The Kizashi's sophisticated system offers standard four-wheel disc brakes and includes suppliers such as Akebono, a world leader in noise, vibration and harshness and a leading brake supplier for Japan's famed bullet trains. In the benchmark 60-0 braking test, the Kizashi stopped in just 114 feet. Compare that to 119 feet for the A4 and 124 feet for the TSX.

The Kizashi is equipped with all the expected safety gear, including a class-exclusive standard eight airbags, an electronic stability program, an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system.

The 2011 Kizashi and Kizashi Sport already meet higher-speed front crash standards that will take effect in 2012, as well as the rigorous side barrier and side-pole crash standards that will take effect in 2014.

Better visibility is achieved with standard projector beam headlights, supplemental side-mounted signal lights, fold-down rear headrests, available rear sonar, and the newly introduced backup camera. Further enhancing driver confidence, the Kizashi also offers a reinforced rigid chassis for added stability and control.

As for the interior, Suzuki's designers have succeeded on almost every count. My Sport SLS package included premium leather seating surfaces on its front sport seats and fold-down rear seats (front seats feature a three-stage heater). Nothing made me feel I was seated in an inexpensive family car.

The interior was exceptionally quiet, contributing to the upscale feel. (In the same Consumer Automotive Research report, the Kizashi scored 69.25dB, while the Audi A4, the Mercedes-Benz C300, and the Acura TSX scored 71.25. Lower is better.)

The enhanced quiet of the Kizashi's cabin allowed me to enjoy the 425-watt, 10-speaker Rockford-Fosgate audio system with integrated iPod functionality. The Bluetooth hands-free system was a snap to set up once I ignored the quick start guide, which appeared to be incorrect, and consulted the more comprehensive owner's manual. I was even able to stream song files stored on my Nexus One Android smartphone through the audio system--a nifty feature.

With the soft-touch surfaces, the overall execution was well above what I expected. More importantly, even the cloth interior in the SE AWD felt of durable, high-quality material, which isn't always the case.