1st place - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi (81.0%)
This is not a typo: A Suzuki has taken the crown in this fight! This one-two punch from the little giant Suzuki has turned the category on its ear. Seriously. At $29,995 as is, the Kizashi just about out-values the value leader, the Sonata. Get a load of this: AWD, CVT transmission, leather, 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, sunroof, 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system, keyless entry and start, paddle shifters, and on and on...
Are you starting to get the picture? If not, clear your mind and take a gander at this one. In the aesthetics category, the Kizashi (pronounced as you read it) came in first, same for accessories and comfort. Before we elaborate here, it is important to mention that the car scored poorly, the lowest marks in fact, where interior volume and ease of ingress and egress are concerned. However, once aboard, passengers are treated to supportive seats, a surprisingly well-configured driving position and a decently quiet cabin.
The best part about the Kizashi is the drive. Once again, on top of the standings here, the Suzuki betters the pack with responsive brakes offering the shortest distance in the 100-0 km/h test, strong positive steering and a European-inspired, taut and compliant suspension setup. The worse component of the Kizashi is its CVT gearbox. Behaving more like a first-gen Xtronic CVT from Nissan, the transmission screams and holds the redline, bogs power down from a standstill and nearly chokes the otherwise adequate 180-hp 2.4L engine.
"The Kizashi is a revelation. This elegant sedan is well equipped, well built and as stimulating to drive as a 3-Series BMW! Unfortunately for it, its very Japanese name is not only hard to pronounce but difficult to remember!" - Luc Gagné
This is not a typo: A Suzuki has taken the crown in this fight! This one-two punch from the little giant Suzuki has turned the category on its ear. Seriously. At $29,995 as is, the Kizashi just about out-values the value leader, the Sonata. Get a load of this: AWD, CVT transmission, leather, 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, sunroof, 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system, keyless entry and start, paddle shifters, and on and on...
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| The best part about the Kizashi is the drive. (photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Are you starting to get the picture? If not, clear your mind and take a gander at this one. In the aesthetics category, the Kizashi (pronounced as you read it) came in first, same for accessories and comfort. Before we elaborate here, it is important to mention that the car scored poorly, the lowest marks in fact, where interior volume and ease of ingress and egress are concerned. However, once aboard, passengers are treated to supportive seats, a surprisingly well-configured driving position and a decently quiet cabin.
The best part about the Kizashi is the drive. Once again, on top of the standings here, the Suzuki betters the pack with responsive brakes offering the shortest distance in the 100-0 km/h test, strong positive steering and a European-inspired, taut and compliant suspension setup. The worse component of the Kizashi is its CVT gearbox. Behaving more like a first-gen Xtronic CVT from Nissan, the transmission screams and holds the redline, bogs power down from a standstill and nearly chokes the otherwise adequate 180-hp 2.4L engine.
"The Kizashi is a revelation. This elegant sedan is well equipped, well built and as stimulating to drive as a 3-Series BMW! Unfortunately for it, its very Japanese name is not only hard to pronounce but difficult to remember!" - Luc Gagné
| FINAL VOTING | |
| 2010 Ford Fusion SEL | 77.9 % |
| 2010 Honda Accord EX-L NAVI | 75.8 % |
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited | 78.9 % |
| 2010 Mazda6 GT-I4 | 74.6 % |
| 2010 Subaru Legacy PZEV | 76.9 % |
| 2011 Suzuki Kizashi | 81.0 % |
| 2011 Toyota Camry SE | 77.9 % |