, I'd invest some $$$ to get the entire exhaust replaced and drive it another 17 years but lack of service and parts... To this day, I seldom look in used car mag for a nice decent shape XL-7 just knowing this SUV is one of a kind and nothing has come close to matching what it offered.
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Love my Suzuki
I love the way it handles, great mileage. Can't wait to try the 4 Wheel drive this winter.
Excellent SUV
I live in an area were temperatures fall below -40 and the roads look more like horse trails because of its body on frame design it handles the punishment with ease. It has yet to get stuck in snow or on off road terrain. The build quality is superb.
Flexible SUV for the Price
This SUV can be found with lots of factory rebates if you're patient, resulting in a really good deal. It has lots of interior flexibility since the rear seats can move and be folded down for extra cargo space. This is the only small-med size SUV I could find that had enough cargo room behind the second row seat to fit my two large dogs. Only a minivan could do the job better, and I needed 4WD. The only minivan with AWD anymore is the Toyota Sienna, which I plain couldn't afford.
you'll be surprised
this car is affordable, reliable and worth every penny. you'll be impressed with the interior design. i love mine
Worst car to buy
I bought this car used with around 17,000 miles on it. It was basically new, it was the worst purchase of my life almost. So many little things go wrong with it. the most recent thing is the cable to pop the hood has broken. AGAIN. this is the second time ive been unable to open the hood. also one of the door ajar sensors is malfunctioning so everytime u hit a bump the interior lights flash on and it dings. gas mileage goes is awful. its' a "compact" SUV. its smaller than a mini van and gets worse gas than my truck. for a vehicle that size with a V6 and such little horsepower it should get way better gas mileage. the tire inflation sensor malfunctions too.
Car withstood 7000 mile-trip
Just came back from cross-country trip Toronto-Vancouver. Westbound through the northern U.S. states, return trip through Canadian soil. The car was fun to drive, no back pain sitting and driving for 23 days. With four adult passengers, loads of luggage and cooler being hooked up daily, the car didn't complain at all. This car has really exceeded my expectation by a mile.
Overhaul experience
Vehicle is comfortable for driving. Need better gas mileage. While driving the vehicle is bit too noisy. Tire sensors malfunction especially on cold days. Passenger door light is not working after several attempts to repair it. Security screen in rear is constantly breaking. Braking system needs much improvement.
Not Enough Horsepower
I own an '05 XL-7. I like everything about the truck except, the gas millage is not good, considering that its a V6 with under 200 HP. It only gets 17 mpg city and 21 hwy. Also, it should come standard with a luggage rack, but does not. Other than that, it's a good truck for the money.
Off-Roading Queen
My experience with the 2005 Suzuki XL-7 has been positive since the start. I was able to negotiate $4,500 of its MSRP which was already low, using a $2,000 suzuki rebate and a $2,000 down payment match from dealer. I paid only $20,450 for a 2005 LX-4WD 7 seats with an automatic transmission. I was mainly interested in this truck because of to my loyality to its sport bike line of products, which are the best in the industry. I went on to discover that the quality engineering and stylish design of Suzuki's bikes carries over to its SUVs. After folding the two back seats, I had enough cargo space to move everything that I needed for my dorm room. This truck Drives just like a luxury sedan with off-road capability.
Tired of Lemons / This is the BestTthing Yet
I bough my Suzuki XL-7 a year a go. Having purchased many new vehicles in the past I started buying used, but I still had the itch for a new one. I made a U-turn into a Suzuki dealer . My XL-7 is the best vehicle I've owned. I've seen my dealer for oil changes only, it hasn't had any problems or needed any adjustments. This vehicle is the very best buy for your money, period
Suzuki XL-7
This suv offers a good value for its price. It is equipped nicely. The third row seat is very handy.
2005 Suzuki XL7
I love my Suzuki, you really never see them so it’s unique and I Live for being different, also the head room over my head is high. The car is 19 years and it’s just starting to give me issues like leaks, belts. Had a rack n pinion put in normal breaks and break pads, had a muffler put in last year. no really big issues. Still has the same alternator. One great thing is you can switch from 2-wheel drive to 4-wheel drive and it’s amazing up and down hills in the snow. It’s still running at over 205,000k miles and the body still looks young!
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After 45,000 kms
Car is still going strong. No engine issues, no accessories issues. Interior trim issue related to the 2nd passenger seat handle covers. Both sides came off and replaced under warranty. Carpeting in the third row seat area came off (kids inadvertently kicked them off). It turned out the carpet was not glued or fixed permanently but only inserted under the seat and held by Velcro fasteners. The third seats have been used quite frequently and are bearable for adults during short trips. Other than that the winter driving is super. In spite of 4 inches of snow, no need for winter tires as the 4WD system made the all-season tires still adequate.
Reliable All-rounde SUV
The looks are a bit dated with the Vitara shape. The fuel tank is too small. It has good safety features and the 3rd row is a big bonus. I was never a big fan of the 2001 model. The 2003 shape, with the redesigned front and rear end looks great. The chrome side steps are an improvement over the plastic ones.
Nice family SUV
I have used Toyota vehicles till now. We were reluctant to buy Suzuki. But when we compared Highlander to Suzuki, the price won and we decided to try Suzuki XL-7. XL-7 has still not disappointed us at all. It has been reliable, no troubles at all. So far satisfied with its performance. We used it to tow when we recently moved and it was great. Nice SUV.
Awesome Buy!
I researched many midsized SUVs before choosing the Suzuki XL-7. The selling point for me was all the options for the small price. I would have easily paid at least $7,000 more for a Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot. We also have a '92 Suzuki Swift that has never given us any problems, so this was an easy decision for us. I drove it in the rain for the first time yesterday and it handled quite well. I didn't feel that safety in my previous car. We are going to Lake Tahoe for Christmas and cannot wait to use the 4 wheel drive. We have no problems manuvering this SUV in busy parking lots and tight spots. We are verrry satisfied with our new "Zuke"
I Love My Car!
I have only had my vehicle for about 1 month but so far it has been my best. I actually enjoy driving again. Would highly recommend to anyone.