There's a new car review up on the main page. This time, we review the Suzuki Kizashi.
It's not often that our staff seems to agree on any car, much less a new model from a manufacturer on the fringe of our market. I suppose that says a lot about the Kizashi.
Wow- glad to see a positive review- those were actually on my radar as a possible supplement for when the wife isn't looking and I do bad things to her MINI.
I'd hit it. 
93celicaGT2 wrote: I'd hit it.
more like...
It's a real shame that manufacturers all seem to believe that manual transmissions and AWD should never be in the same chassis (Subaru excluded). I don't understand the logic behind that; people who want AWD want it for one of two reasons: safety and/or performance. If it's the latter, you definitely want a stickshift, and if it's the former, transmission choice is largely irrelevant.
It's like they believe that the only people who choose manual transmissions only do so because they can't afford an automatic. 
Um, if it starts at around $19K and you added roughly $600-ish worth of options, why does the base price on your manual fwd model say $24699, and $25304 as-tested?
ReverendDexter wrote: It's like they believe that the only people who choose manual transmissions only do so because they can't afford an automatic.
It certainly seems that way. Although I think it has to do more with bean-counting the amount of manuals usually sold with the higher trim levels. I still think they're missing the point, especially since they're marketing it as a sporty car.
That said, kudos to Suzuki for offering something fun and functional at a lower price point. Pretty much what we've been whining about for years.
Matt B wrote: Um, if it starts at around $19K and you added roughly $600-ish worth of options, why does the base price on your manual fwd model say $24699, and $25304 as-tested?
The base price for the Kizashi Sports LS is $24699. We're kind of at the mercy of the press fleet regarding the specific model and option packages we get. You can buy a "base" Kizashi for less money.
Matt B wrote: That said, kudos to Suzuki for offering something fun and functional at a lower price point.
Kudos to Suzuki for offering anything that's not a Daewoo, or somebody else's pickup.
Too bad it's a 4 door family sedan.
Zomby woof wrote:Matt B wrote: That said, kudos to Suzuki for offering something fun and functional at a lower price point.Kudos to Suzuki for offering anything that's not a Daewoo, or somebody else's pickup. Too bad it's a 4 door family sedan.
A 4 door Sedan that butts heads with all of its competitors at a lower price point?
Hopefully the Kizashi will lead to an increased market share for Suzuki, so they will be tempted to get up to their old tricks: Like the Swift GT.
The dealer bet me that the Kizashi had as many or more features and option as my Lexus is250 so we sat them side by side and compared them. He lost, but only by 1-2 features.
It absolutely amazed me since the price point is at least $10,000 less than the Lexus. We then took both over to a deserted street and played autocross from curb to curb and we both like the Suzuki better. It's a killer car for the money.
Now if they can just overcome the name. If you can't resell a car at a great price then you're losing money to buy it. When I bought a car for my mother-in-law a couple of months ago she wouldn't even go look at it. We got a Subie Legacy so it's not as if she lost out, but Suzuki did.
I like the name. Finally a new name that's not alpha-numeric. (Cadillac, I'm looking at you.)
Tom Heath wrote:Matt B wrote: Um, if it starts at around $19K and you added roughly $600-ish worth of options, why does the base price on your manual fwd model say $24699, and $25304 as-tested?The base price for the Kizashi Sports LS is $24699. We're kind of at the mercy of the press fleet regarding the specific model and option packages we get. You can buy a "base" Kizashi for less money.
Ah, thanks for clearing that up.
Their website says the kashi sport has Kyb dampers and Akebono designed brakes. Anyone know if its actually sporty?
The one I drove felt sporty for a sedan. Sure it could have used 300 more HP, but I think that about everything.
Matt B wrote: Um, if it starts at around $19K and you added roughly $600-ish worth of options, why does the base price on your manual fwd model say $24699, and $25304 as-tested?
The Kizashi itself starts around $19k. The Sport SLS, our test car, has a base price of $24,699.
I think it's interesting that Suzuki is known for building a lot of crazy sport bikes, but other than the Swift with a small cult (Cultus?) following, they haven't built much in the way of cars that have attracted an enthusiast following (or any following in the US, really). Where's the four wheeled equivalent of a Hayabusa? And is the Kizashi a sign they may be planning an answer?
Their hillclimb car counts as crazy.
I loved my first-gen Sidekick 4-door. Then they got all bulbous and heavy and GM-sourced. Glad to see they are getting noticed, I always routed for the underdog Suzuki.
sachilles wrote: Their hillclimb car counts as crazy.
True, but where would one go about getting or building their own? The hillclimb cars don't have a road counterpart to sell, unlike, say Lancer EVOs or the Subaru WRX.
I forgot about the Samurai / Sidekick; that's one I've got to give them credit for as well.
Appleseed wrote: I like the name. Finally a new name that's not alpha-numeric. (Cadillac, Acura, Lincoln, Audi, Beemer, Benz, Infiniti, Lexus , I'm looking at you.)
Its a high end marquee trend, and its been that way for ages.
MadScientistMatt wrote:sachilles wrote: Their hillclimb car counts as crazy.True, but where would one go about getting or building their own? The hillclimb cars don't have a road counterpart to sell, unlike, say Lancer EVOs or the Subaru WRX. I forgot about the Samurai / Sidekick; that's one I've got to give them credit for as well.
Sure it does. Its a "Grand Vitara."
MadScientistMatt wrote: I think it's interesting that Suzuki is known for building a lot of crazy sport bikes, but other than the Swift with a small cult (Cultus?) following, they haven't built much in the way of cars that have attracted an enthusiast following (or any following in the US, really). Where's the four wheeled equivalent of a Hayabusa? And is the Kizashi a sign they may be planning an answer?
Most of what they manufacture would never sell in the US, and some of it's pretty cool.
In reply to Zomby woof:
Yep. Sign me up for a steamy Cappuccino, please.
carguy123 wrote: The dealer bet me that the Kizashi had as many or more features and option as my Lexus is250 so we sat them side by side and compared them. He lost, but only by 1-2 features. It absolutely amazed me since the price point is at least $10,000 less than the Lexus. We then took both over to a deserted street and played autocross from curb to curb and we both like the Suzuki better. It's a killer car for the money. Now if they can just overcome the name. If you can't resell a car at a great price then you're losing money to buy it. When I bought a car for my mother-in-law a couple of months ago she wouldn't even go look at it. We got a Subie Legacy so it's not as if she lost out, but Suzuki did.
he would have won if you were driving a 3 series bmw, assuming you were talking standard features.
vynil seats, blah!
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