Driving Sports TV - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS Reviewed

After surviving a 2,000 mile road trip in the Kizashi what's next? We put it up against the Driving Sports TV City Course. How does this "Sport" model compare to the Sonata and Jetta?

[@TeeDog63]

I bought this car (a 2011 S model w/CVT) back on Dec 24th of 2010. After having owning it awhile, I find that it's quite a nice car. I have the AWD which does so much better in the snow than I had ever expected it to. But for 180 bhp (185 is for manual/non-AWD) take off does leave a bit much to be desired as well as the fuel economy.

[@MrJsv650]

Everyone who owns this car knows it's one of the best cars ever.

[@drivingsports]

@AdrianosFidi ...But almost twice the torque and a premium price of $0.50 more per gallon for diesel.

[@frgfdsagsfdg]

twitchy?! I have own 2010 for 2 years runs like a champ. great underrated car

[@NAHolmesHeath1]

I own a kizashi SLS and I disagree with almost every criticism they used on this car. The control and handling is great. The suspension is stiff, very little body roll in the corners and the brakes are very respectable for a $20k sports sedan. The CVT transmission can bog the motor in auto mode but in manual the paddle shifters are more responsive than cars three and four times its price. I have driven the Kizashi around a closed backroad that I have driven many cars around and it is very fast!

[@drivingsports]

@ReggyRay289 Cool, thanks for watching!

[@zYzmrZIzYz]

the concept looked even better

[@ReggyRay289]

Okay so I came up with a show idea. I'd love to see a show where you get two of the same car, one with awd one with fwd, get a set of snow tires and regular tires for both and run times in the snow. Mostly this would show what makes a bigger difference awd or fwd with snow tires. Awesome episode and thanks for making this show.

[@drivingsports]

@AdrianosFidi The comment was talking about the VW, and how *it* has twice the torque as the Suzuki.

[@ejicon]

Great video Ryan.... Where's the helmet for the whole bike stunt scene? :(

[@rkt81]

One of the most under underrated cars, even when compared to cars twice the price range.

[@drivingsports]

@manvelmkhitaryan Some would say that car cannot be a proper "sports car" and be front-wheel drive. For the most part, we'd agree. Don't confuse this concept with "Sport" models, like the Kizashi here, which feature "sporty" improvements over a base model. What really makes us sad is when a model is called a "sport" or sporty special edition, but makes no real improvements in any area of performance. (see: OZ Rally Edition Lancer)

[@drivingsports]

@ReggyRay289 We have lots of snow shows coming up. If you're not already a subscriber, now is a good time to click that button. ;-)

[@drivingsports]

@Vinnygil FWD cars don't handle better than RWD. At any given time a car can either accelerate, brake or turn. Ask any set of tires to do more than one of these at a given time and issues arise - and, such as it is, a FWD car has to turn and accelerate with the same set of wheels. This is not necessarily the most efficient setup to achieve the best handling characteristics. Though yes, FWD are easier to drive in the snow, and generally have better gas mileage.

[@ncy614]

Best handling car I’ve owned !

[@volvocare]

Man, all I see and hear is, I, I, I, I feel, I think...ah, most annoying report ever. It's a nice car and Suzuki's are great cars. I own one and let me tell you, it's truly not twitchy, takes corners better than many cars I've owned...."lift's tires off the ground" ??? go back to your ipods/Ipads.

[@manvelmkhitaryan]

Why do they make some sports cars front wheel drive? I really wanna know

[@Bizzenn1976]

These people know nothing about cars.

[@JustAnotherPersonHere]

review is dumb, yes. But it's informative and very entertaining, thank you!

[@tonybrown9779]

Enjoyed the review & agree with the lady reviewer: "exterior better than interior" - the large dash is imposing and the passenger sits deep and completely engulfed. Otherwise very functional and well thought out. I have the base 2010 model and has served me well mechanical. Poor paint quality (red), low speed CVT drone and low clearance (scrapes underbody) my only complaints. Stone chips galore seems to be the norm in the only non-metallic (red) paint colour. Yet to experience any twitchiness perhaps because I'm not pushing it to it's limits, or could it be the stiffer sports suspension & tyres causing one wheel to lift? Fuel economy great on the highway 6.6 ltr/100 but not so good around town 10-11ltr/100.

[@drivingsports]

@AdrianosFidi 6,500 RPM

[@scootosan]

I would hate to see him try to walk and chew gum, put the training wheels back on your bike and get in the house before the street lights come on

[@ReggyRay289]

@drivingsports I've been a subscriber for a long time now.

[@CHICOZTACOS]

I can't help but find it somewhat comical how people value things like 0-60 times and skidpad #s. Exactly how often are you going to be dropping the hammer when the light turns green? And as for the skidpad... I'm as big a fan of good-handling cars as anyone but really, are you EVER going to be driving like the people in this video? I'm considering this car and am very impressed with it overall. Put your drag strip and autocross dreams aside... this is a hell of a nice (practical) ride.

[@VencedorGamer]

I do everyday, being a courier and using your personal vehicle, you have to be quick and have good handling at stops, lane merges, parallel parking, and making hair pin turns, to get packages to their destinations on time.

[@Vinnygil]

@manvelmkhitaryan its a sport mid-size sedan!!! wow!!! its not a sports car per-say. its a sports car mixed with a family car. And they handle better than rear wheel drive, plus better gas-mileage and better traction in cold conditions. that's why

[@VencedorGamer]

"Not enough passing power." Pffft ya'll just can't drive for shit, my 07 Saturn Ion 2, only has 152 hp and 148 trq, and I can pass most cars doing the speed limit 35-65 in a few seconds. You just have to know how to use that elongated peddle thing called an (ACCELERATOR). 😑

[@YankiEBubbAAussiE]

In my opinion Hyundai and Suzuki should stop trying to make sporty cars, they will never be able to keep up with the other car company like Nissan, Ford (the Euro cars only), Chevrolet/Holden/Opel, VW, and Honda

[@HCNguyen86]

@Vinnygil Everything is true except for the fact that they DON'T handle better than a RWD on the tracks.

[@porsche558]

doesn't sound sporty.....doesn't seem to handle too sporty either. All well Suzuki at least makes great sport bikes.

[@MrGTR1988]

going back to A4

[@drers25i]

Yo Ryan, sad man really sad. You can drive a car, but can't ride a bike. LOL