The Kizashi sedan hasn’t exactly been a runaway success for the Japanese company, but Suzuki is still trying to expand its reach by entering new markets. Today, Suzuki added Britain to the list of countries that the Kizashi will be soon available.

The mid-size sedan will go on sale in the UK next month with a single petrol engine and pricing set from £21,995. The absence of a crucial diesel option limits Suzuki’s hopes for any substantial sale numbers, with the company planning to bring only 500 cars to Britain in 2012.

Suzuki’s first mid-size saloon car is powered by 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine rated at 178PS at 6,000 rpm with 230Nm (169.6 lb-ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm, with a fuel consumption of 34.0mpg UK (equal to 8.3lt/100km and 28.3mpg US) on the combined cycle.

For the UK market, the four-cylinder engine is connected to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and Suzuki’s latest intelligent all-wheel-drive system (i-AWD), which can also be operated in two wheel drive mode where drive is mainly to the front wheels with minimum torque transmitted to the rear wheels.

The Kizashi is available in a single trim level that includes a standard Sports package featuring a host of external and internal modifications such as the bespoke front fascia with chrome accents, body side sill extensions, lower body side chrome trims and 18-inch alloy wheels plus a sport steering wheel, contrasting stitching for the leather seats, gear shift surround and parking brake boot.

Standard features include seven airbags, electric windows, an MP3/WMA compatible CD tuner with eight speakers, Dual Zone automatic air conditioning, keyless entry and start and folding heated door mirrors. The only available option for the Kizashi in the UK will be a touch screen satellite navigation system.

PHOTO GALLERY