Grand Vitara XL-7 vs Feroza... thoughts after 2 weeks.
Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 5:52 pm
It's been about four weeks since the Feroza departed and two since I picked up the XL-7.
Of course it was going to be a "different" proposition to drive, however some things have surprised me. For a start my Feroza would easily outhandle the XL-7 through roundabouts and corners on the bitumen. Not what I was expecting.... The XL-7 is a chronic understeerer at what I'd only consider "moderate" speeds (tyre squeal rules
). I'm going to put that down partially to the crappy standard Bridgestone 687 HT tyres. It also requires an extra 1/2 to 3/4 turn of the steering wheel compared to the Feroza to get around corners- which initially makes it feel a bit cumbersome.
The XL-7 is sadly lacking in the underbody protection area, which surprised me. There's only a feeble plastic undertray to "protect" the sump and front diff.
Feroza's aren't so "soft" afterall.
Ride comfort the XL-7 has an easy win. Same with straightline speed - I'm actually surprised at how well it goes if you floor it
and the five speed auto is an excellent trans. Of course that speed comes at a price and my first tank revealed 13.8 litres / 100km and that was over 90% sedate driving. That's around 3 litres / 100km more than the Feroza.
Maintenance for the XL-7 is dead easy- no timing belt, no valve clearances to adjust, no grease nipples to do, no adjustment on the wheel bearings etc etc. Reading through the servicing schedule it should be really cheap to maintain. Genuine parts aren't too bad with an air filter costing $56; I think I paid not much less for a Ryco filter for the Feroza?
Of course it was going to be a "different" proposition to drive, however some things have surprised me. For a start my Feroza would easily outhandle the XL-7 through roundabouts and corners on the bitumen. Not what I was expecting.... The XL-7 is a chronic understeerer at what I'd only consider "moderate" speeds (tyre squeal rules

The XL-7 is sadly lacking in the underbody protection area, which surprised me. There's only a feeble plastic undertray to "protect" the sump and front diff.

Ride comfort the XL-7 has an easy win. Same with straightline speed - I'm actually surprised at how well it goes if you floor it

Maintenance for the XL-7 is dead easy- no timing belt, no valve clearances to adjust, no grease nipples to do, no adjustment on the wheel bearings etc etc. Reading through the servicing schedule it should be really cheap to maintain. Genuine parts aren't too bad with an air filter costing $56; I think I paid not much less for a Ryco filter for the Feroza?