Suzuki Kizashi Pricing Specs

[csv8]

Suzuki Kizashi first drive
By Paul GoverHerald Sun11 May 2010-The Kizashi is a big step up for Suzuki, which sells the vast majority of its two-million annual production as tiny city runabouts in Japan and India.
Anyone thinking of buying an upscale mid-sized car can bank a $200 bonus from Suzuki in the next few months.

The Japanese brand is so committed to its new Kizashi that it will pay the cash bounty to anyone who drives it, then buys a rival car. The offer could cost Suzuki Australia as much as $20,000 and it is likely to be paying some shoppers, as its list of rivals runs to classy contenders including the Audi A4, Mazda6, Honda Accord Euro and Volkswagen Jetta.

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"This shows the confidence we have in Kizashi. We're prepared to put our money behind it," says Tony Devers, general manager of Suzuki Australia. "You have to remember that they will be spending somewhere between $30,000 and $60,000 to get our $200, and they also have to drive the Kizashi first. Once they do that, and see the starting price, we're very confident which way they will go."

The bottom line for the 2.4-litre Kizashi is $27,990 with a six-speed manual gearbox, rising to $37,990 for the XLS flagship with a constantly-variable transmission. The car is a big step up for Suzuki, which sells the vast majority of its two-million annual production as tiny city runabouts in Japan and India.

Suzuki says it is mid-sized, despite tight overall dimensions, and has five-star safety as well as standard equipment running to 17-inch alloy wheels, remote locking and start, and a four-way adjustable steering column. The XLS upgrade comes with an electric driver's seat, 18-inch alloys, parking assist, HID headlamps and rain-sensing wipers, and a punchy Rockford-Fosgate sound system.

Safety is claimed at five-star level thanks to six airbags across the range, as well as anti-skid brakes, ESP stability control and a very rigid body. Mechanically, the car has an engine with 131kW/230Nm, four-wheel disc brakes and fully-independent suspension with front MacPherson struts and a multi-link setup in the tail.

Suzuki teaser the Kizashi campaign with three concept cars and, although the production sedan is far more conservative, it's still a car which should change the perception of the brand. "We are confident this vehicle will redefine the Suzuki brand worldwide. We now have cars to suit customers at every stage of their lifestyle," says Masaaki Kato, Oceania marketing manager.

Driving

The Kizashi is a fine car. It's well up to the standard set by Suzuki with everything from the Swift to the Grand Vitara and is likely to make the Car of the Year shortlist for 2010. It also continues a European-style focus on the real strengths of a car, from a rigid chassis to compliant suspension and a cockpit built around the driver.

Quality is good in the Kizashi, performance is acceptable for the class, and the suspension is excellent. The car feels a touch too cramped in the cabin to qualify as a genuine mid-sized contender - and go up against family cars like the Toyota Camry - but it will be fine for couples who want a car with class and driving enjoyment. And there is space in the back seat for a couple of kids.

Both Kizashi models drive well and are well equipped, right down to fully-trimmed gloveboxes and a thumping sound system in the XLS. The standard sunroof in the luxury car steals a bit of headroom, though, for anyone over about 175 centimetres tall.

The six-speed manual gearbox has a slick shift and good ratios while the CVT auto is enjoyable to use and is programmed so there is none of the excess noise or flaring from similar units in other brands. The engine could use a bit more torque for overtaking punch but is quiet and very smooth, with good economy.

It is going to take Suzuki a while to get the Kizashi established and moving, but the basics are right and it deserves to succeed.

Suzuki Kizashi

Price: from $27,990
Engine: 2.4-litre, 4 cylinfers
Power: 131kW at 6500 revs
Torque: 230Nm from 4000- revs
Tranmission: 6-speed manual CVT auto, 6-speed manual CVT auto with paddles
Body: Four-door sedan
Seats: Five
Dimensions: Length 4650mm, width 1820mm, height 1480mm, wheelbase 2810mm, tracks front/rear 1565mm/1565mm
Weight: 1445kg
Suspension: MacPherson strut front; Rear multi-link
Brakes: Ventilated disk at front, solid disc at rear
Furl Tank: 63 litres
Fuel Consumption: 7.9/100km combined
Wheels: 17-inch alloys, 18-inch allows
Tyres: 215/55, 235/55
Spare Tyres: Full size, alloy
Safety: Front/side/curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, anti-locking brakes, brake assist, immobiliser, alarm

[Yellow_Festiva]

I think it is a well specced car for the price, shame about the name.

[Fev]

I saw one of these at the airport on Sunday night, it's actually a really good looking car with the larger optional wheels. Didn't check out the interior though, just wanted to gtfo lol

[brendan88]

Might as well put a VW badge on it look at that front end!!! COPY

[CAMS290]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

I think it is a well specced car for the price, shame about the name.

I agree, a great looking car, probably nice to drive...................but the name, it reminds me of something you order at the dodgy chinese takeaway in the food court at Crown Casino when you've lost all your money and you are completely dishevelled at 2 30am.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

I think it is a well specced car for the price, shame about the name.

“By developing and naming our newest car, the Japanese word” Kizashi, “meaning that something great is coming, it seemed appropriate for this vehicle,” said Kevin Saito, president of American Suzuki. “Now that the Kizashi has come, we hope that the name and the product itself clearly demonstrates bold bet that this company knew it would debut this car at the same time suggests that what appears in the range of Suzuki in the future” .

[Jason[98.EL]]

Saw one of these the other day and was very impressed as to how it looked

I would prob look at one of these for the wife if she had her licence

Jason

[InTrail]

If Kizashi means " something great is coming", what will it be called now that it's arrived?

The base spec should compete well against the mid spec Corollas, Lancers, etc, but mid $30k for an unknown quantity is going to be a hard sell.
I'd rather miss out on some of the fruit and get an NA XR6.

[RG]

Suzuki make some brilliant cars, if I was looking at that segment that would definitely be on my list.

[Franco Cozzo]

Not bad, the top of the range model competes well in price against the Honda Accord Euro.

[jaydee]

I saw the ad on TV and then went to the website, I really, really like the look of them. The back end with the dual exhaust looks good too. Nice interior, althought the steering wheel remins me of the Mazda.
I reckon it will be a quality car, shocking name though, surely Suzuki Australia would say, "Hang on we need a better name than that".

http://www.suzuki.com.au/cars/cars_home.php

[XT_5L]

I gotta say these are damn good cars. I sell in a multi franchise dealer, i sell Toyotas and Suzuki's are the other and we've all ways laid it on the Suzuki guys for selling the product from a company that cares more about motorbikes and the cars are on the side, but these are great. I was a mechanic at Merc before i started selling and this thing compares with a C Class on the road. There smooth, quiet, the interior is all soft and plush and the only thing i can fault is the head room in the xls due to the sun roof lowering the roof line an inch (only a problem if your 6,4' like me) and bluetooth isn't standard. Aside that i think it is a good sign of things to come. Still got nothing on a '68 xt tho.

[snappy]

Nice looking car might steal a few sales from the holden cruise

[Bossxr8]

We don't get the V6 AWD version the yanks get due to stupid marketing decisions.

[Brazen]

Saw one today in traffic, dark blue, surprised at how average it looked. I dont think it will be a big seller as it really has nothing which stands out over the competition.

Competing against Liberty, Accord Euro and Mazda 6 you want some pretty heavy firepower.

Even though I think Suzukis are very good cars, their amateur-hour TV ads which looks like they are selling cars to teenagers will mean that the Kizashi would have needed to be something really special to get the buyers.

[PANELCORP]

Good looking car and well spec'd

Considering how average the new Liberty looks - see might swing a few buyers over her way

The XL7 and Grand Vitara have been quiet strong sellers for years, and Suzuki don't have the massive overheads the other manufacturer / importers do here in Australia

So - doesn't take many sold to make it a success

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by rg

Suzuki make some brilliant cars, if I was looking at that segment that would definitely be on my list.

yup. I've been waiting for this for almost a year now, and i'm considering buying one for myself.

[SVTVNM]

I really like it, Suzuki seem to have a good product all round, Would be a ripper with a V6 though.

[calais]

Bring on the V6. Or even a Turbo Diesel.

Its a damn shame that the Japanese manufacturers more often than not ignore the availability of drivetrain options! (Subaru and Mazda obviously excepted)

Case in point Honda Accord Euro. Should have had a diesel and wagon variants from day one, just like Europe.

I really hope for Suzuki's sake that they get a point of differentiation quickly for this car. So it doesn't get forgotten amongst the most competitive vehicle class in Australia at the moment. An AWD V6 would place it firmly in the rare breed of AWD 6 cylinder mid size cars, and at a very affordable price point.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by calais

Bring on the V6.

Agreed, there doesn't seem to be a midsizer that comes in V6 thats decently priced, I reckon Honda should chuck the V6 from the Accord Luxury or Legend into the Accord Euro and you'd have a bloody ripper car with performance to match its looks.

[FG XR]

sounds like a great car... not ever had any interest in suzuki before... however saying that the front end does look like a VW...

[camfraser]

I actually like the name. Stands out.

[The Snout]

Saw one of these on the road yesterday going home from work. Very nice looking car.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by camfraser

I actually like the name. Stands out.

A quick poll in this household gives the name a big thumbs up as well. I think its great. Its better than Focus, Mondeo, Golf, 2, 3, 6 etc. Or any of the Merc, BMW, Audi et al names.

[azz80]

saw the ad tonight, very nice looking car though, if a little expensive for what you get. resale value still unknown at this stage too.
have a friend that works in the industry, reckons suzuki in general are one of the most expensive vehicles to service etc, cant comment personally though. dont think id choose it over a mazda6 or euro though, tough call that one.

[Keepleft]

REM, we can thank Victoria for the eventual adoption of ABS/Traction Control:-), side curtain airbags et al to *all* passenger car models within two-four years.

State legislative power.

Had thought the new Suzuki would start at less dollars....

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by Coyote V8

sounds like a great car... not ever had any interest in suzuki before... however saying that the front end does look like a VW...

VW actually owns / has a stake in 20% of SUZUKI, so the GOLF front end DNA doesn't surprise me.

Most reviews of this car so far have netted very positive and above average ratings. 40K on the road for the top spec model isn't too bad either considering its rivals sell for $$$ more than that and they are not $$$ better.

[MexicanBatman]

we saw one at the airport going up into the terminal for display (from out the tea room window)

anyways were looking out the window

that must be a new Audi.... nope gotta be a VW... bmw one guy says???

so i go out and take a closer look and come back.... c'mon thata clearly a suzuki! LOL

looks great, shame about the 4cyl (i dont like 4's above 2.0L) a nice direct injection 2.8L V6 would have been great, hell any V6 would be better than a 4 (im not 4 bashing here, just like my 6's much better)