 AUTO REVIEW:
Snap and Sass: 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS
Walk around the Suzuki Kizashi and you’ll see a spunky-looking sedan, a far cry from your everyday, standard issue sedan, writes Sally Miller Wyatt.
(Above): Exterior view of the Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS.
Suzuki rolled out an all-new mid-sized sedan in 2010 — the Kizashi — and it captured a lot of attention for a vehicle in what could be considered a pretty pedestrian market segment. Let’s face it: Mid-sized sedans, with their four-door functionality, can be a little boring. But the Kizashi offers some snap and sass with its pricy look and performance, yet it’s offered at a suburban price.
Now, the 2011 models are here and Suzuki has added some fine-tuning to the existing line-up – the base S, the SE, the GTS and the top-of-the-line SLS. The 2011 GTS and SLS models now become Sport GTS and Sport SLS, and they receive a lot of external modifications from first-year versions, including an altered front fascia with chrome accents and a lower grille, custom 18-inch alloy wheels and a lowered ride height. Suzuki also adds a new model to the Kizashi line-up, dubbed the Sport Variant.
But our test car was the Sport SLS, and even with all the bells and whistles on board, the final sticker price is $25,304. Base models begin around $18,000.
(Above): Interior view of the Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS.
The base S models are hardly base, however. They have push-button start, sporty front seats, a USB port and automatic dual-zone climate control with rear vents for back passengers. Safety features include Electronic Stability Control and eight airbags and pretty cool looking chrome dual exhaust tips.
But moving up, you start to acquire such things as a 10-way power driver’s seat with three-position memory for the driver, cruise control and leather on the steering wheel, shift lever and parking brake on the SE models. All the way up to the Sport SLS, standard features include a 425-watt Rockford Fosgate CD audio system with 10 speakers, Bluetooth Hands-free Calling with wireless audio streaming, leather seats that are also heated in front, iPod connectivity, a power sunroof and heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, traction control, front fog lights and rear parking sensors.
Premium touches include ambient overhead lighting and footwell lighting, a felt-covered glove box and center console. XM Satellite Radio is available as an option.
In addition to the previously mentioned safety features, the Suzuki Kizashi already meets higher-speed front crash standards that are set to take effect two years from now, and side barrier and side pole crash standards that take effect in 2014.
(Above): Exterior view of the Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS.
Walk around the Suzuki Kizashi and you’ll see a spunky-looking sedan, a far cry from your everyday, standard issue sedan. Chrome accents – in addition to the chrome tipped dual exhaust pipes – can be found along the doors, among other places.
The interior is good sized for front passengers and there is a good amount of leg and head room for the rear seat passengers, but not overly generous. Seats are very firm.
On the road, we found the Kizashi was light, responsive, spunky and quiet – even at freeway speed. It is powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC, 16-valve I4 engine that delivers 185-horsepower with 170-lbs ft of torque.
Gas mileage is somewhat thrifty, too, at 20 for city driving and 29 for highway driving.
So, if you’re part of a family that can really use the functionality of four doors, but wants some panache to go along with your daily drives, check out the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi line-up.
|
!-- Start Alexa Certify Javascript -->
