The Kizashi takes Suzuki into uncharted territory – that of the “soft” sports saloon, which prioritises grand touring comfort rather than grand slam handling. Having mastered the art of budget runabouts and the science of SUVs, Suzuki now applies its know-how to a 2.4-litre notchback with upmarket pretensions. Its Japanese name means “a sign of great things to come”, and we’ll soon discover whether the Kizashi achieves greatness against its two rivals here.
Mazda refreshed the 6 a few months ago, grooming the Zoom-Zoom of the swoopy saloon. At the same time, tweaks have been made to the dashboard, suspension and steering. But the 2-litre drivetrain remains unchanged, which is a pity because the European edition gets a new direct-injection engine with greater power and performance.
The Lancer EX, tested here in range-topping GT-S guise, is a postmodern Galant in all but name. Like its classic predecessor – which came in various flavours, including a 200bhp 2-litre V6 model called VR-M – the enlarged Lancer offers a variety of engine capacities and handling capabilities, culminating in the rally-honed Evolution 10. The GT-S is, of course, not that extreme, preferring to adopt the quieter executive approach instead.
So, which of these aspiring grand tourers for the masses is the grandest? Our three samurais do battle over the next few pages to determine the victor.
KIZASHI – Cockpit is roomy, comfortable and commanding, complete with powered lumbar support for the driver. Soft-touch surfaces, tough plastics and tight switchgear lend a premium vibe. Huge glovebox is the only one with internal velour and a neat separate slot for the owner’s manual.
6 – Mazda’s marriage of Japanese convenience and European ambience goes up a notch with new piano-black trim and chrome highlights. Mirrors could be bigger, but wipers are nicely parked out of the driver’s line of sight. Cupholders and console box are the most practical of the bunch.
LANCER – Driver’s seat feels the smallest and footwell is the tightest, but footrest is actually the largest. Manual adjustment is easy but less classy than the rival chairs’ electric motors. Small, dark glovebox and cramped door bins mean comparatively poor stowage of loose items. Windshield wipers stick out.
