Kizashi's are awesome!

[Brock]

But my question is, does anyone know the equivalent of the Kizashi in a different brand.

Ive seen an AWD for sale, but I read they weren't as good as a FWD on a review from an owner.

Any recommendations on cars to checkout would be really appreciated.
Thanks Guys!

[Ronzuki]

But my question is, does anyone know the equivalent of the Kizashi in a different brand.

It just sucks... the Kizashi could blow any of the cars out of the water with its features. But they are becoming a rarity on for what I'm after.

Ive seen an AWD for sale, but I read they weren't as good as a FWD on a review from an owner.

Any recommendations on cars to checkout would be really appreciated.
Thanks Guys!

Sorry to here another Kizashi has been toasted. I presume you are OK??

The dilemma we're all going to face at some point...what to replace a Kizashi with except another Kizashi which is becoming extremely hard to do.

The comment that the AWD is not as good as the FWD has everything to do with manual transmission in your FWD versus the CVT in an AWD car. There are literally thousands of words written on this forum regarding the CVT. Most are having no issues and many have gone well over 100,000 miles. If you have a line on an AWD Kizashi, I'd seriously go look at and test drive it. It takes a little getting used to, but you'll be back in a Kizashi

[Brock]

Thanks Ron.

All fine, the worst part is what happened to the Kizashi.

There isn't many around in Australia of what Im after. Thats why I was thinking the AWD, seem that was all they had imported in stead of the "Sport Prestige".

Yes I'm only after an auto, in what way would you say the AWD is different to the FWD?

Thanks
- Brock

[Ronzuki]

Brock, here in the U.S., All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models were only equipped with automatic (CVT) transmissions. AWD is not to be confused with 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) or Front Wheel Drive (FWD). Manual transmissions were only supplied in Front Wheel Drive (FWD) models worldwide as far as I know. The transfer gearbox is hard-coupled (essentially integral) to the CVT transmission providing the power to the rear differential assembly via a driveshaft.

[WESHOOT2]

The Suzuki AWD system is a very sophisticated performance-oriented system, intended to proportion power with a rear bias under spirited driving.
Plus it's hard(er) to get stuck......

[KuroNekko]

Sorry to hear the Kizashi was totaled.

The Kizashi is indeed a hard car to replace given it's now out of production with no replacement. You can probably try to find some used ones but I'm not sure what the Australian market looks like for them. The US market is bigger yet the car is quite hard to find, especially configured in a desirable way.

Now that I've reread your post more carefully, it sounds like you had a FWD Kizashi and not the AWD. While I don't think AWD is necessary in Australia, I wouldn't bother getting an automatic Kizashi unless it had AWD.

[Brock]

Brock, here in the U.S., All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models were only equipped with automatic (CVT) transmissions. AWD is not to be confused with 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) or Front Wheel Drive (FWD). Manual transmissions were only supplied in Front Wheel Drive (FWD) models worldwide as far as I know. The transfer gearbox is hard-coupled (essentially integral) to the CVT transmission providing the power to the rear differential assembly via a driveshaft.

Thanks again
So I understand all that, as I've had FWD, RWD and 4WD in the family before.

But hows the driving experience differ in the Kizashi, or any car similar from FWD. If both have Automatic Transmissions.

Cheers

[Ronzuki]

The CVT takes some getting used to. Up until I purchased the Kizashi, I'd daily driven nothing but manuals, and mostly, all body on frame SUVs/trucks. The last car I DD'd was a 1996 Dodge Stratus ES 2.0l FWD manual trans, which, with the ES's upgraded suspension handled pretty darn well since it didn't have a V6 and auto trans weighing down the front end. It was well balanced front to rear and was nearly as fun in the twisties as the Kizashi on dry ground, but, I'd exceed its limits in that regard. In the rain, no comparison with the Kiz's AWD activated. Whole different league. That thing was about as close to the Kizashi as I've driven regularly. So, hard for me to give a fair modern-day comparison for you.

[Brock]

The CVT takes some getting used to. Up until I purchased the Kizashi, I'd daily driven nothing but manuals, and mostly, all body on frame SUVs/trucks. The last car I DD'd was a 1996 Dodge Stratus ES 2.0l FWD manual trans, which, with the ES's upgraded suspension handled pretty darn well since it didn't have a V6 and auto trans weighing down the front end. It was well balanced front to rear and was nearly as fun in the twisties as the Kizashi on dry ground, but, I'd exceed its limits in that regard. In the rain, no comparison with the Kiz's AWD activated. Whole different league. That thing was about as close to the Kizashi as I've driven regularly. So, hard for me to give a fair modern-day comparison for you.

Thank you for the information, I think I'll go with the AWD. My next question, which mode does the car stay in mostly.

Thanks Again

[Ronzuki]

Either Or...the button on the dash will disable the AWD system's control to manipulate the rear differential's viscous coupler located at the differential's pinion. The AWD drivetrain is always rotating, AWD activated or not. To answer the question, depressing the button de-activates the AWD, therefore one may assume that the intention was to be in AWD mode at all times. I activate it in the bad weather... rain, snow, etc. and when I'm really enjoying myself driving like a maniac through the twisties. no harm no foul to leave it active all the time. It's an intelligent system and enables power to the rear differential as the plethora or computers see fit based on the situation. There is no noticeable improved fuel economy realized with it 'off' since the car is still lugging around the added 400lbs. of drivetrain gear, and as I'd stated, the masses are rotating constantly as long as the car is rolling.