Suzuki Kizashi: Seven-grand spiff-up

Suzuki's all-wheel-drive Kizashi is a smarter, firmer and slightly more talented version of the standard sedan. Photo / Jacqui Madelin

Talk about best-laid plans. I booked an all-wheel-drive sport sedan for a holiday, then discovered my passenger got carsick on seeing a kink in the road, let alone steering round one.

So perhaps it's fortunate Suzuki's all-wheel-drive Kizashi isn't a true sports car, just a smarter, firmer and slightly more talented version of the already rather good standard sedan.

That means it gets the same 2.4-litre normally aspirated petrol engine with the same 131kW/230Nm power output as the base car, plus a sports suspension that lowers ride height by 10mm and centre of gravity by 15. And it boasts an all-wheel-drive system linked to the stability control.

Normally the sensors that monitor yaw and lateral g-forces plus the wheels and steering wheel trigger the ESP if you get into trouble.

But this Kizashi also uses the set-up to apportion torque - and not just to offset slippery surfaces.

Most front-drive cars are tuned to understeer. Go too fast into a corner and they feel front-heavy, as if they want to sledge straight on. But if this Kizashi detects understeer, it fires an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch that pours power to the rear wheels to drive you round the bend.

If the back end goes awol, the fronts get more urge - up to half of what's on offer.

Unlike the Subaru competition, you can switch the set-up off, opting for better fuel economy and tyre wear from two wheel-drive. The four-paw mechanicals add 70kg to the weight and Suzuki says this Kizashi drinks 8.4l/100km over the standard car's 7.9l/100km thirst.

My 2000km road trip saw just over nine, despite mostly using the car as a front-driver at a pace designed to keep my passenger happy. Up the ante and you'll appreciate the extra control from tighter suspension and a lower ride height, while the car does feel a tad more agile in four-wheel drive.

Sufficiently agile to suggest it'd suit more power - preferably without increasing engine weight and upsetting its natural balance.
Meantime there's fun to be had maintaining momentum through challenging bends - or using the extra grip up ski roads.

Not to mention fielding compliments on its looks. The sport gets 10-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels; a new front bumper and sports side sills; chromed fog lights and a sports mesh lower front grille to advertise its dynamic nature.

The cabin adds lots of silver-stitched leather to suit, plus a unique steering wheel and stuff like Bluetooth wireless, audio streaming and the top-spec 425-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system with its sub-woofer intruding into the boot between hinges that kept impacting our luggage. Still, it's a minor quibble which paled beside the question of whether this car's dynamic advantages are worth its $48,500 price tag - a good seven grand over its two-wheel-drive equivalent.

We like
Handsome looks, agile handling and extra grip

We don't like
Car could use a stronger engine and more assertive transmission than the CVT auto fitted

Powertrain
2.4-litre petrol engine with 131kW at 6500rpm and 230Nm at 4000rpm, six-speed CVT auto drives front or all four wheels

Safety
Six airbags, stability control, ABS brakes, front and rear park control

Performance
0-100km/h in 8.8 seconds, 8.4l/100km

What it's got
Heated leather seats, Rockford Fosgate audio, Bluetooth hands-free, keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, auto lights, dual-zone climate air with rear vents]

Vital stats
4650mm long, 461-litre boot, 63-litre tank