AutocarUK gives the Suzuki Kizashi a big Thumbs up

AutocarUK have reviewed Suzuki’s flagship and their latest – The Kizashi. Wheelosphere has just collected some important points that will be of interest to Indians once the Kizashi makes it to India in 2010-2011. This is Suzuki’s most ambitious model yet and going by what they say, the car is a cracker! Accord and Laura better be warned. We have a few points from the review but for detailed info, visit AutocarUK.

Suzuki was to make the Kizashi with a whole lot of variations including an estate model and a sports model with a V6 and four wheel drive but due to the global slowdown, Suzuki is cautious, taking one step at a time. The model that ACUK have tested comes at a price of around Rs 14lakh and going by the review, it could pretty much take the segment by storm. It comes with a 2.4L and 184bhp. Transmissions options include CVT and 6-speed manual.

The Kizashi has received particular praise over every department with its sporty handling and stiff chassis being the best points while AcUK says that the interiors are a bit dull. An appeal to Maruti – Please assemble the Kizashi in India so that everybody can get a taste of it!

• Interior smacks of Germanic quality

• It’s a smart, premium-feel four-door that’s smaller and a touch heavier than a Ford Mondeo.

• Dynamically, the standout is the chassis. Whether it’s driving through town or attacking some good B-road corners, the Kizashi feels crisp, poised and super responsive – a real quality act.

• Steering, at just 2.6 turns lock to lock, is both accurate and quick, while overall body balance and control are outstanding. (Ferrari 458 Italia does 2 turns lock to lock)

• Then there are the brakes: pedal feel and modulation are first rate.

• 8-inch wheels are fine for grip and roadholding, but these meaty Dunlops take the edge off the Kizashi’s motorway ride, which is overly firm and knobbly. At low to medium speeds, though, the Suzuki’s ride is sportingly firm but perfectly okay.

• With 184bhp on tap, the Suzuki rarely feels slow. The CVT, with steering wheel paddle shifters, is one of the best yet from Japan and is good for economy. However, it blunts top end pace, so keen drivers may well prefer the optional six-speed manual ’box.

• Inside, spec is high and the standard leather seats are stylish and very comfortable. Cabin space is excellent all round. Doors shut with an upscale thunk and cabin trim and plastics are well up on repmobile class. Suzuki, in fact, benchmarked BMW, Audi and VW, which explains the strong, solid Germanic feel to the interior as a whole.

• Outside, the Kizashi is also a looker, with a sleek, high-waist profile, nicely balanced front end and twin exhausts faired into the rear bumper.

Read the full article here.