Published:
21 April 2012The cabin of the Suzuki Kizashi holds few surprises. Outright passenger space is limited and headroom in the front is about 100mm shy of the class’s most commodious cars, so it will be restrictive for anyone taller than 6ft 3in, while front legroom is about 50mm tighter than that of many rivals.
Accommodation in the back is more competitive, matching that of the Peugeot 508 and Vauxhall Insignia. But the Kizashi’s boot is quite small, impinged upon by rear axle intrusion and with only a narrow through-loading hatch to take advantage of when the rear seats are folded.
The Kizashi’s driving position is a touch high but otherwise good. The front seats are a little short of squab but comfortable nonetheless, and leather-trimmed primary controls are pleasant and tactile. A textured, soft-touch dashboard rolltop bordered by satin silver accents fosters an impression of understated quality, although it’s hardly a contemporary one. The ancient-looking trip computer and audio displays, meanwhile, might have you wondering if these systems really belong on a new car in 2012.
But unadorned functionality and value for money are what this car is all about. And provided your idea of quality isn’t the sort that can only be satisfied by the ever more expensive-looking trim being deployed by the likes of Audi and Mercedes-Benz, you should find little cause for complaint.
Less still when you realise the equipment that Suzuki will give you as standard. In the Kizashi’s case, £21,995 buys a car with electrically adjusted, heated leather front seats, an eight-speaker audio system, electric windows all round, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, automatic headlights, privacy glass, USB connectivity, Bluetooth, high-intensity headlights and seven airbags.
