Report by Luis Martinez, autos.yahoo.com
- Pros
- More for your money than any comparable offering! Exterior & interior styling, economy, handling
- Cons
- dealer network
Purchased As New
I researched and test drove everything in the price range (higher and lower). Hyundai Sonata may win some over for its looks, but driving the two, the Suzuki Kizashi wins hands down. In many respects, it really does compare well with German cars (VW Passat, Audi, etc) but saves you LOTS of money (purchase; maintenance; fuel consumption). The list of standard equipment far surpasses the competition. It's solidly built, and you can drive it like a sports car. The 4-cyl engine is limited, but if you use the gears well (whether the 6-spd manual, or the CVT with auto-shift control), you can leave the Toyota's in the dust! It's a good looking car on the exterior - not too flashy, but distinguished. The interior is superb for a car in this price range.Driving at a steady 65 mph, I have gotten 36 mpg in pure highway driving; average city/hwy mixed is over 30.My only hesitation before purchasing was the distance I had to go to find the nearest dealer. But if you love to drive, check this one out!
