2010 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Sedan Excites

by Linda Water Nelson

When Suzuki started promoting its Kizashi concept a couple years ago at the New York Auto Show, it looked as though something great was coming – that’s what Kizashi means in English.  They delivered on their promise this month with a delightful sports sedan that should delight women who want a helping of sports car with their everyday ride.

You can be a soccer mom or a professional woman and still feel that this car could rock a mountain road like we took in the Northwest, the Autobahn, or the cobblestone roads of rural England.  Kizashi meets your daydreams as well as your day-to-day requirements.  Plenty of room for five, lots of luxury features either as standard or as a reasonable-priced package option.  Most of all this vehicle can make you feel like you have a sports car in your garage while meeting all of your practical requirements, and exceeding others.

Suzuki’s first entry into the all-wheel-drive sport sedan segment features a 2.4-liter DOHC incline four-cylinder engine, and while I won’t load this story up with specs, suffice to say that it has the DNA of Suzuki’s other vehicles which have been the delight of many who demand a fun performance drive and who love Suzuki.   In fact, Suzuki believes that this will be the trade-up vehicle for many of its long-time owners.  I found it just fine for women who want a dose of sport in their very practical sedans.

Most surprising about this very affordable sports sedan is that Suzuki has taken the Kizashi to a new place as far as roomy interior spaces, upscale interior feel and an available luxury package that is just gorgeous.  Fit and finish are the best yet for this company and the seats, overhead and footwell lighting, storage and extensive sound insulation make a really quiet drive at a surprisingly low price.

There is a six-speed manual transmission for heightened performance in the low gears with relaxed, economical cruising capability in the higher gears, but we opted for the performance-tuned automatics Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which did not make me feel that I had compromised.  

If you hate road noise and vibration, you will enjoy this car.  There is a rigid steel unibody with reinforced front suspension and multi-link rear suspension that help with the great handling.  Standard four-wheel disc brakes also enhance the performance.

Remember, this is all-wheel-drive vehicle for an extra-layer of all-weather capability.  Advanced electronic stability control is an important plus when vehicle oversteer – the tendency of rear wheels to lose traction – requires the AWD system to transfer driving force from the rear wheels to the front to help inhibit rear wheel skid and provide steering assist to make it easier for the driver.

All-weather features also include three–stage heated seats, heated mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers and extensive corrosion protection with under-body resin panels, zinc plated steel sheets and hot wax imbedded in the suspension mounting points. 

When it comes to safety, the Kizashi has a class-leading list:  eight airbags (the most in its class), electronic stability control, anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution and a tire pressure monitoring system.  Some 1014 crash standards are already met in this 2010 car which puts you ahead of the game. 

Fuel economy performance is comparable to other vehicles in its class, differing based upon manual or automotive transmission and the size of the wheels selected.

I have always liked Suzuki’s young feel, but felt that they had a way to go before they could lure a more conservative buyer who did not know about this company’s DNA, but this is a homerun that definitely is worthy of a second long look before buying a new sedan.  They have come close to proving that you can have style and substance at a very affordable price.