July20
While hiding out at a secret location, spy photographers captured a new image of the all-new mid-sized family sedan from Suzuki: the Kizashi. The vehicle was previewed with three concepts over the last 12 months, the most recent of which is closest to the production sedan.
Suzuki has already announced that it will produce three variants of the Kizashi — a wagon, CUV and sedan. The Kizashi and Kizashi 2 showcased the wagon and CUV body styles, respectively, and the recent Kizashi 3 at the New York Auto Show previewed the sedan.
Although the name may (or may not) change, the Kizashi will be built in Sagara, Japan, and will arrive at dealerships in early 2010.
Suzuki is pitting the Kizashi against Toyota’s Camry and the hot-selling Chevrolet Malibu, therefore it was no surprise to find a few of the Chevys out testing with the Kizashi prototypes.
Power-wise, we’re expecting the base model to be equipped with a 150+ horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, and the top-of-the-line Kizashi will be powered by a 3.6-liter V6 — rated between 280 and 300 horsepower — mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Of note, the V6 is said to be derived from the same powerplant found in the Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Malibu.
Expect the base model to sticker from about $21,000, with a range-topping Kizashi tipping the scales at $28,000, according to Car and Driver.
July 20th, 2008
Sedan spied - May 12th, 2008
Suzuki Kizashi 3 - NYC Concept
Suzuki Kizashi 2 - Tokyo concept
Suzuki Kizashi - Frankfurt concept
Another chance for suzuki to come back into the car segment, good luck.
That is one hot looking wagon concept - wow.
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The front end of the spy shot looks like a Cadillac… Hopefully they are staying closer to the concept with the production model.
Call it the SX-6. Nobody’s going to come running for Kizashi unless they’re high and think it’s some type of sushi.
And did I mention the real thing is looking so far removed from the concept even a geneoligist would have lost track by now.
‘johnny’, granted it’s miles from the stunning concept but I guarantee it’ll be better than Honda and Toyota SHIAT … it’s stuff like this that I WANT to see on the road, not that SHIAT that litters and uglifies my drive around town.
I thought it would look like the concept, now im looking at a Carolla.
I kinda liked the silver concept, but this prototype looks really generic. I was thinking this would be an even bolder Mazda 6 but alas, it’s plainer looking than a Camcord. zzzzzzzz
Yes, it doesn’t look like the concepts. Looks like a rebadged, tweaked Suzuki-Malibu(But not as sharp looking at the Chevy version).
This auto looks about as boring as the North American version of the Mazda 6… which mind you the version sold here and elsewhere looks amazing.
The silver concept is a home run. The one wearing camo looks like crap. Why do they all do this?
Looks like a grown-up SX-4.
Ummm, $21000 for a Suzuki, I don’t think anyone will pony up that amount of cash for one when there are plenty of more main stream brand name vehicles in that price range.
I saw silver concept in NYC auto show and was not impressed. Perhaps it’s me, not the concept. I would imagine that 21 grand will be asked for completely loaded car. I test drove SX4 and was very impressed: shifter was precise, car had plenty of torque and it has standard 4 wheel drive and all amenities for under 16 grand. Personally, I would shell out 16K for something made in Japan then Korea. The only negative (and again it is not an objective gripe) the steering was very light at low speeds. I like looks of production Kizashi over prototype and suspect it will be worthy competitor for Toyota.
Either that camo is the best I’ve ever seen, or this car looks nothing like it was supposed to. I think LLN is confusing this, that must be the new updated SX.
^^^ I hope your statement is true, however i doubt that the new SX would have inlaid exhaust tips as the mule above does. They have pulled a historical GM move and made a great concept look like re-fried sh*t.
it’ll be better than Honda and Toyota SHIAT … it’s stuff like this that I WANT to see on the road, not that SHIAT that litters and uglifies my drive around town.
Comment by Impulsive, posted on July21 at 12:17 am
LMAO Based on what ? Resale ? Reliability ?
I would agree with that comment if it went like this “it’ll be better than GM and Ford SHIAT … it’s stuff like this that I WANT to see on the road, not that SHIAT that litters and uglifies my drive around town.
Looks like they are trying to stay really close to the concept, it’s pretty decent from what I can tell with the camo in place. Hopefully the final product will be worth the wait, if it comes with 280+hp it will be the most powerful car in the segment and of course they will use their i-AWD system. I hope they kept the tail lamps from the concept and that they come up with a better interior than those they have pulled from the GM parts bin. This car deserves it’s own unique interior design separate from it’s American siblings or similar to it’s more upscale (Acura/Lexus/Infiniti) Asian counterparts, so it stands out in a crowd of mid-sizers.
They should offer those concept wheels as part of an upgrade package, with all season tires and brembo brakes. As far as price goes we all know this car will more than likely be priced below all major competitors in the segment since it is their first time in this arena. I have a feeling the 4cyl will start around $17K and you’d pony up another $4-5K for the V6/6sp AT/AWD combo making it about $22K base for the top model other options will raise the price from there.
Import monkey, there is neglible difference in reliability these days … argument out the window.
Import monkey, this car will make Hondas and Toyotas look like the SHIAT I referenced … ugly SHIAT.
Import monkey, you’re half right on this one … resale may not match the SHIAT from Honda and Toyota … but those of us who can afford the depreciation to drive something people WANT to look at couldn’t care less … it’s a poor person’s argument … out the window.
Import monkey, GM already makes attractive, desirable cars … I couldn’t care less about Ford.
Accept FACT for what it is and move on.