Please find following my thoughts, opinion, review of my purchase of a 2011 Suzuki Kizashi SLS Sport.
I am very particular by nature. I, along with many others, am feeling the economic crunch. I was previously driving a 2007 Mazda CX-9 AWD crossover. A wonderful vehicle in its own right, but I needed something more frugal on gas. I started the "hunt" for my next purchase sometime in April of 2011. I compared mid sized sedans head to head to decide which would be the car for my family and I. I visited dealers and drove approximately five (5)makes in order to gain insight as to what vehicle was the perfect fit.I found,mid June,the right car for me.
The test drive of the Suzuki was very pronounced. The car drove very "European". By this I mean it was very "solid" traveling down the road. The handling was/is razor sharp to me. The noise level was/is almost non existent. I felt like I was driving a much more expensive car. The model that I purchased was the top tier model offered for the Kizashi, the SLS Sport (silver exterior/black leather interior). The vehicle is front wheel drive with a CVT transmission. The vehicle makes approximately 180 horsepower. I will say that the black leather interior is neatly accomplished. The seats are outlined with contrasting white stitching around their borders. The seats are very comfortable for this 200+ lb. man. Their ability to be configured and saved to three memory positions is greatly appreciated. They are heated by three stage seat heaters, L-M-H. The gauges are quite legible to read. The stereo is very powerful (425 watts). It is very clear with as good a separation and tonal quality as I have heard in a production sedan.I am no audiophile by any means.The dual visor mirrors are lit. The rear view mirror automatically dims when strong headlight beams are detected. The side mirrors are heated when the rear defroster switch is on. Their is auxiliary lighting in the foot wells and there are puddle lights when one opens the doors. There is a lighted trunk. There is a lighted glove box. The headlights can be operated manually or via an "automatic" setting on the stalk. The headlights are operated the same way on the other stalk. Manually or automatically. There are fog lights that are operated via a push button switch on the left side of the dash. Every switch, whether on the dash, door, or steering wheel is lit at night. They operate with a quality feel. Very nice! There are rear, sonar based, back up sensors.There is a sun/moon roof. The vehicle rides on 18 inch rims and has a taut, but not harsh suspension.The engine revs very smoothly and willingly. The CVT, my first, is very smooth. It has been programmed to quickly reach the most economical ratio very quickly in driving from the "D" position. This can and will lug the engine to a slight degree. I don't find this troubling or problematic for me. When I would like to go faster, a small depression of the accelerator is all it takes to start moving out.It is not a race car but can willingly and effortlessly transport my family of four without a problem. I find if I would like to "control" the vehicle more that I can use the manual shift gate on the console or use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel to "shift". The paddles are always "live" so driving in "D", I can down shift/up shift at my discretion. My gas mileage in 70% highway and 30% city driving cycle is averaging 28.3 miles per gallon. I can get 24 mpg in strict city driving.I can get as much as 40.1 mpg on the highway. EPA rates this vehicle 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. I use the required 87 octane gas from Mobil or Shell.
I really love this vehicle! I have had the privilege of owning more expensive, bigger vehicles but this vehicle tops them all. The combination of ride quality, interior amenities,features for the price paid is a raving bargain!I have not had any squeaks, rattles or defects that I have found as of yet.I have just turned 6,750 miles on the odometer. I feel a little "special" when I drive the vehicle. To date I have only seen 4 other Kizashis on the road. I live in the largest city in Illinois. I hope I given some insight as to what a "Kizashi" may be. If you would like to know more or need a clarification, please let me know.
Regards.
I am very particular by nature. I, along with many others, am feeling the economic crunch. I was previously driving a 2007 Mazda CX-9 AWD crossover. A wonderful vehicle in its own right, but I needed something more frugal on gas. I started the "hunt" for my next purchase sometime in April of 2011. I compared mid sized sedans head to head to decide which would be the car for my family and I. I visited dealers and drove approximately five (5)makes in order to gain insight as to what vehicle was the perfect fit.I found,mid June,the right car for me.
The test drive of the Suzuki was very pronounced. The car drove very "European". By this I mean it was very "solid" traveling down the road. The handling was/is razor sharp to me. The noise level was/is almost non existent. I felt like I was driving a much more expensive car. The model that I purchased was the top tier model offered for the Kizashi, the SLS Sport (silver exterior/black leather interior). The vehicle is front wheel drive with a CVT transmission. The vehicle makes approximately 180 horsepower. I will say that the black leather interior is neatly accomplished. The seats are outlined with contrasting white stitching around their borders. The seats are very comfortable for this 200+ lb. man. Their ability to be configured and saved to three memory positions is greatly appreciated. They are heated by three stage seat heaters, L-M-H. The gauges are quite legible to read. The stereo is very powerful (425 watts). It is very clear with as good a separation and tonal quality as I have heard in a production sedan.I am no audiophile by any means.The dual visor mirrors are lit. The rear view mirror automatically dims when strong headlight beams are detected. The side mirrors are heated when the rear defroster switch is on. Their is auxiliary lighting in the foot wells and there are puddle lights when one opens the doors. There is a lighted trunk. There is a lighted glove box. The headlights can be operated manually or via an "automatic" setting on the stalk. The headlights are operated the same way on the other stalk. Manually or automatically. There are fog lights that are operated via a push button switch on the left side of the dash. Every switch, whether on the dash, door, or steering wheel is lit at night. They operate with a quality feel. Very nice! There are rear, sonar based, back up sensors.There is a sun/moon roof. The vehicle rides on 18 inch rims and has a taut, but not harsh suspension.The engine revs very smoothly and willingly. The CVT, my first, is very smooth. It has been programmed to quickly reach the most economical ratio very quickly in driving from the "D" position. This can and will lug the engine to a slight degree. I don't find this troubling or problematic for me. When I would like to go faster, a small depression of the accelerator is all it takes to start moving out.It is not a race car but can willingly and effortlessly transport my family of four without a problem. I find if I would like to "control" the vehicle more that I can use the manual shift gate on the console or use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel to "shift". The paddles are always "live" so driving in "D", I can down shift/up shift at my discretion. My gas mileage in 70% highway and 30% city driving cycle is averaging 28.3 miles per gallon. I can get 24 mpg in strict city driving.I can get as much as 40.1 mpg on the highway. EPA rates this vehicle 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. I use the required 87 octane gas from Mobil or Shell.
I really love this vehicle! I have had the privilege of owning more expensive, bigger vehicles but this vehicle tops them all. The combination of ride quality, interior amenities,features for the price paid is a raving bargain!I have not had any squeaks, rattles or defects that I have found as of yet.I have just turned 6,750 miles on the odometer. I feel a little "special" when I drive the vehicle. To date I have only seen 4 other Kizashis on the road. I live in the largest city in Illinois. I hope I given some insight as to what a "Kizashi" may be. If you would like to know more or need a clarification, please let me know.
Regards.
