This is not the first time for Suzuki to enter the mid-size sedan segment. In 2000, their tie-up with General Motors conceived a Daewoo-derived car called the Verona. While the Verona didn't find its way here, the Kizashi most certainly did, and it’s ready to make its mark on our roads.
In real life, the Kizashi is no gargantuan sedan. It's actually 170mm shorter than a Hyundai Sonata, but 25mm wider than the Mazda 6. Still, it can fit five full-sized adults in relative comfort, though rear legroom might be an issue for taller passengers.
Looking at its design closely, you’ll find hints of Subaru Impreza on the rear quarter profile and bits of Audi here and there. The arched boot lid creates an illusion of having an integrated spoiler, while the twin rear exhaust covered are superbike-inspired. Other notable attributes include projector headlights, a chrome mesh grill, and piano black acrylic touches on the door pillars.
The Kizashi’s cabin may not be the most extravagantly styled in its class, but quality is in par with its closest competitors. You’ll find the spacious interior accommodating, and the soft touch plastic on the dashboard connote good build quality. Fabrics used on the seats also reminded me of a five-star hotel's sofa. But while chrome-lined gauges add to its classy appeal, the lack of silver accents on the steering wheel makes it look a bit tacky.
Under the hood, the Kizashi is powered by a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that produces 180 horses and 230 Nm of torque and paired with a six-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). As of the moment, there are no plans of bringing in the six-speed manual transmission variant into our market.
The P1,288,000 price tag actually goes a long way: You’ll get not two, but six airbags, iPod Connectivity, climate control, Intelligent Key, an engine start-stop button, and ESP. Available in Super Black, Premium Silver Metallic, and Snow White Pearl, the Kizashi is now on sale in Suzuki dealerships nationwide.
By entering the mid-size sedan market, Suzuki proves that they're more than just into making economical compact cars. And with the arrival of the Kizashi, we no longer have to wait for something great to arrive from Suzuki, because from the looks of it, it's already here.
