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An all-new model, the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi (ke-ZAH-shee) is a midsize car the manufacturer characterizes as a sport sedan. Four years have passed since Suzuki discontinued its previous midsize sedan, the Verona, which simply didn't compete in a class crowded with many models — some of which boast decades-long histories and excellent reputations, like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. With the resurgence of Chevrolet's Malibu and Ford's Fusion, the climate is now more cutthroat than ever, but the Kizashi stands a chance thanks to a low entry price, impressive interior quality and affordable, efficient all-wheel drive.

The Kizashi is Suzuki's first homegrown midsize offering (its previous midsizer, the Verona, was a rebadged Daewoo) and the Japanese automaker went with a more unconventional approach while designing the stylish sedan. Since the discontinuation of the Daewoo-sourced Reno and Forenza, Suzuki has been working to reposition itself as a brand that appeals more to enthusiasts rather than those in need of cheap transportation.


Suzuki hasn’t sold a midsize sedan in America in four years