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It’s been a long time coming, but Suzuki’s 2010 Kizashi–previewed by no less than three concept cars–has finally been revealed.
Although it is a midsize sedan, the Suzuki deems the Kizashi its “flagship,” filling the gap left by the 2007 demise of the Daewoo-built Verona. Unlike that car, the Kizashi is entirely designed, engineered, and manufactured by Suzuki itself.
From a styling perspective, the Kizashi is remarkably similar to its three conceptual forebearers, especially the Kizashi 3, which was shown at the 2008 New York auto show. Designers gave the car a long, slender shape that suggests it’s sending power to the rear wheels.
Sadly, it’s not. The all-aluminum 2.4-liter I-4, estimated to produce something close to 185 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, is channeled through the front wheels on base models, although Suzuki’s “i-AWD” system is optional. Front-drive cars come equipped with either a standard six-speed manual or an optional continuously variable transmission, while all-wheel-drive models are paired only with the CVT.
Suzuki hopes a number of additional premium features will help draw customers to the Kizashi. Keyless ignition is standard, while an iPod connector, 18-inch wheels, and Bluetooth connectivity for both phone and audio devices are optional. You’ll also have to opt for a leather interior, but the trim–which includes three-stage heated front seats–only makes the already attractive interior even swankier.
In Japanese, the word kizashi means something great is coming. From what we’ve seen of the Kizashi, we’d have to say the nomenclature seems appropriate. Suzuki expects the first cars to arrive at dealers this winter, with base front-wheel-drive models carrying a starting price of approximately $19,500.
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.
I didn’t even know Suzuki was working on a sedan of its own to come out so soon! Wow nice job, looks very well engineered and from the specs they have published this car should not only compete really well but actually shake things up a bit! Suzuki seems to really be heading in the right direction. They discontinued the GM/Daewoo rebadged cars they were selling (which accounts for the majority of the drop-off in sales) and are putting out great cars now, the Swift, the SX4, and their initial quality and reliability numbers are shooting way up because of it! Great job on this new Sedan, seems that Suzuki is becoming the leader in alot of value for the buck! With this Sedan, and the arrival of the 2011 Suzuki Swift early next year, Suzuki dealers in North America will have a nice line-up to offer, and all except the Suzuki Equator will be 100% Suzuki designed and Suzuki built vehicles. I’m definitely going to check out the Kizashi when it hits the showrooms!
Talk about polishing a turd, this car is once again, Suzuki, a day late and a dollar short. Face it, Hyundai/Kia won the new age asian import race in North America. I’d take a Genesis over this any day. Whatever, they should just hang it up with cars and rebadged Nissan Frontiers and concentrate on their powersports wing.