The moribund state of Suzuki's car lineup is about to change, however, and quickly. The SX4 Crossover is an entertaining enough grocery-getter, but the all-new 2010 Kizashi is something Suzuki's never done before: a bona fide affordable sports sedan. That's right, Suzuki's going head-to-head with Volkswagen and Mazda in the fun four-door race. The Kizashi isn't built in partnership with any other manufacturers, unlike many of Suzuki's automotive products have been. This four-door was designed completely in-house, and it's all new. As a result, the Kizashi, whose name means "something great is coming" in Japanese, has a unique personality to go along with its impressive driving dynamics.
At a glance, the Kizashi looks like a curvier Volkswagen Jetta. The rounded, dipped face and projector headlamps are very Volkswagen-ish, but the big "S" on the grille and dramatically flared flanks ensure that any mistaken identity is short-lived. The Kizashi's high, flat roof is unusual, and adds a bit of visual length while reducing bulk. This car is larger than it looks, closer in size to a Volkswagen Passat or Nissan Altima, making it one of the larger vehicles in its class. The optional fine-spoked eighteen-inch wheels are distinctive and improve handling as well.
The cabin is comfortable and pleasantly appointed, with French-stitched seats and ample space for four or five passengers. The interior is designed to minimize NVH, but it's not intended to be an "isolation chamber," either. The Kizashi lets just enough road and exhaust noise into the cabin to keep things entertaining, but it's not punishingly loud and it definitely doesn't sound or feel cheap. The doors and hood close with very satisfying, solid sounds. Available amenities include three-stage heated seats, standard dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, standard pushbutton start and a 438-watt Rockford-Fosgate sound system. Bluetooth connectivity and MP3 playback are also offered. Like the exterior, the interior is very reminiscent of a Volkswagen.
As with other affordable sports sedans, Suzuki started the Kizashi with an excellent suspension before worrying about the powerplant. A stiff frame allows good handling characteristics to coexist with a less harsh suspension. The front and rear suspensions include additional frame reinforcement. Suzuki paired with Akebono, manufacturer of brakes for Japan's bullet trains, in developing the Kizashi's braking system. All of these measures have an impressive result: the Kizashi offers a good real-world ride without sacrificing track ability.
A 2.4 liter VVT-equipped DOHC four-cylinder engine is the only powerplant available. The lightweight aluminum engine is equipped with balance shafts and feels like a V6 at idle. This engine's good for 180 horsepower when paired with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and 185 horses with the six-speed manual. A rev-limiter in the CVT-equipped Kizashi is the reason for the difference in output. The CVT is equipped with paddle shifters that allow the driver to select gear ratios. All-wheel drive is also available, putting the Kizashi in the same league as Subaru and Audi. The Kizashi uses a different system than the Suzuki SX4, and the rear-biased i-AWD is designed to be proactive rather than reactive, suppressing wheel spin before it happens.
Out on the road, the Kizashi is a happy performer. Pitched hard into a corner, the front-wheel drive Kizashi understeers without plowing or losing control; in the same bend, the all-wheel drive version maintains its composure as readily as any Audi. This is a car that feels good when driven hard, but doesn't demand to be driven hard. At normal speeds, it's comfortable and confident, and at high speeds it's communicative and solidly planted. The standard stability control is designed with just enough slip to be enjoyable, instead of kicking in just as things start to get interesting. Anti-lock brakes and stability control are standard. Crash safety is enhanced by eight standard airbags, including rear-seat side airbags.
Is it possible to build an affordable, world-class sports sedan? Suzuki's done a great job of accomplishing exactly that. Want an Audi A4 but can't swing the payments? The Kizashi presents a compelling alternative, with a base price of just $18,999. The sporty Kizashi SE starts at $21,499.
By Chris Jackson
MyCarData
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