Introduction: Although Suzuki has been in the car-making business for 50 years now, Suzuki never created a benchmark min-size sedan that competed with the other Japanese sedans. However, now, when Suzuki revealed their Kizashi 3 Concept last year, it looked very promising. Well, here finally comes the production version that will be in showrooms in December.
Exterior Design:Like the concept, the new 2010 Suzuki Kizashi looks very distinctive from any other economy mid-size Japanese sedan. The front looks dramatic with two-piece bar grille, and aggressive curved headlights. The side looks even cooler with small side-windows, 18-inch wheels, and a thick C-pillar. Out back, the curvature is very noticeable on the taillights and truck-lid, while the bumper feature housing for two chrome exhausts. Personally, considering that this is similarly-sized as the mid-sized Japanese sedans, the new 2010 Kizashi looks more exciting than a Toyota Camry, sleekier than a Honda Accord, and more sporty than a Nissan Altima.
Interior Design:Inside, Suzuki's designers crafted an elegant looking dashboard that features an Alfa Romeo-like instrument panel with two deeply set gauges and an uncluttered center console. Nonetheless, 2010 Kizashi is also very sports-car-like, with a 3-spoke steering wheel, bucket-seats, and even hand-stitched leather on the window armrests. Like the design of the exterior, the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi has an interior that definitely has what it takes to rival those competition from Camry, Accord, and Altima.
Engines And Transmissions:When the 2010 Kizashi first comes to sale, Suzuki will only be offering one engine. It's Suzuki's flagship 2.4L 4-cylinder; Suzuki didn't announce the output numbers yet, but the engine has been around in a couple of Suzuki cars, and it's around 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Available transmissions come from a base 6-speed manual, and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic as an option. Suzuki also announced that a V6 and a Hybrid Kizashi will be coming shortly afterwards next year. All engines are featured in front-wheel-drive, and all-wheel-drive power delivery.
Suspension And Handling:Built on a brand-new platform, the Kizashi features MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the back with Suzuki supporting that the sedan will offer drivers "a dynamic and exhilarating driving experience". However, to find that exhilarating driving experience, Suzuki's engineers and test-drivers took the Kizashi on Germany’s Autobahn, Switzerland’s Alpine mountain twists, cobblestone roads of England and the legendary
Nürburgring, to find the perfect setup for the suspension, brakes, and steering feel. Driver aids like ESP, ABS, EBD, as well as the Suzuki-developed synergetic vehicle dynamic control system that assists drivers control will be offered as standard on the new Kizashi.
Pricing for the 2010 Kizashi sedan will be announced closer to launch date in December, but expect it like the competition, to be around $20,000. We really look forward to this Kizashi, since it brings the fun and sport back to the common mid-size segment.
Introduction: 
