if not the kizashi than what?
I would be looking at a used (no later then 2010) Cadillac CTS, Buick lacross/regal or Nissan Maxima. If we are talking about a brand new car and still within the same prize rang as the kiz, I don't think you will find much out there that can compete. Especially with the sale prices going on.
2011 Kizashi SX
The Subaru Crosstrek is an amazing looking car - might be a bit small and is no powerhouse from what I have learned. I'm seriously going to check out the new Ford Fusion, possibly he Hybrid. Neither of these are a match for the Kizashi, but they address my needs. One thing that made/makes the Kiz a great choice is that it is unique and people who ask me about it have the impression that it is a more expensive car. I know of no other current production car that has that quality.
Former driver of a 2011 SLS AWD Platinum
I sat in the new Fusion at the dealership and I wasn't impressed. The interior was cheap and parts were not installed properly and were loose. The build quality seemed questionable at best. I think it looks good though but I think ford spent all their money on the exterior design. Even though it doesn't look as nice as the Kizashi! 
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kizashicar
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:17 pm
We went and drove an impreza and a legacy, both with the CVT. They were both real nice and the impreza was alot bigger on the inside then I thought it would be. I think this might be the way we go since the only local kizashis are stuck at the dealership with 20k firm.
The only thing I didn't like about the impreza was the door panels seem a little cheap.
The only thing I didn't like about the impreza was the door panels seem a little cheap.
I checked out a new Impreza at an autoshow few months back. It's really not cramped or feels that small like you would expect so I am not surprised by your impression of it.kizashicar wrote:We went and drove an impreza and a legacy, both with the CVT. They were both real nice and the impreza was alot bigger on the inside then I thought it would be. I think this might be the way we go since the only local kizashis are stuck at the dealership with 20k firm.
The only thing I didn't like about the impreza was the door panels seem a little cheap.
That being said, yes, the car is not as refined or have the material quality of the Kizashi, but the car is overall a very good car.
I owned a 1995 Impreza that I drove for over 100,000 miles and it's the only car that I've owned that comes close to the driving experience the Kizashi offers.
I personally think the 5 door looks much better than the sedan. The XV Crosstrek is also an attractive car to me.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
IMO there are no direct competitors to the AWD Kizashi. Nothing offers anything near its combination of AWD, near-luxury cabin and appointments, fuel efficiency, and outright performance.
A Subaru is fine if performance is not a descision criteria.
As a Honda salesperson whose dealership also offers BMW, Mercedes, and Mini, I get the opportunty to drive a varied lot of vehicles.
Performance-wise the only current competitor to the AWD Kizashi is the BMW 3-series X-Drive cars. But they need premium to pass us
FWIW, Hyundais and Kias are a joke. I dare anyone educated by fine cars to be satisfied with one, any model.
I personally am waiting anxiously for the up-coming WRX, hoping for an automated transmission and modern upscale cabin. I'll live with crappier gas mileage for its performance increase. I know it will cost a bit more.
Sad that Suzuki didn't get the time to evolve and improve the Kizashi; it's already so fine.
A Subaru is fine if performance is not a descision criteria.
As a Honda salesperson whose dealership also offers BMW, Mercedes, and Mini, I get the opportunty to drive a varied lot of vehicles.
Performance-wise the only current competitor to the AWD Kizashi is the BMW 3-series X-Drive cars. But they need premium to pass us
FWIW, Hyundais and Kias are a joke. I dare anyone educated by fine cars to be satisfied with one, any model.
I personally am waiting anxiously for the up-coming WRX, hoping for an automated transmission and modern upscale cabin. I'll live with crappier gas mileage for its performance increase. I know it will cost a bit more.
Sad that Suzuki didn't get the time to evolve and improve the Kizashi; it's already so fine.
Its 18" wheel/tire combo is too wide for dirt roads.
It will do around 6.5 seconds to 60 with the manual; around 7.5 with the CVT.
It handles with uncanny reassurance, remaining planted, with the feeling that all four tires are doing equal work.
Its cabin is excellent.
It, IMO, is the finest under-$30K FWD sedan available.
It will do around 6.5 seconds to 60 with the manual; around 7.5 with the CVT.
It handles with uncanny reassurance, remaining planted, with the feeling that all four tires are doing equal work.
Its cabin is excellent.
It, IMO, is the finest under-$30K FWD sedan available.
Not sure how you don't think the Subaru Legacy isn't a direct, solid competitor.WESHOOT2 wrote:IMO there are no direct competitors to the AWD Kizashi. Nothing offers anything near its combination of AWD, near-luxury cabin and appointments, fuel efficiency, and outright performance.
A Subaru is fine if performance is not a descision criteria.
As a Honda salesperson whose dealership also offers BMW, Mercedes, and Mini, I get the opportunty to drive a varied lot of vehicles.
Performance-wise the only current competitor to the AWD Kizashi is the BMW 3-series X-Drive cars. But they need premium to pass us
FWIW, Hyundais and Kias are a joke. I dare anyone educated by fine cars to be satisfied with one, any model.
I personally am waiting anxiously for the up-coming WRX, hoping for an automated transmission and modern upscale cabin. I'll live with crappier gas mileage for its performance increase. I know it will cost a bit more.
Sad that Suzuki didn't get the time to evolve and improve the Kizashi; it's already so fine.
The Legacy has a base 2.5 liter 4 cylinder boxer engine. It makes 173hp.
The Kizashi has a single engine offering of a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder inline that makes 180hp in CVT and 185 in MT.
The Legacy weighs 3392 for Auto (AWD standard on the Legacy). The Kizashi weighs 3533 for the AWD model.
The Kizashi gets 22/29 mpg for the AWD models (GTS and SLS). The CVT AWD Legacy gets 24/32 mpg.
The Kizashi has better handling, but the Legacy has proven reliability and a better AWD system (Subaru's permanent AWD vs. Kizashi's full-time AWD; Subaru's system always sends some power to each wheel while full-time systems sends power to rear wheel(s) only when the car detects tire slip or other factors).
Both have excellent crash test results.
Both cars have advantages and disadvantages compared to each other, but I personally can't think of any two cars that compare this closely.
As for performance, you must be talking handling. Engine wise, the base engines are very similar except that Subaru currently offers a 6 cylinder as well in the Legacy. They used to also offer a 4 cylinder turbo in the Legacy GT. These turbo and H6 powerplants would spank a Kizashi.
The BMWs simply have way more power to even compare to a Kizashi. The Kizashi has excellent driving dynamics, but a lacking powerplant. The Kizashi's weight begs for more power to make it truly sporty. BMW has both good chassis' plus good engines, but at a much higher price point.
Basically, the Kizashi's chassis outperforms its powerplant. In that regard, the Kizashi is much like many Mazdas.
Lastly, I have personally driven a 2008 Legacy sedan with the 2.5 liter engine. The car drove very well and reminded me of the Kizashi. I did not drive it long enough to comment on the handling, but the experience wasn't far off from that of a Kizashi in the conditions I drove it.
I would say the cars go head to head in nearly all aspects, but of course one does some things better than the other.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)