NickL wrote:So according to what you guys say, GLS and SLS are only acceptable options in Us, because those are the only trims where Kizashi had sporty package (bumpers, side skirts, 18" rims) and the most important firm suspension. I don't mind so much for the luxury features in the cabin but if my Kizashi didn't have this sporty package and sharp handling due to suspension, most probably I wouldn't buy the car as it wouldn"t leave such a strong impression on me.
I am not saying that S und SE trims are bad, but I think that is totally diferent car.
Eh, I wouldn't take it that far. I personally like the look of the more aggressive Kizashi Sport with the fascia, side skirts, 18", and spoiler over the standard Kizashi but I don't think the two cars drive all that differently. For the suspension, the difference was that the Sport had a 10mm lower ride height. This would have firmed up the handling at the cost of comfort. While the part numbers for the dampers were different, there was never any determination they actually differed from the dampers of the standard Kizashi. I personally think the only difference was in the springs to lower the suspension 10mm. The aftermarket KYB shocks specified for the Kizashi fit all models regardless of Sport package or AWD.
Some members like WeShoot2 have owned both a Kizashi and Kizashi Sport and I recall while they did report a difference in handling, it was minor and did not seem to change the dynamics of the vehicle all that much. Also keep in mind changing things like the wheels and tires would enhance the dynamics of the vehicle significantly too.
I personally see the S and SE as the "bread and butter" models that largely appealed to people who wanted an AWD family sedan. I see these trim most commonly on the road and they are often driven by people who are obviously not car enthusiasts. No surprise that the SE was exclusively an automatic trans trim.
The GTS and SLS were the models more geared towards those who wanted a sports sedan-like vehicle with more aggressive styling, handling, and features for more $.
KlutzNinja wrote:
Hmm, I didn’t know Suzuki toyed with the options so much throughout the years. My car also has the moonroof, for what it’s worth. And some SE models definitely came with leather as KiZoo and this thread have shown.
The inconsistency of equipment among trims and model years is a little flustering in trying to keep track of things. Usually automakers make little features here and there standard on lower trims with new model years, but I haven’t heard of offering an option one year, rescinding it the next, and then possibly offering it again after that.
And to think the Aussies get their own trims, too. I wonder if they vary from ours in more than just titles.
I read an article or brochure on the trims and options sometime ago. I think it was an article that detailed the changes Suzuki was making to adjust the prices of the Kizashi shortly before throwing in the towel. It basically opined that Suzuki realized the car was a flop and was watering them down to sell at cheaper prices before the exodus in 2012, realizing they couldn't meet the sales targets to remain in business in the US and Canada. I explicitly recall that for model year 2013, Suzuki only offered the manual trans in the base S model and only in white.
The Australians certainly got different packages and had some upscale features like factory HID headlights that we Americans never got. I know that in Japan, all Kizashis were CVT only but had optional adaptive cruise control because I went to a Suzuki dealer there years ago and picked up a JDM Kizashi brochure. The Kizashi was a car that sold in very small numbers in Japan to consumers and later offloaded as fleet cars for the Japanese government.