A good sport

New York is a place that replicates Mumbai-like driving conditions. The same ‘ruffian’ drivers, similar levels of start/ stop congestion and even the cabbies drive like the guys back home. Then, to add to this feeling of familiarity, the car I’m driving has a large stylised ‘S’ on the steering boss.

Despite this sense of homeliness, things also feel very different. Suddenly, 20 minutes and 200 GPS voice instructions into the drive, a thought pops into my head, is this really a Suzuki? It certainly doesn’t seem like one. The car feels all grown up and mature, nothing like any Suzuki I’ve ever driven before.

Style file

Suzuki has used familiar cues to establish the Kizashi’s identity, and the headlights and grille also have a familiar look to them. Overall, the car has a very compact and sporty stance. Tipped forward, broad shouldered and with just the right amount of muscle, the Kizashi oozes attitude. The big wheels and a wide track add to the car’s good stance. However it’s the Kizashi’s rear that really stands out. The wraparound tail-lights, chromed rectangular exhaust vents and the multiple surfaces make it a truly unique design.

Inside story

The Kizashi also feels and looks like no Suzuki cabin ever has. The bold design stands out, there are plenty of well-built high-quality bits. The dash could do with a little bit of colour. Some plastic parts aren’t up to the mark, though. More impressive is the driver’s seat, which is large and supportive. But the steering strangely does not adjust for reach. Build and quality aren’t up to the highest European standards, but if it wasn’t for the badge, you would never guess that this was a Suzuki cabin.

The legroom is more similar to that of a smaller car. But rear seat comfort is good with the well bolstered seat supporting you in the right places.

Under the hood

This is also a robust car that offers more rigidity and strength than expected. The Kizashi’s 2.4-litre motor is responsive and you can drive this car with the lightest touch on the accelerator. The four-cylinder is the same motor as in the Vitara and there’s plenty of grunt. Responses are good in the mid-range too. The Kizashi accelerates strongly and doesn’t feel like it’s about to run out of steam.

Driver's deal

On the expressway the Kizashi delivers a strong burst of power, along with a sporty snarl from the exhaust, 4500rpm onwards. The performance is strong and you get to use a lot of the 185bhp on tap. But it’s not as refined as some of its rivals, especially as you get close to 5000rpm. The speedometer needle easily swings past 180kph on a quiet stretch of road and there’s more available if you press on.

What detracts slightly from overall driving pleasure is the CVT automatic gearbox, which works best with small engines. There is a bit of ‘rubber-band’ effect as you accelerate and although there is a manual mode, where the gears are artificially chopped up into fixed gear ratios, a traditional automatic would have worked better in this car. But this Suzuki is much more a driver’s car with a very European feel. My test car also came with a push-button-operated FWD system and, with power going to all four wheels, the Kizashi exerts a vice-like ‘all paw’ grip on the tarmac.

The independent suspension is also sophisticated with even tech-like embedded aluminium bits used. Suzuki has also positioned the steering for optimal control. Though light and effort-free while at city speeds, it delivers plenty of feel as you go faster.

The brakes have a solid and strong bite, the feel from the pedal is good and the Kizashi does not dive under braking either. Uniquely for a saloon, the driver can uncouple the four-wheel-drive system, turning the Suzuki into a front-wheel-drive car, which increases efficiency but at the cost of grip. That said, the Kizashi still drives very well in the latter mode, until you reach high speeds.

The cabin is quite successful at shutting out road noise and the Kizashi glides silently on its sophisticated suspension. The ride quality over the few patchy roads of New York is fairly good. Still, it will have more intense tests to pass in India.

Final verdict

With the Kizashi, Suzuki is attempting to place the car slightly above similar cars in terms of price. For the extra money, customers get better performance and more driving pleasure. The Kizashi certainly lives up to its billing as a sporty drive. The handling is sharp, enticing you to go harder, and the motor puts out plenty of power too.

However, the Kizashi faces multiple challenges in India. Will customers want more legroom and space at the rear at about Rs 16 lakh-Rs 17 lakh price tag? It depends on how Suzuki finally prices and specifies the Kizashi at its launch around Diwali this year. One thing’s for sure though — purely as a car, the Kizashi is more than up to the challenge.

Spec check

Suzuki Kizashi

Price: Rs 16 lakh - Rs 17 lakh (est)
L/W/H: 4650/1820/1480mm
Kerb weight: 1620kg
Engine: 4 cyls, 16-valve DOHC, 2393cc, petrol/ transverse
Power: 185bhp at 6500rpm
Torque: 23.5kgm at 4000rpm
Gearbox: Auto CVT
Brakes (F/R): Vented disc/ solid disc


The Personal Telegraph