No more manual transmission
In 2011, only the Sport model offered a stick shift. For 2012, though, every Kizashi gets a continuously variable automatic (CVT). While many automotive journalists I know despise this type of gearbox, I don’t mind it under normal driving situations.
Under full-throttle acceleration, however, one might wish for a conventional automatic, although the Kizashi’s CVT does include a manual mode with 6 programmed gear ratios as well as wheel-mounted paddle shifters in SX and Sport trims.
Under the hood, the Kizashi counts on a smooth 2.4L 4-cylinder engine that develops 180 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. Like most 4-pot midsize sedans, it gets the job done, despite it sounding a little noisy at wide-open throttle; blame the CVT. Fuel economy isn’t bad for a car with an AWD setup, at 9.1/6.7 L/100km city/highway.
Revised pricing
The Kizashi S will start at $27,995 and will include automatic climate control, an intelligent key system, cruise control, power windows, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, an 8-speaker stereo with a USB port and wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth connectivity, fog lamps and 17” alloy wheels. Suzuki mentions the $28,995 Legacy Touring as its main competitor.
The SX checks in at $30,495 and adds a Rockford-Fosgate sound system, paddle shifters, leather upholstery, a power passenger seat, rain-sensing wipers, rear park sonar, 18” wheels and a power sunroof. The top-rung Sport model you see in these pictures costs $32,995 and piles on leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob, unique alloy wheels, a sport suspension and sporty cosmetic add-ons.
The Suzuki Kizashi is arguably the sexiest looking midsize sedan on the market, it offers a good driving experience and its interior fit and finish is fantastic. It has very few flaws, the biggest one being that few people really know how good this car is. Let’s hope Suzuki can turn things around and give the Kizashi the attention it deserves.
In 2011, only the Sport model offered a stick shift. For 2012, though, every Kizashi gets a continuously variable automatic (CVT). While many automotive journalists I know despise this type of gearbox, I don’t mind it under normal driving situations.
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| The Kizashi boasts a 2.4L 4-cylinder that develops 180 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |
Under full-throttle acceleration, however, one might wish for a conventional automatic, although the Kizashi’s CVT does include a manual mode with 6 programmed gear ratios as well as wheel-mounted paddle shifters in SX and Sport trims.
Under the hood, the Kizashi counts on a smooth 2.4L 4-cylinder engine that develops 180 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. Like most 4-pot midsize sedans, it gets the job done, despite it sounding a little noisy at wide-open throttle; blame the CVT. Fuel economy isn’t bad for a car with an AWD setup, at 9.1/6.7 L/100km city/highway.
Revised pricing
The Kizashi S will start at $27,995 and will include automatic climate control, an intelligent key system, cruise control, power windows, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, an 8-speaker stereo with a USB port and wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth connectivity, fog lamps and 17” alloy wheels. Suzuki mentions the $28,995 Legacy Touring as its main competitor.
The SX checks in at $30,495 and adds a Rockford-Fosgate sound system, paddle shifters, leather upholstery, a power passenger seat, rain-sensing wipers, rear park sonar, 18” wheels and a power sunroof. The top-rung Sport model you see in these pictures costs $32,995 and piles on leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob, unique alloy wheels, a sport suspension and sporty cosmetic add-ons.
The Suzuki Kizashi is arguably the sexiest looking midsize sedan on the market, it offers a good driving experience and its interior fit and finish is fantastic. It has very few flaws, the biggest one being that few people really know how good this car is. Let’s hope Suzuki can turn things around and give the Kizashi the attention it deserves.
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| The 2012 Kizashi S comes loaded at $27,995; the Sport model tested here costs $32,995. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |
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