I agree with the sentiment here that Suzuki is unfairly overlooked and underrated. Real Suzuki vehicles are quite reliable and sturdy, offering an excellent value because they are quite affordable. Unfortunately, bad marketing, GM's branding of junk Daewoo's as Suzuki's, and the stereotype of Suzuki owners as financially sub-prime customers have damaged Suzuki's reputation in North America.
Suzuki's hope was that the Kizashi was going to change all that. In fact, the Kizashi was a totally new product for Suzuki in that they were going upscale in terms of refinement and size with the car. In fact, despite many criticizing the "Kizashi" name, it was carefully chosen by Suzuki to represent what the car meant for them. Kizashi means "a sign of things to come" or harbinger/omen in Japanese. It was Suzuki's way of showing that they could make a product totally capable of running with the Accords and Camrys and that their future products were going to be at the level of the Kizashi. If you ever looked at the interior of a new Swift, you will find it familiar. The Kizashi approach helped other Suzuki models go upscale.
As many of us owners know, the Kizashi is a very solid, refined car. For it's price, it is packed with features and has a level of refinement impressive for its class. The way it drives is also a level above the norm for midsizes. Suzuki engineers really worked on making a great sedan.
Unfortunately timing, marketing, and the apathetic consumer market proved to be against Suzuki and their products. In the end, it was more feasible for Suzuki to leave the North American market to focus where they enjoyed more success: Asia.
I've owned rivals to Suzuki that have better reputations, but my Suzuki vehicles held their own very well against them. My Suzuki's are in no way inferior to the Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Subaru's I've owned.
Bobolini wrote:
This car is well built but my only worry is if they used any electrical engineering from VW. Germans and electrical engineering don't mix.
No, this car is totally Suzuki designed, engineered, and built. Suzuki was hoping to have VW provide an additional engine for the car in their deal. VW was supposed to get some small car technology from Suzuki for their other markets in return. Basically, VW did not meet their end of the deal and Suzuki got irritated and pulled out of the deal. Hence, Suzuki was left with the one and only Suzuki-designed base engine for the Kizashi. On the plus side, there should be no shoddy VW electronics in the Kizashi. Thank goodness for that. I've got two VWs in the family and electronics are not their forte.
My Kizashi only has 13,500 miles on it, but not a single problem with it yet. The only issues are minor things I caused from carelessness. I love this car and plan to keep it a very long time.
Kizashi BANZAI!
Can't wait to shine my car up and make a few road trips. 
sold)
