Amid this pandemic, I’ve discovered two things I love the most: driving (whenever possible) and cooking. The former is pretty much a given, while the latter’s more of a passion rather than an obligation.
And that’s when it hit me – driving and cooking are similar. A dish is an ensemble of ingredients that go hand in hand to satisfy one’s palate, and that’s pretty much the same with cars. Aesthetics, build quality, and performance, among others – all of these should go together for a good, if not outstanding, recipe.
Now we got our hands on the 2020 Suzuki XL7 for this in-depth review. The question is, does it have all the ingredients to appease a typical Filipino’s taste? Read along to find out.
Exterior
Let’s get this out of the way – the XL7 is based on the Ertiga, one of Suzuki’s bestseller in 2019. As cliché as it sounds, it’s an Ertiga on stilts (up by 20mm) then dressed in athletic clothes to emulate an active aura. The bevy of claddings is the main ingredient for this, as well as the roof rails and the bigger (and better-looking) set of 16-inch alloys.
The LEDs are a welcome spec and the deviation of the front end from the Ertiga is obvious. At the rear, however, the XL7 doesn’t differ much from its tamer sibling. Without the badges, you’ll be hard-pressed to find differences between the two when viewed from behind. That’s kind of okay since the Ertiga doesn’t look half bad; I just wish that there’s a clearer distinction between the MPV and its SUV-ish counterpart beyond the emblem and faux skid plate.
Interior
The XL7’s cabin exceeds my impression of its exterior styling. It’s cozy, roomy (for my 5’6” medium build), and the material execution is superb, something you’ll expect with Suzuki vehicles these days. The wet carbon trim that runs across the dashboard doesn’t look tacky. Buttons and controls are ergonomically placed as well, plus the handful of seat adjustments and minimal bolstering bode well for a comfortable long drive.
Air-conditioning needs improvement, though, as you will need to crank it up at high noon – that’s considering that I tested the vehicle with only two people on board and the car comes standard with green tinting. I also wish there’s a telescopic adjustment for the D-shaped steering wheel, but this one’s a nitpick on my part.
As expected, the second and third rows aren’t exceptionally roomy but they’re more than enough for five average Filipinos. Kudos to Suzuki for adding a slide function on the second row, which makes for flexible seating. Of note, the third-row legroom is better and more livable than in midsize SUVs, but you’ll have to share the A/C vents with those seating in front.
Cargo space defaults at 153 liters, which is decent enough. You can expand this by folding the seats flat for a maximum of 803 liters of usable space. The flat lip, low loading height, and wide tailgate opening are heaven-sent for heavy cargo stowing.
Technology & safety
Tech features aren’t expected from a vehicle within this class, but Suzuki delivers anyway. All essential controls are electronic, plus the massive floating 10-inch touchscreen crowns the fascia. The infotainment’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capable as well, plus the massive display quite advantageous for the rear parking camera. The digital multi-information display between the gauges is easy to fiddle with and pleasing to the eyes.
Oddly enough, some things are missing in the XL7’s cabin such as illuminated vanity mirrors, cruise control, speed-sensing door locks, and the non-existent night (anti-dazzle) mode of the rearview mirror. I understand the omission, though, since Suzuki has to keep its price tag within reach.
But then again, I’m glad the company didn’t remove the refrigerated cupholders that also come with the Ertiga. It’s kind of mundane, I know, but a clever one in my books especially during long drives. And yes, you can switch it off for hot coffee.
Safety-wise, the XL7 is typical – dual airbags, six three-point seatbelts (and one lap belt in the middle), Electronic Stability Control, ABS with EBD, and Hill Hold Assist.
Driving & handling
Under its hood, the XL7 comes with the same naturally aspirated K15B engine found in the Jimny and of course, the Ertiga. This power plant makes 103hp and 138Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels via a traditional four-speed torque converter automatic.
There’s a lot of low-end power to propel the 1,300 kg of laden weight, I’ll give Suzuki that. However, once you hit peak torque at mid-range, there’s a feeling of wanting more, plus the limitations of having one less gear meant a wider RPM band for each gear – not notable during overtaking and when edging legal speed limit on the highway, but manageable.
What’s noteworthy, however, is the top-notch noise isolation within the city. The suspension’s pliant as well but deeper road anomalies transcend into the cabin ever so slightly. The steering’s predictable for the most part yet satisfyingly stable on the highway. No complaints with its braking at all.
Fuel consumption
I wasn’t expecting superb fuel efficiency numbers from the XL7, but my test proved me wrong. In mixed driving conditions within the city at around 30 km/h, I clocked in 12 km/l. On the highway, it registered a remarkable 21 km/l at an average speed of 90 km/h.
Take note that these numbers were recorded with only two people on board with negligible cargo.
Verdict
Just like adding garnish to a perfectly fine dish, going for the Suzuki XL7 isn’t a necessary choice – and that’s not a bad thing. The Ertiga has proven itself as a great MPV, and many people think so too as Suzuki’s bestseller. If you’ll go for the XL7, it’s like adding parsley to a perfectly baked salmon served with marble potatoes and other green veggies – not needed, but it’s good to be given that choice.
Best part? The decision to add those garnishes won’t cost much, with the XL7 being sold for P1,068,000 – just P75,000 north of the top-of-the-line Ertiga GLX’s price tag. That isn’t much of a compromise, I reckon.