What car should have done better?

"jkm7680" (jkm7680) 07/19/2015 at 13:32 • Filed to: None

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My vote goes to the Suzuki Kiaszkikiskiskiskziskziskziszksizksiz. It was a handsome compact AWD sedan with optional manual transmission and an array of features.

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I think that Suzuki definitely had the chance to do better than they did with them, but fell short because they were still Suzukis no matter how you looked at them.

Alex B > jkm7680 07/19/2015 at 13:40

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I like the roof rails on this example.

Spaceball-Two > jkm7680 07/19/2015 at 13:41

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I test drove one and it was a fun car. A little underpowered but the AWD reminded me of Quattro. The interior was shit though. Tons of plastic and everything squeeked and groaned.

jkm7680 > Spaceball-Two 07/19/2015 at 13:49

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Ah, that must be where the major downfall was. I remember they advertized them as if they were at the top of their segment though. Shame I’ve only seen two of them on the road.

boxrocket > jkm7680 07/19/2015 at 14:00

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I feel like we just had this question, haha. Kizashi and SX4 are certainly far up on the list. The SX4 - like the AMC Eagle SX-4 before it - preceded the SUV and small crossover fads, respectively. I still keep an eye out for gently-used versions of both, the Crossover Touring model for the SX4 and the SLS AWD iteration of the Kizashi. After being back in a sedan as my DD for the first time in over 10 years I really want to get back into a wagon or hatch for my next car, if only for the rear window wiper.

Spaceball-Two > jkm7680 07/19/2015 at 14:01

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We got a lot of them on the West coast. There’s actually a Suzuki dealer down the street from me but they’re basically a used car lot now. I see quite a few of them on the road. Funny I’ve only ever seen the grey ones though. I don’t know how many colors they offered.

jkm7680 > Spaceball-Two 07/19/2015 at 14:04

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There’s still used Suzuki dealers. I think they offered a lifetime warranty also.

PS9 > jkm7680 07/19/2015 at 14:05

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Sales were actually accelerating for it before Pontiac got shitcanned. We did eventually get the SS, but V8 only with a $45k price tag won’t snatch away many buyers from the new CTS and the german equivalents (and GM probably wants it that way to be honest).

MultiplaOrgasms > jkm7680 07/19/2015 at 14:13

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Gotta go with that Fiat 130.

It had everything it took to become a successful Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar competitor: Lampredi designed SOHC V6 engine, 3-speed automatic transmission as standard with a 5-speed manual transmission being a no cost option, partially height adjustable fully independent suspension at a time when the S-Class still used swing axles (like a Beetle), four-wheel disc brakes, limited slip differential and power steering, as well as a gorgeous Pininfarina designed Coupé version. Furthermore it was praised in contemporary roadtests for its excellent handling and high standard of comfort and interior quality. It was in essence an italian BMW E3. It really only had two important flaws:

No.1: Said Lampredi designed V6 was not very powerful and was not fuel efficient at all. No.2: It was still a Fiat. It looked too much like a 124 (which later became immortalized as the infamous Lada) and Fiat was better known for making minimalistic cars like the Nuova 500.

It had everything it took be successful (except fuel efficiency), but ultimately it suffered the same fate as the Suzuki.

No Prius Needed > boxrocket 07/19/2015 at 14:31

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Just asking but have you actually drive an SX4? They are complete shit. The steering is really loose and has a large dead zone in the middle, it is extremely slow, the A pillars block everything, the interior feels like a mid 90s GM product, the seats gave me a back ache after an hour, the brakes sucked, and fuel economy wasn’t even that good. And this was all on an example with less than 80k miles. It looks good though.

boxrocket > No Prius Needed 07/19/2015 at 22:38

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Yeah, and I’ve almost bought a few, but various factors prevented it (the most recent of which was that I bought my Mazda6 a couple weeks before the most recent find). Maybe you drove an abused model? Steering felt OK, especially for an economy car. The cutouts between the sliding front windows and the A-pillar make for excellent visibility. GM wishes its 1990’s and 2000’s interiors could have been as nice, especially as Suzuki’s last models in the US (except the Kizashi and SX4) were rebadged GMs/Daewoos. I haven’t had an issue with the seats (and I owned a Volvo for 8 years, so I’m picky about comfort), and the brakes were sufficient. I’ll give you the fuel economy though: underpowered engine, power-sucking CVT for most models, and the AWD system adds weight.