Suzuki Kizashi First Drive Articles

[mp3butt]

Another review at Edmunds.  The highlights:

What Works:
Impressive grip through corners; composed ride quality; quiet, top-quality cabin; ergonomically correct driving position.

What Needs Work:
Adventurous name is off-putting; backseat is snug; engine runs out of steam.

Bottom Line:
The name is strange, but the ride/handling balance is dead-on. The attractive Kizashi picks up the ball dropped by the Acura TSX and Subaru Legacy.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=159086

The reference to the Legacy is concerning, because I thought the Legacy was pretty over-rated.  The previous-generation TSX was awesome, though.  If the Kizashi is like that, awesome!

One big problem, though: Edmunds notes that the AWD is only available with the CVT?!  Too bad.  An AWD 6MT version with a slightly-sportier suspension would have been awesome...

Mitlov, may I ask you a friendly question? Do you still have grief over your previous not so pleasant Legacy experience? I drove a  02 Jetta 1.8T and a E46 325ci before. Now I am sharing the GTI and the MY07 Outback with my wife. I still think the Outback is a very good car for its purpose. Honestly I really don't think the 05-09 Outback/Legacy is overrated at all.

MP3

[Mitlov]

Another review at Edmunds.  The highlights:

What Works:
Impressive grip through corners; composed ride quality; quiet, top-quality cabin; ergonomically correct driving position.

What Needs Work:
Adventurous name is off-putting; backseat is snug; engine runs out of steam.

Bottom Line:
The name is strange, but the ride/handling balance is dead-on. The attractive Kizashi picks up the ball dropped by the Acura TSX and Subaru Legacy.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=159086

The reference to the Legacy is concerning, because I thought the Legacy was pretty over-rated.  The previous-generation TSX was awesome, though.  If the Kizashi is like that, awesome!

One big problem, though: Edmunds notes that the AWD is only available with the CVT?!  Too bad.  An AWD 6MT version with a slightly-sportier suspension would have been awesome...

Mitlov, may I ask you a friendly question? Do you still have grief over your previous not so pleasant Legacy experience? I drove a  02 Jetta 1.8T and a E46 325ci before. Now I am sharing the GTI and the MY07 Outback with my wife. I still think the Outback is a very good car for its purpose. Honestly I really don't think the 05-09 Outback/Legacy is overrated at all.

MP3

"Grief?"  No.  But think both the 05-09 Legacy GT (which I test-drove at length) and the Legacy 2.5i (which I owned) are massively overrated as sporty sedans.  The Outback is very good car for its purpose, but that purpose is practical all-weather wagon, not sporty-and-fun-to-drive.  This article is talking about the 05-09 Legacy as a sporty sedan (where I maintain it's extremely overrated), not as an all-weather family vehicle (where it has earned its good reputation).

If the Kizashi is "just as sporty as the 05-09 Legacy 2.5i," that's concerning to me because the Legacy 2.5i is not nearly as sporty as it looks on paper.  Saying that, though, doesn't mean that I doubt the Outback's competence as an all-weather practical wagon.

[mp3butt]

Another review at Edmunds.  The highlights:

What Works:
Impressive grip through corners; composed ride quality; quiet, top-quality cabin; ergonomically correct driving position.

What Needs Work:
Adventurous name is off-putting; backseat is snug; engine runs out of steam.

Bottom Line:
The name is strange, but the ride/handling balance is dead-on. The attractive Kizashi picks up the ball dropped by the Acura TSX and Subaru Legacy.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=159086

The reference to the Legacy is concerning, because I thought the Legacy was pretty over-rated.  The previous-generation TSX was awesome, though.  If the Kizashi is like that, awesome!

One big problem, though: Edmunds notes that the AWD is only available with the CVT?!  Too bad.  An AWD 6MT version with a slightly-sportier suspension would have been awesome...

Mitlov, may I ask you a friendly question? Do you still have grief over your previous not so pleasant Legacy experience? I drove a  02 Jetta 1.8T and a E46 325ci before. Now I am sharing the GTI and the MY07 Outback with my wife. I still think the Outback is a very good car for its purpose. Honestly I really don't think the 05-09 Outback/Legacy is overrated at all.

MP3

"Grief?"  No.  But think both the 05-09 Legacy GT (which I test-drove at length) and the Legacy 2.5i (which I owned) are massively overrated as sporty sedans.  The Outback is very good car for its purpose, but that purpose is practical all-weather wagon, not sporty-and-fun-to-drive.  This article is talking about the 05-09 Legacy as a sporty sedan (where I maintain it's extremely overrated), not as an all-weather family vehicle (where it has earned its good reputation).

If the Kizashi is "just as sporty as the 05-09 Legacy 2.5i," that's concerning to me because the Legacy 2.5i is not nearly as sporty as it looks on paper.  Saying that, though, doesn't mean that I doubt the Outback's competence as an all-weather practical wagon.

Alright. I am sorry for misunderstanding your previous post. I do agree with you though. The Outback leans a bit at  highway ramps, and the RE92A it comes with are only good for fuel economy. The steering is very good, but the whole setup is more like a "sporty AWD wagon." Legacy is definitely not in the league of true sport sedan. The drivetrain has no sporty element whatsoever. It shines through the worst winter days though.

[articsteve]

$30K+ for a 4-banger Suzuki? You cannot be serious. Suzukis have a terrible reputation, a terrible, shyster-filled dealer network, and are at the bottom of the automotive barrel. It will take a lot more than one decently interesting albeit overpriced car to redeem them.

[Spheric]

The Canadian market is not so friendly to a loaded $30 model like this, especially from a less-considered brand like Suzuki. To sell in any volume, they really need a decontented AWD or FWD model down to the $23-26 level.

Haven't seen the car, but think I'll like it but there's tonnes of alternatives. I wish them well, but they'll need more than a little luck.

^ ^ ^

I agree. Suzuki got it backwards - they should have offered the US market the CVT and upgrades. Canadians are more price sensitive, and a toned down model complete with stick shift option would be more of a seller than the proposed offering.

[Flinter]

I certainly hope that this some kind of model roll out/marketing strategy with other trim levels and the 6MT following later.

If not... it looks like a bad move by Suzuki Canada.

[Iso Octane]

Just saw an ad on TV.  Apparently it's $30K with AWD.  Without a lot of thought into it, it does sound a bit high.

Hmm, the car isn't on Suzuki Canada's yet.

[johngenx]

I don't get this company.  Their motorcycle mojo is so strong, but they just can't seem to do anything right with more than two wheels.  Sometimes they have solid products, but miss on trim and pricing.

[Shnak]

I don't get this company.  Their motorcycle mojo is so strong, but they just can't seem to do anything right with more than two wheels.  Sometimes they have solid products, but miss on trim and pricing.

Well you do get quite a bit standard with the Kizashi... if I recall correctly, things like auto climate control are standard.

But yes, it's hard to justify the Kizashi AWD starting at $30k when the Legacy starts at what, $26k? Suzuki will need to put a ton of content into its vehicle to make it worth the extra money over the Legacy, and that's without considering things like brand recognition, reliability record, etc. that Subaru brings to the table with each of their models!

[safristi]

..Kizashi may go down the Khazi......wot is it with 4 whealed!! SUCKZOOKIS......elastic band 2 MO'BIKES tagether and ya have a WINNER.................they seem like the flea that wanted to screw the elephant and said.....does it hurt.........................

[sparky]

I don't get this company.  Their motorcycle mojo is so strong, but they just can't seem to do anything right with more than two wheels.  Sometimes they have solid products, but miss on trim and pricing.

Trim, pricing. And MARKETING: Disastrously bad ad campaigns targeting the wrong buyers, refusing to offer (up to now) anything upscale or performance oriented. Just one marketing screwup after another.
The sad part is that the cars Suzuki builds for itself (non-Daewoo rebadges) have been fine: functional, tough, reliable and cheap to own and run. Samurai, Sidekick and Swift GTI were innovative, fun and even kind of cool.
I wish them well, but this Kizashi rollout strategy is, again, very puzzling.

[safristi]

..Kizashi_Kaszi..pilots at the helm.....................Plop...PLOP.....PLOP......

[DKaz]

No manual transmission at all for Canada???

...FAIL...

[CyberNick]

  

It's a deal breaker for me. Even if the CVT is more efficient, I still prefer the manual.

[Ontariodriver]

No manual transmission at all for Canada???

...FAIL...

In Canada hardly anyone drives a manual so you're in a minority. How many are really going to buy this Kizashi. SX's seem few and far between.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The take rate of manual transmissions in Canada is about double that of the US. Given the number of minivans and CUVs that don't offer a manual at all, that makes it fairly high for those models that do offer a manual.

IIRC the rate was somewhere around 20%, but that was years ago.

[Ontariodriver]

IIRC the rate was somewhere around 20%, but that was years ago.

So by those numbers not very many. So I can see Suzuki point.

[sparky]

IIRC the rate was somewhere around 20%, but that was years ago.

So by those numbers not very many. So I can see Suzuki point.

20 per cent is one in five. Considering that manual isn't even offered in many models, the rate of acceptance is probably closer to a third in models that make manuals available. That IS very many. If you're selling a car based on premium handling, I can't quite comprehend why you would offer only the least sporting type of transmission. Hell, offer a manual just to boost your sporting image, even if you think only a minority of buyers will want it.

[tpl]

IIRC the rate was somewhere around 20%, but that was years ago.

So by those numbers not very many. So I can see Suzuki point.

20 per cent is one in five. Considering that manual isn't even offered in many models, the rate of acceptance is probably closer to a third in models that make manuals available. That IS very many. If you're selling a car based on premium handling, I can't quite comprehend why you would offer only the least sporting type of transmission. Hell, offer a manual just to boost your sporting image, even if you think only a minority of buyers will want it.

I doubt that one third figure.   I'd bet that even the ultimate driving machine only sells 10-15% standards in Canada and to make it more difficult lets only count the 1-er , 3-er, Z4 and the M cars.   The number of 5-ers sold with manual is probably close to zero.

[sparky]

IIRC the rate was somewhere around 20%, but that was years ago.

So by those numbers not very many. So I can see Suzuki point.

20 per cent is one in five. Considering that manual isn't even offered in many models, the rate of acceptance is probably closer to a third in models that make manuals available. That IS very many. If you're selling a car based on premium handling, I can't quite comprehend why you would offer only the least sporting type of transmission. Hell, offer a manual just to boost your sporting image, even if you think only a minority of buyers will want it.

I doubt that one third figure.   I'd bet that even the ultimate driving machine only sells 10-15% standards in Canada and to make it more difficult lets only count the 1-er , 3-er, Z4 and the M cars.   The number of 5-ers sold with manual is probably close to zero.

A third was only a guess, based on the possibly outdated 20% figure cited earlier. I'm sure manual is a minority choice for BMW buyers, but roadster and sports coupe buyers are more likely to want to stir their own, as are econo-car buyers, probably more because of manual's simplicity, lower cost and fuel economy than for performance or fun-to-drive factors (altough an underpowered little runabout IS a heck of a lot quicker and more fun if you can shift for yourself.