Finally! Here is the production-ready all-new mid-sized family sedan from Suzuki without yards of heavy camouflage: the Kizashi. At this time howevere, it is still unknown whether or not the name used for three concept vehicles unveiled since 2007 will be used for this production model.


Suzuki is pitting the Kizashi up against cars like the Toyota Camry, the Ford Fusion and the Chevrolet Malibu. Therefore it was no surprise this summer to find a few Chevys out there being tested alongside the Kizashi prototypes. But perhaps are Suzuki standards even higher, as this prototype was testing alongside BMWs!

Under the hood, we will find a 150+ horsepower 2.3- liter 4-cylinder engine for the base model. The top-of-the-line Kizashi will be powered by a variation of the 3.6-liter V6 (with 280 to 300-hp) currently used in the Suzuki XL7. This engine is derived from the Cadillac V6 used in the CTS. Unlike the Suzuki cross-over however it will be mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. A hybrid version of the Kizashi is also in the works.

This mid-sized sedan will be built in Sagara, Japan. Suzuki dealers in Canada should get their first vehicles in early 2010.





Photo Credit : Brenda Priddy & Company