Test Suzuki Kizashi CVT 4x4 - Delicious unknown

Suzuki Kizashi CVT 4x4 

Devoid of Diesel and produced by a manufacturer known exclusively for its small cars and off-road, the Suzuki Kizashi is unlikely to emerge from anonymity in Europe. Too bad, because the qualities of this full size sedan with an Audi A4 are numerous. 

With a single petrol engine 2.4 of 180 hp, the Suzuki does not really place in the heart of the market. The family segment is indeed the pride of the Diesel. Add to that a brand does not exist and you will understand that the Kizashi will not see everywhere. 

Before leaving his business normally, consists of the urban and 4x4, Suzuki has long dabbled in the field. On the one hand by marketing in the U.S. market of Verona, rebadgée version of the Daewoo Epica. On the other hand through a series of three concept cars presented in Frankfurt and Tokyo in 2007 and in New York in 2008. 

These successive studies have distinguished themselves through their style to the strong Japanese identity. Halfway between the sedan and wagon, the Kizashi sported lines straight out of a manga. The Kizashi 2 was able to still force the line by adopting a rim size even more generous, a high ground clearance and various protections gives it a fighter. The Kizashi 3 amounted to more restraint, implementing a classical three-box silhouette stylistic directions explored in the first two concepts. 

Close enough to the Kizashi 3, the production version of this chastened lines. If the front retains its aggressiveness and its curves back complexes typically Japanese, the central cell has adopted more rigid lines, which undermine the coherence of the whole. Despite this, the Suzuki has a rather flattering look, thanks in part to its beautiful 18-inch wheels, connected in series. 

Inside, the good impression continues. Without abusing foamed plastics, the Kizashi seduced by her finely crafted materials, especially aluminum inserts true. Assemblies appear cured. Demonstrated against the door handles, delicately rimmed in chrome. Livability will generate less praise, especially in the back. The leg room is medium and the central passage is hindered by the massive central tunnel. Cold comfort, its main competitor, the Audi A4, is little better. 

Segment, the Suzuki Kizashi is one of few to combine petrol engine, automatic transmission and AWD. An association that can seduce in mountainous areas. In good Japanese Kizashi's relies on a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A choice that will divert European customers but impresses with its very smooth driving flow. Thanks to the very principle of such communication, the silence is required: except for inserts on the highway, it is rare that the engine speed exceeds 2500 r / min or even 2,000 r / min. A treat for approval unmatched by converter boxes that double clutch! 

Unnecessary, however, want to play the sport: the drive will mount the 2.4 in the towers, with a constant sound rather unpleasant. We can rely on manual mode with paddle shifters, which simulates six fixed ratios. Alas, the passages are fairly slow and accompanied by an unpleasant feeling of skating. Dads pressed prefer the dual-clutch gearbox S-Tronic in Audi A4 quattro. Especially since it appears as little prodigal in spurts as the CVT of the Kizashi. Very good but not excellent, it sometimes requires a little shake at times acceleration at low speeds ... Exactly the same if the dual-clutch gearbox from Volkswagen Group is faulted. 

Stamped "Kizashi Sport" in our market, the sedan Suzuki had to present a road manners to match its ambitions. From this point of view, it is once again a success. The balance and accuracy of driving behavior is shown at the tenor of the segment. Better yet, this excellence is coupled with a suspension comfort substantially, despite the 18-inch wheels. This compromise comfort / handling, which appears on our excellent trial 4x4 weighs 1,530 kg, expected to be enhanced on the two-wheel drive version with manual transmission also in the catalog, 110 kg lighter. 

Road seductive, the Kizashi is, however, shows less comfortable in the city. On the one hand due to visibility spencers deplorable: the huge mirrors, combined with heavy amounts of the windshield, sometimes manage to hide the cars from the right. On the other hand, is revealed excessive consumption: nearly 13 l/100 km, even when driving alone. A figure that drops to a more reasonable 9.5 litres/100km on the highway. However, this is no comparison with a diesel engine, which lacks the range. 

Overall very successful, the Suzuki Kizashi CVT 4x4 faces competition very sparse. Only two families combine automatic transmission, gasoline engine of this power and all-wheel drive the Audi A4 and Saab 9-3 with an uncertain future (whose production is currently interrupted). Faced with its rivals, the Japanese can build on a price / unbeatable team. Richly endowed (leather, heated seats, xenon headlights, power moonroof, keyless ...), it appears to € 32,000. The Audi A4 Quattro Ambiente 2.0 TFSI S-Tronic, no leather or 18-inch wheels is offered € 40,600 while the Saab 9-3 BioPower 220 Griffin XWD Auto € 35,700 is trading without xenon headlights and heated seats either. Remains a gap on the Suzuki is the inability to have a GPS, even as an option. It will fall back on a mobile model, sold in the range of accessories for the Japanese manufacturer.