Let's hop in the DeLorean and travel back to late 2009, back when Suzuki was battered and on the ropes but still alive in the U.S. However, they had one last ace up their sleeves: the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi.

Suzuki won't be selling cars in the US anymore; their US distributor just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Oh, you're not surprised? Neither are we.

While most automakers are rolling out brand new Super Bowl ads, Suzuki's relying on one they've already used for ads purchased in 14 markets where, they hope, people realize Suzuki sells cars so they buy the capable but awkwardly named Kizashi

VW bought 20% of Suzuki from GM, denying the brand access to the 3.6-liter V6 it wanted for the Suzuki Kizashi Sport, so they just gave the 2.4-liter some sporty trim instead. Hooray.

The Suzuki Kizashi is competitive with the other mid-size sedans in terms of performance, but no one is going to buy one unless it's competitive on price. At $18,999 for a well-equipped base model it could be a Sonata-killer.

Alongside the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi we tested at Virginia International Raceway was a V6-powered "chassis verification prototype" test mule, providing more power and an aggressive body-kit. Is this the car Suzuki should have built instead?

Mid-size sedans are the toasters of the automotive world — appliances automakers make for cow-like consumers to buy. The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is the newest toaster on the market, trying to be both better and cheaper than the rest.