The Suzuki Kizashi is a mid-size car, unveiled in the United States on July 30, 2009. The Kizashi went on sale in Japan on October 21, 2009, in North America on December 1, 2009, and in Australia and New Zealand on May 11, 2010. The Kizashi is the first mid-size car that Suzuki has sold in the Australian market. Kizashi was launched in India on Feb 2,2011. In Japanese, Kizashi means "omen", "sign", or "warning" possibly to suggest to other automobile manufacturers that the Kizashi is an example of products to come from Suzuki in the future. The Kizashi aspires to be Suzuki's flagship sedan and currently exceeds Japanese government regulations concerning exterior dimensions and engine displacement for cars classified as "compact".
Standard equipment includes front-wheel drive and a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine developing 185 hp (138 kW) and 170 lb·ft (230 N·m) of torque. Available transmissions are a 6-speed manual or a CVT. The CVT version reduces power to 180 hp (134 kW), and has a 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) time of about 8 seconds. The Kizashi offers 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels, Akebono sourced brakes, a choice of cloth or leather seating surfaces, and a 425-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth capability. All wheel drive (based on the i-AWD system featured in the Suzuki SX-4) is optional and includes a driver-activated FWD mode to save fuel.
The engine lineup will supposedly include two petrol engines displacing 2.4L and 3.6L respectively, as well as a 2.0L turbodiesel unit for European markets. FWD is expected to be standard although an AWD option will be available for some models as well as a paddle-shift six-speed automatic. In December 2010 the Kizashi won 2 motoring awards in New Zealand; the Supreme Winner in the 2010 AA Motoring Excellence Awards and the New Zealand Herald Car of the Year Award. The car was praised for its astonishing attention to detail, refinement and comfort.
