Suzuki Kizashi as an alternative to TSX

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Old 03-13-2011 | 01:39 AM
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Suzuki Kizashi as an alternative to TSX

Do you guys feel that the Suzuki Kizashi is a good lower cost competitor to the TSX. I've been researching this car and there are pros and cons relative to the TSX. I'd love to hear what other members on this forum think.

Below is a link (pasted) regarding a review of this car and it is compared to the Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6 Euro and Euro Accord.

I've seen the Kizashi in person and it looks better in person.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/82766/su...st-and-review/




Suzuki Kizashi road test and review

Suzuki’s Kizashi is the most surprising car I’ve driven this year



Model Tested:

2010 Suzuki Kizashi XLS; 2.4-litre four-cylinder; six-speed manual/CVT: $34,990/$36,990
Options:

None fitted;
CarAdvice Rating:

Suzuki has been chipping away at the automotive market for the past ten years with varied levels of success.

One of its most successful forays that is still kicking goals today is the Swift. The unisex, visually appealing small car has found its way to many driveways around Australia – and rightfully so. It’s a great little car that builds on Suzuki’s core concepts, price point and design.

After the somewhat unappealing SX4, their position has been somewhat hazy. That was until the Kizashi.



Meaning “something good is coming”, the new Suzuki Kizashi isn’t so much impressive as it is amazing. It’s the electronic equivalent of the iPod and the human equivalent of Jen Hawkins, it’s usable and beautiful.

You will probably fall over yourself the first time you spot a Kizashi in traffic, I know I did.

The stunning rear end features two integrated exhaust tips that mould their way around the rear and meet a symphony of smooth flowing lines that grace the tail lights and boot-lid. From a design perspective, it’s beautiful.



It’s the same story at the front where a big mouthy grille proudly wears the Suzuki badge. Smooth lines and an oddly shaped bonnet complete the front end mix, giving it the impression of motion even when it’s stationary.




Inside the cabin, things are a little more conservative, but not in a bad way. Excess buttons have been culled for a simplified approach that displays everything you need, with all buttons a perfect distance from the driver.

The perfectly sized steering wheel sits nicely in the hand and offers excellent levels of grip for cornering. A small but noticeable point worth mentioning is the upmarket feel to the steering wheel buttons and switches. The volume, cruise and song selection switches have small grip tabs on them to make quick adjustments easy.



As I said to each of my passengers, if you were to cover up identifying badges you would be hard pressed to spot any fit and finish and quality differences between the Kizashi and a doubly priced Audi or Mercedes-Benz.

Suzuki’s interior quality has always been good but the Kizashi takes it to a new level altogether.

Interior leg and head room is surprisingly accommodating for four passengers. There’s plenty of leg room in the rear, making it perfect for longer journeys. The only issue we ran into during testing was when the car was loaded with five taller adults. Rear seat passengers found head room very limited when seated three abreast.



The boot tackles a gargantuan 461 litres of cargo, which is remarkable for a car that looks as small and nimble as the Kizashi.

The XLS is fitted with a gob-smacking Rockford Fosgate sound system. The 10 speaker sound system laden with a meaty sub-woofer pumps out B&O-like audio quality without the price or fanfare. The amount of bass is staggering and it doesn’t cause any panels to shake or rattle, which is refreshing in a car fitted with such an impressive sound system. The high-end range sound quality is also impressive with treble well sorted.

Under the bonnet is Suzuki’s 2.4-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine. The engine produces 131kW and 230Nm of torque with power sent through either a six-speed manual gearbox or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). You can expect to achieve a combined fuel economy figure of 7.9L/100km, which was easily achieved on test in both the manual and CVT.



While Suzuki has achieved tremendous feats in terms of design and build quality, ride and handling qualities have been maintained to offer a class-leading drive.

Power delivery from the 2.4-litre engine is very linear and smooth. The six-speed manual allows the driver to extract the most from the engine, which is happiest from around 3000rpm onward. In gear acceleration in any gear is fairly impressive for a naturally aspirated engine, even more so with the quick CVT.

The place the Kizashi picks up most of its brownie points is when it’s lobbed into a corner at virtually any speed. Body roll is kept to sensible levels, even during hard cornering. From there, front end grip is all-wheel-drive-like courtesy of well tuned suspension and supremely grippy tyres.



In addition to the high levels of grip, direct steering gives the driver confidence to man-handle the Kizashi without fear of consequence. Braking is also impressive with light brake pedal feel and progressive pedal travel.

Starting at $27,990 for the six-speed manual XL, the XLS model test driven with six-speed manual and CVT is priced at $34,990 and $36,990 respectively.

The level of standard equipment is surprising. The XLS picks up: Heated driver and front passenger seats, dual-zone climate control, six-disc CD player with sub-woofer, leather seats, electric driver and front passenger seats, Xenon headlights with washers, automatic windscreen wipers, automatic headlights, sunroof, cruise control, USB and auxiliary input, electric windows, alarm, proximity sensing key and fog lights.



The safety features are equally as impressive with: Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC), driver and front passenger SRS airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, full length curtain airbags and engine immobiliser.

The Suzuki Kizashi is the surprise package of the year. It offers a superb drive, well built interior, stunning design and best of all it’s loaded with features.

Previous images of the Suzuki brand are simply blown out of the water with the Kizashi. If you’re in the market for a car this size, forget the opposition and test drive the Kizashi. I personally guarantee you will be blown away with the latest effort from Suzuki.

If you want more performance for your buck, an all-wheel-drive version has just been launched. Keep an eye out for our road test in the coming weeks.

Ratings:

CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:



*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer and does not include dealer delivery, on-road or statutory charges.
Old 03-13-2011 | 01:43 AM
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TSXKid2010's Avatar
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I didn't even know Suzuki made cars still. LOL.

Sounds like a good deal, but the thing i'd be worried about is the quality and reliability.
Old 03-13-2011 | 01:44 AM
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i am just a brand hater
Old 03-13-2011 | 01:51 AM
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Originally Posted by ed_423
i am just a brand hater
^ +1

But hey, I was a Hyundai brand hater until recently when Hyundai pulled themselves outta the shit hole...maybe Suzuki is next. pfffft.
Old 03-13-2011 | 03:16 AM
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suzuki?


Old 03-13-2011 | 03:27 AM
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ed_423's Avatar
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LMFAO KILLER WTF! nice avatar ROFL
Old 03-13-2011 | 04:52 AM
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Suzuki Kizashi is a nice car.

In Canada, you can order it in iAWD version. The Sports version comes with 6MT all other CVT. It's 2.4L engine produce 180hp (185hp in Sports) and 170lb/ft torque. No Navi available, but you can have proximity lock and push button start. It's about 4" shorter than TSX.

I have read in Motor Trend where a Suzuki Kizashi did the Tokyo to LA via Russia (with boat and planes for the ocean crossing part) run and the car held up quite nicely. I have also seen it person and looks much better than photo.

Personally, I like the look and feel of the TSX better, however, that's subjective and in Canada at least, the TSX is close to $9K more expensive that the Suzuki Kizashi Sports model. Go test drive both and decide.
Old 03-13-2011 | 06:04 AM
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010tsxcbp's Avatar
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I'm not a fan of the styling.
Old 03-13-2011 | 06:31 AM
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I was considering buying a kizashi so I emailed a friend that works for a dealership that sells them. Found out the dealer sold the Suzuki franchise. The ones they did sell have alot of electrical problems.
Old 03-13-2011 | 01:33 PM
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There's no doubting that Suzuki has come a seriously long way with the Kizashi. You can get many features on the Kizashi that are offered on the TSX for 3/4 the price.

I've heard that the motor is a dog, and that interior quality/fit and finish is not yet there. It's still a phenomenal car from Suzuki, though.

I'd drop the extra coin for a CPO TSX, though.
Old 03-13-2011 | 01:37 PM
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That side view of the car is butt ugly..looks like a Malibu or something...just my opinion.
Old 03-13-2011 | 01:57 PM
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dont like it.
looks like a VW and the interior looks boring and cheap.
Old 03-13-2011 | 03:51 PM
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Cars are good, Brand is dying and will vanish in the next few years.
Old 03-13-2011 | 03:55 PM
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just drove behind one not minutes ago, cut some guy off to get a better look at it. Exhaust pipes were unique, but outside of that it didnt have much going for it, and its styling was bland and definitely didnt have any class going for it
Old 03-13-2011 | 06:14 PM
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The tips would look nice but they have a pipe sticking through lol
link
Old 03-13-2011 | 06:31 PM
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good find pb, reminds me of the lexus is-f and the ferrari california pipes lol
Old 03-13-2011 | 07:04 PM
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Compared to before this Suzuki is nice. I always thought that the new (optima?) KIA's were the cheapo versions of the TSX, they look like 1st gen TSX's too and since their similar if not exactly the same as their sister brand hyundai...wouldn't be surprised if fit and finish is better than previous KIA's and proly better than the suzuki

Hyundai and KIA fit and finish are where Toyota and Honda were about 10-12 years ago IMO and all they need is for the public to lose that brutal stigma of making shit cars then they'll be good...
Old 03-13-2011 | 10:04 PM
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http://www.examiner.com/autos-in-nat...-6-comparisons


How does the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi compare with a variety of other sedans? See more photos of the Kizashi, and the Acura TSX

Continue reading on Examiner.com: A week in the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi: Day 6 (comparisons) - National Autos | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/autos-in-nat...#ixzz1GXGHWYP7

Right after the Autos Examiner picked up a 2010 Suzuki Kizashi sedan for a weeklong test, a fundamental question emerged: "What cars does the Kizashi compete with, and is it better than they are?"

Suzuki says it competes with midsize family cars and is an alternative to entry-luxury sports sedans. This particular car's all-wheel-drive (the system is optional on the Kizashi) puts it against Subaru, with which the system is practically synonymous.

But a few hundred miles tooling around in the latest Suzuki suggest that its combination of compact dimensions and interior quality and driving dynamics that feel upscale of its price tag pin it conclusively into the premium compact segment, going head-to-head with the popular Mazda3 and Volkswagen Jetta.

Back-to-back test drives of this Kizashi test car -- a midlevel SE model with all-wheel-drive and an automatic transmission -- were in order. Along with the Mazda3 S Sport and Jetta S, the cars selected were:

-2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium, the all-wheel-drive competition in the form of a midsize sedan. It's larger than the Kizashi but comparably priced, and it's much closer to this Suzuki's refinement than the smaller, cruder Subaru Impreza.

-2010 Ford Fusion SE, representing the mainstream family sedan. Like the Legacy, it's bigger and roomier than the Kizashi but no more expensive, and it's well regarded for its balance of ride and handling. (Incidentally, the Fusion also offers all-wheel-drive, but only on pricey V6 models.)

-2010 Acura TSX, representing the entry-level luxury sedan. The original TSX, introduced in 2004, was more similar to the Kizashi; the model grew in a redesign last year. Nonetheless, when the Kizashi first went on sale earlier this year, Suzuki targeted the TSX (along with the Audi A4) with a marketing campaign: Suzuki would pay $100 to anyone who test drove a Kizashi and still went on to purchase one of those two luxury cars.

How does the Kizashi stack up to each of these five? (Also see photo comparisons in today's slideshow.)


2010 Acura TSX -- $30,120. Test vehicle provided by Criswell
Acura of Annapolis, Md.
2010 Acura TSX base

Key Suzuki advantages:
-Price. A loaded Kizashi SLS is not inexpensive at a sticker price of around $26,000, but a comparably-equipped TSX (a base model with no options) tops $30,000. And that high-end Kizashi isn't giving up any luxury features to the base Acura -- though you can option up the TSX with more electronics. But though even the cheapest Kizashi includes a keyless entry and starting system, such a feature is unavailable on the TSX.
-All wheel drive. Like the Kizashi, many entry-luxury sedans do offer this system; the TSX doesn't.
-Ride quality. The TSX's suspension gets a little too jittery on some road surfaces; the tested Kizashi is more comfortable. (Note that high-end Kizashis have larger wheels than this test SE, and some reviewers have said those models ride more stiffly.)
-Gas mileage. The Kizashi's fuel economy isn't great for a compact sedan, but it's better than the TSX's. Acura also recommends premium fuel; Suzuki is fine with regular.

Key Acura advantages:
-Premium brand. Someone who buys the cheapest Acura will get their car from a higher-end dealership than someone who buys the most expensive Suzuki.
-Front seat comfort. The Kizashi's front seats are serviceable; the TSX's are exceptional, impressive even among its own competitors.
-Rear seat space. Though not by much, the TSX offers better accommodations for rear-seat passengers than the smaller Kizashi.
-Powertrain. The TSX's standard four-cylinder engine (unlike the Kizashi, it also offers a big V6) is marginally quicker than the Kizashi's and is substantially quieter under acceleration.

Overall:
The Kizashi's driving experience and interior quality are in no way embarrassed by the TSX's. But the Acura sets itself apart for the comfort of its front seats and for the quality of the leather that trims them, and the engine drone of an accelerating Kizashi won't win many converts from a luxury car.

Basically, the Kizashi is good enough that someone who is unwilling or unable to spend $30,000 and up won't be left hurting. But it's not going to win over someone who was planning to pay extra for a luxury sports sedan.



Continue reading on Examiner.com: A week in the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi: Day 6 (comparisons) - National Autos | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/autos-in-nat...#ixzz1GXFlZnw5
Old 03-13-2011 | 10:08 PM
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I love the Kizashi, and I think it's a great cheaper alternative to the TSX.
Old 03-13-2011 | 10:21 PM
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It really comes down to your financial situation in the end
Old 03-14-2011 | 05:58 AM
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Originally Posted by cyberbro
Cars are good, Brand is dying and will vanish in the next few years.
Cars are getting better, but unfortunately, we will always lurk for name brand items.
Old 03-14-2011 | 12:36 PM
  #22  
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Resale value will not be good...hunt for the best deal if you do buy
Old 03-14-2011 | 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by russel082581
dont like it.
looks like a VW and the interior looks boring and cheap.
+1
I agree looks more like a Passat or a Jetta. But none the less, it is strickly up to your own opinion. Asking this question is going to be mainly biased on a Acura forum. Car doesn't look bad, agree that name has bad wraps here in US but not sure where you are?
Old 03-14-2011 | 02:13 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Aman
I love the Kizashi, and I think it's a great cheaper alternative to the TSX.
I don't see how anyone would consider this a good low cost alternative to the TSX, if I'm going to buy a cheaper car it really should be cheaper.

Starting at $27,990 for the six-speed manual XL, the XLS model test driven with six-speed manual and CVT is priced at $34,990 and $36,990 respectively.


Maybe I'm missing something but based on these prices, I don't see why you would buy a Suzuki over the TSX unless your hobbies include smoking massive amounts of crack cocaine.
Old 03-14-2011 | 02:20 PM
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How about when it is time to sell your car in 6 yrs... re-sale value will suck so bad that you'll be having to perform the second part of today's special Holiday just for the dealership to take the trade-in...

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