The XL7’s engine is strong. With 252 horsepower and 242 lb.-ft. of torque, it is smooth and responsive, and the automatic reacts quickly whether you’re doing the shifting in manual mode or if you let the computer do the work. We’d wax poetic if the powertrain wasn’t so damn noisy. There’s constant – and we mean constant – noise at every engine speed except idle, with the engine droning or wailing or grumbling or growling. Enough already! There’s also some annoying torque steer. It’s a shame because it’s a good powerplant, but General Mo…rather, Suzuki…really needs to work on its aural tuning for this engine. Improving on our test car’s 16.5 mpg fuel economy would also help.