How Suzuki Kizashi price in Pakistan led to its quick market exit

ISLAMABAD: Pak Suzuki hosted the unveiling ceremony of their premium sedan, the Suzuki Kizashi, at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore on February 11, 2015, expecting a direct entry into the premium car segment. 

The car featured many amenities typically found in luxury sedans, including keyless entry and start, steering-mounted controls, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors, and dual air conditioning for both passenger and driver.  

Suzuki Kizashi was powered by a 2.4-litre engine with CVT transmission and paddle shifters, though buyers could also opt for a six-speed manual transmission. Additional features included six airbags, auto-adjustable seats, and cruise control. These features were somewhat rare in Pakistan’s automotive market in 2015. 

Suzuki Kizashi price problem 

The automaker launched Suzuki Kizashi at a price of Rs5 million, which became a major reason for its poor sales and ultimate failure in Pakistan. The car barely survived a year in the Pakistani market and was discontinued in 2016 due to disappointing sales performance. 

The high price tag sparked significant controversy at launch, with consumers criticizing Suzuki for introducing an expensive car instead of fixing issues with their existing models. Many argued that the company should have focused on improving vehicles like the Liana, Mehran, and Cultus rather than introducing the Kizashi at such a premium price point. 

Suzuki Kizashi performance and features 

From a performance and features standpoint, the Kizashi was an impressive vehicle with decent power output. It delivered 178 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque, with owners claiming a top speed of 210 km/h. However, given its large engine displacement and Pakistan’s rising petrol prices, fuel economy was a concern. According to Suzuki Kizashi owners, the vehicle achieved only 6-9 kilometres per litre. 

Market positioning challenges 

Pak Suzuki launched the Kizashi with the intention of changing public perception of the brand in Pakistan. Traditionally, when people thought of Suzuki, only small cars like the Mehran, Ravi, FX, Cultus, Swift, and Bolan came to mind. The company wanted to alter this perception, which is why they introduced a vehicle with a massive 2,400cc engine ten years ago. Most popular Suzuki models had engines around 1,000cc, making this a significant leap. At the time, it was difficult for Pakistani consumers to associate the concept of luxury with the Suzuki brand. 

The combination of high price and large engine displacement proved to be major factors in the Kizashi’s inability to survive even two years in the Pakistani market. While the Kizashi was superior to Suzuki’s previous sedans like the Baleno, Margalla, and Liana, the price was prohibitively high. 

To put this in perspective, fully-loaded Toyota Corolla Altis Grande and Honda Civic models were priced around Rs2.5 million at the time. Consumers questioned why they would purchase the Kizashi at nearly double the price of the Toyota Corolla Altis Grande 1.8 and Honda Civic, which were established market leaders in the sedan segment. 

Suzuki Kizashi price in Pakistan 

While the Kizashi offered good features, they weren’t compelling enough to justify the Rs5 million price tag for a new market entrant. Consumers could purchase a Toyota Corolla GLi for less than Rs1.8 million at the time, making the Kizashi’s value proposition questionable. 

Some reviewers even compared the Kizashi to the Honda Accord, but the Accord was superior in every aspect and in a different league entirely. The Kizashi’s interior and exterior design didn’t justify its expensive price point. Even the top model featured a somewhat basic interior, lacking wooden trim, beige accents, or chrome details. The exterior design was also unremarkable. 

In Pakistan’s unique automotive market, cars often appreciate in value rather than depreciate, unlike in other countries. Surprisingly, as of 2025, both new and used car prices have increased significantly. A Toyota Corolla XLi that cost Rs1.7 million in 2016 now sells for over Rs3 million, even with nearly 200,000 kilometres on the odometer. 

However, the Suzuki Kizashi has suffered a different fate. This “luxury” sedan is now being sold below its original introductory price, making it one of the few sedans in Pakistan to have lost value over time. 

Buying Suzuki Kizashi in 2025 

For those considering purchasing a used Suzuki Kizashi in Pakistan in 2025, thorough research is essential. Spare parts are not readily available everywhere, and maintenance can be challenging. Finding a well-maintained Kizashi is difficult due to limited market availability, and the vehicle is rarely found in Pakistani car showrooms. 

However, Suzuki Kizashi listings can be found on Pakistani online car-selling platforms. Currently, a Kizashi in good condition may cost between Rs4 to 4.7 million, depending on its condition. For example, a 2015 model Suzuki Kizashi is currently listed on OLX Pakistan for Rs4.5 million. Some units on Facebook Marketplace are listed for around Rs4.3 million in good condition. While listings are limited, the lowest price found was Rs3.8 million. 

Despite the Kizashi’s comfortable ride and feature set, consumer preference remains elsewhere. When asked if they would purchase a used Kizashi with a Rs5 million budget, three respondents all declined. Instead, they expressed preference for Honda Civic models from 2016-2018, Toyota Altis Grande 2018, or even a brand new Suzuki Swift rather than investing in a used car like the Kizashi, which is difficult to buy, maintain, and resell. 

The Suzuki Kizashi’s story serves as a cautionary tale about market positioning, pricing strategy, and understanding consumer preferences in Pakistan’s unique automotive landscape. 

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