Spunky 2012 Kizashi earns respect

BY JEFF TAYLOR For Sun-Times Media November 30, 2011 11:05AM

2012 KIZASHI SPORT GTS

ENGINE: 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder

TRANSMISSION: six-speed manual

DRIVETRAIN: front-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 20 city/29 highway

BASE PRICE: $22,249

AS TESTED: $22,774

WEBSITE: suzukiauto.com

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Most buyers hear Suzuki and think motorcycles first, but Suzuki has had a U.S. automotive presence since the mid-1980s. I tested a 2012 Kizashi Sport GTS, and this spunky, affordable front-wheel-drive sedan really surprises. Suzuki may, in some enthusiast’s eyes, be stretching the use of the word “sport” as Kizashi won’t compete with the likes of the Subaru WRX or EVO. However, it does a pricing number on lesser versions of the Impreza and Lancer, and offers optional all-wheel drive.

The Kizashi Sport GTS’ 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is adequate, but seems a little light in a car labeled Sport GTS. To be fair the engine wasn’t screaming/straining to get to the horses. Other midsize competitors offer four-cylinders with fewer horses, but they also give you V-6 or super/turbocharged options. As fuel economy ratings become more stringent, Suzuki may be ahead of the curve here, but performance numbers to me still mean horses.

My test car came with a six-speed manual transmission that was super slick and had good gear spacing relative to the engine’s power band. With the six-speed I was able to wring out every ounce of power and have some fun doing it. If you don’t want to shift, you can go with the automatic continuously variable transmission that offers an almost unlimited range of forward modes, but with this transmission horsepower dips slightly to 180 ponies.

In sport GTS trim, the springs, shocks and tires (p235/45R18 all season) are unchanged from other Kizashis, but the GTS’ suspension’s bushings have been modified, and the center of gravity is 10 mm lower. These small changes combined with the Kizashi five-link rear suspension and nice tire contact patch allows the GTS to attack turns more enthusiastically, provide better communication at speed and add some more grip.

The roughly 3,250-pound Kizashi felt solid, not heavy, when I tossed it some curves and flexed it through some long off-ramp sweeps. Traction control is standard and helps with wheel spin on enthusiastic takeoffs. There is some torque steer but it is par for a front driver and nothing alarming or worse than competitive models. The around-town ride is nicely dampened, and the steering and braking all inspire confidence and almost dare you to push it a little more.

The Sport GTS is a good-looking machine with a subtly revised front fascia; a wide, lower door chrome strip; revised grille; aggressive rocker panels; wider lower door extensions; and a stubby rear spoiler. The Kizashi’s exterior features bold 18-inch wheels and more than a few Lexus-like cues, including the front clip, lower rocker panel treatment and rear bumper-recessed stainless exhaust tips. Swap out the Superman “S” on the front grille and replace it with a Lexus “L,” and from many angles it would look like a new entry-level luxury sedan offering.

I was really impressed by the interior layout, quality of materials used and sound construction in a car that reached only $22,774 as tested. Don’t expect a Mercedes interior, but reset your expectations on what a Suzuki can deliver. My test car had the standard (grippy) cloth seats that were sporty, and the steering wheel with audio/cruise controls came in perforated leather with contrasting stitching. The Kizashi is just inside the midsize dimension specs, so rear-seat room is adequate and the rear seats split/fold and offer a center pass-through feature.

The style and liberal use of soft-touch materials and finishing touches like bright dash accents and controls really convey an unexpected richness. Controls are presented nicely and logically. Suzuki offers an optional in-dash navigation system with built-in rear camera ($1,399) that my tester did not have. A really nice feature is the standard 425W Rockford Fosgate CD audio system with 10 speakers, iPod and MP3 USB port that provided a rich, deep bass and crisp sound – very nice for this car and price point.

A huge point to consider (especially at this price point) is Suzuki’s standard seven-year/100,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty. The 2012 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS is a real eye-opener for buyers not familiar with the brand.

Kizashi is a segment crasher in terms of pricing, value, execution and handling, and it offers optional all-wheel drive in a midsize sedan package. For the price it only can be expected to do so much, but in the Sport GTS version Suzuki has produced a Kizashi that delivers more than it should.

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