Really poor gas mileage
The slowest car I had with the highest gas consumption. It's a shame, I drive like a grand pa and have 19-20MPG(highway and city,run at 60MPH highway and accelerate very gently forever). My car is AWD and even with AWD off, nothing change, what a joke for a 180HP car who complete 0-100KMH in 10 seconds. I went to Ford last week for a Focus ST turbo with 252HP 270Lb of torque and I'm sure it's would be be 23-25MPG easily(maybe more). Consumme same thing or more than Sonata turbo of 274HP or Kia Optima with the same engine.(100HP more for the same consumption lol) Without this 2 big problems, this is the best car I had(handling, good looking, fun to drive, cabin, equipment for price, awd, sound system). I live in Canada(Quebec, French) and they only give me 17000$ for my car so I have to wait 1-3 years for Mazda 6 2014-15 Diesel, Fusion 2014-15 Hybrid or turbo, focus ST or other best cars. I paid 34000$ for my new car, 2011(got it in May 2011), full equip but it's not the Kizashi sport.
Thx for the info. Will consider disconnecting the battery for ECU clear as last attempt if the next few tanks remain abysmal. I very recently had something replaced under warranty, which apparently was causing a lot of problem with the car. I am hoping that was the culprit and hopefully MPG will improve a little. After I have more miles in I will write a new post regarding what was found wrong and what was done, hopefully benefiting other people.
2011 Kizash SLS AWD
hitorx,
Yes, the Kizashi is not that fuel efficient nor that quick, but there are good sides that make up for it that as you also pointed out.
As for the Focus ST, I really like that car too. But keep in mind that it's a hot hatch and will be A) much noisier in both engine, road, and wind noise. B) Less comfortable. The suspension on those kind of cars is set for handling more than comfort and unlike the Kizashi, won't balance comfort vs. handling too well. C) It's turbo. This means more power, but it will also consume premium fuel.
Also, the Hyundai/Kia's are already having problems with MPG ratings. Read up on the news with them. Also, as I already posted, these cars have some engines with direct injection turbos burning regular fuel. This spells for some serious fouling and reliability issues down the road unless they have a miracle engineering trick up their sleeves no one else does.
The Ford Fusion is also appealing, but like the Hyundai/KIA cars, check the news. They just got recalled TWICE in less than two weeks. Not a great start. Oh, and Consumer Reports claims that Ford's new hybrid models don't get close to their claimed MPGs.
The only car I would actually consider is a diesel Mazda. I am curious to see how they do once they are sold in the US. That being said, diesel fuel costs more than premium gas right now. The MPG benefit needs to be considerably higher to offset the cost of diesel over a gas model. After all, the new gas Mazda6 has the SkyActiv technology, making it more efficient than ever.
Yes, the Kizashi is not that fuel efficient nor that quick, but there are good sides that make up for it that as you also pointed out.
As for the Focus ST, I really like that car too. But keep in mind that it's a hot hatch and will be A) much noisier in both engine, road, and wind noise. B) Less comfortable. The suspension on those kind of cars is set for handling more than comfort and unlike the Kizashi, won't balance comfort vs. handling too well. C) It's turbo. This means more power, but it will also consume premium fuel.
Also, the Hyundai/Kia's are already having problems with MPG ratings. Read up on the news with them. Also, as I already posted, these cars have some engines with direct injection turbos burning regular fuel. This spells for some serious fouling and reliability issues down the road unless they have a miracle engineering trick up their sleeves no one else does.
The Ford Fusion is also appealing, but like the Hyundai/KIA cars, check the news. They just got recalled TWICE in less than two weeks. Not a great start. Oh, and Consumer Reports claims that Ford's new hybrid models don't get close to their claimed MPGs.
The only car I would actually consider is a diesel Mazda. I am curious to see how they do once they are sold in the US. That being said, diesel fuel costs more than premium gas right now. The MPG benefit needs to be considerably higher to offset the cost of diesel over a gas model. After all, the new gas Mazda6 has the SkyActiv technology, making it more efficient than ever.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
Even if you say all those things, I know that the Kizashi consumme very close to my best friend's Grand Cherokee 2011(5000Lb truck with a V6 of 290HP lol). I read an article of 2013 hybrid Fusion and 4.1L is supposed to be the consumption, the journalist made close to 5.0 Liter per 100 KM(this is the best consumption except one car of the Prius family). My friend with his turbo Kia Optima consumme about the same thing than my car(Optima is bigger and have 274HP). They also claim that the CVT kizashi have a better fuel efficiency than manuel one, another lie. I think manuel Kizashi do about 3-6MPG more than the CVT. Anyway, ASAP I'll change this car except if there is a new Kizashi with better engine. Suzuki have no technology and all of their cars consumme really too much.(I think they'll make the same kizashi like the Grand Vitara, 7-8 years generation lol). Competition is just too strong for Suzuki. America's Suzuki bankruptcy also affected my car's value.(I live in Canada). I invested 3500$ in my car, 2'' dropped, 20 inchs wheels, rear sway bar, front strut bar so less comfortable like Focus ST but the handling is impressive.
If your Kizashi is getting fuel economy figures similar to a V6 Grand Cherokee, there is something wrong with your specific car or your driving style.
I am getting what I am supposed to be getting in terms of expected fuel economy.
Also, when you say the CVT is getting worse economy, you do realize that there are a few different manual trims and they can differ in fuel economy? The base S model with a 6 spd will get better fuel economy than a GTS or SLS with a 6 spd simply due to wheel size. Bigger wheels consume more fuel. Wait, didn't you write you have 20 inch wheels? Did you even do your homework on what bigger wheels do for fuel economy?
My stock Kizashi is getting around 26 mpg in mixed driving, but more on the highway. I hit traffic often on the highways so I was not expecting close to 30 mpg. These figures are similar if not a little better than my former car, a 2005 Mazda3 5 speed with a 2.3 liter. Considering that the Mazda was lighter in weight and also had a slightly smaller displacement (2.3 vs. 2.4), the Kizashi's fuel economy is rather decent.
You are correct that Suzuki is behind on engine technology. It's because of a few factors, mainly being A) Suzuki was looking for a partner for a bigger engine offering. GM used to supply the V6 in former Suzuki's. Suzuki was looking to partner with VW for a turbo or V6 engine, but it fell through. B) Suzuki is a small car, small engine specialist globally. They actually make the world's most efficient non hybrid engine, but it's tiny and for a Kei-car (Japan's ultra compact segment with an engine displacement limit of 660cc).
But to think other cars in its class are so much better, you should do your research, especially on the two cars you mentioned.
Regarding the Ford Fusion Hybrid: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/cons ... n-c-max-h/
Sprinkle that with this about the other Fusions: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/2013 ... e-for-fau/
Hyundai/KIA: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/02/hyun ... pensate-o/
Also, that Optima turbo is supposed to get better mpgs than the Kizashi, not the same. Maybe it was part of the exaggerated mileage claims?
Also, I highly doubt that the Optima will be running reliably in 10~15 years. Reports of blown turbos on those things are already coming out. Not to mention they are running regular grade fuel on those with direct injection. KIA never had a reputation for reliability and it looks they aren't starting to fix that now either.
I am getting what I am supposed to be getting in terms of expected fuel economy.
Also, when you say the CVT is getting worse economy, you do realize that there are a few different manual trims and they can differ in fuel economy? The base S model with a 6 spd will get better fuel economy than a GTS or SLS with a 6 spd simply due to wheel size. Bigger wheels consume more fuel. Wait, didn't you write you have 20 inch wheels? Did you even do your homework on what bigger wheels do for fuel economy?
My stock Kizashi is getting around 26 mpg in mixed driving, but more on the highway. I hit traffic often on the highways so I was not expecting close to 30 mpg. These figures are similar if not a little better than my former car, a 2005 Mazda3 5 speed with a 2.3 liter. Considering that the Mazda was lighter in weight and also had a slightly smaller displacement (2.3 vs. 2.4), the Kizashi's fuel economy is rather decent.
You are correct that Suzuki is behind on engine technology. It's because of a few factors, mainly being A) Suzuki was looking for a partner for a bigger engine offering. GM used to supply the V6 in former Suzuki's. Suzuki was looking to partner with VW for a turbo or V6 engine, but it fell through. B) Suzuki is a small car, small engine specialist globally. They actually make the world's most efficient non hybrid engine, but it's tiny and for a Kei-car (Japan's ultra compact segment with an engine displacement limit of 660cc).
But to think other cars in its class are so much better, you should do your research, especially on the two cars you mentioned.
Regarding the Ford Fusion Hybrid: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/cons ... n-c-max-h/
Sprinkle that with this about the other Fusions: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/2013 ... e-for-fau/
Hyundai/KIA: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/02/hyun ... pensate-o/
Also, that Optima turbo is supposed to get better mpgs than the Kizashi, not the same. Maybe it was part of the exaggerated mileage claims?
Also, I highly doubt that the Optima will be running reliably in 10~15 years. Reports of blown turbos on those things are already coming out. Not to mention they are running regular grade fuel on those with direct injection. KIA never had a reputation for reliability and it looks they aren't starting to fix that now either.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
Every companies have a lot of recalls, Toyota, Honda, GM and I don't care. I know for Hyundai and Kia lies, they also lied about horsepower 10 years ago. I'm also unable to speak as good like I'm doing it in french. My Kizashi have consumption ratings of 9.3L(25MPG) City 6.8L(35MPG) Highway and I'M DOING 13L(19MPG) per 100KM (driving like a old man). My big 2007 Chrysler 300 was doing 14-15L for a V6 3.5Liter, 250HP and 4000 pounds. I swear that my bestfriend was doing 1 liter more for 100 km with his Cherokee(14L). He was driving like me to had best results. It is Winter here and I have 16 inchs wheels for now and it change nothing than my 20 inchs wheels 
My car is 50 pounds heavier than the 18 inchs stock wheels I had. 13 Liters for 100Km(19MPG) is close to many 250-350 horsepowercars(ex Camaro V6 or Mustang V6). Reliabilty is not important to me because I change car about 5 years and have low mileage.(lot of reviews and journalist are saying that the Kizashi reliabilty is bad)The 2 things I've mentionned is gaz and acceleration. Even with Optima and Sonata lies, their two engines have better mileage and You know it and accelerate faster. All intermediary cars have better mileage even the biggest engines, at least a lot. The biggest joke is when you are supposed to deactivate AWD to save gaz, no change or maybe it would be worst because I'm only using AWD when snowing.(I would be affraid to get 15L(15MPG) per hundred Kilometers LOL).
For know, after a small 18000 Miles with my car, they changed all the shocks, left rear tail light because she was taking humidity and water. They stick back together subwoofer. That's a reliable car after all I'm wondering if my new Fusion, Sonata, Optima or other cars will have change same things, maybe more the way you are speaking about them.
The AWD Kizashi accelerating like a sub compact car and eat gas like a big car(I really like my car)
My car is 50 pounds heavier than the 18 inchs stock wheels I had. 13 Liters for 100Km(19MPG) is close to many 250-350 horsepowercars(ex Camaro V6 or Mustang V6). Reliabilty is not important to me because I change car about 5 years and have low mileage.(lot of reviews and journalist are saying that the Kizashi reliabilty is bad)The 2 things I've mentionned is gaz and acceleration. Even with Optima and Sonata lies, their two engines have better mileage and You know it and accelerate faster. All intermediary cars have better mileage even the biggest engines, at least a lot. The biggest joke is when you are supposed to deactivate AWD to save gaz, no change or maybe it would be worst because I'm only using AWD when snowing.(I would be affraid to get 15L(15MPG) per hundred Kilometers LOL).For know, after a small 18000 Miles with my car, they changed all the shocks, left rear tail light because she was taking humidity and water. They stick back together subwoofer. That's a reliable car after all
I'm wondering if my new Fusion, Sonata, Optima or other cars will have change same things, maybe more the way you are speaking about them.The AWD Kizashi accelerating like a sub compact car and eat gas like a big car(I really like my car)
Well, first of all the Kizashi is not rated at 25 mpg City and 35 mpg Highway. Not in the US at least.
Depending on model, city is 19 to 23 mpg and highway is 29 to 31. The CVT models get better fuel economy and the models with smaller wheels also get better economy.
I know you were looking for a car with good fuel economy and AWD, but I think you had some unrealistic expectations. The best car for fuel economy with AWD is the new Subaru Impreza, but that thing has a 2.0 liter. If you thought the Kizashi was gutless...
The Impreza also ins't nearly as quiet or refined as the Kizashi.
Here's an article comparing the two. Someone recently posted it on this site, but I've read it a while ago.
http://www.autobytel.com/wagons/car-buy ... wd-112785/
Also, you keep comparing the Kizashi to the Hyundai/Kia's. Yes, they are in the same class, but neither brand offers AWD in their sedans.
I'm also going to disagree about the reliability of the Kizashi. I have read countless reviews on the car and many publications state the car is reliable and problem-free. In fact the only place that has stated the KIzashi is unreliable is J.D. Power and that was based on speculation and bias (mainly because Suzuki stopped paying them for customer research). Consumer Reports actually doesn't have any data on the Kizashi. I flipped through their latest edition and for the Kizashi, the reliability data was still blank.
I have already posted on this topic and how these "experts" are biased.
If you read long-term reviews by Motor Trend, etc. they actually claim the Kizashi was one of the most reliable testers they've had ever.
Unlike you, I buy cars used in cash and keep them for a long time. For that reason, reliability is of the utmost importance to me. So far it appears from creditable sources and us owners that the cars is relatively problem-free.
If you are looking to get a faster car with AWD, you should look into a Subaru Legacy GT or maybe an Audi offering. That being said, the fuel economy on those won't be much better than the Kizashi and you will pay more for the car.
Depending on model, city is 19 to 23 mpg and highway is 29 to 31. The CVT models get better fuel economy and the models with smaller wheels also get better economy.
I know you were looking for a car with good fuel economy and AWD, but I think you had some unrealistic expectations. The best car for fuel economy with AWD is the new Subaru Impreza, but that thing has a 2.0 liter. If you thought the Kizashi was gutless...
The Impreza also ins't nearly as quiet or refined as the Kizashi.
Here's an article comparing the two. Someone recently posted it on this site, but I've read it a while ago.
http://www.autobytel.com/wagons/car-buy ... wd-112785/
Also, you keep comparing the Kizashi to the Hyundai/Kia's. Yes, they are in the same class, but neither brand offers AWD in their sedans.
I'm also going to disagree about the reliability of the Kizashi. I have read countless reviews on the car and many publications state the car is reliable and problem-free. In fact the only place that has stated the KIzashi is unreliable is J.D. Power and that was based on speculation and bias (mainly because Suzuki stopped paying them for customer research). Consumer Reports actually doesn't have any data on the Kizashi. I flipped through their latest edition and for the Kizashi, the reliability data was still blank.
I have already posted on this topic and how these "experts" are biased.
If you read long-term reviews by Motor Trend, etc. they actually claim the Kizashi was one of the most reliable testers they've had ever.
Unlike you, I buy cars used in cash and keep them for a long time. For that reason, reliability is of the utmost importance to me. So far it appears from creditable sources and us owners that the cars is relatively problem-free.
If you are looking to get a faster car with AWD, you should look into a Subaru Legacy GT or maybe an Audi offering. That being said, the fuel economy on those won't be much better than the Kizashi and you will pay more for the car.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
Getting back to the original question (poor economy), what size tyres are you running on the 20" rims? You should be running something like 235/35R20hitorx wrote: I invested 3500$ in my car, 2'' dropped, 20 inchs wheels, rear sway bar, front strut bar so less comfortable like Focus ST but the handling is impressive.
David
You seems to know lot of things and maybe I would be surprised to try other cars. I'm gonna disconnect my battery right now because I never done that. I would like to try manual Kizashi to see fuel economy difference. I agree that fuel economy is hard to get with AWD car but I'm little disappointed anyway... Another of my friend had Audi TT 2008 3.2L 250HP Quattro and seemed to got same fuel consumption than my car. I guess sport Fusion 2010 Sport AWD with V6 must be tough on gas.