As the Hyundai Genesis Sedan has shown, you don’t need a fancy name to move up the automotive food chain. But can just any automaker make the same shift? We’re about to find out as Suzuki’s all-new mid-size Kizashi is set to hit the U.S. market later this year.
When most Americans think Suzuki, they tend to conjure up images of motorcycles and tiny econoboxes. But with the new Kizashi sedan, Suzuki is hoping to change that public image. And change it for good – the Japanese word Kizashi translates to “something great is coming”.
A mid-size sports sedan from Suzuki? Really?
Admittedly, a mid-size sports sedan from Suzuki does sounds like a head scratching proposition. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. After all, the SX4 is a pretty decent little car to drive. But taking on the behemoths in the mid-size sedan segment?
Don’t think of the Kizashi so much as a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord rival, but rather as an alternative to the boring appliances that seem to populate the mid-size segment. Whereas most mid-size sedans try to cater to the masses in a plain vanilla kind of way, the Kizashi stands out with a healthy dose of sport and style. And, from what we experienced firsthand, the Kizashi just might have the chops to steal away some sales from the traditional heavy hitters of the segment.
Size and style
Walking up to the Kizashi, you’ll first notice its rather small size. While most sedans in the mid-size segment are now bumping against the full-size classification, the Kizashi is more in line with the first few generations of the Honda Accord.
Thanks to that compact footprint, Kizashi designers were able to give the car a very taut and muscular look. The Kizashi’s design doesn’t do enough to scream “Hey, look at me” – after all, it’s still technically a mid-size sedan – but it does look far more sporting than most of the Camcords of the world.
Up front, the Kizashi retains its show car-inspired grille, flanked by aggressive-looking projector headlamps. A sculpted hood and wide fender flares round out the Kizashi’s front end.
The best view of the Kizashi is undoubtedly from the rear three-quarters. Although parts of the Kizashi’s look seem a bit derivative, they work well on the mid-sizer and add to its sporting flare. The Kizashi’s slightly upswept beltline meets with the car’s C-pillar to create a rear haunch reminiscent of the Dodge Challenger or Chevrolet Camaro. A better looking version of BMW’s Bangle-butt design adorns the Kizashi’s trunk, complete with an attractive ducktail spoiler treatment. Stylized bumper-mounted exhaust outlets continue the spirit of the Kizashi concepts.
And the interior?
Overall, Suzuki did a very nice job on the Kizashi’s interior – especially considering it’s the brand’s first attempt at a “premium” offering. The center stack is more than a few notches up from what you’d expect in a Suzuki and the designers did a nice job of incorporating the shape of the automaker’s new corporate grille.
The twin-pod gauge cluster is also attractive, but a little difficult to read. The number marks on the speedometer are every 20mph, with the 10mph marks consisting of barely noticeable lines. Keeping speeds that end in 5 is a bit of a guessing game in the Kizashi.
Suzuki went with soft-touch material for much of the Kizashi’s interior, which is always a good move in our book. However, some pieces do feel a little on the cheap side, dragging down the cabin’s overall feel.
One aspect that doesn’t let the Kizashi down is its Rockford Fosgate audio system. A thumping system on its own, the stereo is unbeatable when paired with optional Bluetooth streaming audio. The Kizashi’s back seat also offers a surprising amount of room.
Sporting intentions
Power for the Kizashi is sourced from a 2.4L four-cylinder making 185 horsepower when mated to the six-speed manual transmission and 180 horsepower when hooked to Suzuki’s CVT. Like most modern CVTs, Suzuki’s unit offers a ‘sport’ mode, simulating six forward gears, complete with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.
The CVT can be had on front and all-wheel drive models while the six-speed manual is reserved for front-drivers only.
Although the CVT does offer slightly higher fuel economy numbers – 23/32mpg vs. the six-speed’s 20/29mpg rating – we’d opt for the manual setup. The CVT takes something away from the Kizashi’s sporting nature and the six-speed unit is rather good. Clutch action is very well weighted although throws are a bit on the long side.
When mated to the six-speed manual, the Kizashi is capable of making the run from 0-60 in 7.5 seconds – putting it on par or ahead of the four-cylinder competition. However, the Kizashi obviously falls short when compared to its six-cylinder counterparts.
But where the Kizashi’s ‘sport’ designation really comes into play is in the twisties. Thanks to a sports tuned suspension and a super-stiff chassis – as well as a curb weight of just over 3,200 pounds – the Kizashi is easily the most athletic car in its class, and even a few rungs up. How do we know? We tested the Kizashi on Virginia International Raceway against competitors like the Mazda Mazda6, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Legacy, and even some cars a few classes up like the Volkswagen Passat CC, Acura TSX and Audi A4.
Suzuki engineers worked closely with KYB to design a suspension setup uniquely tailored to the Kizashi and they simply nailed it. Driving the Kizashi back-to-back with the TSX through a 60mph emergency lane change made the Acura feel totally out of shape. And that’s saying a lot considering how well the TSX drives.
Out on the open track, the Kizashi continued to shine. Not surprising considering the Kizashi spent most of its early life on Germany’s famed Nurburgring. That track time really comes through as the Kizashi is a blast to throw around in the corners. Turn in is great and the Kizashi is an extremely well-balanced front-drive car, exhibiting virtually zero understeer and hardly any body roll. The Kizashi’s brakes are equally impressive and are a result of a tie-up with Akebono – the company responsible for making the brakes for Japan’s bullet trains.
Pricing
Suzuki hasn’t announced pricing for the Kizashi as of yet, but look for the base model to list from under $20,000. The volume trim level will top out in the low $20,000s, but pile on the options and the Kizashi can tip the scales at a hearty $27,500.
Leftlane’s bottom line
With its combination of good looks, decent fuel economy and great handling, the Kizashi could be just the hit Suzuki has been search for. However, the Kizashi’s success largely depends on potential buyers getting over the ‘S’ on the car’s grille. But if you’re in the market for a vehicle in this segment, you owe it to yourself to put the Kizashi on your short list.
Words by Drew Johnson. Photos by Drew Johnson and courtesy of Suzuki.
10/16, 5:18 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
Not bad Suzuki!
10/16, 5:31 PM
posted by:
Auto X
They need to make a 2.4 turbo variant of this car and it would be really cool. I don’t think it looks to bad
10/16, 5:45 PM
posted by:
nickkop
nice zuki !!!
10/16, 5:45 PM
posted by:
iluvamcars
Superb car! Congrats to Suzuki for giving us mid size sedan with taste. I t took some time to get over its size, but i like it now. Looking, i really don’t want a mid size sedan that is just a few inches shorter than the average full size sedan. The front end offers a nice dose off aggressiveness and sportiness. I think the “S” logo makes the car look cool. Styling is obviously in line with the SX4, but that is not a bad thing at all as the SX4 in nice little player too. A lot will probably call the side profile boring, but i think not. The flares and sloping beltline along with the thick c-pillar are attractive enough for me. At one angle, the side profile looks similar to the Saturn Aura, and that is not a bad thing at all either. The rear fascia is quite impressive. I thought no one would ever be able to pull off the “bangle butt”, but they did. The tail lights feel a little dated, but the rest is nice. I like the interior, but LLN is right. Overall, great car.
-iluvamcars
10/16, 5:46 PM
posted by:
psiclone
Wow Suzuki, very clean design.
10/16, 5:46 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
huh, this review reminds me of another website’s review…***cough autodlog cough*** but that is expected since they had to goto some corporate dog and pony show where they highlight the features of their model. I’ve been those types of events many of times with several manufacturers, you come out feeling like it’s much more than the competition
Anyways, as being one of the few to actually get inside of one, it’s a nice car that you know will be very reasonably priced once rebates start kicking in. It’s really, very Jetta looking in person too – with it’s size and feature content too. I would like to add that the grill on lighter color versinds would look better if they would black it out on the like the MkV GTI.
10/16, 5:46 PM
posted by:
nickkop
they seem to be doing a lot better without general messups
10/16, 5:49 PM
posted by:
iluvamcars
nickkop, GM helped them deveolp this car. However, it no longer uses GM’s platforms or engines.
-iluvamcars
10/16, 6:02 PM
posted by:
anyclearer
This SCREAMS Jetta!!! Inside and out look very VW
10/16, 6:22 PM
posted by:
StillHaventFoundWutImLookinFor
Not bad.
10/16, 6:49 PM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
Nice attempt Suzuki. But the back screams LS450 humped by an X6. And the front looks like a Jetta and Legacy. I get the 2010 Hyundai Sonata from the inside. Although its heavily crossed referenced by other cars in the industry, what car isn’t? And when was the last time Suzuki had an original design? I still give an A in effort and C+ in originality.
10/16, 8:29 PM
posted by:
Dr.Martens
wow, im impressed.
10/16, 9:02 PM
posted by:
Smegley Wanxalot
Nice review. Have read many positives about this car.
10/16, 9:41 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
First thing I did was look at the picture of the back of the car just to see it for myself. Yep… it’s called the Kizashi all right. Ok leftwing you can say it, …’typical LLN commentary, focusing on one minor item and ignoring all the other positive aspects’. Well sorry… but for me at least it is your asymmetrical nostril deal all over again.
The silliest part is had they named one of their bikes Kizashi I wouldn’t have even flinched. But for what is supposed to be their major foray into the largest segment in the industry it just doesn’t seem… appropriate. I hope it doesn’t cost them sales because I like Suzuki, but I have a sneaking suspicion the decision to go with Kizashi did not come from my side of the Pacific.
10/16, 11:23 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Nice looking car for a Suzuki
10/16, 11:54 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
ok, consider yourself harassed! honestly, i like it better this way…when you flog yourself (ahem, not that way) it makes it easier for me, i don’t have to type as much…kizashi isn’t my fav name for a car…it sounds like raw seafood cuisine…sushi, sashimi, kizashi…
10/17, 12:10 AM
posted by:
gogogodzilla
Not bad. I think I’ll test drive it.
10/17, 1:49 AM
posted by:
jdasch1
Nice rental car. The “S” on the hood will make it hard to sell. Maybe Saturn should of partnered with Suzuki instead of the french company they were working with….that fell apart. I rented a Suzuki a month ago and it felt very cheap inside…lots of road noise like Toyota’s. Great rental car I thought….thats how I see Toyota…great rental car…cheap. I wasn’t expecting much from it but getting from point A to B safely and soundly….not needing any more than transport. I would never make a payment on one though…I need more from a car than this.
10/17, 4:47 AM
posted by:
protonzdead2me
Where did Suzuki get this 2.4L engine from… another manufacturer or did they design it themselves?
10/17, 7:03 AM
posted by:
Suzhou
nice front, clean, simple. looks like Holden Cruze, but better looking than Cruze.
10/17, 8:48 AM
posted by:
iluvamcars
jdasch, Saturn was supposed to be bought by an American company, Penske.
protonz, they did design it themselves along with the platform.
-iluvamcars
10/17, 9:33 AM
posted by:
mitzo
Yup, this is an all-Suzuki engineering and design effort. The company is successful and profitable outside of N. America, and they are fully up to being able to engineer and build vehicles. They are probably the world leader in small cars. Here behind the SUV curtain, we wouldn’t know that.
10/17, 11:26 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
They had better name it something other than Kizashi…
10/17, 12:53 PM
posted by:
alsvw
nice looking auto, i don’t see it putting a dent in the accords, camry, sonata, and altima’s of world. but, this is a very nice looking car and lot of standard features that toyota cannot compete with for the same amount of money. this car has a personality, something that the camry is struggling with today.
10/17, 1:11 PM
posted by:
johngalt
I thought “Kizashi” translated to “bland tasting health food cereal products consisting of mostly twigs, roots, insect legs, and pebbles consumed by younger-than-they-look skeletal types who have over-regular bowel movements.”
10/17, 1:46 PM
posted by:
Ashes to Ashes_Dust to Dust
From beautiful concept model to humdrum release.
10/17, 2:37 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
mmmmm… insect legs. I like how they stay crunchy in milk.
10/17, 5:10 PM
posted by:
Bosley
Speaking of milk, isn’t Kizashi a breakfast cereal?, Oh wait, that’s Kashi……..
What’s up with car names these days? I don’t even think that Kizashi is a word in ANY language…… Soon words like ‘Oompa Loompa’ or something equally dumb will be used……..
10/17, 5:23 PM
posted by:
johngalt
Oompa, Loompa, Doompa dee dee,
If you are wise you’ll buy Kazishi!
When it’s released in the United States.
Check out our low annual interest rates!
Oompa, Loompa, Doompa dee doo,
Suzuki has a midsize sedan for you.
If you need to buy a new rig
You can be our first guinea pig!
Oompa, Loompa, Doompa dee dum,
We’re so sure we’re gonna sell some,
Come on in and buy a Kazishi.
We’ll even change its oil so you don’t get to greashy!
(My artistic talents have been looking for an outlet for decades. Thank you, LLN, for this forum!)
10/17, 8:39 PM
posted by:
Need More Oil For Imports
Not a fan of suzuki but this car actually looks pretty decent to drive!
10/18, 1:56 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
I like how the reviews on this car mention 2 of my favorite sednas of all time for what this car really is competing against (the 04-08 TSX and 05-09 Legacy) This might end up being that unknown car that only enthusiasts will know of and appreciate. Who knows, give me a year and I might end up being an owner. The best aftermarket on this thing besides the turbo will be a new grill sans the “S” and rear end logo delete. It will confuse everyone and people will think you’re driving a custom Jetta.
I wish instead of the 3.6 V6 they would put in the 2.8 turbo from Saab/Opel OR even the 2.4 turbo from the SS Cobalt/Solstice GXP – that would solve the weight issues that work against handling and fit the young character of this car
I was thinking of why these are already all around St. Louis being driven by the manufacturer for several months now – then I realized something about my own market. Suprisingly, St. Louis is one of the top Mazda markets in the country – Suzuki’s main competitor and what a perfect car for people displaced by the new larger Mazda6… Man, I love this class of car!
10/18, 11:21 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
That’s a great point Jake. Just maybe Suzuki knows what they’re doing after all. Compared to the outgoing model the new Mazda 6 does nothing for me. If Suzuki can pick up the rest of the disenchanted and claim that niche for their own more power to them. Of course you’re still left to scratch your head when it comes to Mazda’s decision to move the 6 up a weight class. I don’t have any sales numbers to back it up but I’m sure not seeing many of the new ones on the road if that’s any indication.
10/18, 6:59 PM
posted by:
vwoom
Suzuki to VW:This is how you make a proper Jetta.
10/18, 7:28 PM
posted by:
A4
VW made a proper Jetta and then dropped “Jetta” from the name and left it at GLI.
10/18, 7:31 PM
posted by:
A4
I agree on the Mazda6 thing Jake, they really dropped the ball when they made the new one so damn big. The old Mazda6 was the perfect size and it’s nice to see Suzuki pick up slack. It will be a shame when this car grows in 6-8 years. Oh and sorry to whichever one of you was bitching in another thread that I don’t condense my thoughts.
10/18, 9:49 PM
posted by:
vwoom
“Suzuki to VW:This is how you make a proper Jetta.”
Addendum: reliable Jetta (for short)
10/19, 10:34 AM
posted by:
zfenderguy
Nice looking car. I’d much rather drive this than ride that Gladius! I’d look far more masculine in this!
10/19, 11:07 AM
posted by:
mugengsr
Love the back!
10/19, 1:10 PM
posted by:
teahead
Looks great.
Too bad can’t get AWD and a 6-speed. $27k?
Sorry, but that’s right up there w/a Subaru Legacy GT AWD 6-speed.
10/19, 4:58 PM
posted by:
HINKS
Nice Japanese Jetta. Still the best looking car they may have ever put out, but good luck selling it. That segment is way too crowded, and Suzuki just doesn’t have the brand power.
10/19, 5:17 PM
posted by:
vwoom
As noted in another auto site, Suzuki gave in to public clamor for a manual tranny AWD SX4 (instead of a sole slush box choice with AWD from prior years).
I do agree. With enough public pressure to demand a 6sp AWD option for the Kizashi…I’d bet Suzuki would do the same.
10/20, 9:59 AM
posted by:
03T4R
Not bad for a Suzuki. Looks like the love child of a Jetta and Maxima or Jag in the back.