Suzuki Sets the Bar High with its Mid-Size Kizashi

In a market segment already bursting with more than a dozen competitive models, Suzuki Canada has set the bar high for its new mid-size sedan, the Kizashi.
The 2011 Kizashi (pronounced ‘Kee-Zah-Shee’) is taking on the big boys in the segment, going head-to-head with the likes of the Toyota Camry, Mazda6, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Subaru Legacy and several others.
Kizashi means “something great is coming” and Suzuki Canada executives will have to wait until late winter to actually find out if the all-new model strikes a chord with consumers.
While Suzuki is a relatively small player in the Canadian market, selling 13,442 units here last year, globally it is the ninth largest vehicle manufacturer with sales of more than two million units last year.
The intermediate or mid-size segment makes up 20 per cent of the total car market in Canada and the Japanese share of that market is currently 48.5 per.
In raw numbers, the leader in the intermediate segment in 2008 was the Honda Accord with sales of 12,222 units, almost as much as Suzuki’s total sales for that year. That tells you why Suzuki has set its sights on that mid-size segment since it currently has nothing to compete in what makes up the second largest automotive segment in Canada.
Unlike its last foray into the intermediate market with the ill-fated Verona that was a joint venture with its then-partner General Motors, the Kizashi is engineered and built totally in-house by Suzuki.
The goal was create a driver’s car, one that would “put the thrill back into driving,” according to Seiichi Maruyama, president of Suzuki Canada.
He said Suzuki engineers bench marked several cars when building the all-new Kizashi, with their target of building “the best chassis in the market.”
They wanted to create a European-style sports sedan and used the Alfa Romeo and Volkswagen as examples of where they wanted to be. Testing was Switzerland, country roads in Britain and on the famed Nurburgring racetrack in Germany.
We recently had a chance to spend the better part of a day behind the wheel of some pre-production American-spec Kizashis on a ride-and-drive around Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. and then some track time on slalom and autocross courses at Niagara Regional Airport, driving back-to-back with some of competitive models.
The Kizashi debuts with one engine only, a 2.4-litre inline DOHC four-cylinder, making 180 hp. In Canada, the car will only be offered with a continuous variable automatic transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters.
All Canadian Kizashis will be all-wheel drive models, unlike the U.S. where a six-speed manual with front-wheel drive will be available.
Canadian prices will be announced closer to launch date, but they are expected be under $30,000 for a fully equipped model. A hybrid model is being developed and will to be added to the mix sometime in the future.
Suzuki expects the all-wheel drive feature to be a major selling point for the Kizashi here in Canada because the only all-wheel-drive intermediate models which come to mind are the Subaru Legacy and Ford Fusion.
Suzuki says it is entering a mid-size segment populated by “countless nondescript transportation vehicles”, so it is offering a car that delivers a “dynamic and exhilarating driving experience.”
Starting with an exceptionally rigid steel unibody, the Kizashi will have a five-link independent rear suspension, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake force distribution, class-leading eight airbags, Electronic Stability Program and projector-style headlamps. Also included is Suzuki’s vehicle dynamic control that helps drivers maintain control and add to the fun-to-drive experience with minimal intrusion.
The new generation i-AWD system is typically found in luxury sport sedans rather than intermediates. It provides better traction in poor weather and helps in cornering. The torque split depends on factors such as throttle input and wheel slippage.
On the inside, the Kizashi is smaller than many of its competitors. Front-seat room is good, even for this six-footer, but the rear legroom is a bit cramped with the front seats at their rearmost position. The cabin has a greenhouse-style feel to it with large expanses of glass. I found the visibility excellent although some complained of frontward visibility because of the large A-pillars.
Our test cars came with leather sport-style seating, which proved to be quite comfy, offering 10-way power adjustment on the driver’s side. A push button start and keyless entry are standard.
Fit and finish was good on these pre-production models with a nice mixture of hard and soft materials. Although well put together, I didn’t think the cabin matched that of the Mazda6 nor would it compare with the premium sport sedans Suzuki used as benchmarks.
However, gauges and all the buttons and knobs are well positioned and easy to use and the interior was certainly above average.
On our ride-and-drive, the car performed well on all kinds of roads, from four-lane highways to twisty secondary trails meandering through the Niagara Peninsula. While not neck-wrenching, acceleration is good, but that high-pitched whine you get from CVTs is evident when you go heavily on the throttle. At speed, the engine revs smoothly and the noise level subsides to a whisper.
On the track during the agility drills against the competition, the Kizashi had its chance to shine. The car tracks well and lives up to its advanced reputation as a driver’s car. The all-wheel drive helps keep the wheels on track during hard cornering and the stability control works unobtrusively, much more so than others we tested.
Where the Kizashi may struggle somewhat is in exterior styling. It’s nice looking, but will that be enough to stand out in what Suzuki calls a sea of “nondescript transportation vehicles”.
To move above the crowd in a competitive automotive environment, exterior styling is important and time will tell if the Kizashi has what it takes to grab market share from its competitors.
But there’s no doubt, Suzuki engineers succeeded in creating a mid-size sedan that driving enthusiasts will enjoy. If it’s all about bringing the thrill back into driving, the Kizashi delivers.

BODY STYLE: four-door midsize sedan.
DRIVE METHOD: front engine, all-wheel drive.
ENGINE: 2.5-litre 16-valve DOHC inline four-cylinder (185 hp, 170 lb/ft) with continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with paddle shifter.
FUEL ECOMONY: NA
PRICE: est. under $30,000