One Never Knows…
Fats Waller’s famous one-liner, “One never knows, do one?” crossed my mind while driving the Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS. The jazz pianist and prolific composer was famously kidnapped leaving a club in Chicago in 1926. Waller was taken to the Hawthorne Inn, owned by gangster Al Capone. Ordered inside at gunpoint, the terror-stricken musician found a party in full swing and realized that he was its surprise guest. He played for three days. Epically drunk and exhausted, he left the Hawthorne Inn with thousands in cash from Capone and other tipping party-goers.
Few consumers think of Suzuki when shopping an affordable mid-size sedan. And despite its largely acclaimed 2010 introduction, the Kizashi hasn’t been on my radar. Ironically, that may have heightened my enjoyment of this great little sedan, particularly in Sport SLS trim. The Kizashi isn’t particularly expert in any single area. Rather it does a combination of things capably and eagerly at a relatively modest a price. Riding back from Capone’s blowout Waller would have passed out in the Kizashi’s back seat but after a little rest he’d recognize its enthusiastic character.
That character is exemplified by a chassis that out-matches its engine. The front wheel drive Kizashi Sport SLS rarely lacks for grip – and its driver for confidence. Dunlop rubber on attractive 18 inch light alloy wheels provides more stick than the Suzuki’s 185 horsepower 2.4 liter four cylinder can overcome though the driver can induce lift-throttle oversteer in a corner, then tighten the line by getting back on the gas. Fun. The 2.4 won’t pin you back in the seat, launching the car to 60 mph in a little over eight seconds. Below 2000 rpm the engine is short on torque. But it doesn’t matter so much. The Kizashi Sport SLS is one of those cars that are enjoyable to “work” in traffic.
Credit the SLS Sport’s six-speed manual transmission, steering and ergonomics. None of these is by itself, outstanding – the steering is a bit dead on-center and not terribly progressive, clutch take-up is slightly vague and the engine hangs on to revs between shifts – but they’re good together with a harmony that increases the Kizashi’s appeal.
There are four Kizashi trim levels (S, SE, Sport GTS, Sport SLS) available in front or all-wheel drive. AWD models come only with an automatic, continuously-variable transmission. The front-drive Sport GTS and Sport SLS models are the enthusiast’s choice. The Sport models wear exterior trim cues including an extended fascia, chrome rocker panel accents and exhaust, and a rear spoiler. The look is sporty and attractive, particularly in Suzuki’s platinum silver metallic shade.
For a price in the low $20K range the interior is very well rendered. The Kizashi Sport SLS offers textured and soft surfacing with excellent stitched leather seats. The front buckets are supportive and comfortable, the rears likewise, with sufficient legroom and better than average headroom. The SLS Sport adds a nice feeling leather sport steering wheel to clear, simple instruments and logical center console housing an available Rockford-Fosgate audio system and intuitive climate controls. Bluetooth, MP3 and sat-radio come along for the ride as well.
The Bluetooth steering wheel controls actuate oddly by the pull of a finger and the black leather can be a bit hot but is set off by a brighter grey headliner. The Kizashi’s interior is a pleasant place to be with relative steering wheel, pedals, and shifter positioning that feeds driver confidence along with good sightlines. The trunk is capacious and there’s a ski-friendly rear seat pass-through. Snowboards might be a tight fit though. However you cut it, the Kizashi offers a lot of content in its class.
Fuel economy in the mid-20 mpg range is good if not exceptional and the 87 octane fuel requirement is appreciated. The balance of utility, frugality and character the Kizashi brings is enough for it to compete strongly as a budget-friendly premium mid-sizer. I looked forward to driving it each time I got behind the wheel. The Suzuki’s lightheartedness reminds me of Fats Waller’s Jitterbug Waltz. Sure to please the crowd that kidnapped you.
The Specs
Price As Tested: $25,304
Engine: 185 hp, 2.4 liter four cylinder
Curb Weight: 3241 pounds
Fuel Economy: 20 city/29 highway
Leave a Reply