2012 Suzuki Kizashi consumer reviews

We bought a used 2010 GTS with 20k on it. We have put 20k on it since the purchase. We were looking for an AWD car so we looked at used Subarus and others. For the price/reliability/content we couldn't pass up the Kizashi. The car has been solid with zero issues. We switched to synthetic oil and our mileage went way up. Currently averaging 24 mpg in the city and consistently get 34 mpg on the highway. On a few tanks we got 40 mpg highway. My only complaints are the CVT from a standing start is slow to accelerate. Once you get moving a bit then it takes off. Also it does have a bit of road noise, could just be the tires too. The electric steering has a different feel to it. Not bad, just different than I am used to. Overall this car is just a plain bargain.

Test drove a 2012 left-over but new SE and were impressed with fit/finish, steering/ride and overall feels. Bought the car after some more research. Other than disliking the feel of CVT, we are pleased with the car. We even tracked down and purchased another Kizashi with manual transmission. Swapping vinyl steering wheel and shift knob with leather covered ones (brought out the cruising control) as well as updating with aftermarket navigation units made Kizashi close to perfect. Our previous cars were 2002 BMW M Coupe and 2000 323i Wagon!

Disclaimer: owned for 3 weeks, too early to talk reliability. Hushed, yet composed ride, good handling w/18s, very high feature content and creature comforts for the price. Not too fast (in automatic), a bit on the chunky side, so not a gas sipper. Can be hurried via shift paddles, CVT in '12 works just fine. Quiet safe vibe.

quality made car that looks like it cost thousands more than it does but the fit and finish is extremely well with quality materials in and out. The 30 mph cvt transmission is a blast to drive and the oem garmin works like a charm.well worth the money. too bad suzuki did promote this car.

Bought the car 8 months ago and have had nothing but problems. The wheels were scratched in shipment, had to replace the tires after 30,000 ( VERY expensive), the car locked me out while it was running ( not suppose to be able to lock the keys in the car), the radio changes channels on a whim, and now my windshield wipers are going out. I have a long drive to work and back each week so I already have 40,000 miles on the car. That means NO warranty left. Unbelievable to me that all of this can go wrong with an 8 month old car. Worst car I've ever owned and would never recommend to anyone.

This car is simply AMAZING! I am so excited and happy with it I don't know where to begin. First let me say I traded a 2010 Fusion Sport AWD for this car and have absolutely NO regrets. Granted the Fusion was very fast b/c of its powerful V6, but it never FELT very sporty driving it because of its numb steering, clunky manumatic shifter, and heavy weight. It also had a long-range remote start, and some state-of-the-art safety features like blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert, but I honestly don't miss ANY of those features after driving this car! I sprung for the AWD SLS (minus navigation because I didn't like the look of it on the Kizashi) in Ice Blue metallic b/c it is so gorgeous on this car. The GTS and SLS models look the same but have a few different features. But the ground effects, lower chrome strip, wheels, and aggressive front end transform the regular Kizashi into one fantastic looking sports sedan. The car has the feel of a BMW, the build quality the Japanese are known for, and an exterior design like nothing else on the road. It is such a blast to drive. It truly feels like a high-end German car, in that everything works together and makes you feel connected to the car. Don't believe the reviews by so-called experts that knock the power and CVT transmission. Its a wonderful combination that just works. 180hp in a 3200lb car is plenty to elevate your heart rate. No this car isn't going to win any drag races b/c its not a jackrabbit off the line, but once moving it feels every bit as fun as any BMW or Audi I've driven. Its steering is tight and communicative, its handling is razor-sharp, and its overall feel is positively Germanic. And while the CVT in automatic mode may be too lethargic for some, all you have to do is put it in manual/sport mode and use the BMW-like shifter or the F1-inspired paddle shifters. That's the only way I drive mine now and the car is SO much faster and more fun that way b/c you can keep it in the power range. Oh, and wher else can you get an AWD sports sedan where you can turn off the AWD when you don't need it to improve gas mileage? Nowhere! Trust me, if you're in the market for a sports sedan, take either an AWD GTS or SLS for an extended test drive AFTER driving whatever else is on your list, and you'll be sold. There is nothing else out there in this price range that offers all this equipment, is as good-looking, or is as fun to drive. Yes you could go buy a used BMW 328 or 335 for $26-30,000, but then you'd have a USED car, with tons of miles on it, questionable reliability, and minimal options, that may or may not have been treated well. I've owned some serious sports sedans in my life, and this AWD Kizashi SLS is every bit as fun as any of them, for a fraction of the price! Again, while this Kizashi SLS AWD may not be the fastest sports sedan out there, its combination of value for the money, driving dynamics, steering feel, build quality, refinement, and overall FUN factor cannot be beat. Suzuki now has it at 0% for 72mos!! And another plus is its different...you won't see them all over the place like every other sports sedan. Be prepared though... lots of people will be asking you what it is and telling you how good looking it is.

Other than the engine noise, the car is great so far. The car actually rides better at higher speeds.

Unlike some other reviewers that did a lot of research and test drove other vehicles, I bought this car on a whim. And I don't have the least regret. Some background, saw my first Kizashi at a hotel at the SFO airport, 6/11 really liked the looks. Went on the Internet and read the positive reviews by both the automotive press and consumers. Ended up taking a test drive and fell in love with it. Purchased it 7/31/11. This trim level includes all the accessories, options except for XM radio. I confess I had some reliability issues within the first month, which was really disconcerting. particularly, some incorrectly latched ignition connectors that required 2 service visits. However, American Suzuki provided a rental car and roadside service. That was back in Aug, 11, not a single problem since. Words that come to mind, a drivers car, solid, substantial, fun to drive, beautiful, value oriented, performance, great handling, quiet, smooth, responsive, luxurious, distinctive, I appreciate the attention to detail. I have taken my car out to the track and I would rate it a 4 on the track for acceleration on the straightways and 5 in the turns but a 5 for every day driving. The paddle shifters simulate a manual transmission are great when you're carving a back road. Reliability a 5 no further problems. Mileage averages 26-32 mpg. The CVT takes some getting used to, but the car is so smooth and quiet that you think you're not moving but then you look in the rear view mirror and the cars behind get smaller quickly. This car is so comfortable for long drives. Excellent supportive seats, great sound system. I had spent $2,500 to upgrade the sound system in the 2009 Honda Civic Si coupe that I owned to overcome the road, engine noise. This car has a Rockford Fosgate 10 speaker system with subwoofer and DSP, excellent sound quality, clear, detailed, accurate, wide soundstage. This car, is a great sensual, aural, tactile experience. I personally, am not interested in making a statement, but more concerned with performance, handling, value, distinctiveness. The vivid red paint is rich and deep. My GF owned a 2001 Suzuki Vitara with over 100K miles and she never had a problem. I also own a 2003 Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle and I have had one issue in 9 years, a cooling fan that needed replacement. Based on those experiences and with the warranty, I took the plunge. You'll read reviews about the lack of a turbo or V6, would be nice, small back seat, scarce dealer network, all real issues, but if you need a bigger car, get one. If supersizing your car isn't a priority seriously consider this vehicle, I don't believe you'll be disappointed.

Rented the vehicle for a trip. The car had just over 400 miles on it. For a small car it was a GAS HOG (under 20 MPG on the road)! The CVT it came with felt like a very very tired GM Power Glide. The transmission couldn't decipher what to do and all the car did was rev way too high all the time. We locked it into a "manual mode" which improved the mileage somewhat. As a local Suzuki dealership advertises "shop wisely my friend". A stick shift in the car would be my choice if I "had" to buy this model car. Otherwise, I recommend looking at a different car company.

This is a stylish car loaded with features and a peppy engine. The acceleration is quick and the Kizashi is quite nimble in areas of the city packed with cars and pedestrians. Sporting a 180 hp engine with AWD (that can be turned on or off) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) makes for a fun drive in any weather. While providing a solid driving experience, the Kizashi holds the driver and passengers in well-appointed sport leather seats and a quality interior. The audio system by Rockford Fosgate is a 425 watt eight speaker system (subwoofer mounted behind rear passenger seats) with integrated Bluetooth hands free system. And to top off this decadence there is a dual zone climate control that would be available on much more expensive vehicles but is standard on all trim levels of the Kizashi. Though the Kizashi could benefit immensely from a greater output motor or even a turbo, a quieter CVT; though it does reduce its decibels after breaking in the transmission and a bigger dealer network, it should not deter potential buyers from putting the Kizashi on their short list of cars So if you're looking for a unique ride with a quality build that provides plenty of standard features for your hard earned- dollars then look no further than the Suzuki Kizashi.