Suzuki Kizashi
Ka-pow! Splonk! Ka-pat! Boom! Kizashi!
You’d be forgiven for thinking Batman’s fist has just collided with the Joker’s face. Suzuki’s Kizashi may sound like a sound effect from our childhood comics, but in reality packs more punch. Kizashi is the Japanese for ‘something great is coming’ which makes us think Suzuki were very confident about the success of their new baby.
Now it may never replace the Batmoblie, but perhaps Bruce Wayne should consider the Kizashi as his day car, that is when Alfred’s’ not driving him around.
The styling of the Kizashi is visually striking, modern and fun, in line with most of Suzuki’s offerings. Driving through Jo’burg I often found drivers whipping their necks around for a second glance with the expression on their faces saying, “What is that?”
One encounter involved three tow truck drivers approaching me in a parking lot. They all seem perplexed by the Kizashi, at first thinking it was some kind of exotic import before commenting that none of them had ever towed one, something I think Suzuki would want to continue to not happen.
The build quality of the Kizashi is high considering it’s price, so much so that whilst giving a known gold digger a lift she commented saying she would be “okay with having one of these or a Lexus.” Bless her.
Driving was a breeze for the week I had the Kizashi, so much so that at times I felt like the cruise control should handle this pesky steering
problem drivers seem to have. The engine has plenty of pull in town and freeway driving, and of course the thrill of changing into sixth gear turns most drivers into giddy kids for a brief moment as you cruise past boring Mr Executive in the lane next to you.
The interior is spacious and comfortable, and everything is where you would expect it to be. The dash is simple and understated, similar to that of the Swift – just ahigher spec. In fact the Kizashi is quite a big car, it just doesn’t look or feel like it. The boot could easily accommodate Batman’s swivelling weapons cupboard whilst also accommodating mom’s monthly grocery shopping.
Perhaps the best feature of the Kizashi can be summed up in one word, standard. No, I don’t mean this car is just your average motorised box designed to carry people. Almost all the features on the Kizashi come standard, which makes it’s pricing very competitive and the bloke next to you, who bought the basic European sedan, feel like a bit of a Muppet.
Price: R302 900
Engine: 2393 cm3
Power: 131 Kw
Torque: 230Nm
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 7.8s
Top speed (km/h): 215Kph
Fuel consumption: 7.9 L per 100km
Justin Stephenson