Mazda 6 Touring Sedan Auto vs Suzuki Kizashi Touring Auto

The Mazda sedan costs more than the Suzuki but you get front and rear parking sensors, leather seat trim and power adjustable front seats, Bluetooth, climate-control aircon and rain-sensing wipers. The manual is $2000 cheaper. Resale values are good and reliability is sound.

The Kizashi took out top spot for mid-size cars in the American J.D. Power vehicle satisfaction survey yet in Australia it's almost ignored. It's good value with Suzuki's enviable reliability to back it up. Against the Mazda, the base model lacks a few refinements such as leather seats.

The engine displaces more than the Suzuki's, has lower outputs (125kW/226Nm) and is thirstier. The auto gets a 3.5-star Green Vehicle Guide rating, with 8.7L/100km and 206g/km CO2. The next-generation Mazda6, due early next year, will have the SkyActiv engine and transmission.

The engine is refined with good performance (131kW/ 230Nm). It has a commendable 4.5-star green rating with 7.9L/100km and 187g/km CO2. The real technology is in the chassis engineering. It could handle an engine with twice the output. Satnav and reversing camera are due soon.

The "Batmobile" styling is modern and exciting but is starting to show signs of age. The interior is both modern and functional, with comfortable seats and ample room front and rear.

The Kizashi is a sharp design with devilish eyes and a snarling grille, attracting a fair amount of customising. The interior is ample but its design is not quite up to the dynamic exterior. The boot is generous.

Mazda6 has had a five-star ANCAP rating since 2008 with six airbags and now has front and rear parking sensors. It also has stability control, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist but lacks a reversing camera.

It gets five ANCAP stars with ABS, stability control, brakeforce aids and six airbags while the chassis meets stringent new US rear and side-impact crash tests. The reversing camera will further add to its safety rating.

This is one of the sharpest tools in the shed dynamically with a connected feeling through the steering wheel. It feels solid and satisfying, yet there is some road noise and a coarse feeling through the engine and transmission.

Suzuki Australia has been yearning for a turbo version but the factory isn't interested. Still, you can get every ounce of power out of the engine thanks to the excellent chassis. It's solid, quiet, dynamic and lithe. Driving this car is always a rewarding experience.