The current XL7 is the third in a line of Suzuki models bearing the name, which stood for ‘Xtra Large 7-seater’ and first appeared on a stretched version of the second-generation Vitara mini SUV (spelled as the XL-7). This was followed by a short-lived unibody crossover which offered a choice of five or seven seats.
Suzuki claims that over 200 components differentiate the XL7 from the Ertiga
Apart from the badge, today’s version shares very little in common with the previous releases, as it is essentially an Ertiga MPV endowed with additional body cladding and higher ground clearance. This crossover-inspired derivative has a 6-seater counterpart in India called the XL6, which comes with captain’s chairs on the second row.
The XL7 comes in a single variant for Filipino customers, technically serving as the top-spec trim level for the Ertiga despite being marketed as a separate vehicle by Suzuki Philippines. LED headlamps sit on both sides of the massive black grille. The fog lamps sit within black housings at the lower corners, hovering just above the front skid plate.
The XL7 strikes a sporty demeanor in motion
Large plastic overfenders, mouldings, and side skirts evoke an adventurous impression, along with the roof rails overhead. LED combination lamps flank a black trim panel on the tailgate that complements the rear bumper under guard. A set of 16-inch polished alloy wheels complete the XL7’s appearance.
There’s room for up to seven occupants in the cabin, with the standard 153 liters of cargo space expandable just by folding down the rear seats, and a split-luggage board provides even more versatile storage options. The onboard meter cluster features an advanced multi-information display, while a 10-inch touchscreen panel floats in the center of the dashboard, offering Bluetooth and USB connectivity as well as GPS navigation.
True to its name, there's room for up to seven on board
Like the Ertiga, the XL7 is powered by a 1.4-liter K15B gasoline engine that delivers 103 hp and 138 Nm of torque to the front wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission. Safety features include dual airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, hill hold control, and parking sensors.
Priced at Php 1,073,000, the XL7 is available in a range of financing options. A 20 percent downpayment or Php 214,600 nets 36 monthly payments of Php 30,010 each. Doubling the cash out to 40 percent or Php 429,200 and extending the payment term to 48 months brings down the recurring bill to Php 18,114, while going for a 60-month contract on a 50 percent downpayment or Php 536,500 results in just monthly payments of Php 12,933.
As always, these are all estimates, exclusive of other costs such as maintenance, fuel, insurance, and registration at the end of the first three years of ownership. Your nearest Suzuki dealer will be able to give you a more accurate computation based on your current budget.
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