2012 Suzuki Kizashi

The Suzuki Kizashi is one of the best compact sedans on the market. But as it is, many shoppers might not even think to put it on their list of prospective models. That's because Suzuki—and Suzuki dealerships—simply haven't made much of a name for themselves in the U.S. market. If you can see past that lack of brand cachet, the Kizashi shines as a premium, sport-flavored alternative to the likes of the Volkswagen Jetta or Chevrolet Cruze. 

Even a couple of years after its debut, the Kizashi remains one of the better-looking sedans. It's more than a foot shorter than most mid-size sedans, but on the upper edge of what would be considered a compact, and the Kizashi strikes some great proportions, combining a rather traditional sedan profile with a dressed-up look and sportier stance. Inside, the Kizashi is feels a class above most other value-conscious four-cylinder compact or mid-size models, with a little bit of sports-car swoopiness in the two-tier instrument panel design, a large, hooded gauge cluster, and just a tiny touch of chrome to punctuate the look but not overwhelm. The sporty, upscale look and feel is enhanced by well-bolstered sport seats and quality coarse cloth or ventilated-leather upholstery.

A gutsy 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine moves the Kizashi plenty quick, and provides spirited performance either with the available continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) or standard six-speed manual. With the CVT, the Kizashi comes either with front-wheel drive or the new i-AWD system, which is configured for enhanced cornering and managed via the stability control system; but of the combinations, our favorite remains the front-wheel-drive Sport model with the manual gearbox. Overall, though the Kizashi feels athletic, and excellent suspension tuning, body control, and grip give it a nimble, tossable feel. Brakes employ Akebono performance calipers, and they feel strong but a little touchy.

Gas mileage for this powertrain is one weakness; EPA ratings aren't that impressive, though ranging from 20 to 23 mpg in the city and 29 to 31 mpg on the highway.

Those who think of some compact models as a little too small but don't want the sacrifice in maneuverability that comes with a mid-size car will appreciate the Kizashi's 'just-right' size. Suzuki hasn't accomplished any magic with interior space here, though; the Kizashi is more of a compact sedan than a mid-size one on the outside, and the same rings true inside. But nice, supportive bucket seats provide a great driving position and plenty of support for taller folks. The Kizashi doesn't have a lot of space In the back seat, but you'll definitely be able to accommodate a couple of adults back there for a drive out for lunch.

The Kizashi really shines in the details. Throughout the interior, materials feel a bit different than most other models in this class, with nicely grained plastics plus soft-touch and padded surfaces in most of the places you'd brush against. Ride quality is on the firm side, but you'll never feel rattled; it also damps out road noise surprisingly well considering that it favors sportiness over outright comfort.

Federal crash-test scores still haven't been given to the Kizashi, but the IIHS rates it 'good' in all but its roof-strength test ('acceptable' there). Eight airbags are standard, including rear side bags, which still aren't common in this class.

The 2012 Suzuki Kizashi continues to put its best foot forward in terms of features for the money. Even when optioned with that, a loaded Kizashi SLS Sport still totals well under $30k. Suzuki typically offers few if any options on its U.S. vehicles, instead including a strong list of standard features, and the Kizashi takes that to a new level with all Kizashi's including keyless entry and dual-zone climate control. GTS Sport and SLS Sport step up to a lowered suspension that rides 10 mm lower (but not really any harsher) than the base setup; a bolder, lightweight wheel design; a trunk spoiler; body sill extensions; a more aggressive front fascia; and a bolder, 'aero' look. Sport models also get snug, leather-trimmed sport seats with contrast stitching, plus a number of other extras. A navigation system is available as a relatively low-cost option and includes a rear camera system, real-time traffic, and iPod controls.

Sporty, classy exteriorNicely detailed interiorHandling and maneuverabilityQuiet, refined cabinPremium feel at a bargain priceEngine noise, particularly with the CVTUnimpressive fuel economy ratingsTight headroom with sunroofFlawed display with limited characters, reflections

View the original article here

2012 Suzuki SX4

The 2012 Suzuki SX4 remains the lowest-priced car with all-wheel drive, and it's one of the best small-car values for the money. See What the
Rest of the Web Says We've gathered reviews from Edmunds.com, Cars.com plus live Tweets on this car. See What We Found »

With two roomy, well-designed body styles, a perky driving feel, and lots of features for the money, the 2012 Suzuki SX4 remains one of the stronger small-car entries for value-conscious shoppers--and one of the most often-overlooked possibilities for comparison shoppers.

The 2012 SX4 is available in several different configurations, as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback. Both SX4 Sedan and SX4 SportBack (hatchback) models are front-wheel drive, but the hatchback is also offered in SX4 Crossover guise; as such, the SX4 is the lowest-priced new car with all-wheel drive.

We tend to think that the SX4 works best, design-wise, in either of its hatchback forms; the silhouette of the Suzuki SX4 sedan can appear a little too pert and truncated at the back, giving it an anonymous, rather tall-and-narrow look (and greater anonymity in parking lots); both the SX4 Crossover and its sportier front-wheel-drive twin, the SX4 SportBack, are more distinctive. Inside, the instrument panel is upright and businesslike yet sporty, and while materials are on the hard-and-cheap side, they're a bit more impressive than in other affordable rivals thanks to judicious use of textures and just a little bit of brightwork.

Compared to most other on-a-budget subcompact cars, the 2012 Suzuki SX4 is simply more enjoyable to drive. Both versions of the 2011 Suzuki SX4 come standard with a 150-horsepower version of Suzuki's 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine, along with a six-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Models with the manual gearbox are especially strong and zippy, and the CVT escapes the acceleration drone that plagues larger four-cylinder models with this type of transmission. Suzuki's Intelligent All-Wheel-Drive (I-AWD) system is standard on the Crossover, whereas the SportBack, the entry Sedan, and the fancier Sport sedan make do with simpler front-wheel drive. Handling and maneuverability is impressive throughout the lineup, and with decent outward visibility, the SX4 is easy to park. The SX4's least desirable trait is fuel economy, though; EPA ratings run just 25 mpg city, 32 highway with the CVT or 23/33 with the six-speed manual.

Front seats in the SX4 are well-bolstered, with a nice, upright position--better than typical for a budget-priced small car, and while the seat fabric is far from elegant, it's comfortable and seems durable. In back, theater-style elevated seating gives both more legroom and a less claustrophobic feeling; there's enough space for two adults in a pinch. One of the key differences between the two body styles is that the sedan has a roomy trunk, while the shorter overall length of hatchbacks means that cargo space is limited--unless you're not planning to carry rear passengers and can fold the rear seatbacks. Ride quality is on the firm side but comfortable; the only aspect that isn't as charming are that the engine gets quite coarse when pressed. Wind noise and even road noise aren't bad.

While safety ratings for the SX4 haven't been particularly impressive, features certainly are, and most of the models are very strong value for the money. For 2012, Suzuki SX4 Sedan models get an upgrade to four-wheel disc brakes across the lineup (formerly rear drums), and a Garmin navigation with voice recognition is available throughout the model line (standard on the Sedan and optional on other models). With a Technology Package, the system includes Google search, plus real-time traffic and weather.

Value for the moneyCheap, but fun to driveComfortable rideAll-wheel drive for $17kGas mileageCoarse engine noteTight cargo space (hatchback)

View the original article here

Verdict: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GT

We all learn at an early age you get what you pay for. That knockoff action figure at the dollar store just doesn't pack the same karate-chop action as the one on the TV commercials. And it's tough keeping up with friends on your $100 Toys "R" Us mountain bike when it weighs as much as your Labrador retriever and the wheels won't stay round. A few samples from our Kizashi's logbook: "Feel like a premium piece. Has the high-value/fun-to-drive bones that made the Civic famous." "Impressive for its price." "It's hard to believe this car only costs $24,000." Yes, our Kizashi tester wowed us with its value. For an as-tested price of $23,484, we got a spacious midsize sedan equipped with dual-zone climate control; a 10-way power driver's seat with memory settings; a tilting/telescoping leather-wrapped, button-laden, multifunction steering wheel; a 425-watt, 10-speaker audio system; Bluetooth connectivity; foglamps; eight airbags; and 18-inch wheels. Not bad.

"What really sells it for me and my heavy foot is that one can drive the Kizashi at full throttle all the time without doing super-illegal speeds," Vance scribbled. "The engine has just enough power to wind out on every hole shot, freeway ramp, or lane merge, and yet, doing so rarely puts you above the posted speed limit. Lots of fun."

That fun character, combined with practicality (the Kizashi averaged 24.8 mpg during its stay), earned strong praise from executive editor Ed Loh. "For scooting around town and riding commuter traffic, the Kizashi is perfect," Loh noted. "The manual gearbox is good (not great), but sporty enough to encourage heel-toe shifting and other shenanigans. I enjoy wringing out the four-banger, and it makes me even happier to see mpg in the mid-to-high 20s when doing so."

For as much as we loved driving the Kizashi, there was still room for some improvement. A blown fuse at 15,000 miles rendered the stereo and power mirrors completely non-operable, but the fuse was replaced at no cost under warranty. Service costs for our year and nearly 20,000 miles rang in at a total of $128.69 for two oil changes, tire rotations, and general inspections. Two no-cost recall services were also performed -- one to replace a dashboard compartment hinge, and the other to replace a defective drive belt pulley tensioner.

All said, we were sad to see our Kizashi go after its yearlong tenure in the fleet. It might be easy to replace it with a more expensive vehicle, but it won't be as easy to find one with more charm. Associate online editor Nate Martinez summed up our final impressions. "Suzuki should be proud. The Kizashi is roomy and modern inside, has a handsome exterior, rides smooth, grips decently well, and returns respectable fuel economy. It's a shame Suzuki isn't selling more of these."

"The more I drive the Kizashi, the more I like it. Especially when you consider that our well-appointed tester stickers for under $23,000, about what you'd spend for a similar Jetta. Of course, the Jetta now has a torsion-beam rear end -- fine for most, but the Kizashi is the better handler."
Jonny Lieberman

Body Side Molding Accents ($125), Floor Mats ($125) Drive belt pulley tensioner replacement, lower compartment box door hinge

View the original article here

Long Term Update 7: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS

From the July, 2011 issue of Motor Trend / Photography by Motor Trend Staff This sedan continues to be a staff favorite, though underrated in the marketplace. Associate online editor Benson Kong notes, "This car should be the poster child for tip-of-the-fingers, effortless shifting. The steering, on the other hand, imparts a completely opposite sensation. It's direct, with a good amount of heft throughout the steering range." It's fuel-efficient, too. Kong continues, "The 2.4-liter engine may be more gas miserly than the EPA lets on. It's rated 20/29 mpg, but with a mix of city and highway driving and what I'd consider moderate applications of throttle, I easily did more than 200 miles with over half a tank to go. I only had to put in 7.24 gallons of 87 octane to top it off."
$128.69 (2-oil change, rotate tires, inspection)

Motor Trend Rating:

View the original article here

Pick One for the U.S.: Cruze Hatch, Ford B-Max or Suzuki Swift

It’s attractive even in rental car maroon metallic, the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback. Like the Ford B-Max and the Suzuki Swift concept, it’s the kind of car most of you find cool and useful and ready to make a splash in U.S. dealerships. How many of you would buy one? That’s not enough.

It’s like the argument for the diesel-powered, stick-shift station wagon. Sure, VW sells a few thousand such Jetta wagons a year. For a company like Volkswagen, with ambitions to more than triple its sales in the U.S. over the next seven years, that’s not enough.

Out of the Cruze hatchback, B-Max and Swift, all of which were revealed at this week’s 2011 Geneva show, only one of them would be a relative success in America, and (hint), “relative” is the key word.

Chevy Cruze hatchback?
The only argument Chevrolet has for bringing this car to the U.S. is the new 2012 Ford Focus hatchback. One Ford is so confident about that car that you can only get the base Focus model with its loss-leader price in the sedan bodystyle. Ford figures that because Americans have been willing to pay premium small car prices for the Mini they’ll do the same for a C-segment Ford.

You, me, and most our fellow enthusiasts tend to like “European” design, including the ever-handy hatchback. We’re not average American buyers, who tend to prefer their hatchbacks in crossover sport/utility form and their cars as midsize sedans with lots of space and good fuel efficiency.

While the Cruze hatchback’s body adds another 14 cubic feet or so of cargo space, it retains the same seating package as the sedan. Rear seat space is adequate for a compact sedan in the U.S., though some criticize it for being a bit cramped.

Hatchbacks don’t sell to average car buyers. BMW has sold more Minis in the U.S. than officially projected because the car is a Mini, not because the car is a hatchback. In fact, Mini intentionally projected no more than 20,000 sales for the 2002 model year, and handily beat it. Yes, some Americans are buying some hatchback models, but the hatches they’re buying have other strong selling points, and sell well as hatchbacks because they’re outlier car buyers. After all, America’s bestselling hatchback is the Toyota Prius.

Ford B-Max?
The B-Max is the tall MPV off the Fiesta platform, just as the upcoming Ford C-Max, to be sold in North America, is a tall MPV off the Focus platform. Will Ford bring the B-Max to the U.S.?

The c-segment, one-bodystyle Cruze is far outselling the b-segment, two-bodystyle Fiesta in the U.S., so the b-segment has only limited appeal in the States. The B-Max has some very attractive features, though. Its rear doors slide back, American minivan-like, and there’s no b-pillar. So you can get people and things in and out of the B-Max easily, just like that other hot-selling model without a fixed b-pillar, the, er, Honda Element.

The B-Max is just 4.3 inches longer than a Fiesta, so if you have tight parking quarters at the home or office and often carry, say a couple of small kids or large dogs, you might make an argument for the B-Max. Like other modern Fords, its maker has put a lot of money and emphasis on the interior quality and comfort. There’s a six-inch touch screen for navigation, information/entertainment and other Sync/MyFord features.

MPVs or minivans as small as the C-Max or Mazda5, both of which offer three rows of seating for those grade school soccer team carpools, have yet to prove themselves in the North American market. I’d put my money on something like the Volkswagen Bulli as having a better chance of becoming a small hit. It’s just an electric-powered concept for now, and its four doors open conventionally, though both rows of seats fold flat for camping and such. So it’s probably a bit less versatile than the Ford B-Max. But the VW far exceeds the Ford in style, just like the Mini does compared with other hatchbacks sold in America.

The chances Ford will sell the B-Max in the U.S.? Very slim.

Suzuki Swift concept?
In the United States last year, Suzuki sold about 700 more vehicles than Ford sold Fiestas. Remember, Ford only launched the Fiesta midyear. The Swift, sold under various model nameplates as a Suzuki, a Chevy and in Canada as the Pontiac Firefly, has been absent from our shores since the ‘90s. The new model is what the Mini was supposed to be to its original; a natural evolution over several generations.

It’s a B-segment two-door hatchback in concept form, though it will be available, again, as a four-door hatch. Suzuki didn’t reveal the next model’s drivetrain options, though there’s talk it would again get turbocharging and perhaps even all-wheel-drive. It has potential as a pocket-rocket with more enthusiasts’ appeal than the Fiesta, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and possibly even the 2012 Chevy Sonic.

Importing the Swift to the U.S. is no small beer. It takes millions of dollars to certify a car for crash and emissions. Even the Cruze hatchback would have to meet crash and rollover certification.

If Suzuki is committed to the U.S. market, what does it have to lose by importing the Swift (beyond those millions of dollars)? Probably just enthusiasts and a few other outliers would shop this car. But when you’re selling just 24,000 vehicles a year in the U.S., another 5,000 to 10,000 units of a car with an admittedly low profit margin sounds like a good deal.

Of these three Euro-centric models, the Suzuki Swift is the one that should come to the U.S.

View the original article here

Suzuki to take Kizashi to “next level” at NY show

Friday, Mar 25th, 2011 @ 12:02 p.m.

Suzuki’s United States sales have been on the decline over the last four years, but that doesn’t mean the Japanese automaker is just giving up. Suzuki has announced it is planning two global reveals for the fast-approaching New York Auto Show.

At least one of those world debuts will involve the automaker’s mid-size Kizashi. No details were given, but Suzuki says the new model will take the “Kizashi to the next level.”

Despite that bold claim, we’re taking the announcement with a grain of salt. Suzuki promised a similar model for the 2010 NY show and all we got was the Kizashi Sport. Although the Kizashi Sport featured a lowered suspension, unique body kit and 18-inch wheels, it left us wanting on the performance front.

However, it remains possible that Suzuki could be planning to launch a turbocharged version of the Kizashi. We sampled a prototype of the turbo Kizash last spring and found it to be a phenomenal vehicle. Unfortunately, our insiders tell us that a Kizashi turbo would be a dealer-install option like Toyota’s TRD program rather than a factory-backed car like the Hyundai Sonata Turbo.

No word on what Suzuki’s second reveal might be, but we don’t have to wait long as the start of the New York show is now less than a month away.

View the original article here

2007 Suzuki SX4

Home | New Cars | Used Cars | Auto Shows | Car Reviews | Green | Concept Cars | Rumors | Car Videos | Blogs | Car Forum | Sitemap

View the original article here