The engine is 100% Suzuki. The reason why we only have one engine is because Suzuki cut ties with GM. GM used to be the supplier of the V6 found in the other Suzukis. Suzuki was supposed to have a deal with VW for another engine, but the deal fell through. That's why Suzuki only had the 2.4 in the Kizashi. Good thing is that the J24B engine is rather good and problem-free.wyos10er wrote:Puckaveli- how was it to drive?,I know its been on there website for awhile now is there anything wrong with it?
KuroNekko- thanks for the input, it sounds like the kizashi is a little more fum to drive than the mazda3, I'm wondering if a mazda3 hatch back has more room?.
Galileo. Lol nice man, does your have heated seats? I don't think the one I'm looking does. I went through a change very similar to yours. I was driving over 100 miles a day on the interstate and now I'm driving 10 miles on back roads. So far all my friends think I'm crazy for thinking about the kizashi.
Does any one know if the engine is pure Suzuki or is it the same 2.4 that GM uses
I have posted on comparing the Mazda3 to the Kizashi elsewhere before, but it's basically like this: The Mazda3 is more responsive: It accelerates faster and has sharper steering. No surprise because the car is smaller and lighter. The shifter was also a lot better.
On the other hand, at least to me, the Mazda3 was not too comfortable for long drives or commutes in traffic. The seats weren't very well cushioned and the suspension was more tuned for handling than comfort. Road noise was excessive and you felt the road.
The Kizashi is slower, but also has good handling. I actually like the way the Kizashi handles better because there is more stability. It's not as fidgety in the corners like the Mazda3 so you have more confidence. This is probably due to the Kizashi's bigger and wider tires in addition to the tuned suspension. The Mazda was a little sharper in the corners, but the Kizashi is more stable. Does that make sense?
The Kizashi is overall way more comfortable. It's simply far more refined than the Mazda3 that I had. It's quieter, smoother, and simply far more comfortable.
So in the fun to drive factor, I would say the Mazda3 was more like a go-cart. It was more fun to tear around in, but the Kizashi isn't far behind. But in everyday driving and commutes, the Kizashi is the clear winner. It's actually why I got rid of the Mazda3 for the Kizashi.
I had the Mazda3 sedan so I can't comment on the space in a hatch.