The Malibu Boats Wakesetter 22 VLX 2017 vs Malibu Sunsetter 21 XTi 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Malibu Boats Wakesetter 22 VLX 2017 at 21,1 ft versus Malibu Sunsetter 21 XTi 2006 at 21,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 22 VLX 2017 tips the scales at 4 300 lbs — 4 267 lbs more than the Malibu Sunsetter 21 XTi 2006 at 33 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 410 hp for the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 22 VLX 2017 and 400 hp for the Malibu Sunsetter 21 XTi 2006. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 48 gal and 46 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Malibu Sunsetter 21 XTi 2006 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 22 VLX 2017 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu Sunsetter 21 XTi 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu Sunsetter 21 XTi 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu Boats Wakesetter 22 VLX 2017 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.