I often find myself nit-picking details in our long-term 2010 Suzuki Kizashi's interior. The small, pixellated radio display is straight out of the 1990s, but it's coping with all the media options we have here in 2011. And it's really obvious that said radio unit is sourced from a different supplier than the gauge pack, whose digits and markings are of a completely different typeface -- and one that I find a little difficult to read in the Kizashi's white-on-black illumination. And the shifter, although slick through its gates, feels plasticky and a touch flimsy in my hand.
Yet, even with my excessively critical eye(s), I can't deny that just like being in the Kizashi. And it's not any one detail or feature that makes or breaks the experience.
Rather, there's an overall sort of appeal to this Suzuki. The seats are well shaped and truly comfortable, and in the midst of a commute, you don't dwell on the absence of lateral bolstering. The seating position is well judged with good adjustability for the seat, telescoping steering wheel and mirrors, and a relatively low cowl by current standards -- so the visibility is good.
Materials quality is solid -- just good enough that you can be impressed by the Kizashi, but not so luxurious that you're moved to compare it premium-brand sedans. Yeah, there are few plastic bits that I wish felt a little better, but overall, the stuff is far nicer than in any other Suzuki I've driven. Fit and finish is good, too; there aren't any obviously misaligned panels or plastics with leftover flashing staring you in the face.
Driving the Kizashi, I feel a little bit smarter and more sensible than usual. Yeah, I could pay more for a car that had larger, more attractive displays and controls from a single supplier, but given how functional and comfortable the Kizashi ends up being on the whole, it hardly seems necessary.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 19,315 miles
bc1960 says:
07:39 PM, 02/24/11
I would think the Rockford-Fosgate label would be a bigger clue the audio system is outsourced than the difference in typeface.
dougtheeng says:
05:27 AM, 02/25/11
I think its an extremely pleasant interior. Definitely one of the best looking in class. Suzuki has managed to avoid the common pitfalls, such as overbuttoning (Honda), under buttoning and being vacant looking (Nissan), and just being generally hideous.
cr_driver says:
07:52 AM, 02/25/11
". Yeah, there are few plastic bits that I wish felt a little better, but overall, the stuff is far nicer than in any other Suzuki I've driven"
Yeah, we already know its the best Suzuki, but what about compared to its peers?
Erin Riches replied to comment from cr_driver
09:59 AM, 02/25/11
I think the materials quality in the Suzuki is a bit above average among midsize sedans. The seat upholstery and the dash plastics/vinyls are about as good as what's in my two favorites in this class (Honda Accord, Mazda 6... though some might disagree with me there, because of the current Accord's hard dash material). However, in terms of the resistance and damping on the various buttons, dials and stalks, I give the edge to the Honda over both the Suzuki and Mazda.
felonious_monk says:
10:01 AM, 02/25/11
Considering the message Suzuki is trying to send with this car, an integrated Nav unit ought to at to at least be offered. Me personally, I don't care about integrated Nav units, but I know that most Americans see it as a desirable feature and that makes its absence curious in a car that's being marketed on perception.
Having said that, I'll state once again for the record that I really, really dig this car.
mtaylor3 says:
02:10 PM, 02/25/11
One of my few complaints about my Kizashi is the typeface for the audio. It's too large and pixelated, and would look and function better if it was the same as the typeface for the HVAC display. I also agree about the seats...they simply fit me better than any other car I've owned. As for material and build quality, Suzuki spent money on the things you touch frequently (door armrest, center armrest, dials and knobs) and left the hard plastics mostly out of sight and touch. I had an 09 Mazda6, and the Kizashi's build and materials quality is way better than the Mazda (the thing was plagued by mysterious rattles and squeaks from day one). It might not be the most exciting layout of all the midsizers out there, but to my eye, this simple, elegant design is the one most likely to stand the test of time.
tigerbangs54 says:
05:14 PM, 03/ 2/11
Boy, are we picking nits here! yes, the audio display is a bit funky, but considering the cost of the car and how much they got RIGHT, I think that we are really reaching for things to complain about.