This affordable little sedan showed up on the market in 2010 as an effort to bolster Suzuki’s fading popularity in the United States car game. While it may not have saved the company’s American operations, it is still an attractive vehicle with great features at a decent price.
Key Features
Dual-zone climate controls and keyless entry – coupled with convenient push-button start – give you a good solid set of base features. You can also choose to add AWD, a pumped up audio system, and leather seating. Optional 18” alloy wheels can further boost the look and feel of the Kizashi.
Changes for 2012
Not many changes were made to this vehicle between the 2011 and 2012 model years, outside of the addition of leather seating as an option in the SE version.
What We Like
This fun little car has several very attractive selling points – the price, for one, along with available AWD for those who live in snowy locales, the progressive, sporty appearance, and the superior handling.
What Concerns Us
Obviously with Suzuki having left the American auto market, getting service for these cars may prove to be a bit of a challenge. In addition, the base models did not include a radio. That is a rather major oversight of what should be considered a standard feature across the board.
Available Models
All Kizashi models contain a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine with either a 6-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the variations is as follows (mpg city/hwy):
S:
- 21/31 (manual, 4WD), 23/31 (CVT, 4WD), 23/30 (CVT, AWD)
SE:
- 23/30 (CVT, 4WD), 22/29 (CVT, AWD)
Sport GTS:
- 20/29 (manual, FWD), 23/30 (CVT, 4WD), 22/29 (CVT, AWD)
Sport SLS:
- 23/30 (CVT, 4WD), 22/29 (CVT, AWD)
Major Recalls
In August 2014 a recall was issued due to the possibility of spiders being able to create a web in the evaporative canister vent hose. This could block the hose, potentially causing too much negative pressure to the fuel tank. If a crack should occur as a result of this pressure, the risk of fire is increased. The company notified owners and dealers can repair the issue free of charge.
In January of 2015 Suzuki issued a recall regarding the shift selector being able to move out of the Park position without having to depress the brake pedal. Dealers notified owners of the issue and will repair the problem at no charge.
Common Issues
While the Kizashi doesn’t suffer from a lot of consumer complaints, there have been a couple of concerning reports – one involved the cruise control kicking in when the user was traveling at a low speed, sending the car over a parking curb, and the other involved the engine light coming on followed by the rear of the car swaying back and forth and eventually spinning the car into a reverse position.
