Vehicle Tested
| 2010 Suzuki Kizashi SE AWD
Base Price: $22,749
At-Tested Price: $23,004
Built in Japan.
Options
Floor Mats
Premium Paint
Engine: 2.4-Liter I4
Transmission: CVT Automatic
Drive Wheels: All-Wheel Drive
|
Asian automaker Suzuki hopes its new midsize sedan will re-introduce the brand to American buyers. Suzuki last offered a midsize car in 2006. Called the Verona, it was essentially a rebadged Daewoo. New from the ground up, Kizashi has a wheelbase of 106.3 inches. That pits it squarely against cars like the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, and Toyota Camry at the heart of the midsize market.
Kizashi comes only as a four-door sedan and is offered in four trim levels: S, SE, GTS and SLS. All are available with either front- or all-wheel drive. Kizashi seats five on twin front buckets and a split-folding rear bench seat.
All models are powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces between 180 and 185 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the S and front-drive GTS and SLS. Optional on those models and standard on the SE and all-wheel-drive models is a continuously variable automatic transmission.
Standard safety features on all models includes antilock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, electronic stability control, daytime running lights, and dual-front, front-side, rear-side, and curtain-side airbags. Also available are a rear-view camera and rear-obstacle detection system.
The Kizashi S starts at $18,999 and includes air conditioning with dual-zone automatic climate controls, tilt and telescope steering wheel with radio controls, center console, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, keyless access and starting, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with iPod adapter, trip computer, illuminated visor mirrors and 215/60R16 tires.
The SE starts at $21,499 and adds to the S ten-way power driver seat with memory and lumbar adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 215/55R17 tires and alloy wheels. The $22,499 GTS adds to SE power sunroof, Rockford Fosgate sound system, Bluetooth cell-phone connection and 235/45R18 tires.
The line topping SLS starts at $24,399 and adds to the GTS rear-obstacle-detection system, leather upholstery, heated front seats, power passenger seat, heated power mirrors, universal garage door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, automatic headlights and fog lights.
Ordering the CVT automatic adds $1500 to the S and $1100 to other models. All-wheel drive is $1250 across the board and includes heated power mirrors. Stand-alone options are limited to a sunroof, navigation system with real-time traffic information, premium paint and floor mats. The Kizashi is built in Japan and has a $735 destination charge.
Get Up and Go Suzuki quotes a 0-60 mph time for a manual transmission Kizashi at 7.5 seconds. That's on par with other four-cylinder midsize cars and adequate for most anyone. Opt for the optional CVT and/or all-wheel drive and progress slows a bit from a standstill but still feels peppy once moving. Passing power is decent but nothing to write home about.
The engine is quite smooth and quiet for being a large four. It revs willingly in passing situations and doesn't groan or annoy like some others in the class.
The continuously variable automatic transmission works very well. It seems to act more like a traditional automatic with stepped gears when slogging around town and builds engine speed very quickly in passing situations.
Front-drive is all most Chicagoland buyers will ever need--assuming you have a good set of all season tires. However, the availability of all-wheel drive across the model range is a nice offering. The AWD system hurts fuel economy only slightly and adds a bit of security.
EPA ratings for the CVT all-wheel-drive models are 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Those numbers are appropriate for a midsize car with AWD but fall short of similar-sized front-drive models. Suzuki says that Kizashi runs fine on regular-grade gasoline.
Real-world driving is likely to net about 23-26 mpg in an even-mix of city highway commuting. Straight highway driving yields as high as 31 mpg, but only with a very light throttle foot.
On the Road Suzuki engineers have blessed Kizashi with a beautiful ride/handling equilibrium that keeps the car composed while providing a comfortable ride. The same surely cannot be said for many other midsize competitors. As you "model up" the ride grows progressively firmer, but even in the top-line GTS and SLS, impacts are never harsh or pounding.
Conversely, when the road grows twisty the Kizashi feels athletic, downright nimble at times. Handling limits are high and there's very little body lean in quick lane changes. The steering has a nice heft, good on-center feel and is quite precise. The brake pedal is easy to modulate, and the brakes have plenty of stopping power.
Interior noise levels are low, particularly on the SE with its slightly less-aggressive tires. Tire thrum amps up on the GTS and SLS but never to an objectionable level.
Overall, the Kizashi drives like a $30,000-40,000 sedan, not a price-sensitive midsize offering.
Behind the Wheel Competitors should be very afraid of what Suzuki has done with Kizashi. Slide behind the wheel and you are transported into an environment befitting a car costing thousands more. The materials and fit and finish are top notch, except for the unpadded dash top, and the pleasing design is both sporty and functional.
Drivers face two large, easy-to-read gauges, one for vehicle speed another for engine speed. Audio and climate controls are placed high in the center of the instrument panel. They are clearly marked and easy to operate day or night. Ancillary controls for the windows, locks and mirrors are on the driver's armrest. The only possible gripe is that it's sometimes difficult to switch between audio input devices.
Though Kizashi might look small on the outside, it doesn't feel cramped from the driver's seat. There's good head and leg room and the seats are sized for Americans (if you know what I mean). If you opt for the sunroof, head room grows tight for those taller than six-foot-two.
The driving position is quite comfortable and outward visibility is good. Helping things out a bit are large outside mirrors, optional rear-view camera and fold-down rear-seat headrests.
The rear seats aren't anywhere near as commodious as the fronts, but still adult friendly. Anyone more than six-feet tall will be wanting for leg and head room, but smaller adults and kids will find the seats quite comfortable. Cabin width is down compared to some competitors, so sitting three abreast will scrunch everyone a bit.
The trunk is rated at 13.3 cubic feet. That's down a few to competitors and the sickle-shaped trunk hinges don't help matters. Still, there's enough space for a week's worth of groceries or four large suitcases. The folding rear seats help a bit, but they don't fold completely flat. Interior storage is great with plenty of small bins here and there and large map pockets.
Bottom Line In Japanese, Kizashi means "omen", "sign", or "warning." Perhaps the Asian automaker was directing that inference at rivals. Suzuki's new-from-the-ground up midsize sedan is surprisingly good in just about every aspect and a worthy midsize competitor.
The lack of a V6 engine options doesn't really hurt because the standard four is peppy enough and this is not a large car. Pricing is aggressive and the standard feature list is long, making this new midsize an outstanding value and a smart buy in the class.
Specifications, 2010 Suzuki Kizashi SE AWD
| Dimensions
| 4-door sedan
| Engine
| DOHC I4
| Wheelbase, in.
| 106.3
| Size, liters/cu. in.
| 2.4 / 147
| Length, in.
| 183.1
| Horsepower @ rpm
| 180 @ 6000
| Width, in.
| 71.7
| Torque (lb.-ft.) @ rpm
| 170 @ 4000
| Height, in.
| 58.3
| Transmission
| CVT Automatic
| Weight, lbs.
| 3438
| EPA Estimates, mpg
| 22 city / 29 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 13.3
|
|
| Fuel Capacity, gals.
| 20.1
| Manufacturer's Warranty
| Seating Capacity
| 5
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 36.6
| Powertrain
| 7 years / 100,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 39.3
| Corrosion
| 3 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 37.0
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 35.6
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
|
|
|