Overview & Reviews

Suzuki is renowned for its desirable motorcycles, but its cars historically haven't enjoyed nearly the same respect. The Suzuki Kizashi midsize sedan is a serious attempt to bring the company's automotive division up to snuff. Billed as a sophisticated sport sedan at a family-sedan price, the Kizashi generally delivers. It looks sharp, it drives well and its interior is one of the nicest in the segment.

While the Kizashi is billed as midsize, its dimensions actually fall in between that segment and increasingly large compacts. This means it's in the unique position to compete against both camps. It's larger, more luxurious and better built than most compacts, yet less expensive and more agile than the midsizers. We think it's definitely worth a look, but the biggest obstacle could be finding one given Suzuki's limited dealer network.

Current Suzuki Kizashi
The Suzuki Kizashi sedan is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 185 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional. It comes in S, SE, Sport GTS and Sport SLS trim levels. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the S, Sport GTS and Sport SLS with front-wheel drive, while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is optional on those trims and standard on the SE and all-wheel-drive models.

Standard equipment on the base model is impressive, including keyless ignition/entry, full power accessories, dual-zone automatic climate control, a USB/iPod interface and satellite radio. Higher trims net features like alloy wheels, power seats, a sunroof, leather upholstery, steering wheel shift paddles (for the CVT), a Rockford Fosgate sound system and Bluetooth. The Sport trims get cosmetic, aerodynamic and suspension enhancements.

The Suzuki Kizashi's design is an interesting mix of familiar and novel elements. Some people might see some Volkswagen influence in the car's exterior styling, but otherwise the Kizashi is its own beast. Inside, there's an attractive dashboard design with tastefully restrained metallic accents and upscale materials. Nice touches abound, such as standard keyless ignition and cushioned chrome-ringed door handles. The backseat has plenty of room for two full-size adults, and the relatively high seat cushion actually makes the Kizashi more comfortable for long-legged rear passengers than some larger rivals.

In reviews, we've praised the Suzuki Kizashi for emulating the sophisticated driving dynamics of Japanese and European sport sedans at a fraction of their price. Grip is ample in corners, the ride is supple yet well-controlled and the steering is a bit lacking in feel but nicely weighted. Wind and road noise are kept in check on the highway, and the Kizashi has a sense of straight-ahead that's uncommon for a car starting under $20,000. The four-cylinder engine is the closest thing to a weak link here -- it's plenty peppy for normal use, but those expecting the Kizashi's power to match its sport-sedanlike handling may be disappointed, particularly if they select the CVT.

Used Suzuki Kizashi Models
The Suzuki Kizashi was new for 2010. In that first year, the Sport GTS and Sport SLS lacked the "Sport" prefix as well as the associated cosmetic, aerodynamic and suspension enhancements.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 69.00

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  Great vehicle - 2012 Suzuki Kizashi
  By holleyhill - November 18 - 9:54 am

  comfort, style

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  Great car for the money - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By kccarco - May 6 - 8:50 am

  Just took delivery of a GTS FWD 6- speed. Cant believe its a Suzuki. What amazes me is the fit and finish of this car as well as the quiet and smooth ride. This thing has so many standard features for what you have to pay. Plenty of power, Great gas mileage, Rockford Fosgate Sound. Push button start, power memory seat, and the list goes on. Do yourself a favor and drive one of these things before you decide on anything else.

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  My New CVT/SLS Kizashi !! - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By Pete - April 21 - 5:10 am

  So Far So VERY Good...Performance & Speed sneeks up on you. 80MPH arrives with out you realizing its there. My only Con about the car so far is the CVT while in "Drive" mode tends to upshift you into 6th gear WAY too soon, and if youre not heavy with your right foot, it tends to Bog down. However, in Manual mode, where "YOU" make the shifts, the accelaration for this 2.4 Engine is Amazing 3rd & 4th gears..even 5th are Great for on ramps & passing..6th is a Take it easy overdrive. The interior is that of a 40k car of quality..overall Suzuki has a Winner...Tome will tell..I cant wait for the Aftermarket on this Car !!

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  WOW!! Its fun to drive again! - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By Dennis - April 3 - 3:33 pm

  Havent had this much fun driving a car since 1978! Great fun with 6 spd.manual transmission, great pick-up and performance...watch out...in 6th gear you can go from 75-100 in a split second without trying to! LOVE MY KIZASHI!

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  Gps/Bluetooth system - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi
  By colonel1961 - February 1 - 7:30 am

  My daughter just bought this vehicle and frequently leaves it with me while she is on business trips. I was very impressed with the quality and value and would have purchased one until I tried out the GPS/navigation/bluetooth system. I had trouble setting up the bluetooth phone connection and finally went back to the dealer to get some instructions. There they told me I could not make a phone call using the voice system or the manual dial keypad unless the car was parked and had the emergency brake on. This makes the system useless. I have two other cars, a Prius and a Mercedes both of which let me push a button on the steering wheel and make a call using only my voice while driving.

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  Excellent value, fun car - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By Brett - July 23 - 3:16 am

  I have been a Kizashi owner for 300 miles now. I had never heard of or seen a Kizashi until I was in the local mall and they had one on display. I fell in love with the exterior look, and after a week of research, I owned one. So far I have zero buyers remorse. I am 37 years old and this car fits my style to a tee. It has a classy feel, yet it has a youthful spirit that makes it very fun to drive. The CVT transmission is slick and combined with the fine tuned suspension, this car feels like it is riding on air most of the time. Usually I stay away from a car in its first year of release, but I am happy I am one of the first to own one of these slick little rides.

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  Best bang for your buck! - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi
  By mtloveskg - July 12 - 6:01 pm

  I tested a Sonata, Camry, Accord and Optima. After uears of buying just Honda and Kia I decided to take a chance on one of Japans top selling manufacturers. It paid off! I LOVE this car! Fun ride, great comfort for someone like me (64). Very peppy engine. Sweet in and out!

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  Whats that? - 2012 Suzuki Kizashi
  By jaydee11 - May 30 - 2:13 am

  Well, on the 20th, I took delivery of a new 2012 Suzuki Kizashi SE,Leather Edition, after test driving one for 4 days! I was initially at the dealership for issues with my HHR, so I had time to kill and here I am! The salesman went with me and had me drive on a really curvy country road out here in Kansas...Man did I have a good time!!!We then hit the Interstate back to the dealer...I did a cool 75 mph..til we passed two State Troopers,then I stepped on it....We were at 115 mph before I knew it! I backed off though,dont want a ticket! Well anyway,I bought after reading all the reviews here in Edmunds and decided that I have to have this car. But I will keep posting....

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  Couldnt be happier - 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  By jim miresse - May 1 - 10:00 am

  Have been driving high end cars all my life - never thought I would own a Suzuki but this car has put them on the map - price is hard to believe, warranty is the best - what else can I say?

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  Kizashi best hissen secret - 2012 Suzuki Kizashi
  By kizashiowner - April 26 - 1:30 pm

  This cars rocks, I cant find anything wrong with it, design turning heads, amazing steering ration, AWD like no other forget Subaru which I owned 3 before, the system works like expensive cars, take sharp turns and let the fun starts as in the evo without the price,amazing snow handling, mine is the Metalic Black very handsome,time for us to join the world love affair with this car, perfect power dont need more HP all with suprsing 36 MPG in the highway was shoked as AWD listed for 29 MPG, love the leather with the Audi classy interior, check the quality of every part used even the tires.Best of all very few on the road , I will buy it again, dont you buy it as I want to be the only one:)