Suzuki’s swapped the ladder frame architecture of the past to create a more civilized XL7, a welcome change from the Vitara roots of the original. The XL7’s unitized Theta II platform, on loan from General Motors, also serves as the basis for the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. Suzuki also borrows the General’s 3.6 liter V6, trying its very best in this application. The XL in the name is an apt descriptor, this is a lot of vehicle, and the price makes it a lot of value. So, what had to be sacrificed to bring such family friendly acreage in for the $22,000 of our trial unit?

Suzuki’s styling people have done well differentiating the XL7 from the other vehicles on same architecture, and added length in the XL7 makes the available third row more palatable. For passengers in the rearward dungeon to be the most comfortable, though, the XL needs a bit more width. Leave the seat at the dealer and there’s a swell amount of cargo space instead. The two-box paradigm limits the design leeway, but this big slab has its own identity, and even carries a bit of visual interest. Out front, gestural headlamp clusters frame the wide slatted chrome grille, the largest piece of the minimal brightwork on the XL. Wheelarches flare boldly high above the wheels and add some muscle. At the rear, the liftgate bows out without looking bulbous, and the raked three-quarter windows distract from a D-pillar that’s more squared off than suggested at first glance.

Available in the German market from June 2008, the Suzuki Swift “Black and White” is a special edition model with a limited run of 1,200 units. As its name suggests, the limited version of the Swift 1.3 will be offered exclusively in two special metallic colors – pearl black and pearl white.

The vehicle’s standard equipment includes among other things, new 16-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels in 195/45 R15 tires, “Black and White” special decals on the outside and matching mats on the inside along with a Clarion DVD/Navigation system with a large 6.9-inch color screen and a 30 GB hard drive. Optionally, Suzuki also offers a subtle bodykit that’s pictured in the black Swift. Prices in Germany start from 16,900 euros.