The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi (pronounced “Kee-Zah-Shee”) started hitting dealership showrooms in December 2009. It is the automaker’s first all-wheel drive (AWD) sport sedan, designed to compete with the Ford Fusion, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, and others in that class. 

The Kizashi comes in four trim levels and ranges in base price from $18,999 for the entry-level Kizashi S with front-wheel drive (FWD) manual transmission to $26,749 for the Kizashi SLS with an AWD continuously variable transmission. 

To help set this sport sedan apart from similar cars, Suzuki has loaded the Kizashi with safety features that garnered it 5-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for its performance in frontal and side-impact crash tests. (For more on these tests, visit http://www.safercar.gov/.)   

Standard safety features on the Kizashi include eight airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, daytime running lights, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brake system (ABS), and Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) on front-wheel drive models. Intelligent Vehicle Stability Program is available on AWD models. 

The Kizashi features a sporty, yet sleek cockpit and a number of interior options you'd expect in a sports sedan, including enhanced dashboard driver's center, dual-zone climate control, and leather-wrapped steering wheel complete with cruise and audio controls.

All Kizashi trim levels feature a 2.4-liter, inline-four engine. Manual and automatic transmission options are available for all trim levels, except the SE that’s available only as an automatic. The estimated miles per gallon is 23 city and 31 highway (based on the Kizashi S trim level). 

In sum, if you’re looking for a five-passenger sedan that balances sportiness with safety consciousness and decent gas mileage, the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is definitely a car you’ll want to check out. 

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