Kizashi vs. Acura TSX

cachry · Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:06 am

I currently own a 2005 Acura TSX and am looking for a new car, possibly a (2011) Kizashi AWD Sport or GT SLS. Those are most comparable to my current vehicle.

I am wondering if anyone test drove a 2011 or 2010 TSX before choosing a Kizashi, and if so, why you decided on the Kizashi rather than the TSX.

BTW, I would be giving up a six speed manual for the Kizashi CVT -- and have always purchased cars with manual transmissions -- the AWD being important because of where I live, Buffalo, New York.

Thanks in advance.

cachry · Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:31 am

Oops, just read about the problem with paint . . . and my TSX has no paint problems after being parked outside for five years, and 52,000 miles. Comments?

Northernstar · Fri Jun 10, 2011 4:48 am

i was debating whether to get a 2010 TSX V6 top of the line or 2011 Kizashi. Test drove both and I chose Kizashi in the end just cus it's 7 grands cheaper and has AWD. Besides these two points, TSX V6 is either on par or beats Kizashi. Well, TSX V6 has worse fuel milage but kizashi isn't a fuel saver either lol.

tigerbangs54 · Sat Jun 11, 2011 1:12 am

The TSX is a very nice car, but the back seat is uninhabitable. As for the Kizashi paint issue: I have an early production 2010 SE AWD Kizashi which has paint problems, but Suzuki has agreed to repaint the front of the car for me, so, on, balance, I can't complain.

cachry · Sat Jun 11, 2011 3:20 am

I haven't driven a Kizashi yet, but given what I've read it's a very nice ride and comparable in many ways to the TSX. While the TSX has been good to me, despite low mileage it's getting old and now is a good time to make a change . . . and I really want an AWD vehicle. Buffalo winters can be brutal, and I've been stuck in snow in my Acura more than a few times. I'm willing to give up a manual tranny for AWD although I admit that will be hard, and for the first time my wife would be able to drive my car! Damn!

The paint issue gives me pause, and more recently I've thought about the possibility that Suzuki could abandon the model, making repairs difficult. Sales have not been great. I'm hoping they will really get behind the Kizashi to promote it through advertising. It does seem they have a winner in the car. If they are serious, they will also take care of the paint issue and make that known. I don't see that they have done that.

Regarding the TSX's back seat: Yeah, it's cramped, but I am getting old and my kids have flown the coop. It's rare that anyone sits in back. So, not a big deal for me.

rjc1976 · Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:03 am

It it helps at all, I have a 2011, and the paint hasn't really been an issue.

Triggerhappy · Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:13 am

cachry wrote:I currently own a 2005 Acura TSX and am looking for a new car, possibly a (2011) Kizashi AWD Sport or GT SLS. Those are most comparable to my current vehicle.

I am wondering if anyone test drove a 2011 or 2010 TSX before choosing a Kizashi, and if so, why you decided on the Kizashi rather than the TSX.

BTW, I would be giving up a six speed manual for the Kizashi CVT -- and have always purchased cars with manual transmissions -- the AWD being important because of where I live, Buffalo, New York.

Thanks in advance.

Test drove the TSX and the inside felt cheap, inferior to the Kizashi.

Do you really need AWD? You seem to be doing fine with your FWD TSX. Just get the 6-speed and put snow tires in the winter time.

Hawkzilla · Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:28 pm

Just a heads up from someone who also when from a 6-speed manual to the Kizashi CVT... thoroughly test drive the Kiz before making your decision. Take special note of when you accelerate from a stopped position. Floor it a few times to see what you will be dealing with if you buy the Kiz and need to get off the line in a hurry.

If you are okay with that, I think you will be very satisfied with the Kizashi. The handling and interior are very nice, and if you drive conservative, you can get very good fuel efficiency. I would say the downfalls are definitely the paint job issues and the lack of initial acceleration with the CVT. Otherwise it is a fine ride.

Hawkzilla · Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:32 pm

I should also note that the AWD is what sold me as well. The Kiz handles better than any car I have ever driven in the snow. And I kept my original tires on all winter. I live in the upper midwest and this past winter was brutal... and my kiz never once got stuck or even close. 5-star handling in snow.

rjc1976 · Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:52 pm

Test drove the TSX and the inside felt cheap, inferior to the Kizashi.

Do you really need AWD? You seem to be doing fine with your FWD TSX. Just get the 6-speed and put snow tires in the winter time.

I agree with this. I also felt the Kizashi was nicer inside than the TSX. (Though if the TSX wagon came in a manual transmission, I probably would have bought that over the Kizashi.)

I also agree that you're better off getting a FWD Kizashi with a 6 speed over an AWD with CVT. I was originally looking for an AWD with 6 speed, but when I discovered that no such car existed, I test drove both the FWD with 6 speed and an AWD with CVT. After driving both, I strongly felt that the extra speed and control you get with the 6 speed is worth it. I figure I'll just put snow tires on the car for the winter if I need, which will get you more traction in most cases anyway than an AWD using all-seasons. Plus it gives you an opportunity to size down to 17"s or even 16"s to deal with potholes in the winter and not kill the standard 18" wheels. Just my opinion.