2010 Suzuki Kizashi: Would You Mistake This For a More Expensive Car?

I have not seen a one. Shame, it's a nice car for a nice price.

I wanted to look at one but they have such a sparse dealer network, I would have to drive 80 miles one way to see one. Buying a car like this doesn't justify the questions that will come up if you need parts or service. Something like the Mazda 6 or Honda Accorde is readily available and looks just as good.
It is an attractive car but I can only justify a poor dealer network if I can drive something different and exciting like a Porsche or Jaguar. Only then am I ready to put up with the headaches.

Problem is the dealer in CA is adding $2000 "dealer mark-up" to the sticker price, so that $24k is now $26k.

i don't mind the concept of a luxury car with a small engine at all, in fact i'd like to see a lamborghini gallardo/ audi R8 with a VW 2.0T/ TDI engine, lol.

in europe you can get all kinds of luxury cars with tiny efficient engines.

After 3 months with my Kizashi, I still feel like I got way more car than I paid for. I don't think you ask more of a car than that. I think the stance of the vehicle is just distinctive enough to draw attention without being over-the-top (can you say Sonata?) On paper, the car doesn't appear to offer much that you can't find elsewhere, but stats don't tell the story here. The Kizashi has rock solid build quality, comfort, and the all the amenities most sane people could want, but it also begs to be driven and rewards you by handling just about anything you throw at it with a "what else you got" attitude. I still find myself taking the long (preferably curvy) road home whenever possible. I'm fortunate in that I have 3 Suzuki dealers within 30 miles, but based on my experience so far, I don't expect that I'll need the service department very often! My hope is this car proves to a least a few people that a car doesn't need a big engine to have a big heart.

no.

No.

Why you ask? Because of the S on the grill and all the mental baggage that come with that S.

Like mrw356 said sparse dealer network is a big part of that baggage.

Ok, but back to the question.
Yes it does. Peroid. It doesn't look TWICE the price, or anything, but it looks like an entry-level luxury model. And if you say no it doesn't, then you're thinking too much about the badge on the front. The designers did a really great job here. It kind of makes you wish that Honda would venture into this style territory.

It looks like an angry Jetta, so no. Most of the general public hasn't even heard of this car, so they don't know what to think when they see one. I have not seen a Kizashi on the road yet. The two Kizashis at our run-down local Suzuki dealer haven't moved in months.

For that same $24,000, you could have a V6 Fusion Sport! It's bigger, more powerful, and has more stuff. AND you'll be able to resell your Fusion at a fair price. Good luck ever selling that Kizashi at half of what you paid for it.

It may be a nice car for $24K but for us in Canada it starts at $30K.

It's nice but not that nice.

Though it was a Daewoo, Suzuki sold a Forenza wagon. I'll have a serious look at the Kizashi if it is a 6 speed wagon.

@ampeg500
Funny that you mention the Jetta. At $24k, the Jetta wagon TDI is equally attractive.

It has an Infiniti-esq look to it, sort of like a baby M

There is no comparing this car to the value that Hyundai has brought with its new Sonata. To be competitive at this price range you have to have a car that stands out from the crowd and looks both luxurious and edgy.

I applaud Suzuki for putting everything into this new car, but they just aren't backing it up with advertising. They need try and prove to the public that they aren't the same Suzuki that pops into the masses minds when they hear the word. Clearly they can learn a thing or two from the Koreans.

Most of you guys just following the so called name brand but this car is excellent much better looking than ford fusion as a matter of fact better looking than a lot of cars out there some of U just knocking the car because of name coming from 2001 v6 jetta i dont miss it great car ecellent handling no buyers remorse here ... How many of yall was saying the same thing about hyundai couple years ago ... When nobody wanted to be seen dead in one .... Now yall just following like sheep ... Suzuki been doing well globally for years....

The proportions are a bit off when seen in person. The car is too tall for its width and the rear end is frumpy. I just don't like it.

No in person this car looks way better i get crazy compliments everyday driving people cant believe its a suzuki thats the problem no marketing....i think the biggest problem is the brand but i say give credit where credit is due..... Oh i happen to not like sonata nose i made my choice kizashi loving it WHAT

Funny thing if the same car was marketed as a vw or nissan the stories would be different its all in the mind people sheep followers i say ohh vw and suzuki partners now

Upon looking at the photo, I initially thought it was a Nissan Sentra.

So, to answer your question: NO. I would NOT confuse this for a more expensive car.

The bottom line is that Suzuki has never gotten a foothold in the US market. They're currently sitting at 0.2% market share, about the same as Porsche.

GM outsells Suzuki 93 to 1.
Ford: 82 to 1.
Toyota: 74 to 1.
Honda: 51 to 1.
Hyundai: 22 to 1.
Chevy Equinox: 6 to 1.

You get the idea.

Maybe.....a luxo Lancer? At first glance of the front clip, I'd guess something from Volkswagen. I mean it's a nice, seemingly serious effort from Suzuki, but I think they're still known for their motorcycles and small SUV's. I still see Samurais and Vitaras running around here, and their drivers seem to love them.

Although, to help with your argument, we had a 1993 Isuzu Trooper at one point, that many of my snotty private school classmates mistook for a Land Rover one too many times. I can see the vague similarities, but....I'd still blame that on their high priced weed.

I urge you to test drive a Kizashi....it might just change your stereotype of Suzuki....it certainly changed my cynical, negative opinion of Suzuki products. I am only a very recent convert to Suzuki, previously driving only european cars. From my point of view, and again this is just my opinion, the Kizashi manages to do something a Soncamcordibufusionata cannot pull off---a very distinct european feel with superb, crisp handling. For those folks who have driven Audis, Volvos, MBs, BMWs, VWs et cetera and love the way those cars handle, well, Kizashi drives/handles just as well without having to pay for incredibly expensive repairs and scheduled maintenances (like Audi and MB).

All the nay-sayers can point and laugh...calling the Kizashi a heapin' pile. Unfortuately, they know not what they are missing. Yes, Suzuki does have a minuscule market share, but it is trying to build up notable presence in the USA. This takes time. Just look at Hyundai....it was once the butt of jokes everywhere....now many folks are drooling at the mouth to own the new CC/CLS-esque Sonata.
Suzuki is bringing the next generation Swift to the States in late 2010 to early 2011. That may well be a bigger game changer than the Kizashi, since the current iteration of the Swift has been a global success. Suzuki is now testing a plug-in hybrid Swift that should get about 63mpg. I plan on getting the plugin hybrid when it arrives here.

Much thanks to GM....Suzuki developed a bad reputation for crap cars that were just rebadged Daewoos. Global Suzuki is around the 9th to 10th largest car manufacturer in the world. Global Suzuki itself does build decent, reliable cars, as long as they are not GM or other manufacturer rebadges (including VW). Luckily for me and others, there are at least 3 major Suzuki dealerships in the Denver Metro area. Hopefully, with time, Suzuki will be able expand its number of dealerships across the nation.

I used to make a huge deal about what car I drove....how the badge was going to impress myself and others....what kind of message it would send out...blah blah blah....WELL....I eventually had enough with my own car snobbery thanks to the sobering effects of the Great Recession. I may well be a huge fool in giving the Kizashi a chance, but I have had no problems thus far (fingers crossed). I own the SLS AWD CVT model for four months now @ 2,500miles. For whatever reason, this car really resonates with me, like no other car I've owned, including a 2005 MB C240 4matic that I treated like my first born child.

teach them stapleton teach them its amazing how many people dont know what they are talking about but talking anyway,,,all the talking is just a name brand thing but have no merits....go drive one sheep followers......i too own sls awd silver...love it...best money spent on a car....saved some money too

hmmm why do I have a hunch cammy2 and stapletondoc are one and the same.

seriously?

Coming from a VW B5 owner, I likened this understated, not-seen-at-every-corner Kizashi just like when I got my Passat new back then. Granted, Suzuki is an underdog at this time, with lesser dealers..again just like VW a decade ago...now things are quite a bit different for VWAG here in the US.

Suzuki is a "hidden gem" among Japanese makes, and with the impending reentry of the New Swift, the planned next-gen SX4 not to mention the VW/Suzuki partnership...things are looking bright for the Kizashi, and US Suzuki in general.

In fact, the "Euro handling" features of the Kizashi is one prime aspect (besides the Japanese reliability) this mid-size is on top of my next car to buy list to replace my aging and costly to maintain Passat.

I like underdogs...I like the Kizashi.

On a recent business trip, one of these Kizashi parked next to my G8 GT at the hotel parking lot with dealer tags and the price sticker still on the vehicle. To me the lights and grille seemed oversized on this vehicle, and the proportions seemed a little out of wack. With a price of just $2500 less than what I paid for my Pontiac, I would not even consider this vehicle. Suzuki makes good motorcycles (I've owned several), but their cars leave a LOT to be desired.

Compared on a longer and bigger car, like your G8 GT..yes the lights and grille are a tad big on the Kizashi, so...

What I'd be really worry about is owning a nice, sporty sedan that the brand and dealer/parts support network had seized to exist, in this case Pontiac. Granted there is still other GM brand/dealers who would still service your limitedly sold G8..but getting parts for is not a walk in the park.

BTW, the undesirable old Suzuki cars (Reno, Forenza, Verona) were supplied by GM/DAT and were rebadged Daewoos of questionable quality..not genuine Suzukis.

jagat101

I've been in the parts business for 30+ years. I don't even have a hard time finding parts for my 1970 AMC Javelin. Plus consider the fact that the powertrain for the Pontiac is sourced from North America, and that the car is still produced, and that an extended wheelbase version will be released for the police market in 2011, it really is a non issue.

The G8 also sold in greater numbers than this Suzuki will.

As for "genuine Suzuki" I'm sure there are a great deal of parts for the Swift and Samarui. As a matter of fact, it is impossible to find certain parts for my 1980 Suzuki motorcycle.

kingfish4,

Well good for you..so with 30+yrs in your pocket, you'll probably hook us all up here on parts then...on ANY motor vehicle at ANY year! ;)

Lets go back to the headlights and grille...I'd imagine if you do own a Kizashi (which is a remote possibility) that with all that parts access, you'd probably slap some G8 lights and grille and call it a day.

For us mere Suzuki mortals, the Kizashi looks fine from our vantage point...you can keep your G8 and your toys.

kizashi looks better than a g8 if ya ask me.nothing wrong with headlight or grille lemme guess you dont like the s logo on the front either but hondas logo is fine.lol..but im not gonna get into that ....beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.....my concern is people who talking smack just because of the suzuki brand dont know nothing about the brand but talking smack.....so they just following so called brand ....owners and press is praising the car its out there because its a beautiful car....underdog yes but still a beautiful car and every car has pros and cons, brand or not give credit where credit is due...love my kizashi...and getting praises everyday for its beauty....and it looks better everyday....WHAAAT

The only way someone would think this were a more expensive car is if they were confused by the "S" logo on the hood. Its like how the Hyundai Genesis doesn't have the logo on the hood - a deliberate attempt to disconnect the car with a brand people might not associate with "luxury." The Kizashi is a stylish sedan, but I am afraid if one told a stranger that "its a Suzuki", you might get an "Oh, I see..." or the best case, some head scratching "Suzu....what?" The brand just doesn't have the reputation in the states of more established makes.

It's sad that just about all of the commenters here are worried about the fact that it's a Suzuki. It's like god forbid you buy the store brand of cola instead of Pepsi, what would your neighbors and friends think? You'd no longer be accepted into the social circles right?

Get over yourselves. I've driven every single midsize sedan this car competes with, and on top of that, Audi's and BMW's. This car is hands down so much more fun to drive than the Accord, Camry, Fusion, Sonata, or Legacy. It really is the best car in it's class, and I'd be surprised if it doesn't win NACOY this coming winter.

Drive it, and if you don't like it, you don't know what a true car is. Value, features, safety, fun to drive, useful on a day-to-day basis, and capable in all weather conditions.

Zeid, Kizashi GTS AWD

I just bought one for my wife -- but now I don't want to let her have it. It kicks ass!

z479,

Did you trade in a high-horse for the Kizashi?

People aren't concerned over brand-image so much as they are for the future of the brand, the current state of dealerships, and customer support after the purchase. I live and work in a relatively large metropolitan area (1 million people) and if we have a Suzuki dealership, I'm not aware of it. Same deal goes for Mitsubishi. It's not the fact that its a Suzuki that'd keep me from considering it; its that I question their long-term presence in the US, and frankly, I don't even know if they still exist in Birmingham where I live.

looks great in photo's - great shape and detailing - but haven't seen a single one on the roads of MA.

couldn't find a Suzuki auto dealership if my life depended on it (w/out an internet search), though I pass at least one Suzuki motorcyle dealer during my daily commute. I hope Suzuki survives, the more good looking, affordable, quality cars on the market the better.

I would really like for Suzuki to survive. They need a bigger engine option for this car for people who want the extra HP.
For most people 2.4 would be just fine. For a loaded one the price is high , you are in Acura TSX territory. Just priced one @ 27.5k with Xm and leather , and only FWD.
You have to offer more for less and get your market share and then jack up the price when you have some recognition. The same way as Hyundai is doing.

@don-83 tsx to me is ugly with that bird beak look again these sell only because its an acura....you get more for the money in kizashi with awd so i think better value i dont know which acura site you on lowest tsx start at 29.5k i see

go get'em z479 and stapletondoc! Love my Kizashi, and what's with all the haters of the letter "S"? What has this innocent little letter ever done to you? For those worried about Suzuki's sales numbers being in the dump, remember they stopped selling the Forenza and Reno (rebadged Daewoos and the bulk of their sales) when GM set released them from their deathgrip. It will take time to recoup those sales, but I think the company has a bright future here in the states if they keep up the quality found in the Kizashi. Although I'm not a fan of Hyundai, I think Suzuki has the potential to follow the same arc of poor public perception to desirable transportation. For don-83, the Kizashi was designed to compete against cars like the TSX, and at mid-trim levels (like my GTS) is a great bargain. For those without a dealer in your area, you're missing out, but for those with access to a dealer, you're missing out if you don't drop previous impressions of the company and give the car a chance!

http://ow.ly/17Et86....one sweet car

Comon man, you think if someone is in the market for a decent FWD 200hp 4cyl Daily driver and they are looking at cars like TSX which does come well equipped at 29k are going to consider a Kizashi for 27k , just to save 2k.
Yes its a great alternative to the boring Accord and Camry's but nothing more.

well equipped and loaded is two different things.....yes i rather save exactly what i did and got so much more look into it...you will see.then add the options standard with kizashi to tsx suddenly you not at 29k anymore seriously you could get tsx well equipped options on a kizashi for 23k ...a kizashi at 27k options would be a mid 30s tsx and im being generous so the savings is way more than 2 k...for the record i paid 25k sls loaded including taxes.......AND YES KIZASHI IS A BETTER DRIVING CAR WHAT, YOU ONLY PAYING FOR NAME ....and kizashi has awd that could turn on and off as needed...180 h/p enough for me a daily driver automatic and manual....do some homework

Cammy 2 , I know you own one and you would like to defend your car's honor. I used to own a TSX and here are some facts . Base TSX starts at 29,310 and it has all the features standard that you would have to add to the suzuki. ( leather, USB, XM, BT, ) and I have added everything I mentioned to a FWD SLS and it comes to 27k.
Now lets look at a loaded TSX. Here are some of the nice features you get is a TSX for 32k , 1)solar sensing climate control 2) Navigation system with rearview camera . These arent an option for the suzuki. So for 29k TSX is well equipped in Acura terms and Super Loaded by suzuki terms. How is that.
Not to mention for the 2k you are paying extra you get better legroom and a much higher resale value. TSX competes with A4, 328i, C300 etc , Suzuki isnt there yet.

I would like for suzuki to survive and maybe its a decent car for low 20s. Also the rebates that they would offer to sell the car would help.

im trying to tell you i paid 25k awd sls standard loaded out the door after taxes only thing missing is solar and nav with camera....thats not super loaded given what i spent ....you should price 2010 tsx,plus i dont think tsx is good looking thats just me though. dont know bout the legroom thing its fine for me resale value only matters if you dont keep car i planning on keeping long time so im good bare in mind i checked and drove a bunch of cars made my decision on my options and what i wanted i coulda bought tsx i didnt

dont forget don i get awd too it was a big plus for me for that money

It doesnt matter what you paid. I am talking about the Msrp and you are comparing apples to oranges. I paid 25,300 for my 2006 TSX and the sticker said 28.5k , people dont pay msrp when they go and buy cars , it is there for comparison.
AWD is great but kicks the price up. Resale matters to some people who change their cars every 2-4 years. I totally forgot about the warranty difference 4yr/50k vs 3/36.

with all those options you paying 35k plus for a 2010 tsx go price it out i did nuff said