Suzuki has a bit of a brand awareness problem on its hands. Its Kizashi midsize sedan is, for the most part, competitive with the best of the non-luxury brands on the market... January 26, 2012 by Kurt Ernst 2
Suzuki is struggling in the U.S. to simply get consideration from vehicle shoppers. Once it gets that, with vehicles like the excellent 2011 Suzuki Kizashi and 2011 Suzuki... April 21, 2011 by Bengt Halvorson
It was exactly a year ago that Suzuki introduced the new ‘Sport’ variant of its very capable Kizashi mid-size sedan. Contrary to the buzz leading up to the... April 19, 2011 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
Joining the turbocharged Kizashi Apex Concept on stage at this week’s 2011 New York Auto Show is a greener version of the popular Kizashi mid-size sedan, the EcoCharge... April 19, 2011 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
Over several decades, Suzuki has established quite a reputation for itself in the U.S. as a maker of high-quality, high-performance motorcycles and ATVs. Unfortunately, the... April 19, 2011 by Bengt Halvorson
With dimensions that are closer to mid-size sedans like the Toyota Camry in looking at its cabin but closer to compacts like the Corolla when considering overall dimensions, the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi lands in an underrepresented part of the U.S.
sedan market.
But it doesn't take on those bread-and-butter family sedans like Accord, Camry, and Malibu.
Instead—even though Suzuki succeeds in making the Kizashi a lower-budget alternative to the likes of the Audi A4 or Acura TL (both about the same size as the Suzuki)—its main rivals are the sportier mid-size sedan models, along with a few of the most attractive, spacious compacts.
The Kizashi has a little more style and personality than the Ford Fusion, although the Fusion handles surprisingly well; it also feels more nimble than the Mazda6 and feels considerably firmer and sportier than the new Subaru Legacy, which has standard all-wheel drive.
Both the Legacy and Altima have cheaper-feeling interior appointments and less-supportive seats but share the choice of manual transmission or CVT.
Finally, for those considering the base Kizashi S model, the stylish new Kia Forte is one of many compacts that starts at a considerably lower price—with an interior that might feel almost as spacious—but it doesn't have the refinement and sophisticated driving feel offered by the Kizashi.