2012 Suzuki Kizashi

by Giulianna D. Levin, photos courtesy of Suzuki Media

 

The Suzuki Kizashi doesn't usually come to mind when I think of mid-sized sedans. But it most certainly should. The Kizashi has something that its competitors does not have and that's a certain sporty feel. It's a quick car with great handling, and its fun to drive. The styling of the Kizashi is comprised of bold, aggressive lines, unique in the mid-sized sedan segment. The Kizashi has more horsepower, at 180, than almost all of its 4-cylinder competitors. On the other hand, its 23/30 mpg, is among the lowest of its competitors.

The SE edition, as tested, comes with a CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission). I personally enjoy driving cars with a CVT. The plus side? A CVT has less parts than a traditional transmission, and to me, that means there are less things that can go wrong. Also, a CVT can usually provide quicker acceleration while still delivering better fuel economy.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SPACE. You can easily install car seats in the rear seating. If I were in the front seat, at five-foot-three, I wouldn't need to adjust my seat at all if a car seat were installed behind me. If I were taller though, let's say five-foot-eight (I wish), then yes, the front seat would need to be moved up a bit to accommodate for the car seat. I want to be clear that in general, everyone would still be comfortable. The trunk has ample space for a stroller, luggage, week's worth of groceries, etc., though still, it is a bit smaller than some of its competitors.

FANTASTIC FEATURES. I love rear seating cup holders for a family car. The center armrest has pull out cup holders that are wonderful. The rear seating also has their own air vents, which is a huge plus. The Kizashi features the iPod integration USB port. In my opinion, this should be standard on all vehicles. And, get this, 18" alloy wheels. Told you it was a fun car!

OTHER NICE FEATURES ON THE SE. The Kizashi has tire pressure monitoring, a great safety feature that can sometimes avoid a unwanted flat tire. For passenger comfort, the SE is equipped with dual-zone climate control, steering wheel audio controls, 60/40 split rear seat. The Premium SE w/ leather package, as tested, includes leather interior, heated front seats, 10-way power driver's seat, and leather steering wheel and shifter.

LET'S TALK SAFETY. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org), rates vehicles on a scale of: Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor. The Suzuki Kizashi was given a Good rating for the Frontal and Side tests. The Roof Strength on the vehicle was given a rating of Acceptable. The Roof Strength test is a good indication of a vehicle's performance in a roll-over situation.

THE ENGINE. 2.4 liter, DOHC, 16-valve I-4 engine, digital fuel injection.

COMPETITORS. Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Mazda 6, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, and Chevy Malibu.

If you are looking for a mid-sized sedan, the Suzuki Kizashi should not be overlooked. More importantly, go to the dealership and give it a test drive. You'll be surprised at how much you enjoy driving the Kizashi.

The Kizashi, with a CVT, starts out at an MSRP of $20,999. The Kizashi SE Leather Edition (as tested) is $24,304.