#3. A V6 version of the Suzuki Kizashi is not available, but…

“The V6 Kizashi is purely an engineering test mule. We have no plans to build a V6 Kizashi at this time.” That’s what we were told about a six-cylinder model made available to us, shipped over from Japan the night before, which had been created to evaluate the Kizashi’s ability to handle more power. We looked for a sign of deception, a wink or crossed fingers, but came up empty. Bummer.

Fact is, the never-to-be-thought-of-again Kizashi mule we tossed around Portland International Raceway was quite a car, one ready to challenge a host of V6-powered competitors. Fitted with a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic gearbox and a version of the XL7’s 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine cranking out nearly 300 horses, this iteration of the Kizashi teased us with brisk acceleration and a hearty exhaust note. Unfortunately, it also highlighted how uninspiring the production Kizashi’s 185 horses felt in comparison.