With three trims (base, Luxury, and Limited) and a sticker price that's expected to run between $23,000 and $29,000, the Suzuki XL7 is priced competitively, especially if the competition carries names such as "Ford Explorer" or "Honda Pilot." The XL7 will come in either five- or seven-passenger configurations, with the Limited coming only as a seven-passenger SUV. All trims are available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, but there was no word at press time about the cost of the all-wheel-drive system. Every XL7 gets a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a five-speed transmission with manual shift feature, and safety equipment includes side-curtain airbags for all three rows, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, Suzuki's Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and traction control (TC). Standard wheels and tires measure 16 inches, while the Limited upgrades to 17s.

The base model, named XL7 (no word on whether that makes it the Suzuki XL7 XL7), comes with remote keyless entry; power windows, doors and mirrors; tilt steering wheel; cruise control; automatic headlamps; roof rails; privacy glass; satin silver interior trim; four 12-volt accessory outlets; and a single CD stereo system with six speakers. Seven-passenger models add rear air conditioning with separate controls. As the mid-priced model, the XL7 Luxury includes a six-way power driver's seat with lumbar support, heated front seats, leather upholstery for the seats and steering wheel, audio controls on the steering wheel, wood trim accents, and a power sunroof. The seven-passenger XL7 Luxury adds a DVD entertainment system in place of the sunroof. Stepping up to the XL7 Limited means fog lamps, a rear spoiler, an upgraded roof rack, 17-inch alloy wheels, auto-dimming mirrors, an integrated compass, and a stereo upgrade that adds a subwoofer, one more speaker, an MP3 player, and XM satellite radio.

Options are few, including a Platinum Touring Package which replaces the DVD entertainment system with a power sunroof while adding a DVD navigation system and chrome wheels.