Facelifted Suzuki XL7 crossover-MPV: a more substantial look and familiar underpinnings

The seven-seat Suzuki van with an off-road image has had its looks refreshed and its equipment improved. The mechanicals have been left unchanged.

Once upon a time, the XL7 badge was worn by the three-row version of the Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV, and it was later inherited by a Suzuki crossover whose closest relative was the first-generation Chevrolet Equinox. But since 2020, in Southeast Asian and Latin American countries, the name Suzuki XL7 has been used for a seven-seat soft-roader. Strictly speaking, the brand itself classifies the model in the SUV segment, but in reality it is a cross version of the Suzuki Ertiga compact MPV, albeit with its own distinctive design. The Suzuki XL7 cross-van has already been updated once. Now it has been revised again – the public premiere of the facelifted model took place in Indonesia at the motor show that opened today.

The Suzuki XL7 has gained a different front bumper with a chunky black 'bar' in the middle and vertical 'slits' on either side. The fog lights are also new, now LED units. The grille has been replaced too, and it can be either all-black or with chrome 'slats'. The rear lights have been darkened, and a shark-fin antenna has appeared on the roof. Finally, the design of the 16-inch wheels has been changed. As a result, after the facelift the van looks more substantial.

Inside the seven-seat cabin, the trim materials have been freshened up, and the 8-inch multimedia touchscreen has been replaced by a 9-inch unit (the infotainment system is now standard equipment). The 'basic' versions still have a reversing camera, while the range-topping Suzuki XL7 cross-van now gets a surround-view camera system. In addition, the most expensive trim has gained a factory-fitted dashcam and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

The mechanicals have not been touched by the update. In Indonesia, the base Suzuki XL7 Zeta cross-van is available with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 105 bhp, paired with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic gearbox. In the Beta and Alpha versions, the model additionally features a starter-generator, and the manufacturer considers these variants to be hybrids. The Suzuki XL7 Beta Hybrid is also offered with either a manual or an automatic, while the Suzuki XL7 Alpha Hybrid comes only with the 4AT. Drive is front-wheel drive in all cases.

The facelifted Suzuki XL7 cross-van is priced at 274.3 million – 329.7 million Indonesian rupiah, which is equivalent to roughly 1.2 million – 1.4 million roubles at the current exchange rate. The updated model will later go on sale in other countries too. Incidentally, in India the cross-van is offered with a six-seat cabin, so there it is called the Suzuki XL6.