murcod wrote:Just a thought, the Kizashi vs Mazda 3 would probably be a lot better comparison. They're very close in size, whereas the 6 is significantly bigger. Same with the Mondeo.
I don't like comparing the Kizashi to actual compacts. While the dimensions of the Kizashi are closer to compacts like the Mazda3, the Kizashi's significance, build quality, and feel makes it much more a midsize. After all, the Kizashi was specifically intended to be Suzuki's midsize. They already had the SX4 as the compact.
Given Suzuki's reputation as a small car maker and the fact that the Kizashi was intended as a global car, it's not surprising the Kizashi is a bit on the small size.
However, keep in mind that many rivals simply got bigger. The Mazda6 was about the Kizashi's size when it debuted. It just grew larger much like the rest of the midsizes. This is the bloating of midsizes that folks like SamirD and I talk about.
I used to own a Mazda3 and while I enjoyed it, I can tell you that the Kizashi is much more refined. I simply call it the difference between a compact and a midsize. The Kizashi is much more like an Accord, Camry, or Fusion/Mondeo in the way it drives and feels in terms of refinement than a Civic, Mazda3, or Corolla.
For this reason, I consider the Kizashi a small midsize than a nice compact. Also, my Kizashi has considerably more rear leg room than any compact I've owned. Significantly more than my Mazda3.
LOL. It's strange how different countries view the size of cars. Examples are, we consider a Hyundia I10 or Kia Picanto as city cars, a Hyundia I10 or Ford Fiesta as a compact car, an escort as a family car, a mondeo as an executive saloon. A Kizi is thought of as an executive sports saloon. In short, what you consider as a small car, we think of as a large one. Come to think of it, houses would be the same, not sure about women
Would have been interesting to see had Suzuki continued production of the Kizashi.
I was mostly impressed by the build of the chassis and how it protected me during the high speed collision.
The Kizashi is about line ball (size wise) with the original Mazda 6 in size. I think it's a good size, but the competition has moved up in size and certainly progressed inside with interior updates, gadgets and features. Sadly, the Kizashi is almost caught in a bit of a time warp- the interior hasn't changed at all (apart from the dubious upgrade with the RF audio being dumped for the Garmin head unit.)
Out of interest, the 3 is 4580mm long, the Kizashi 4650mm and the 6 is 4865mm.... so 3 is 70mm shorter and 6 is 215mm longer.
Thanks for balanced review CLLee. I can't help but admire the design of the 3 and 6.
Kizashi production hasn't ceased (unless I've missed something?), though an update is sorely needed.
I'm not so sure the change in size classifications is a world-wide thing. It seems that Americans are screaming for more room inside cars. Ford/Chevy/Crysler all seem to have met that need by making their cars bigger. The Europeans don't seem to care and/or have designed a completely seperate car to compete (BMW 4 and 6 series), and the Japanese and Koreans have designed vastly more spacious interiors without enlarging the cars themselves. I think thats why I've stuck with Japanese cars. I like the spaciousness without oversized-ness. I still say my first-gen Nissan Versa could fit a new Impala inside while being half the size outside. I think it boils down to better design all around.
Earlier versions of the Mazda 6 (the 626 of the '80s and '90s) were hurt in sales by the same size issue Kizashi had. The Mazda was a bit smaller than its contemporaries from Toyota and Honda, which had been gradually Americanizing the dimensions as the market in the U.S. grew. In size and feel, the 626 was more European -German perhaps, where it did in fact have a market.
All cars are growing in size! It gets a bit ridiculous as over the years they end up entering the next segment up and then the company introduces a new model to replace the now bloated model that previously filled the segment.
As an example, the Mazda 3 (formerly 323) over the years is listed below. I've only listed sedans to keep it Kizashi relevant- the hatch versions are even older. (The 1977 323 hatch measured 3820mm.)
1981 323 4160mm
1985 323 4195mm
1990 323 4215mm
1995 323 4215mm
2000 323 4315mm
2005 3 4485mm
2010 3 4580mm
2014 3 4580mm
So the 323/ 3 sedan has grown 420mm over the years.
Mazda introduced the Mazda 121 model in 2002 (hatch only), which (oddly enough) measured 3800mm - so only 20mm shorter than the 1977 323 hatch.
Mazda 6 started off at 4670mm in 2002, now it's 4865mm! A 1978 Mazda 626 was 4260mm.
Mazda used to have the larger RWD 929 model, which finished in Australia in 1997 at 4895mm - only 30mm longer than the current 6.
(The above timelines are for Australia.)
I read somewhere that the current larger 6 was designed primarily for the USA market. Same with the last Subaru Liberty/ Legacy. Larger overall with the ride/ handling softened for more comfort.
murcod wrote:
Kizashi production hasn't ceased (unless I've missed something?), though an update is sorely needed.
Ops... Sorry about the bad wording. I didn't mean production of Kizashi has stopped. I meant Suzuki doesn't seem to have plans for the next gen model.
And I have a feeling they are selling them really cheap here in Melb. I'm seeing more and more Kizashi.
The AWD I sat in a few days ago was AUS$36,000 drive away, and you can probably knock off a few more grand from there.
I think you were just accidentally preempting the future!
Even at $36k they're probably hard to sell against newer models eg. 6's on Carsales start at around $33k driveaway, or you can get a nicely specified 3. It's not like many people need the AWD in Australia (for snow/ ice) and you wouldn't buy one to regularly use on dirt roads.
murcod wrote:I think you were just accidentally preempting the future!
Even at $36k they're probably hard to sell against newer models eg. 6's on Carsales start at around $33k driveaway, or you can get a nicely specified 3. It's not like many people need the AWD in Australia (for snow/ ice) and you wouldn't buy one to regularly use on dirt roads.
Bought my kizi 4x4 sport new for about $25k. No more left to buy now. That said, the original price was $36k.
Everything is more expensive in Australia. Although Euro branded vehicles seem to be getting a lot more competitively priced of late.
Things like the Skoda RS 162TSI DSG are listed around $42k driveaway, Audi A3 1.4 S tronic $42k , VW Jetta 118TSI DSG $32k (or 147 Highline DSG $43k), Mercedes A180 dual clutch $41k, BMW 116i Steptronic $41k.
So a Kizashi discounted at $36k is still up there.
Although Euro branded vehicles seem to be getting a lot more competitively priced of late.