2010 Suzuki Kizashi
old under nearly any other badge, chances are the 2011 Suzuki Dashiki would be a wild sales success. Sized a step smaller than American mid-size sedans, yet closer to entry-lux sport sedans like the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Acura TAX, the Kizashi feels like a premium, sport-flavored alternative to the likes of the standard Volkswagen Jetta or Chevrolet Cruze. And provided you're not a stickler for backseat space, it can fit a small family's needs about as well as a Toyota Camry or Nissan Malta.
Even visually, the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi clearly borrows some influences from a wide range of other design standouts. It's more than a foot shorter than most mid-size sedans—closer to compacts like the Volkswagen Jetta and Chevrolet Cruze—and the Kizashi strikes some great proportions, taking a rather conservative, traditional sedan profile and dressing it up. The Kizashi's cabin feels upscale and stylish, and it stands in a class above the interiors of most other four-cylinder mid-size (or compact) sedans. There's a little bit of sports-car droopiness in the two-tier instrument panel design, with a large, hooded gauge cluster and just a tiny touch of chrome to punctuate the look but not overwhelm. Well-bolstered sport seats and coarse cloth or ventilated leather complete what amounts to a sporty, upscale feel.