Someting Great is Coming - Suzuki Kizashi
Like Daihatsu, Suzuki (Japan’s fourth biggest carmaker behind Toyota, Nissan and Honda) has a reputation for being a small car specialist, and the Kizashi definitely represents virgin territory.
It is the biggest passenger sedan yet produced by them and while it is pretty conventional in terms of design and layout, size-wise it is a little different from the norm in that it is larger than the likes of a Toyota Corolla but smaller than a Honda Accord or Mazda6. Engine-wise it is up against the latter though and is equipped with a 2.4-litre four-pot – a capacity popular in Oriental circles.
On the launch I got to drive both a CVT automatic and a six-speed manual, both pulled along by the same 131 kW and 230 Nm power plant. The engine is willing rather than lively, and the car felt like it should be quicker considering it is lighter than key rivals – assuming one is going to compare it to Mazda/Honda. But the way it hugged the curves out near Hartbeespoort Dam was encouraging and it always felt like it was properly in touch with the tarmac even when the surface was uneven and pockmarked. Considering the low-profile 18-inch tyres it soaks up the bumps exceptionally well too and ride quality comes across as a real strength. It is nimble too and easy to see out of with a compact turning circle. Overall, it felt like a well-integrated package dynamically, with a pleasing immediacy to the steering, brakes and gearshift. Maybe the engine will feel a little more eager with some mileage on it.
At R295 900 for the manual and CVT automatic at R310 900 (including a 6-yr/90 000 km service plan) pricing is good rather than brilliant and the bigger, better-equipped Sonata two-pedal is priced 11K lower and similarly-specced. The difference is that the Hyundai handles like a bit of boat while the Suzuki feels like a racing yacht…
Equipment for the Suzy extends to a sunroof, leather furniture, electric adjustment for driver and front passenger, dual-zone climate control and cruise control. It is all neatly packaged in a cabin which is a mix of functional and practical, but not overwhelmingly plush even though soft-touch plastics for dash and door cappings add an element of upmarket refinement to it.
Safety is what you’d expect with a six-pack of airbags, ISOFIX mountings for kiddie seats, and a whole punch of electronics to aid stopping and turning.
As well as growing their model range with the Kizashi, Suzuki is growing their dealer network and will expand from 25 to 31 dealers by year-end. Which means something great could be coming to a Suzuki dealer that wasn’t previously near you.
