2010 Suzuki Kizashi: First Look
- Competes with: Subaru Legacy, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion
- Looks like: Suzuki has actually designed an interesting sedan
- Drivetrain: 2.4-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or CVT; front or all-wheel drive
- Hits dealerships: Winter 2009
Suzuki showed off a promising concept version of the Kizashi last year, and now the company’s delivered on the Kizashi in production form. While the front end isn’t as sleek and daring, the overall look is quite handsome. The back is where things really get interesting, with the entire trunklid rising up in a curve to form a solid-spoiler look. It really is unlike anything else on the market.
What market is Suzuki trying to get into with the Kizashi (Japanese for “something great is coming")? The ultra, ultra competitive midsize sedan market. At 183.1 inches long, the Kizashi is shorter than the competition, though; the Toyota Camry is 189.2 inches long, the Subaru Legacy is 186.4 inches and the Volkswagen Jetta, which the Kizashi resembles from some angles, is 179.3 inches long.
Interior dimensions haven’t been released yet, nor have power or mileage ratings. We do know this about the engine: Only a 2.4-liter four-cylinder will be available, teamed to a six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission with paddle shifters. All-wheel-drive models will come only with the CVT. The engine in other Suzukis puts out 166 hp, which would be on par with other four-cylinders in the segment.
Suzuki also sets itself apart by offering optional all-wheel drive. Only the Subaru Legacy offers all-wheel drive with a four-cylinder engine in the class, with Ford’s Fusion offering it only on V-6 models.
We can’t comment on trunk space or interior room, but from the images supplied it appears there are folding rear seats to expand the cargo area. The interior looks like it will be typical Suzuki quality or slightly better, but we’ll have to wait until we see it in person to say for sure.
There will be three trim levels, starting with the base SE, GTS and SLS. All-wheel drive will be available on all three. Standard equipment includes push-button start ignition, stability control, dual-zone automatic climate control and USB connectivity. GTS and SLS trims get standard steering-wheel audio controls, while the SLS gets standard heated seats.
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Wow, this is a big stride for Suzuki. It looks a lot more promising than anything else on the market right now. The side profile kind of reminds me of the Saturn Aura.
The interior kind of reminds me of a blend of VW lighting with Subaru's design. The CVT transmission puts it on cue with Nissan's Altima, since a lot of other competitors in this segment don't have it. It looks like it has a good deal of interior features, but I wonder how good it is at gas mileage and price.
side shot reminds me of a VW/Sebring...don't like those side reflectors protruding out like that, reminds me of cars from the 70's! Not sure if Suzuki really needed this car??!! Doesn't really stand out IMHO
d,
Suzuki needs something. It only has 1 car model right now in an anti-suv world.
I think it'll come down to price. Knowing current Subaru products it won't win on mileage but might on features/value.
Those side reflectors are only in some of the pictures...Euro-spec or JDM car?
I see this as what the Mazda6 used to offer...midsize sedan with a sporty edge.
They should have stuck with the concept design - I think they strayed too far from that. Pricing is going to be the determining factor for it to do well. This might be their last gasp before they pull out of the U.S market.
i really like this im gonna be looking for a new car soon (17 yr old son) i think this could be on the list if the price is right
Wow. Looks like a Infiniti G from the side. Does anyone know if this is built on the GM Malibu/LaCross/Aura platform or did they come up with their own?
look like guys a slightly updated JETTA.............
hey, i wuz gonna say that...can't wait 2 c the new Jetta! LOL I think when people see the 2011 Sonata..no one will buy this car & maybe it's time 4 Suzuki 2 stick with SUV/CUV's & that's all!
The trunk deck vaguely reminds me of a Z4...
As everyone points out, this design is pretty derivative of other cars, but it looks good. Suzuki builds good drivetrains, so this car might finally put them on the map. The all wheel drive option makes it doubly attractive.
And now we have the JDM jetta front clip for sale... lol
Looks good, but not so sure about the name.
i think suzuki has actually done good with this car i would prefer the concept but it really looks decent for a suzuki. u really cant blame suzuki for taking all the goodies off becuz their sales are so low plus the (resisson) dont know how to spell that lol anyway they had to remove some parts to keep the price tag from like my estimate 36,000.
"Hits dealerships: Winter 2009".... how it is possible? Maybe the Sussie guys have discovered how to go back in time...lol...
Anyway, congrats to Sussie (the nickname we used to give to their motorbikes) I would like to see more cars with six speeds manual.
Hits dealerships: Winter 2009
How it is possible? Can these guys go back in time...? lol...
That's a really nice looking car! I had seen the concept car at an autoshow already. It was a real looker... very flashy and sleek, but maybe a bit too outlandish for an actual production model. Suzuki did a great job at toning it down while at the same time still leaving alot of the design elements intact. This car will age really well.
One thing that this article didn't mention though is all the engineering that went into this car. There is nothing else like the Kizashi in this catagory of car on the road today!
For starters show me another car in the segment that has: aluminum pistons with low tensile force rings, forged connecting rods, forged crankshaft, timing CHAIN (not a belt), balance shafts, hydraulic valve lifters AND coil-over ignition. There are none.
If you don't know what all that means, trust me, it means this car will be a great performer and is better engineered that anything in its catagory and price level. The prices are going to start around 19k, and go up to 25k for a totally loaded version complete with AWD! To get anything even close to this car you will have to spend ATLEAST 10k to 20K more that you will with Kizashi.
Suzuki tends to put it's money where you can't see it, unlike other brands that sell a fancy interior on a dinosaur chassis. Multi-link fully independent suspension too, no lame-o semi-trailing arms or torsion beams to be found on this car.
Combine all those features w/ the AWD option and there's plenty to differentiate this car from Honda's, Toyota's, VW's and Subaru's, etc.
Spot all the US-based comments! This car isn't being built for the US market. It's designed for the Japanese and European markets in terms of size and features, and is superbly positioned to extend Suzuki's lead in major developing markets like India and China.
The US market has huge potential for Suzuki, but only if they stop their bizarre practice of only selling models they've crippled or off-casts from more developed markets. There's a *reason* Suzuki is bigger than many of the US-known Japanese brands in certain markets: they can build good cars.
For this car, it's probably going to be too small to have mass US market appeal, even with a strong pricing strategy and better marketing (Suzuki, I know dead cats that could put together better marketing than you have in the US. Sorry.) But, if they do price it well and market it well then there is a good chance that it will do very well for them here, even if the numbers will only be an afterthought compared to the EU and Asian markets. The numbers and stats all lean in that direction. It's just a matter of waiting to see the actual vehicle and whether it delivers in the real world or if they've managed to cripple it for the US yet again.