| Midsize car; Built in Japan |
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| Good condition price range: $4,200 – $16,500* |
2010 Suzuki Kizashi front
2010 Suzuki Kizashi rear
2010 Suzuki Kizashi interior
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Suzuki has positioned its Kizashi as a penny pincher’s premium sport sedan. The car is aimed at shoppers who aspire to upscale sporty sedans such as the Acura TSX or Audi A4 but may not have the budget. In terms of engine performance and overall refinement, Kizashi comes up a bit short of its goal. However, it delivers nimble, sports-sedan-worthy handling while maintaining a composed and relatively pleasant ride. Kizashi also offers surprising cabin accommodations given its tidy dimensions, impressive-for-the-price interior appointments, and a long list of standard safety and convenience features. These virtues, combined with appealing pricing–new or used–earn Kizashi a place on your shopping list. Keep in mind though that Suzuki’s exit from the American market could prove problematic when it comes to maintenance and parts availability. Still, if you’re a bargain hunter looking for something different, a Kizashi might be worth tracking down.
Overview
The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi marked the return of a midsize sedan to this Japanese automaker’s lineup. Kizashi was available with front-wheel drive in S, SE, GTS, and SLS trim levels. SE, GTS, and SLS might have all-wheel drive instead. All Kizashi models were powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. It produced 185 horsepower when paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and 180 when used with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which behaved much like an automatic. The manual transmission was offered on the front-drive S, GTS, and SLS. The CVT was available on those models and standard on the SE and all AWD versions. Standard safety features included antilock braking, traction control, an antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front- and rear-side airbags. Keyless engine start and dual-zone automatic climate control were standard on all models. A 10-way power driver seat with three-position memory was standard on all but the S. A wireless cell-phone link and sunroof were standard on the GTS and SLS. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and rear-obstacle detection were SLS-exclusive standard features. Suzuki’s Kizashi competed against such sedans as the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, and Mazda 6.
Yearly Updates
| 2011 Kizashi New sporty variants joined the Kizashi lineup for 2011. Sport GTS and Sport SLS trim levels were new for 2011. All Kizashi models were powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. A manual transmission was available on the front-drive GTS and SLS as well as the entry-level S model. The CVT was optional on those models and standard on the SE and all AWD versions. A 10-way power driver seat with three-position memory were standard on all but the S. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and rear-obstacle detection continued as SLS-exclusive standard features. The Sport GTS and Sport SLS had a lowered sport suspension, specific alloy wheels, and unique exterior and interior trim. |
| 2012 Kizashi Only minor changes marked the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi. |
| 2013 Kizashi The manual transmission was dropped on all but the entry-level model, which was now called Base rather than S. Feature availability shrank, too. There was a reason for this. American Suzuki, the U.S. distributor of the brand’s products, filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2012. As part of the restructuring, the company shuttered its automobile sales division, and only limited number of 2013 Kizashis were produced. Once inventories were exhausted, it was planned that some facilities would remain open for parts and maintenance. All warranties will be honored according to Suzuki. |
