Suzuki - Jalopnik

posts about #suzuki more →
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2010 Suzuki Kizashi: First Drive
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GreenN_Gold
11/05/09

In reply to Suzuki Kizashi Starts Under $19K, Tops Out At $27K
I believe Suzuki's own SX4 is already the least expensive car with nav, so they won't be able to make that claim for the Kizashi. #suzukikizashi
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scroggzilla raids again
11/05/09

In reply to Suzuki Kizashi Starts Under $19K, Tops Out At $27K
I was thinking small fun-to-drive hatchback for my next ride (Ford Fiesta/Suzuki Swift Sport/Abarth 500), but the Kizashi GTS may keep me in a mid size sedan #suzukikizashi
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Jeb_Hoge
11/05/09

In reply to Suzuki Kizashi Starts Under $19K, Tops Out At $27K
Forget the 6...the Kizashi GTS is price-competitive against the Mazda 3s! That's impressive. Definitely worth adding to the short list. #suzukikizashi
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bmoreDLJ
11/05/09

In reply to Suzuki Kizashi Starts Under $19K, Tops Out At $27K
Nice price. Will the Suzuki dealerships (wherever they are, if they even exist) serve sushi and tea while I inspect their new Kisashis? Ki-sush-tea, they could call it. #suzukikizashi
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AmishJohn
11/05/09

@bmoreDLJ: "Oops, looks like you got some bad Fugu there. Hurry and sign the papers so we can get you to the hospital." #suzukikizashi
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bmoreDLJ
10/16/09

In reply to 2010 Suzuki Kizashi: First Drive

Leave it to Suzuki to fill the small midsize sedan vacuum created by all the other import automakers taking steroids. Kudos...or I should say, Suzukdos.

My only qualm is the final design looks a bit too...careful. Like it went through one too many committees. I'll bet a couple owners will black out that space between the upper and lower grilles to create the Audi effect. #suzukikizashi
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C4_4life
10/16/09

In reply to 2010 Suzuki Kizashi: First Drive
Only an American reviewer can describe 7.5 seconds to 60 as underpowered. #suzukikizashi
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Matt Hardigree
10/16/09

@C4_4life: That's as much a weight issue as it is a power issue. #suzukikizashi
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Graverobber
10/16/09

In reply to Driving The Suzuki Kizashi V6 Test Mule
I saw one of these this morning and wondered how I had missed a mid-cycle refresh on the Camry, but then realized that it was the Suzuki. I always have preferred the 4-cylinder versions of UJCs as they're a lot more efficient, and not that much less quick than their V6 brethren.

This car is pretty much Suzuki's last hope as their sales and profits have been drying up. Shudda-cudda-wuuda, they needed this car about three years ago. #conceptcars
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snapoversteer 'bout to get told
10/16/09

In reply to Driving The Suzuki Kizashi V6 Test Mule

sensuous? #conceptcars
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twitchykun (Level 1 Jalop-Knight)
10/16/09

@snapoversteer got demoted. Small wonder.: I can't unsee it. You're mean. #conceptcars
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Matt Hardigree
10/16/09

@twitchykun (Level 1 Jalop-Knight): Other than the similar profile the proportions are much different. #conceptcars
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twitchykun (Level 1 Jalop-Knight)
10/16/09

@Matt Hardigree: If the car's fun to drive, then I can forgive the likeness to the 'Rolla. When I hear Suzuki, fun to drive is usually part of the equation, y'know? #conceptcars
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twitchykun (Level 1 Jalop-Knight)
10/16/09

In reply to Driving The Suzuki Kizashi V6 Test Mule
Dear automakers of the world:

CVT trannies belong in hybrids and other econoshitboxes. Nowhere else. #conceptcars
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DonLuc
10/16/09

In reply to 2010 Suzuki Kizashi: First Drive
It's not a bad looking car by any means, but I'm still waiting on the day that Suzuki drops a motor in one of their cars that is worthy of the reputation Suzuki has in motorcycles. I was hoping they'd built a Fit-sized vehicle with just a straight 1000cc motorcycle engine in it. #suzukikizashi
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pauljones
10/16/09

@DonLuc: So you could rev the engine like hell and go nowhere?

No thanks.

I don't care what the peak HP figures are the GSX-R or the Hayabusa, they just wouldn't make good engines for a car. The HP that they do produce is too high in the rev range to be easily accessed, and they don't put out nearly enough torque for a Fit-sized car that weighs 2800 lbs.

So can we please dispel the notion of putting motorcycle engines in modern cars? An old Kei car? Sure. A modern car of any size? It just doesn't work. #suzukikizashi
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DonLuc
10/16/09

@pauljones:

I have faith that with the right gearing, it would be within reach of current technology. Of course it might need be tuned for torque instead of horsepower numbers at 16000 rpm, but still, lets say they could get 100lb/ft and a redline of 10,000 rpm. Yes, this car would have to be light as hell, but it'd be a niche car that wouldn't sell much volume anyway.

And even if they couldn't do that, at least they could make cars with engines comparable to Honda's hp/liter figures. I'm sure we can agree on that. #suzukikizashi
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Bumblebee
10/16/09

In reply to 2010 Suzuki Kizashi: First Drive
I think Suzuki has a winner here: If I were shopping for a car in this segment today, the only ones I would consider are the Malibu and the Kizashi. Why? I could never spend $20K+ on an ugly car, and the Camry and Accord are hideous. The 6 isn't far behind.

At some point, rationality bows to self-respect. #suzukikizashi
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UglyDuckCar
10/16/09

@Bumblebee:
I happen to think suzuki has three winners on their hands. As awkward as the SX4 is, it's an extremely practical, affordable and solid car. The new Suzuki Swift is (what I think) a good looking car for its segment, and while I don't know its capabilities, I'll assume it is the usual Suzuki affair. (which isn't bad.) Honestly, if the swift was out when I got my car, I probably would have gotten that instead. Finally, add this handsome, practical Kizashi to the mix and Suzuki has potential go grow further, which I'm happy for them. #suzukikizashi
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GreenN_Gold
10/16/09

@UglyDuckCar: Wow, you sent me to google. The return of the Swift to the US market in 2010 is news to me. Sounds like good news, too. #suzukikizashi
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Elhigh
10/16/09

In reply to 2010 Suzuki Kizashi: First Drive
It looks to me like there's nothing here I couldn't have out of an Accord LX, which starts nearly $1,000 cheaper. If I can have the proven product from an established player for less, why wouldn't I go with that?

For that matter, the Malibu is about the same price, and made in the US. I tend to vote with my wallet, so why wouldn't I go with that?

A new base Fusion is even cheaper. If I wanted to spend about the same money, I could option up to more power and maybe AWD if I wanted to dig a little deeper still. Or if I wanted to drop the AWD money but keep the economy, I could get the Hybrid and run it forever on the tears of Arab oil sheiks. Why wouldn't I go for that?

I like Suzukis. I thought the Tracker and Samurai were absolute hoots, the Sprint Turbo was, in the words of one auto mag, a "berserkoid four-wheel motorcycle." I know they're smart and can build good cars. But the Trackers and Metros and what-all else, aside from being hoots, don't have great reputations. Until that changes, I'll stick with the stuff listed above. #suzukikizashi
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pauljones
10/16/09

@Elhigh: You can't get a Hybrid Fusion for less than an AWD Kizashi, and I would very much doubt that you could get an AWD Fusion for less than an AWD Kizashi. The most basic Fusion may have a lower price, but there is more to comparing cost effectiveness than simply the lowest base price. An important part of that is comparing what you get for the money.

Also, for "Built in America" thin, the Kizashi is based off the same Epsilon II platform that the Malibu is, so while I don't know exactly where it is being built, there is certainly a chance that it is built here considering the platform. Does anyone know where this is being built? #suzukikizashi
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Elhigh
10/16/09

@pauljones: It looks like Norelco is making the wheels.

I know about the Fusion pricing. If I'm going to dump that kind of cash on a car (which I won't), I would probably dig deeper to go higher into the range. That's what I'm saying. #suzukikizashi
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superveloce
10/16/09

In reply to 2010 Suzuki Kizashi: First Drive
Not the most unique and characterful car on the market, but well proportioned and attractive, and the combination of good handling, Suzuki reliability and reasonable pricing make it worth a serious look if you're in the market for a svelte mid-sizer. #suzukikizashi
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Plecostomus [Tyrrell]
10/16/09

In reply to 2010 Suzuki Kizashi: First Drive
#SuzukiSX4

This looks like the SX4's chubby, less athletic sister. #suzukikizashi
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akirachan
10/16/09

In reply to 2010 Suzuki Kizashi: First Drive

スズキ、万歳！！！
This can be their foray into the "Beat the Camry" competition!
And for all you Suzuki lovers, Hail the Swift Sport! We need that here more than before!!!! #suzukikizashi
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Maymar
10/16/09

@akirachan: I'm not even a Suzuki lover (we're just friends), but I need that. #suzukikizashi
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scroggzilla raids again
10/16/09

@akirachan: Yes, please! The Swift is supposed to come to the US in 2010. Whether we get the Sport, that I do not know #suzukikizashi
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