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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2010 Suzuki Kizashi

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Suzuki Kizashi

Overview

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2010 Suzuki Kizashi Review

By KBB.com Editors

Suzuki's reputation was built, at least in part, with small and rugged SUVs, but changing market conditions and rising gasoline prices are placing emphasis on more efficient cars. So, building on the success of its SX4 subcompact, for 2010 Suzuki is introducing the all-new mid-size Kizashi sedan. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord dominate the mid-size sedan market, and there are numerous other strong contenders, but even in that tough arena this new Kizashi is a solid entrant. With up-level interior appointments, eye-catching style, a generous list of standard features and a modest asking price, the Kizashi is a very appealing choice in Suzuki's efforts to win the hearts and minds of car buyers.

You'll Like This Car If...

You might like the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi if you want a mid-size sedan with lots of features and style but don't want to spend a lot of money. The Kizashi also has a fun-to-drive nature that should appeal to drivers who are actually young – or just young at heart.

You May Not Like This Car If...

You might not like the Kizashi if you prefer major name brands. Suzuki is making substantial strides with its lineup, but Honda, Toyota and some others still hold stronger positions in the minds of the car-buying public – as well as better residual values.

What's Significant About This Car?

Suzuki partnered with Daewoo for its previous mid-size offering, the lackluster and ultimately unsuccessful Verona. This time around Suzuki handled the engineering and design work itself. The result is the 2010 Kizashi, a car that may transform the way consumers look at Suzuki-badged automobiles.

Driving the Kizashi

Driving Impressions Suzuki is well known for its small SUVs, but based on our time in the 2010 Kizashi, it also has a solid grasp on how a car should drive, ride...

and feel. A solid structure, well crafted interior and good exterior design result in a relatively quiet, rattle-free freeway ride, while a well-sorted suspension gives the Kizashi a nimble cornering feel without sacrificing ride quality. Whether paired with the easy-shifting manual transmission or the seamless and quick-reacting continuously-variable transmission (CVT) we found the Kizashi's four-cylinder engine to be a strong performer – as long as it's kept in the higher rev ranges. Some buyers will long for the extra power of a V6, but most should find the four-cylinder meets their needs.

Favorite Features

Rockford Fosgate Audio System
Music fans who step up to the GTS and SLS trims will enjoy the awesome sound of a 10-speaker, 425-watt audio system. Tight lows, crisp highs and zero buzzing or rattles (even at deafening audio levels) make this one of our favorite features.

Sun Visor
We wouldn't usually focus on something as mundane as sun visors, but lots of miles spent driving the Kizashi with the sun low on the horizon proved the effectiveness of its sun visor extensions.

2010 Suzuki Kizashi Details

Interior

Like the exterior, the interior of the Suzuki Kizashi appears to have been plucked from a more expensive car. Red backlit gauges, modern metallic trim and extensive use of soft-touch materials give the Kizashi a premium look and feel. And, although it is smaller inside than all its key competitors, there is still ample room for front and rear-seat passengers. At 13.3 cubic feet, the Kizashi's trunk is also slightly smaller than those of its competitors, but we found enough space for a decent amount of luggage and split-folding rear seats help accommodate bulkier cargo.

Exterior

There was an era when cheap cars looked, well, cheap. The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is one of a new breed of cars that look stylish in spite of their modest prices. Up front, the vehicle's nose is dominated by a prominent grille opening flanked by large headlights, while the sides feature bulging round fenders and a distinct shoulder line that accentuate the width and planted stance of the Kizashi. In back, shapely tail lights, a kicked up spoiler-like trunk lid and attractive chrome exhaust surrounds complete the Kizashi's stylish design.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Considering the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi's modest asking price, its long standard feature list is impressive. That list includes keyless entry and engine start, power windows, power mirrors, automatic dual-zone climate control and a seven-speaker audio system with steering-wheel controls and a USB input. Supplementing the standard equipment list is a similarly impressive list of standard safety features, including anti-lock brakes, stability control, traction control and eight airbags. Among the eight standard airbags are rear-seat side impact airbags, which are typically found only on premium automobiles.

Optional Equipment

Buyers who want to upgrade the Kizashi must move up to higher trim levels. Features offered include fog lights, a moonroof, heated power-adjustable front seats, cruise control, 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels and a leather-trimmed interior. Included on GTS and SLS trims is an excellent 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate premium audio system. All-wheel drive is offered at additional cost on all Kizashi trims, while a navigation system combined with a rear-view camera is available only on GTS and SLS versions.

Under the Hood

The only engine offered for the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder. An optional V6 or turbocharged four-cylinder is rumored for the future but most drivers will find the current engine plenty powerful for daily driving, at least when it's kept in the middle and upper rev ranges. Manual transmission-equipped models felt slightly quicker leaving from a stop than their continuously-variable transmission-equipped counterparts, but in all other regards the CVT performed quite nicely. Front-wheel drive is standard for the Kizashi, while all-wheel drive is offered as an option for all trim levels – but is available only with the continuously-variable transmission.

2.4-liter in-line 4
185 horsepower @ 6500 rpm (with manual transmission)
180 horsepower @ 6000 rpm (with CVT)
170 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/31 (manual, 16-inch wheels), 20/29 (manual, 17/18-inch wheels), 23/31 (CVT, FWD, 16-inch wheels), 23/30 (CVT, FWD, 17/18-inch wheels), 23/30 (AWD with 16-inch wheels), 22/29 (AWD with 17/18-inch wheels)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Suzuki Kizashi vehicles for sale near you.

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2010 Suzuki Kizashi Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.6

Out of 10

Based on 44 Ratings for the 2010 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.5/10

Quality

9.6/10
Reliability

9.6/10

Performance

9.6/10
Comfort

9.6/10

Styling

9.7/10

Best value and look for price

By Edd (VA) on Sunday, July 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Although Suzuki America filed for bankruptcy,I would buy this car again.Dealer in my city is signed on for warranty work.Choice between this,Sonata,Optima,Accord,.Camry,Altima,or any other comparable car was a no brainer."

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Pleasantly surprised. Better than you'd think.

By Dave (IL) on Thursday, May 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Value AWD luxury for cheap!"

Cons: "more ponies would be nice..."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I've owned many high end cars... This feels and drives like an entry AUDI, SAAB or BMW! For the price of this thing nothing even comes close. For the price I actually paid (way below sticker) it's a G-D steal! I have a fully loaded 13 SLS. It fully rivals the last SAAB I had, only the AWD makes this one better. If this holds up and isn't problematic this will be the best purchase I have ever made. What a fantastic underrated car. Get one, you won't be disappointed. Oh, right... you can't get one anymore. I'm glad I got one of the last ones. Couldn't care less about the implied poor resale since Suzuki pulled out of the US... I'm not selling it :) Drive it... I don't know what it really is, but I can't believe it is really a Suzuki! A friend from Europe says this is a direct competitor to the entry luxury brands and costs way more there..."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Best Vehicle I have ever owned!

By Susie2012 (OK) on Saturday, April 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 65,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great, easy to drive, and stylish."

Cons: "Dealerships hard to find, and back leg room"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have had my car for a year now, and I love it. It is easy to drive, comfortable for long drives, and I have not seen one person in town with a car like mine. The only thing that I would recommend is more leg room in the back and closer to a dealership for the Key Fob to be replaced. Another great feature is the sound that comes from the speakers, hands free blue tooth, and a memory setting for the driver's seat."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Outstanding Value For the Money

By Semper Fi (SC) on Monday, April 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 16,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Value for the money and a mean looking stance"

Cons: "Minor glitches regarding placement of controls"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"The Kisashi Sport GTS handles like a German engineered car. The details mirror that of pricier cars, and the handling is quick and nimble. Fuel consumption is respectable within the neighborhood of 29 mpg's H/W, and 25 city. Output horsepower is rated at 185; not quite that most powerful of engines albeit, but you'd never know it, by the way it pulls away when you put the pedal to the metal. It comfortably seats five, and allows plenty of leg room provided you're not 6 foot or taller. Fully equipped it will run you approx. $25K. The NAV system leaves a lot to be desired, so I don't recommend it. Better off with your own suction style windshield mounted GPS. Yes, there are a few minor quirks, but nothing worth a wasteful complaint on. Overall the car aims to please, and will not disappoint."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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KIZASHI -- strange name, great vehicle

By brotherburce (CA) on Wednesday, April 03, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Stylish quality inside and out; comfort and mpg"

Cons: "defunct after March 31, 2013."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Suzuki failed to catch on in the US because it chose to have a scarcity mentality in two areas: advertizing and dealership network. I suppose the company thought it could give the money back on the sticker, but nobody knew who Suzuki was. My mechanic put me on to Suzuki in 2002, and I've owned nothing else since. The Kizashi is the King of the Hill. It has beautiful paint (I have the pearl white metallic--gorgeous) & unique styling outside and space & taste inside.I've actually had people follow me to a parking spot to find out what the car was...more than once. In the first 6 weeks of ownership, I've averaged 35.7 mpg --considerably better than the estimates. I have the 6-speed and drive conservatively, but still!! The sound system is terrific, lines of vision all around are good, The color scheme is interesting, and the features are ridiculous for a car of this price range. Even the interior lighting speaks of luxury. I'm sad to see Suzuki leave. Their autos are solid performers and elite in what they offer according to price. I'm not at all afraid to buy. The brand is very durable."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Great car...Great ride...Dark Horse Kizashi SLS

By MMC (CA) on Friday, March 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 49,888

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great interior-exterior, solid mechanically"

Cons: "Lacks leg room in the back"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Almost 50K miles of commuting and I have only seen one other car like mine on the road in Southern California. This car would have done great if Suzuki did some advertising. Most people have never heard of my car. Runs great, quality of interior is great...drives like a european car. I have previously owned Mercedes, Volkswagen and this car drives just as nice. Handles well, good feel on the road and is mechanically sound. Awesome job Suzuki!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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See all 44 reviews