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Stylish, but less sporty than it looks
- Stylish exterior
- Nice interior for the price
- Good value
- Capable four-cylinder engine
- Available all-wheel drive
- Not as sporty as it's made out to be
- CVT is uninspiring
- Some switchgear feels cheap
- Nav system is basically an aftermarket unit
- Mixed reviews on handling
Hailed as an impressive new effort by Suzuki, the Suzuki Kizashi still doesn't make very many experts' "recommended" lists – partly because its handling and finish feel less polished than more established rivals like the top-rated 2011 Hyundai Sonata (Base MSRP: $19,395 to $27,245). The Kizashi carries over largely unchanged from its 2010 debut, except that the top trim levels have been upgraded a bit and renamed. For a full analysis, see our page on the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi (*Est. $18,999 to $26,899).
The rundown on fuel economy
The base Suzuki Kizashi S pairs the four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, delivering 21 mpg city/31 mpg highway/25 mpg combined. An optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) boosts fuel economy to 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway/26 mpg combined. Optional all-wheel drive (offered with the CVT) produces 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined. Upper-level Kizashi Sport GTS and Sport SLS trims manage 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway/24 mpg combined with the manual gearbox, 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined with the CVT, and 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined with AWD.
Safety ratings and features
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not yet fully tested the Suzuki Kizashi under its newly strengthened 2011 crash ratings. The only government crash score available for the Kizashi as of this update is a 4-star (out of 5) rating for rollover resistance. The independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash-tested the Kizashi, awarding it the highest rating of "good" for front, side and rear crash protection and an "acceptable" rating for rollover roof strength. The Kizashi offers standard antilock brakes, traction and stability control and front airbags, as well as side and curtain airbags for both rows.
Base MSRP for the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi starts at $18,999 for the front-wheel-drive base Kizashi S. Prices are up by a few hundred dollars for higher trims, topping out at $27,299 for the all-wheel-drive Kizashi Sport SLS.
Our Sources
1. Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com testers call the Suzuki Kizashi "one of the best midsize sedans on the market." Editors note that the Kizashi's upper trim levels have new names and a few minor changes for 2011.
Review: 2011 Suzuki Kizashi, Editors of Edmunds.com
Official EPA fuel-economy estimates for the Suzuki Kizashi are available at this government website. The Kizashi returns 24 to 26 mpg overall, depending on whether you choose the manual or automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive.
Review: 2011 Suzuki Kizashi, U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency
3. IIHS.org
The 2011 Suzuki Kizashi earns the highest rating of "good" in front, side and rear crash tests here, but its score drops to "acceptable" for roof strength.
Review: Suzuki Kizashi, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
4. SaferCar.gov
The 2011 Suzuki Kizashi had not yet been fully tested under the federal government's new, stricter crash ratings system at the time of this update. It does post a rating of 4 stars (out of 5) for rollover resistance.
Review: 2011 Suzuki Kizashi 4DR FWD and AWD, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The Suzuki Kizashi sees only some minor trim changes for 2011. Our full analysis of the debut 2010 model links to several expert reviews for further research.
Review: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi, Editors of ConsumerSearch.com, Sept. 2010
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