We spent a week driving a manual 6-speed AWD Kizashi GTS local and overseas, and came away impressed. We have found the Suzuki small cars and SUVs in the spirit of life, particularly the sporty AWD SX4s, and good in many ways, but we do not know what to expect from their first raid into the medium sedan.

Proportional aggressive style and fun, we analyzed D-semi-luxury segment “sport sedan. In the global automotive business, the C-segment compact car, and size-up D-class is what we as a means of a highly competitive field both families and sedan sports know. And, with the theme, a strong aero-slick design is characterized as a “dynamic athlete in motion,” is clear that this concept comes from Suzuki’s flagship sedan will be focused on the emotional side of the scale. Suzuki Japanese cars to choose mid-2007 Frankfurt (Germany) Motor Show, the car’s most exciting new concept called the Kizashi revealed. He said the Japanese name for “early” or “sense” and that the predicted here something from a company better known for motorcycles, ATVs and outboard motors than for small cars and SUVs.

An even more aggressive Concept Kizashi 2, followed in October at the Tokyo Motor Show from the third version debuted in March 2008 New York Auto Show. This, Concept Kizashi 3, far tamer and more production-realistic. This really looks a lot like the real thing is now reaching the market and show Suzuki serious about adopting the entry is established in the most competitive car class from the U.S. market. Inside, the fit and materials are generally good, although not typical of the standard Euro-sedan, and the handsome and beautiful seats with leather upholstery support available. The main instrument panel gauges have a precision saw: his faux-brushed aluminum-trimmed center console mirror lattice of rounded V-shape, the controls intuitive and easy to see, reach and operate. We appreciate the three-spoke steering wheel dressed talking with handy-mounted audio controls and more.

Machines only under the authority of the tent-dome ready for today is an aluminum 2.4-liter four good for 185 horses with 6-speed manual transaxle standard, five or fewer horses than available continuously variable transmission (CVT). Rare in size and price, selection drives the latest intelligent all-wheel Suzuki (i-AWD) can increase good bad-weather traction and cornering. The system continues to variable torque split front-to-back is a function of several factors including wheel slip, steering and gas.

Standard on the base-sub $ 20K Kizashi S button up, audio controls on steering wheel controls, dual-zone climate control and split-folding rear seat with pass-through for long items like skis. Standard safety features include Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ABS with electronic distribution of brake force and lead a series of eight airbags.

SE adds the next level of automatic CVT transmission, 17-inch tires on alloy wheels, power driver seat 10-way? S seat with three position memory, cruise control and leather wrapping the steering wheel gearshift and handbrake. The sport-oriented GTS offers 18-inch wheels and tires, power moonroof, fog lamps, a 425-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system with integrated Bluetooth phone capability for hands-free and a choice of manual or CVT transmission, the latter with paddle shifters for manual switching . The SLS top-of-the-line features leather upholstery, three-stage heated seats, four-way power adjustable passenger seat, heated mirrors, rain-wipers, rear parking sensors and automatic on / off light sensing.

Read the rest of this entry »