Though Suzuki is usually better known for motorbikes it also makes cars.
The Kizashi is a stylish machine with a powerful appearance that gives a look of sportiness.
In August 2010 the Suzuki Kizashi Sport arrived Downunder.
As befits its title this Kizashi has a full-on sports body kit, 18-inch alloys and lowered ride height that further enhanced its already strong appearance.
It took the European route of being offered with all-wheel drive for better traction on slippery surfaces. Ice, snow or rain.
However, it’s an AWD, not a 4WD as in Suzuki SUVs.
The so-called Kizashi Sport is heavier than the standard front-wheel-drive, but has no more power so is slower in a straight line.
The 2.4-litre engine petrol four produces 131kW of power and 230Nm of torque.
This is a relatively large car so performance is adequate rather than exciting.
Transmission is by a six-speed manual or CVT automatic.
The former was never particularly popular and you may be able to pick one up for a pretty reasonable price.
In August, 2013 the emphasis on sporty looks was further enhanced by the fitment of the body kit used on the Sport model was installed on all models.
Suzuki Kizashi is relatively tall and provides good interior room.
There’s better than average legroom in the back seat and four adults can be carried in comfort.
Headroom is fine in the standard models but the sunroof in the topline Kizashis steals a fair bit of height from the back seat.
Interior stowage space is good, with large door pockets and several other areas to hold all the little nick-knacks that seem to travel everywhere with us.
The boot capacity is very good thanks to the tall-tail design and the opening is reasonably wide.
You may find it difficult to get some really bulky items in, keep this in mind when shopping around for used cars as other makes may be better suited.
On the road the Suzuki Kizashi feels almost European in the strength of the body.
Ride comfort remains good even on rough roads and tyre/road noise are generally well subdued, though coarse-chip surfaces do raise noise levels significantly.
There is a fair number of Suzuki dealers Australian wide and the big success of the 4WD models mean there are more dealers in country and bush areas than for many other makers in this market segment.
Insurance premiums for the Kizashi vary more than usual for this class, possibly because low sales mean that companies have statistically different experiences with them.
Shop around for a good deal, but make sure you’re doing accurate comparisons.
If you are keen to get the high build quality of a Japanese vehicle, but like the chassis dynamics of a European one then a Suzuki Kizashi should be on your short list of cars.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Kizashi is a well-built vehicle with a solid reputation but it still makes sense to have a professional inspection.
Should you wish to do an initial inspection yourself look for the following: Crash damage or signs of repairs, the easiest things for amateurs to spot are ripples in the body panels when viewed end on in good light; tiny paint spots on unpainted areas like glass, badges and trim.
Uneven wear on the front tyres and/or damage to the wheel rims probably indicates poor parking, but may also have been caused by a crash.
Check the condition of the interior trim, particularly in the rear seat area where it may have been knocked about by the kids.
Be sure the engine starts easily and settles into a smooth idle within a few seconds of kicking over.
Ideally, do this check with the engine stone cold after an overnight stop.
The CVT automatic should be smooth and easy in operation.
If you feel it’s not in the correct ratio for the conditions it might be worthwhile getting CVT expert to check it out.
Manual gearboxes that crunch on fast down changes may be due for major repairs.
HOW MUCH?
Expect to spend from $5000 to $9000 for a 2010 Suzuki Kizashi XL; $6000 to $10,000 or a 2013 Touring; $7000 to $11,000 for a 2011 XLS; $8000 to $13,000 for a 2012 Sport; $9000 to $14,000 for a 2013 Sport; $10,000 to $15,000 for a 2015 Sport; and $11,000 to $17,000 for a 2016 Sport.
CAR BUYING TIPS
Take a friend with you when shopping for a used car.
That way they can keep the chattering sales person at bay while you check out the car without interruptions.
Used car prices have generally increased during the period of new car stock shortages.
Start looking at adverts for used vehicles several months before you intend buying.
That way you can get a feel for the price being asked and whether they are rising and falling, as dealers need to clear stock due to overcrowding.
Keep an eye on adverts for new cars that say there are specials on particular models.
This can lead to a lot of traded-ins taking up too much space in yards and they will be discounted to get rid of them.
Keep an eye open for ads of unpopular cars, as there can vary greatly in price.
Owners struggling to find a buyers may be forced to grit their teeth and drop their asking price.
If checking a used car at a dealership look at other cars on the lot.
This can provide an insight into the quality of the vehicles in which the dealer specialises.
If buying privately ask for proof of ownership and make sure the insurance covers you for taking a test drive.
Take a slow walk around any car you’re considering, looking for obvious defects.
It amuses us how many people dive into tiny details, only to discover later a major ding somewhere on the other side of the car.
Ideally any road test of a car you’re getting serious about should be done with the engine stone cold. Early morning is best.
If you’re serious about buying a vehicle, tell the seller you would like to take it for a good long test drive.
If they insist on coming that’s understandable, but try to avoid them “selling” the car to you.
Put bluntly, ask them to shut up,
In their later years, cars with a reputation for being long lived and trouble free sometimes attract buyers who have no intention of ever servicing them.
The next owner may suffer as a result.
RECALLS
To browse recalls on all vehicles go to the ACCC at: www.productsafety.gov.au/products/transport/cars/