A reliable little runner

UPON first glance there is nothing particularly special about the Kizashi, it has the appearance of any typical sedan and, with the exception of the bold front grill, there aren't any memorable aesthetics to differentiate it from other cars.

Yet, when you step inside, all that changes and you discover there is more to this car than its unassuming bodywork lets on. The stylish interior sets the tone for a driving experience that the driver will not soon forget. The seats are available in cloth or leather and there is an audio system with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth capability. The entertainment system, although somewhat basic, offers the necessities for keeping yourself occupied during a long drive.

The controls, speedometer and gauges are somewhat reminiscent of the set up in Volkswagen Passat CC, in fact, I wondered to myself if the two brands had got together on this project ... It turns out they hadn't, but the similarities are quite striking.

One thing that I really did like about the Kizashi (although it is by no means a new feature) are the steering wheel controls. There are simply not enough words in my vocabulary to explain how much easier and safer this simple little feature makes listening to music while you drive.

Other standard features include eight airbags, ABS, dual-zone climate control, projector beam headlights, EPS stability control, power windows, mirrors and doors, soft foot-well lighting to create a calming ambience when driving at night, as well as push-button start.

The push-button start is something relatively new for me and admittedly took some getting used to. For readers who may not have come across this feature, it is actually quite simple. The car doesn't require a key in the ignition to start, simply place your foot on the brake and press the big button clearly labeled Start/Stop and away you go. So, how do you lock and unlock a car without a key ... remote sensor, of course!

This difty little remote sensor locks and unlocks the doors and also has the option to open the boot, presumably for when you're feeling too lazy to do it manually (a car after my own heart).

Now for the serious part, how does the car handle on the road? I'd be lying if I said it was the most exhilarating drive of my life but in all fairness, it was smooth and comfortable. In my opinion, the Kizashi is the perfect car for a small family.

The gearshifts were quick and although the steering wasn't as responsive as some in its segment, the engine made little more noise than a gentle pur, which was a welcome change from the beastly noise that comes out of my trusty old Toyota.

The 2.4 litre four cylinder engine with 185 hp delivers an impressive kick and accelerates from 0-100km in around eight seconds, which was an unexpected but very pleasant surprise.

The Suzuki Kizashi starts from BD8, 500. For further information contact the Khamees showroom on 17252606.