Just traded my SX4 for a new Kizashi 2010 leftover SE model with AWD and I have put less than 900miles on it. Friday we went on a trip in a bad snowstorm in the finger lakes region of NY with 8-10 inches or heavy wet snow and 30-40mph winds. I was very impressed on how it performed, the only other people on the roads had suv's, trucks, and Subaru's.
I had to make it up a long, twisty, steep, unplowed driveway with about 5inches of snow on it and while in 1st gear it steadily crawled right up it. A man plowing snow in a old 4 door suburban asked me what kind of car I was driving, he was a bit confused on how it was zipping around. We put about 30 miles on it during the storm on some treacherous back roads and the car performed impressively. On paved roads and highways the car is very smooth while cruising, and has enough power for the kind of driving I do.
Overall I am very satisfied with the value of this car. Its too bad but I think if more consumers did not have a preconceived notion about Suzuki this car would be selling more units.
Tested in a blizzard....
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KIZAWDinKC
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Fri Dec 03, 2010 1:53 am
My 2010 GTS AWD does pretty well in snow too. We had a blizzard weeks ago, and it did well in about 6-8 inches. The next morning, there was almost a foot of snow on my street which is on a hill as well. I was debating about either staying home or going to work, but I was itching to see if the kizashi could make it up my street. I discovered very quickly the Kiz does have its limits. I had even parked backwards in my driveway to give myself a running start, even though I still went rather slow out of my driveway. Anyhow, I only made it about 8 feet from my driveway before the Kiz got stuck. I didn't even bother to try. I put it in reverse and went straight back into my garage. So I'd say anything maybe over 8 inches of snow is the Kizashi's limit. It sits too low to the ground anyhow and the tires aren't exactly top rated for snow as well. But I was still very impressed.
Since I picked up my 2011 S AWD Dec 23rd (in a snowstorm) all it's been driven in is snow (Burlington Vermont had its snowiest February EVER).
I live 35 miles away in a snow belt at over 930ft, and the commute is stress-free.
I have over 6700 on it already, and I must say I'm most impressed by the car's ability in the snow, more than any other aspect.
Yes it's wearing snow tires......
I live 35 miles away in a snow belt at over 930ft, and the commute is stress-free.
I have over 6700 on it already, and I must say I'm most impressed by the car's ability in the snow, more than any other aspect.
Yes it's wearing snow tires......