It looks like a German sedan, but does it handle the track like one?
A few weeks ago our 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS hit the track for its official welcome to the fleet. Follow the jump!
Vehicle: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS
Odometer: 1,725
Date: 03/16/2010
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: $23,614
Specifications:
Drive Type: Front-wheel drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed manual
Engine Type: Inline-4
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 2,393/146
Redline (rpm): 6,600
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 185 @ 6,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 170 @ 4,000
Brake Type (front): 11.8-by-1-inch ventilated disc with two-piston sliding caliper
Brake Type (rear): 10.9-by-0.5-inch solid disc with single-piston sliding caliper
Steering System: Electric-assist power rack-and-pinion steering
Suspension Type (front): Independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs and stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent, multilink, coil springs and stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): P235/45R18 94V
Tire Size (rear): P235/45R18 94V
Tire Brand: Dunlop
Tire Model: SP Sport 7000
Tire Type: All season
Wheel Size: 18-by-8 inches front and rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): alloy
As Tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,316
Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.9
0 - 45 (sec): 5.4
0 - 60 (sec): 8.4
0 - 75 (sec): 12.5
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 16.2 @ 86.5
0 - 60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 8.0
30 - 0 (ft): 30
60 - 0 (ft): 123
Braking Rating: Good
Slalom (mph): 64.6
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g): 0.86
Handling Rating: Good
Db @ Idle: 40.7
Db @ Full Throttle: 72.0
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 63.8
Acceleration Comments: Good shifter but sluggish throttle calibration. Gearbox is easy to work and feels solid. Throttle feels like it's always half a step behind.
Braking Comments: Reasonably solid pedal feel. Relatively consistent stopping distance.
Handling Comments:
Skidpad: Tip-toes on oversteer with ESP off, steering is a little light but informative. With ESP on, throttle closes, slows lap time. Slalom: Useful rotation AFTER a yaw-delay / gain but once you figure out the timing it works well. With ESP on, the brakes trim handling but well below the true limits of the car.
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant
wrinklebump says:
11:51 AM, 04/22/10
This is a nice, competitive midsizer. I'm gonna start recommending it to folks on a budget.
mercedesfan says:
12:04 PM, 04/22/10
Those are really good numbers for a car of this class. Even more impressive to me, however, is how quiet the Kizashi is. The 7 isn't that quiet on the highway.
felonious says:
12:22 PM, 04/22/10
They should have taken a note from Hyundai and removed the big badge on the front.
unbuckleshoes says:
12:46 PM, 04/22/10
Solid stats for what appears to be a solid all-around car. Definitely curious to see how well it holds up this year!
@felonious: I'm not sure I agree. Hyundai actually reached a certain level of mixed popularity and (negative) brand recognition, while I suspect your average American knows little of Suzuki at all, let alone its history of unimpressive vehicles.
cz_75 says:
08:34 PM, 04/22/10
Didn't the suspension walkaround show that the front brakes have single-piston calipers?