Suzuki XL7 to launch in Philippines by March 2020 to rival Rush, BR-V

For Suzuki, the Ertiga was a runaway success, met with a generous amount of sales and applause from many owners. In fact, Suzuki Philippines’ strong 2019 sales performance was mainly from the Ertiga, representing 34% of the company’s total sales.

The small MPV was a hit, but Suzuki said they could do better in the form of the Suzuki XL7, which is allegedly going to be released in March 2020.

The Suzuki XL7 was teased in the past and inched closer and closer to the Philippines. There were press photos from overseas, but only now are we seeing this new model from Suzuki on Philippine soil.

The images here were taken in the Batangas port, as scooped up by our colleagues from Visor.ph. The model taken is indeed the XL7, but it shares similarities with the Indian-launched Suzuki XL6. The only difference between the two is the number of seats. The Philippine-spec models will have 7 seats just like the Ertiga.

Because it is based on the Ertiga, we can expect Suzuki's K15B engine to make another appearance in this nameplate. The 1.5-liter gasoline engine produces 103 hp and 138 Nm of torque, mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Ideally, we'd love to have a diesel variant but we won't be surprised if this model is gasoline-powered. If there were to be a diesel option from Suzuki, it'll come in at 1.5-liters, and have 93 hp with 225 Nm of torque, but that's very wishful thinking.

With the Suzuki XL7 coming in by March, and the Xpander Cross confirmed to also enter the Philippine market this year, the Honda BR-V and Toyota Rush are facing serious rivals in the budding crossover/sporty-looking MPV segment. The only clincher here would be the price.

Source: Visor.ph