Suzuki Kizashi

Design & Engineering

For all its radical lines, the Kizashi’s nose is pretty conventional. The sporty wire mesh grille is typically Suzuki, and big headlights make it look like a grown-up SX4 from head-on. But look closer at the rest of the car and funkier lines start to emerge. This design has a Swift-like vibe to it and the compact and sporty dimensions seem to grow on you the more you look at them. We particularly like the chromed-over alloys, the bulging wheel arches, the tight- fitting roof and especially the heavily sculpted rear, with its integrated boot lip spoiler and chrome exhaust brackets.

The Kizashi has been positioned as a sportier alternative to cars like the Accord at one end and as a larger, more spacious alternative to cars like the Skoda Laura at the other. And Suzuki wants drivers to enjoy this car. The all-round independent suspension comes attached to rigid sub-frames and you get an impressive 176bhp under your right foot.

Maruti however has diluted some of this sportiness for India. You don’t get the stiff setup present in other markets, the suspension has been raised by 15mm to help deal with Indian roads better, and the four-wheel-drive system has been deleted as well.

Interior

What feel special are the interiors. This car may not have the size of an Accord and legroom at the rear especially is nowhere near as good, but the Kizashi feels pretty comfortable and sophisticated in its own right.

The V-shaped dash has a smart design, the steering wheel is beautifully built and the cabin does have the ambience of a luxury car. There are plenty of shiny chrome bits, the sunken dials on the instrument panel look good and the doorpads are pretty substantial too, generously padded and detailed.

The dimpled leather seats are well constructed and both large and very supportive. There’s plenty of shoulder- and headroom at the front and features like powered front seats, seat memory and keyless go only add to the ‘feel good’ the cabin delivers.

What spoils the ambience of the insides are some carried-over Suzuki buttons, like those on the driver’s doorpad and others on the right of the steering wheel. Legroom at the rear is better than you expect – you are seated high and seat comfort in isolation is really quite good. But that’s not to say it’s perfect, for the seat squab is a bit short and the backrest slightly upright.

Specification

ENGINE Fuel Petrol Installation Front transverse Type 4-cyls in-line, 2393cc, VVT Bore/stroke 91.9/89.9mm Compression ratio 10.1:1 Valve gear Four valves per cyl,DOHC Power 176bhp at 6000rpm Torque 23.45kgm at 4000rpm Power to weight 177.33/120.54bhp per tonne Torque to weight 15.62/16.06kgm per tonne Specific output 73.54bhp per litre Transmission Type Front-wheel drive Gearbox CVT/ 6-speed manual Ratios/kph per 1000 rpm (maunual) 1st 3.615/8.20 2nd 2.047/14.48 Final drive ratio 4.117 Chassis & Body Construction Monocoque, Weight 1500kg/1460kg Tyres 215/55 R17 Spare Full size Suspension Front Independent, MacPherson strut Rear Independent, multi-link Steering Type Rack and pinion Type of power assist Electric Turning circle 11.0m Brakes Front Ventilated discs Rear Solid discs Acceleration 1/4th mile 16.6s/16.20s
Acceleration in gear
20-80kph in 3rd gear		7.58s, 10.37s
40-100kph in 4th gear		12.65s, 14.02s

Braking
80-0kph	26.72m2.2s

Economy
Test
City	7.9kpl
Highway	12.2kpl
Average	10.05kpl
Tank size	63 litres
Tank range	633km

What it Costs
Ex-showroom Delhi	Rs 17.50/16.50 lakh
Warranty	24 months/40,000km

Range at a Glance - Engines
2.4 Petrol	176bhp Rs 16.50-17.50 lakh