Is this a commercial for a 911? No, it's for the, wait for it...Kizashi! Apparently our 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is a sleeper performance car. At least that's what this cheesy promotion movie would have you believe.
So, I'm not driving our 2010 Suzuki Kizashi as hard as it seemingly wants to be driven! And neither is anyone else on our staff according to our many blog posts about the Kizashi as practical hauler, road trip ride and affordable luxury car.
But seriously, watching this Suzuki New Zealand video showing how a Kizashi LTD dances around an obstacle at 62 mph, compared to three other competitors (Honda Accord Euro, A4 and Mazda 6) made me want to take it canyon-carving.
Just for comparison's sake, our track numbers: Our Kizashi got 64.6 mph through a slalom, a 2009 Mazda 6 got 64.1, a 2009 Acura TSX 64.1 and a 2009 Audi A4 70 mph. Although the numbers are close (except for that A4), they obviously don't tell the whole story as the Kizashi in the video is more composed around the cones than the others. Check out that 6!
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 10,335 miles
carguy622 says:
11:40 AM, 09/ 1/10
Looks like the Euro Accord (TSX) was pretty stable as well.
throwback says:
01:24 PM, 09/ 1/10
With commercials like this and the recent post about the lack of dealers, is it any wonder that few people know about this car?
ergsum says:
02:23 PM, 09/ 1/10
Yet a larger car like the 2011 Sonata manages a speed of 64.5 with stability off (62.7 ESC on) with P205/65R16 94H tires versus the Kizashi's P235/45R18 94V.
kyolml says:
07:19 PM, 09/ 1/10
Their advertising budget is too small...............
If they did what Hyundai did, probably won't be like today now...
mtaylor3 says:
07:26 PM, 09/ 1/10
Seems like Suzuki has created a special car but hasn't quite figured out how to market it. Just about every car-related website and magazine seems to put it up against the usual family sedans (Mazda6, Accord, etc). To me, it doesn't fit in that category because it's a little smaller (a great thing IMHO, because most midsized sedans have gotten way too big), and therefore is not going to catch the attention of most drivers with families to haul around. I see it as an entry-level sport/luxury sedan for those willing to drive something different and not follow the herd. There aren't that many affordable choices in the entry-level sport/luxury niche (Acura TSX, Audi4, Passat and a few others), so maybe Suzuki should focus on that niche. The car world needs companies that cater to smaller audiences, because those cars tend to not have all their personality plucked out to please the "follow the herd" mentality of most American car buyers. When's the last time you heard of an Accord or Mazda6 owner being as vocal about their cars as the few Kizashi owners on this blog???
hybris says:
07:30 PM, 09/ 1/10
After watching this and actually driven a new Kizashi I honestly find a 2003 Crown Vic ex-taxi cab more "stimulating".
carraway says:
10:14 PM, 09/ 1/10
That was awesome! It's like they took every cliche from every entry-luxury sports sedan ad ever made and wedged it all in, and they did it in under four minutes. They deserve some credit for that. I'm not sure about giving it "above an A+," though.
I actually want to test drive one of these, if I can find one in stock with a manual transmission.
As for the long-term Kizashi, maybe if you dress it up with the camouflage Suzuki used at the Nuburgring, you'll be inspired to make the 18" tires squeal. As for me, I'm thinking I need to start taking my glasses off during meetings or something.
autok says:
12:22 AM, 09/ 2/10
Kind of off topic but saw my first one in person today in black with the same alloys as Insidelines. Looked really good (only saw rear 3/4 angle) very premium look to the car.
mark1647 says:
06:49 AM, 09/ 2/10
Bought a Kizashi in May. Best car I ever had and a joy to drive.