New 2010 Suzuki Kizashi: Suprising Source For AWD Sports Sedan

2010 Suzuki Kizashi

Near where we spend our weekends, in the hilly terrain of upstate New York, there are three Subaru dealers. For several years, the largest one has paired strong-selling Subarus with the Suzuki lineup of all-wheel-drive entries and small, relatively green cars.

When we got the word about the brand-new 2010 Suzuki Kizashi all-wheel-drive sports sedan, which Suzuki calls the new flagship for its range, we just couldn't help thinking of the all-new 2010 Subaru Legacy GT that our colleague Bengt Halvorson drove last month.

The Kizashi (pronounced "Kee-Zah-Shee") takes the 90-year-old Suzuki firm into new automotive territory, giving its 400 dealers a sporty midsize sedan with swankier features than they've had to date. Suzuki, Subaru, Suzuki, Subaru. Hmmmm.

It will arrive at Suzuki dealers before the end of 2009, and we're told a hybrid version is less than a year away. But it's been a long time coming. The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is the production version of a vehicle that's been shown as three separate concept cars.

Designed from the start for all-wheel-drive, the 2010 Kizashi is meant to deliver "a dynamic and exhilarating driving experience". Suzuki says the car has been tested on Germany's Autobahn, the twisty roads of the Swiss Alps, the cobblestone lanes of rural England, and the legendary Nürburgring racing circuit.

2010 Suzuki Kizashi

The all-wheel-drive system defaults to front-wheel-drive until the driver pushes the "AWD" switch on the dash. Thereafter, torque is aplit among front and rear wheels based on driving inputs and vehicle performance.

The Kizashi is motivated by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, mated to either a six-speed manual or a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters for better driver control when needed. Gas mileage figures haven't yet been released.

Safety equipment includes eight airbags, anti-lock brakes, Suzuki's Dynamic Vehicle Stability Control system, and sensors that monitor tire pressure.

The styling is a "seamless melding of European style and Japanese craftsmanship," according to the makers, with minimal front overhang and optional 18-inch wheels. The interior offers a "contemporary, upscale feel" with available leather seats, seat heaters, and seat-position memory for three drivers.

Along with standard keyless starting and iPod integration, Kizashi technology options include Bluetooth audio streaming and a 425-Watt Rockford Fosgate stereo system.

Oh, and the name? In Japanese, the word kizashi means, "Something great is coming"--according to Kevin Saito, the president of American Suzuki. Hmmmmmm.