- Free-revving 2.4-litre petrol engine
- Impressive dynamics
- Precise steering provides excellent feedback
- Supportive front seats
- Firm ride on 18-inch alloy wheels
- Limited headroom, poor rear seat legroom
- Narrow boot opening
Review: Suzuki FR.I Kizashi (2010-13)
Overview
Released in May 2010, the Suzuki FR Series I (FR.I) Kizashi was a medium-sized sedan. Manufactured in Shizuoka, Japan, the FR Kizashi was powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to either a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Kizashi range initially consisted of the front-wheel drive XL and XLS variants, but was expanded in August 2010 with the Sport AWD. In February 2011, the XL and XLS variants were replaced by the Touring and Prestige variants.
J24B engine
The 2.4-litre J24B petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, a variable intake system and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.
Dimensions and suspension
The Kizashi was 4650 mm long, 1820 mm wide, 1480 mm tall and had a 2700 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the Kizashi had MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.
| Variant | Years | Drive | Trans. | Engine | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XL, XLS |
2010-11 | FWD | 6sp man., 6sp CVT |
2.4-litre petrol I4 | 131 kW at 6500 rpm | 230 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| Touring, Prestige |
2011-13 | FWD | ||||
| Sport AWD | 2010-13 | AWD | 6sp CVT |
AWD system
The Kizashi Sport AWD was fitted with Suzuki’s ‘i-AWD’ all-wheel drive system which utilised an electronically controlled wet-type multi-plate clutch coupling. In normal conditions, the engine’s torque was directed to the front wheels; if required, however, up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque could be redirected to the rear axle. Inside the cabin, a switch enabled the driver to disable the i-AWD system, rendering the vehicle front-wheel drive only.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the FR.I Kizashi included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. From February 2011, the Kizashi was fitted with a driver’s knee airbag.
ANCAP crash testing
In ANCAP crash testing , a Suzuki Kizashi – that was fitted with a driver’s knee airbag – received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.83 out of 37. In the frontal offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the driver. In the side impact and pole tests, however, the Kizashi received maximum points.
Features: Kizashi XL, XLS and Sport AWD
Standard features for the Suzuki Kizashi XL included 17-inch alloy wheels, a seven speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary and USB inputs, dual zone climate control air conditioning, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, steering wheel audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, footwell lights, a rake and reach adjustable steering wheel, a height adjustable driver’s seat, 12 volt power outlet, alarm and immobiliser; CVT models also featured cruise control.
The Kizashi XLS was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, a ten speaker (including subwoofer) 425 watt Rockford Fosgate sound system, leather seats, a ten-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, a four-way power adjustable passenger seat, front fog lights, high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, sunroof and an electrochromatic rear view mirror. CVT models were also fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles.
The Kizashi Sport AWD was distinguished by its 18-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, lowered suspension and Bluetooth connectivity. Visually, the Sport AWD could be identified by its deeper front bumper with lower mesh grille, chrome side strips and fog light surrounds and side skirts. Inside, the steering wheel had metallic highlights and silver stitching for the seats and gearshift lever.
February 2011: Kizashi Touring and Prestige
In February 2011, the Suzuki Kizashi was updated. In addition to the driver’s knee airbag, standard features for the newly introduced Touring variant – replacing the XL – were extended to include cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Prestige variant – replacing the XLS – was further equipped with Bluetooth connectivity.
December 2012: Kizashi update
From December 2012, the Kizashi Sport AWD and Prestige variants omitted the Rockford Fosgate sound system and were instead fitted with new multimedia system which included a 6.1-inch touch screen, Garmin satellite navigation system, reversing camera, an SD card input and Bluetooth audio streaming and mobile phone connectivity.
Brochure
Related links
Review: Suzuki FR.II Kizashi (2013-16)
Overview
Released in August 2013, the FR Series II (FR.II) Kizashi introduced a revised range, additional standard features and lower pricing. The range consisted of Sport Touring, Sport Prestige and Sport AWD variants, all of which were fitted with a sports body kit that was previously reserved for the Sport AWD.
| Variant | Years | Drive | Trans. | Engine | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport Touring | 2013-16 | FWD | 6sp man., 6sp CVT |
2.4-litre petrol I4 | 131 kW at 6500 rpm | 230 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| Sport Prestige | 2013-16 | FWD | 6sp CVT | 2.4-litre petrol I4 | 131 kW at 6500 rpm | 230 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| Sport AWD | 2013-16 | AWD | 6sp CVT | 2.4-litre petrol I4 | 131 kW at 6500 rpm | 230 Nm at 4000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Compared to their post-February 2011 FR.I predecessors, standard safety equipment for the FR.II Kizashi was unchanged.
Features: Kizashi Sport Touring, Sport Prestige and Sport AWD
Standard features for the Kizashi Sport Touring included 18-inch alloy wheels, a seven speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary and USB inputs, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, front fog lights, steering wheel audio controls, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, footwell lights, 12 volt power outlet, an alarm and immobiliser.
The Kizashi Sport Prestige was further equipped with a 6.1-inch touch screen, SD card input and Bluetooth audio streaming, a Garmin satellite navigation system, leather seats, a ten-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, a four-way power adjustable passenger seat, heated front seats, front fog lights, high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, a sunroof and an electrochromatic rear view mirror. CVT models were also fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles.
Finally, the Kizashi Sport AWD was distinguished by its 18-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, lowered suspension and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Brochure
Related links
