Suzuki’s new ‘mid-midsized’ Kizashi By Jerry Kronenberg/ Motor Mouth Saturday, November 21, 2009 The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is the latest entrant in a crowded midsized-sedan segment that ranges from Japan’s Toyota Camry to Detroit’s Ford Fusion.       An all-new model for 2010, the $18,999 Kizashi (Japanese for “Something Great is Coming”) aims to beat the competition by combining a nice price with what Suzuki calls “near-luxury.”       Motor Mouth thinks the Japanese automaker should also tout the Kizashi as “mid-midsized.”       After all, the model’s size and price put it smack dab in the middle of true midsized sedans like the Camry and subcompacts such as the Toyota Corolla.       In fact, the Kizashi’s exterior looks almost exactly like a cross between a Camry-esque midsized model and a Corolla-like subcompact.       Motor Mouth recently tested the Kizashi GTS AWD, the model’s midlevel trim line.       On the outside, the car features a distinctive mesh grille, 20-spoke alloy wheels, 18-inch sport tires and midsized doors outfitted with heated folding side mirrors.       In back, the Kizashi GTS has a keyless-entry trunk and unusual-looking chrome dual exhaust pipes the sit flush with the car’s rear bumper.       Inside, my test car’s front seats combined good headroom, legroom and hiproom with OK but not incredible cloth upholstery.       The Kizashi’s well-laid-out dashboard features a big speedometer and tachometer, as well as smaller fuel and temperature gauges. There’s also a small LED that displays current mpg and other trip information.       Additionally, my test model came standard with a dual-zone climate system and a Rockford-Fosgate 425-watt stereo.       Both of these systems have easy-to-use controls, but bland 1980s-style LED displays.       Similarly, my test car came standard with a 10-position electric driver’s seat, but only manual controls on the front passenger’s side.       In back, the Kizashi’s rear seats offer good but not incredible headroom, legroom and hip- room. While theoretically designed for three adults, grownups will find this space tight for anything more than short trips.       All the way back, the Kizashi’s decent 13.3-cubic-foot trunk can hold perhaps one big suitcase and three smaller bags.       My test car also came standard with a nice power moonroof, electronic stability control, Bluetooth connectivity and a7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.       On the road, my Kizashi’s continuously variable automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and 180-horsepower engine teamed up to provide a fairly good ride.       The sedan corners, brakes and parks well, thanks to good sightlines and a relatively modest size. The Kizashi’s four-cylinder engine also accelerates decently, but a tad loudly. Motor Mouth’s test car noisily revved to 5,500 rpm going from 0 mph to 60 mph.       The EPA rates the Kizashi GTS AWD’s fuel efficiency at 23 mpg/city and 29 mph/highway. During a week of mixed test drives, Motor Mouth logged a combined 23.8 mpg.       As for pricing, the Kizashi’s $18,999 base sticker puts the model right in the middle of the small- and midsized-sedan segments.       For example, the Kizashi costs $3,649 more than the subcompact Corolla, but $396 less than the midsized Camry.       The Suzuki’s sticker likewise beats that of the $21,825 Chevrolet Malibu, $19,620 Ford Fusion and $21,055 Honda Accord midsized sedans.       But not surprisingly, the Kizashi costs more than automatic-transmission subcompact sedans such as the $16,995 Kia Forte and $16,455 Honda Civic.       The bottom line: The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is a worthy new player that’s priced right in between a small and midsized sedans.       True, those were already two of the market’s most-crowded segments - but the Kizashi still definitely rates checking out.