According to Suzuki, the key goal for the redesigned 2007 XL7 was to create an affordable, durable, high quality crossover SUV. The company determined that people who need real off-road capability would select the Grand Vitara, leaving the flexibility to make the new XL7 an agile, stable crossover model designed for use primarily on pavement, but with some off-roading capability. This is a good move, a way to address emerging consumer preferences for such vehicles, and the way the 2007 Suzuki XL7 is packaged puts it smack into the middle of the crossover market. But that’s a market already populated with several compelling models, and we’re not sure that the new XL7 has what it takes to serve as a legitimate alternative much less unseat the class leaders.