2010 Suzuki Kizashi sized up against the competition
2010 Suzuki Kizashi – Click above for official high-res image gallery
The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is being billed as the Japanese automaker's first entry into the U.S. market's mid-size sedan segment. Truth be told, Suzuki never calls the Kizashi a mid-size sedan in its official material, but rather uses the term "sport sedan". It's hard to tell based on pictures of the car (check out the full gallery of official high-res images below), but what exactly is the Kizashi going up against? The Camry and Accord or the Jetta and Corolla? After you've taken a look at the new gallery of images to get an idea for the Kizashi's class, follow the jump to see how it really sizes up against the competition.
Gallery: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
| Suzuki Kizashi | Toyota Camry | Honda Accord | Ford Fusion | Acura TSX | Volkswagen Jetta | |
| Length | 183 | 189.2 | 194.1 | 190.6 | 185.6 | 179.3 |
| Width | 72 | 71.7 | 72.7 | 72.2 | 72.4 | 70.1 |
| Wheelbase | 107 | 109.3 | 110.2 | 107.4 | 106.6 | 101.5 |
All measurements are in inches
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Franz 8:09PM (7/30/2009)
Hmmm... in the photos it looks much smaller than a TSX or Jetta to me. I didn't realize the Accord got so big though... it doesn't look that big. Doesn't feel that big from behind the wheel either.
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Switch 8:12PM (7/30/2009)
Yeah the accord is big. I think its overpriced as well for what you get. The interior in that car feels like a dodge charger aka horrible.
Franz 8:19PM (7/30/2009)
We're gonna have to agree to disagree on that one. I think the Accord's interior is pretty good for the price. Could have been a little more attractive, yes, but the quality is actually very good IMO. I agree with you on the Charger interior though... it is pretty awful. Well, the early models at least. The interior got much better in the '08 models, but still nothing to write home about.
Other Man 8:21PM (7/30/2009)
Huh? The Accord has probably the nicest interior in the class, material wise. I think the Malibu's LOOKS better but definately isn't of higher quality materials.
Anyway, the Kizashi's size is a good thing to me. Not everyone wants the oversized dimensions that are the new 6 or Accord. Like the TSX, this kind of slips in between midsize and compact. Hopefully like the TSX and unlike the Jetta, it will split the difference nicely in interior space as well.
The V-6 was rumored to have around 280 horses. Where's the literature on that? I want one.
bc 8:35PM (7/30/2009)
All the current Accords I have seen that do not have leather upholstery have inner door panels made of some kind of tough plastic embossed with a fabric-like pattern, rather than a molded fabric matching the cloth upholstery. This is cheesy enough on the Civic; in an Accord, I find it completely unacceptable.
On topic, since there doesn't appear to be a 2WD model, I would have to say the Kizashi is targeting the Subaru Legacy.
merlot066 9:02PM (7/30/2009)
Switch
Overpriced indeed. It's hard to even tell what category it's in, it's either a large mid-sized or a small full-sized. My friend got a base V6 and it cost him 28k. The Accord starts close to other mid-sized cars, but if you want a base model it's okay but if you want a few options it becomes outrageous (although the base price of a 4 cylinder Passat is close to $29k). Not to be a Ford fanboy but he could have gotten a Fusion sport for $26k, fully loaded for under $30k.
Bob-omb 10:14PM (7/30/2009)
"Few options"? That's because the Accord doesn't sell individual options. You get an LX or an EX, basically. The LX 4-cyl is plenty loaded - and quite a bargain compared to something like, say, the Aura.
merlot066 10:55PM (7/30/2009)
Bob-omb
16 inch wheel covers, a 4 cylinder engine, and cloth seats aren't things that make a car "pretty loaded" to me, and paying 22,500 for that isn't a bargin to me either.
James 11:23PM (7/30/2009)
It has the looks of a right sized(nimble) midsize...not the bloated likes of the Accord.
James 2:26PM (8/01/2009)
The Kizashi just bumped makers Hyundai/Kia off from my mid-size car list to replace my aging B5 Passat....
Switch` 8:10PM (7/30/2009)
Is it just me or does this look remarkably close to a VW jetta? With a slight Hyundai Genesis rear end.
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Egon 8:23PM (7/30/2009)
Agreed. That nose looks to be about one chrome grille shy of aping the current Jetta very closely.
Xa 9:56PM (7/30/2009)
is it just me, or does this look a little like a ferrari enzo? i mean, it has 4 wheels and a place for people to sit.
it never ends with you people...... everything looks like everything. go shop for a car in the midsize segment and bask in the light of creative design. i have a feeling it's gonna be DARK.
Vizel 1:02AM (7/31/2009)
Although, Strange thing I noticed is that when Koreans do it (Hyundai, Kia) It's a "rip-off"... When Americans or lesser known japanese/german companies do it, it's a "looks-alike"
And finally, when Toyota or Honda does it, it's not even mentioned (and I've seen them copy many autos including Hyundais before)... What a fair auto world we have...
Smeagle 2:07AM (7/31/2009)
I don't usually buy into the whole 'rip-off' argument, but to be honest, the first thing I thought when I saw the front end was Jetta.
Gregg 9:52AM (7/31/2009)
It may look like a Jetta in the front, but that is Suzuki front-end styling. Look at an SX-4 Crossover...it's just a refinement of that.
Red 8:12PM (7/30/2009)
I would like to see specs on the interior dimensions because this still looks strangely small. It's smaller than the previous Mazda 6 which grew because Mazda says (according to Consumer Reports, Edmunds, Motor Trend, etc) that the previous 6 was too small for buyers. I'm curious how the Kizashi will do, but as I said, Suzuki's so small in the U.S. any growth is good growth.
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Other Man 8:35PM (7/30/2009)
Hopefully the V-6 version will be more of a "sport sedan" (i.e. no CVT).
I really want a good AWD sport (or sporty-ish) family sedan and my choices are extremely limited. I like the Lacrosse but it's a bit large. I'm going to drive the 3.5-L Fusion this weekend but I won't sign anything until this becomes available.
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longbowmkii 8:41PM (7/30/2009)
go get a legacy.
Other Man 8:48PM (7/30/2009)
I will be looking at the 6-cylinder Legacy when that becomes available as well. The interior of it looks good. The side and rear of the outside, not so much.
But it too is on my short list.