Motor Trend needs to get a reality check

[kizashigal]

Just had my oil changed and while waiting read an atricle in Motor Trend comparing the Kizashi GTS to a Volkswagon, and Honda Civic SI. They ranked the Kizashi as 3rd in the article which I thought was completely ridiculous considering the car should be in a different category with it's AWD, but based everything on FWD performance. The Volkswagon comes in as the most expensive, and both it and the Honda use premium fuel..do these people even use the real world shopper when comparing? Sad to see an article like this with it's biased opinion.

[raider48]

kizashigal, ive had 2 honda civic si's 07 and 2011..had the 07 for 5 yrs and the 11 for
5 months !! why only 5 months ?? because i saw the kizzy commercial on tv one day and thought id have to check one of those out needless to say i left the si sitting on the suzuki car lot ,its your now boys !! there is no comparison for these 2 cars
the only thing the si has on the kizzy is the si would probaly spank it in a race
the ride,quietness,comfort,options,warranty,and not to mention AWD !!! honda musta gave then some incentive to put the si above the kiz,or the dudes that did the test where on crack

[Ronzuki]

One must consider exactly where these types of publications obtain their funding when reading their 'expert' reviews. It's certainly not from selling magazines.

[chazyouwin]

I haven't read the particular review, but from what you suggest the comparison may be fine if all the differences are discussed. Who cares how the MT authors summarily rank them. And MT quite often include dissimilar cars (features and price) in their little comparisons. Some nice photos and insights -this may generate some extra interest.

[chazyouwin]

Here's the article. I think it is fine for the Kizashi, especially the last paragraph and the data summaries (including the warranty comparisons). A prospective buyer should be thinking the brands Volkswagen, Honda, and Kizashi in the same grouping (although I had thought Kizashi is more like an Accord, not more like a Civic - so my eyes are opened).

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sed ... ewall.html

[chazyouwin]

Looked at this some more. Interesting to note the mix of subjective versus objective. The turbo'd VW at $3000 more as tested comes out in front, but I suspect it is lacking the interior content that distinguishes the Kizashi. Also the authors laud the VW for styling when I think it is just plain boring -- and the VW interior plasticky and downscale as illustrated.

The Kizashi at the largest and heaviest pulls out significantly better braking numbers. The VW pulls somewhat better acceleration numbers but perhaps not so much as might be expected given its turbo and reduced content (equallying less weight).

What is puzzling are some of the comments about the Kizashi's handling, which the authors seem to think give some strange sensations with lateral movement. I have not to date seen any review which suggests similar observations - nearly all to the contrary laud the handling. As a 2010 SLS owner I don't agree with the review comments on this point.

Here's a neat quote:

"While our judges had mixed feelings on the Suzuki's styling, not one could argue with its compelling value. Wearing the cheapest base and as-tested price tags, the Kizashi dazzled with 18-inch wheels, auto climate control, rear side airbags, pushbutton start, and a 425-watt 10-speaker audio system. Further, rear-passenger and cargo measurements lodge nicely between the Civic's and Jetta's, with the trunk boasting a solid 13.3 cubic feet of space. "Suzuki should be happy with this highly competent segment player," said associate editor Nate Martinez. "It does well and offers a lot for its asking price."

The authors then ironically say the Kizashi doesn't "stand out," but they just advised that it did -- in features that matter to a lot of potential buyers, and including price.

The drive train warranty comparison is also pretty significant.

[kizashigal]

That was what I noticed was all the contradictions. It was like they were giving back handed compliments the whole time. The article was intended I think to make the buyer find a good buy for their buck, yet they steered the reader to the most expensive choice...a whole lot of double speak if ya ask me.

[TheHolyGhost]

I would bet that VW spends a lot more money advertising in Motor Trend than Suzuki does, unfortunately.

[scorcher]

MT has never been favorable to anything other than European cars or Hondas. While most of their observations about the Kiz are a figment in their pompous minds the one point they make spot on is the lack of Hp's. Suzuki could easily end all the doubts about the car by stepping up with a performance engine worthy of this great car ie 230 hp or a turbo would be sweet.

I hace auto crossed aginst si's and gti's and had no problem turning in better times (with a CVT). Maybe the children at MT just don't drvie as well as they think they do or fully understand the dianamics of the Kiz.

Bottom line is their ego's will not allow them to make an impartial decision unless it has a BMW, VW, Audi, Porsch or Honda emblem on the grill.

[Firefly]

I don't understand the judges "mixed reviews on the styling."