World Auto News & Reviews

A new special edition version of Suzuki’s SX4 small crossover called the SZ-L is being launched onto the UK market this week. What makes the SZ-L special is a styling package that adds a number of exterior and interior features.

Available in two colors, ‘Silky Silver Pearl’ and ‘Cosmic Black’, the SZ-L model comes equipped with unique gunmetal colored roof rails, front grille, alloy wheels and front and rear skid plates.

Since its introduction to the press in July of 2009, Suzuki’s Kizashi has been recognized as a midsize sedan with a difference – or two. Boasting a rigid structure, composed platform, suspension tuned on the famed Nurburgring and available all-wheel drive, the Kizashi has enjoyed accolades from both media and consumers; most notably, the Kizashi ranked first in AutoPacific’s 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction survey. And with 185 horsepower from its 2.4 liter DOHC four, the 2010 Kizashi boasts class-leading power in the four-cylinder segment.

Suzuki wants to join the big dogs with its Kizashi sedan, so it’s only appropriate that the Japanese automaker has announced a safety recall of the mid-size sports sedan.

According to the Nation Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Suzuki is recalling all Kizashi models produced between October 13th, 2009 and May 31st, 2010. The recall is due to a “hinged door of the center lower box located in the front dashboard area” that fails to comply with federal regulations.

Suzuki is considering a plan to offer the next-generation, 2011 Swift to the US. The Swift has sold quickly in Europe and Japan. Currently, Suzuki’s smallest offering in the US is the SX4.

At first glance, the next-gen Swift appears very similar to the outgoing model. But upon closer look, we can observe revised headlights and taillights, a slightly longer and wider body, and an interior that is similar to the Kizashi’s. Powering the new model is a new 92hp 1.2-liter gas engine that replaces the current model’s 1.3-liter engine and is supplemented by a 73hp 1.3-liter diesel engine.

Since its North American debut last December, Suzuki’s Kizashi has won significant praise from the automotive media. With the release of AutoPacific’s 14th annual Vehicle Safety Awards (VSA), Suzuki and its more than 300 U.S. dealers are now hearing from consumers. And that consumer response, based on the research results from 42,000 new vehicle owners, identified the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi as registering highest in total overall satisfaction among all new purchased or leased vehicles sold in the United States. The Kizashi scored 99 points above the industry average to place first among all 2010 model year vehicles in AutoPacific’s survey.

“This is an amazing win for Suzuki”, said Koichi Suzuki, executive vice president of American Suzuki Automotive Operations. “The Kizashi is Suzuki’s most important vehicle, and this feedback from our owners is exceptional.”