Time to play what if the Kizashi was going to get a redesign. What would you want in a new update?
I would want a hybrid model, and a turbo model. I would also like to see more tech options like cooled seats, a kind of infotainment system. Of course a new updated style but nothing too drastic.
What if.....
Personally, I think the Kizashi will be phased out and the body style and chassis design will morph into the next SX4. This was seen with the Suzuki Authentics concept car at the Shanghai Auto Show. The car looked like a sleek, newer Kizashi than a SX4, yet it was said to occupy the compact segment which the SX4 occupies.
I've been researching to see what Suzuki will do with the Kizashi, but given it has poor sales just about everywhere, it is realistically going to be discontinued.
I've been researching to see what Suzuki will do with the Kizashi, but given it has poor sales just about everywhere, it is realistically going to be discontinued.
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
Yeah i saw that pic of the new SX4 and it did look like a more sleek Kizashi. In today's current trend there is not a market for the smaller mid-size sedans. It seems all classes are getting bigger. Of course it may change back again. I think the kizashi fits into the just right mid-size sedan class. We will see..
I agree that many midsizes got bigger and bloated and with the plus sizing, their handling and agility got numb. It's what happened to the Subaru Legacy and Mazda6.
I think the Kizashi is a good size. It's in between a compact and a midsize, but I consider it a midsize as it's bigger than a segment-defining compact like a Mazda3.
I hear that the Kizashi is sized similarly to a Chevy Cruze and a VW Jetta however, I consider the Kizashi more upscale than both.
Regardless, Suzuki has not done well in making a name for themselves in the segment. They are wildly successful with compact and micro cars in Asia, but failed to go beyond that even there. The Kizashi was supposed to be their global midsize debut, but it did not do well and it looks like Suzuki may scrap the midsize offering altogether and focus everything on smaller cars. However, the Kizashi's development will not be in vain as the design cues of both the exterior and interior will make it to other Suzuki models. For example, the new Suzuki Swift's interior looks a lot like the Kizashi's. The Authentics concept also looked like a new Kizashi more than anything else meaning that Suzuki is applying the Kizashi's styling to the SX4 in the future. The Kizashi's chassis genes may also be used in the new SX4, making it a rigid, well-handling compact.
I think the Kizashi is a good size. It's in between a compact and a midsize, but I consider it a midsize as it's bigger than a segment-defining compact like a Mazda3.
I hear that the Kizashi is sized similarly to a Chevy Cruze and a VW Jetta however, I consider the Kizashi more upscale than both.
Regardless, Suzuki has not done well in making a name for themselves in the segment. They are wildly successful with compact and micro cars in Asia, but failed to go beyond that even there. The Kizashi was supposed to be their global midsize debut, but it did not do well and it looks like Suzuki may scrap the midsize offering altogether and focus everything on smaller cars. However, the Kizashi's development will not be in vain as the design cues of both the exterior and interior will make it to other Suzuki models. For example, the new Suzuki Swift's interior looks a lot like the Kizashi's. The Authentics concept also looked like a new Kizashi more than anything else meaning that Suzuki is applying the Kizashi's styling to the SX4 in the future. The Kizashi's chassis genes may also be used in the new SX4, making it a rigid, well-handling compact.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
Turbo would be nice, but I am pretty happy with the European sized engine the car comes with now. I've always liked a smaller engine for better mileage, but I think most people in the US want more power. Always wished that my Aerio had a much smaller engine.
Hybrid is just flavor of the month, the medias darling but pretty foolish in reality. Why add $10,000 and a world of environmental hurt to a car in order to increase its MPG from 30 to 35? You would have to drive it half a million miles to get your money back and by that time, three disastrous battery packs would have to be dealt with.
Unfortunately I think KuroNekko is right, there probably won't be a redesign. Whatever, we're not going to see anything here in the States.
Hybrid is just flavor of the month, the medias darling but pretty foolish in reality. Why add $10,000 and a world of environmental hurt to a car in order to increase its MPG from 30 to 35? You would have to drive it half a million miles to get your money back and by that time, three disastrous battery packs would have to be dealt with.
Unfortunately I think KuroNekko is right, there probably won't be a redesign. Whatever, we're not going to see anything here in the States.
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Should be a convenience store, not a government agency
Should be a convenience store, not a government agency
Direct injection, a turbo, even a light turbo, and selections for the CVT like sport and economy. I mean I've learned how to drive the CVT so it doesn't bog down, you just need to keep giving it more throttle to keep the RPMs up at 2500 or so and it accelerates quite briskly to whatever your cruising speed is. You just have to remember that there is no direct connection between your foot, the throttle and the actual RPMs being generated. The ECU decides that. That took awhile to get used to. But a selector that sets the program to keep the RPMs from dropping so soon would be nice. A turbo would add the horsepower for those of us who crave it without putting much of a hurt on the mileage. Although those who buy the turbo would probably have their foot in it at lot and hurt the mileage anyway. However, then your fuel economy becomes more of a personal choice rather than a limitation of the design.
LPSISRL wrote: I mean I've learned how to drive the CVT so it doesn't bog down, you just need to keep giving it more throttle to keep the RPMs up at 2500 or so and it accelerates quite briskly to whatever your cruising speed is. You just have to remember that there is no direct connection between your foot, the throttle and the actual RPMs
LPSISL I think you hit that one right on the head. You are 100% correct.
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Knightstruth
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:22 pm
I disagree about the hybrid. I don't get where you are adding 10,000 from or just an increase from 30-35 MPG. I'm thinking more along the lines of 26,000 and 40 MPG. Which would lower your true cost to own over the non-hybrid.Woodie wrote: Hybrid is just flavor of the month, the medias darling but pretty foolish in reality. Why add $10,000 and a world of environmental hurt to a car in order to increase its MPG from 30 to 35? You would have to drive it half a million miles to get your money back and by that time, three disastrous battery packs would have to be dealt with.
Unfortunately I think KuroNekko is right, there probably won't be a redesign. Whatever, we're not going to see anything here in the States.
I personally don't want a turbo, but I recognize that there are people who want more power. I don't like the maintenace cost of turbos.
I know this whole topic is moot that is why I titled it "what if" because Suzuki left the north American market and the Kizashi is not selling well in general. This is more of imagine if Suzuki continued the kiz and how would it change in the future.
Whether a gas, hybrid, EV, or diesel is best really depends on the driver's need and driving conditions.
I agree with Woodie somewhat that hybrids aren't the best solution to all vehicles and drivers, however they make a lot of sense in a city or densely populated area. This is why Japan is hybrid-crazy. In fact, Suzuki in Japan has put hybrid systems in their Swift and Wagon R for the JDM. This means that if they wanted to, they could put a hybrid system into the Kizashi since they have the technology. However, the Kizashi is quite a different car in purpose from the Swift and Wagon R which are compact and ultracompact kei cars, respectively.
The Kizashi was made to be a debut midsize aimed with more spacious nations in mind therefore I think something like a diesel engine would make more sense in the car. Spacious nations then to have more extensive highway and freeway systems where diesels actually outshine hybrids in efficiency. Look at what VW has been doing for years and what Mazda and Chevy are catching on with. They are putting diesel 4 cylinders in their Jetta, Mazda6, and Cruze. The Kizashi competes with all three in its segment.
Personally, I like the idea of a plug-in hybrid. It's basically an EV for a limited range and when the charge is depleted, it runs a gas engine. The idea works for short commutes to the store or even to work and runs only on electricity. For someone like me, I could drive into work on just electricity and then plug into a complimentary EV charger in my garage at work. I would be able to charge up for free for the commute home. There is a woman who drives a Prius plug-in who does just that. She may not be burning any gas for months this way, yet has the gas engine when she needs the range unlike a full EV with only an electric motor (like the Nissan Leaf). Mitsubishi will soon release their Outlander PHEV which is basically a SUV with these plug-in capabilities. I hope it catches on so Mitsu does not go the way of Suzuki.
I will keep looking around for info on what Suzuki will do with the Kizashi, but I think the outlook is quite grim for the car as we know it. It's already outdated even in gasoline engine technology.
I agree with Woodie somewhat that hybrids aren't the best solution to all vehicles and drivers, however they make a lot of sense in a city or densely populated area. This is why Japan is hybrid-crazy. In fact, Suzuki in Japan has put hybrid systems in their Swift and Wagon R for the JDM. This means that if they wanted to, they could put a hybrid system into the Kizashi since they have the technology. However, the Kizashi is quite a different car in purpose from the Swift and Wagon R which are compact and ultracompact kei cars, respectively.
The Kizashi was made to be a debut midsize aimed with more spacious nations in mind therefore I think something like a diesel engine would make more sense in the car. Spacious nations then to have more extensive highway and freeway systems where diesels actually outshine hybrids in efficiency. Look at what VW has been doing for years and what Mazda and Chevy are catching on with. They are putting diesel 4 cylinders in their Jetta, Mazda6, and Cruze. The Kizashi competes with all three in its segment.
Personally, I like the idea of a plug-in hybrid. It's basically an EV for a limited range and when the charge is depleted, it runs a gas engine. The idea works for short commutes to the store or even to work and runs only on electricity. For someone like me, I could drive into work on just electricity and then plug into a complimentary EV charger in my garage at work. I would be able to charge up for free for the commute home. There is a woman who drives a Prius plug-in who does just that. She may not be burning any gas for months this way, yet has the gas engine when she needs the range unlike a full EV with only an electric motor (like the Nissan Leaf). Mitsubishi will soon release their Outlander PHEV which is basically a SUV with these plug-in capabilities. I hope it catches on so Mitsu does not go the way of Suzuki.
I will keep looking around for info on what Suzuki will do with the Kizashi, but I think the outlook is quite grim for the car as we know it. It's already outdated even in gasoline engine technology.
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
[quote="KuroNekko"]Whether a gas, hybrid, EV, or diesel is best really depends on the driver's need and driving conditions.
I agree with Woodie somewhat that hybrids aren't the best solution to all vehicles and drivers, however they make a lot of sense in a city or densely populated area. This is why Japan is hybrid-crazy. In fact, Suzuki in Japan has put hybrid systems in their Swift and Wagon R for the JDM. This means that if they wanted to, they could put a hybrid system into the Kizashi since they have the technology. However, the Kizashi is quite a different car in purpose from the Swift and Wagon R which are compact and ultracompact kei cars, respectively.
Hybrids are more than just gas mileage. A co-worker has a camry hybrid and there are a couple of reasons why he wanted this. He said he wanted a camry with the best fuel milage he could get, and he deson't like to stop for gas. He also likes the whole eco fuel drive dash layout.
For me the Kizashi would be a great Hybrid. If I could plug it in even better!
I agree with Woodie somewhat that hybrids aren't the best solution to all vehicles and drivers, however they make a lot of sense in a city or densely populated area. This is why Japan is hybrid-crazy. In fact, Suzuki in Japan has put hybrid systems in their Swift and Wagon R for the JDM. This means that if they wanted to, they could put a hybrid system into the Kizashi since they have the technology. However, the Kizashi is quite a different car in purpose from the Swift and Wagon R which are compact and ultracompact kei cars, respectively.
Hybrids are more than just gas mileage. A co-worker has a camry hybrid and there are a couple of reasons why he wanted this. He said he wanted a camry with the best fuel milage he could get, and he deson't like to stop for gas. He also likes the whole eco fuel drive dash layout.
For me the Kizashi would be a great Hybrid. If I could plug it in even better!