New Kizashi Owner! Bought a Kizashi SLS!
While I don't doubt the AWD may be beneficial in handling, the other aspects of the car aids more in the handling characteristics. Generally, tires are most important, but the car's chassis rigidity/braces, suspension, sway bars, wheel size, even weight, etc. have more to do with a car's handling than an AWD system.
The Kizashi was uniquely (for a midsize) designed to have sporty handling characteristics and Suzuki even had the Kizashi's suspension tested and tuned on the world famous Nurburgring track in Germany.
The AWD for the Kizashi was more for foul weather ability than anything else. It was to allow the car to maintain Suzuki's position of offering AWD or 4x4 on their entire line-up in North America. This also supposed to give it a sales edge over rivals like the Sonata, Camry, Accord, etc. which were all FWD only. We all know that it did not work, sadly.
Personally, I would have got the Kizashi manual with AWD if it was offered. Since it was not, I valued the 6 speed manual over the AWD as it actually offers more of a performance edge over the alternative and I have little need for AWD traction in my area.
The Kizashi was uniquely (for a midsize) designed to have sporty handling characteristics and Suzuki even had the Kizashi's suspension tested and tuned on the world famous Nurburgring track in Germany.
The AWD for the Kizashi was more for foul weather ability than anything else. It was to allow the car to maintain Suzuki's position of offering AWD or 4x4 on their entire line-up in North America. This also supposed to give it a sales edge over rivals like the Sonata, Camry, Accord, etc. which were all FWD only. We all know that it did not work, sadly.
Personally, I would have got the Kizashi manual with AWD if it was offered. Since it was not, I valued the 6 speed manual over the AWD as it actually offers more of a performance edge over the alternative and I have little need for AWD traction in my area.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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Knightstruth
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:22 pm
I agree about the tires make the most difference and also about the way the kizashi was built already is the biggest reason for its performance. My point was the awd is just not for foul weather. Suzuki felt the same way because they brought it up in articles about testing the car on tracks and the i-awd aid in this. AWD can make up for slippage on dry roads allowing to come out of a corner faster. I myself don't drive like thisKuroNekko wrote:While I don't doubt the AWD may be beneficial in handling, the other aspects of the car aids more in the handling characteristics. Generally, tires are most important, but the car's chassis rigidity/braces, suspension, sway bars, wheel size, even weight, etc. have more to do with a car's handling than an AWD system.
The Kizashi was uniquely (for a midsize) designed to have sporty handling characteristics and Suzuki even had the Kizashi's suspension tested and tuned on the world famous Nurburgring track in Germany.
The AWD for the Kizashi was more for foul weather ability than anything else. It was to allow the car to maintain Suzuki's position of offering AWD or 4x4 on their entire line-up in North America. This also supposed to give it a sales edge over rivals like the Sonata, Camry, Accord, etc. which were all FWD only. We all know that it did not work, sadly.
Personally, I would have got the Kizashi manual with AWD if it was offered. Since it was not, I valued the 6 speed manual over the AWD as it actually offers more of a performance edge over the alternative and I have little need for AWD traction in my area.
as I enjoy leisurely pace.In the end I got AWD for the foul weather though. I will have to wait and see how it performs in the winter and I am in no hurry for that!
I've been looking for a 6-speed as well, but then I was limited to a 2010 or 2011. The 2012 did not come with the power seat and the 2013 is out of my price range. I really didn't want the 2010 as it was the first model year and I'm not sure that it was the same as the Sport GTS. So if I wanted a 6-speed, my choices were really limited. Hundreds of miles away and much higher mileage.
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Knightstruth
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:22 pm
I don't Suzuki could've done much better to move this car. Unfortunately being tied to Suzuki was the death of Kizashi. If this was a new Corolla, Civic, or Accord (any big name company) this car would have sold in bunches. They sold this car at a good price but I don't thing average joe was going to pay alot for a suzuki. On the one hand I'm sad to see the dimise of this car but on the other I am glad it is not so common as to be a turn off.
Those aren't that dark. They look like 35% and definitely no darker than 20%. They resemble what I just got done.
If you go to a by-the-book inspection station, then your front side windows could possibly be a problem. The rear side and rear window should pass VA inspection.
I suggest you leave them all as is and see what happens at inspection.
If you go to a by-the-book inspection station, then your front side windows could possibly be a problem. The rear side and rear window should pass VA inspection.
I suggest you leave them all as is and see what happens at inspection.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)