Used 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS for sale 

Four different trims are offered for the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi. Considering its low entry price, the Suzuki Kizashi offers an impressive list of standard features. Some of the notable items include automatic dual-zone climate control, power windows, mirrors and door locks, keyless entry with push-button start, and a nine-speaker audio system with USB input and steering wheel controls. 

Some of the features found on higher Kizashi trims include 17 & 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, heated and power-adjustable front seats, leather interior, a moonroof, and fog lights. GTS and SLS buyers can also add a touchscreen navigation system that comes coupled with a backup camera. 

Buying Advice 

The SE trim is a good-to-go option as it adds many comfort features to the list. We recommend you buy the front-wheel-drive version with CVT for better fuel economy. Buyers looking to upgrade their Kizashi must do so by selecting higher trim levels. All in all, everything depends on what you want from your mid-size sedan.

Only one engine is offered for the Suzuki Kizashi. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 185 horsepower in cars equipped with standard 6-speed manual transmission. Peak power is reduced by 5-hp in cars equipped with the optional CVT. All-wheel-drive is also available, but unfortunately for performance enthusiasts, it isn’t offered with the manual transmission. If the only Suzuki you’ve driven is an SUV, the Kizashi’s road manners will likely surprise you. At speed, the ride is smooth and the cabin remains impressively quiet with no perceptible rattles or squeaks and minimal wind and road noise. 

The Kizashi is also one of the most fun midsize sedans with excellent handling and nicely weighted steering. The manual transmission is easy to operate with effortless shifts and light clutch effort. The CVT is one of the best on the market with a smooth and quick operation that maximizes the engine’s output. Complaints are minor and include a thick A-pillar that limits forward visibility and slight hesitancy when accelerating from a standstill in CVT-equipped models. 

In terms of performance, there is no match for the Toyota Camry. What’s amazing is that it is the heaviest car in this competition yet astonishes us with its unmatchable performance numbers. The Kizashi and the Accord take on each other, while the Nissan Altima skips the fight with better acceleration. When comparing the top speed, Honda offers the most at 134 mph.

The Suzuki Kizashi delivers fuel economy numbers around 30 miles per gallon on the highway with city numbers in the low 20s. All-wheel-drive models suffer a modest fuel consumption penalty of one mile per gallon on the highway. The sedan falls behind its rivals in the fuel tank capacity as it offers the least capacity of 16.6 gallons.

In comparison, both Nissan Altima and Honda Accord offer a combined mileage of 27 mpg. Following the two on the table is the Camry with 26 mpg combined, leaving Kizashi at the end with 25 mpg. When comparing the combined range, the 20 gallon tank capacity of Altima helps it achieve the class-leading range of 550 miles.

The satin-touch surfaces on the buttons and the center console look good. The high-quality feel of these surfaces gives the impression that the Kizashi costs more than it actually does. In terms of sheer size, the interior of the Kizashi is smaller than most other midsize offerings. However, the available space is used effectively to create comfortable quarters for both front and rear passengers. 

Modern red-illuminated backlighting, tasteful metallic trim, and extensive use of soft materials help convey a sense of quality and refinement. With 13.3 cubic feet available, the Kizashi’s trunk is somewhat smaller than the trunks of other midsize sedans. Still, there’s a good amount of space for the luggage and split-folding rear seatbacks allow for extra bulky loads.

Due to its compact proportions, Kizashi’s passenger space is quite less than its rivals. In this field, the other rivals offer good levels of head and legroom. The Toyota and the Nissan Altima are on the lead in terms of cargo capacity while the Kizashi is the least practical sedan. Some major interior features include:

• Leather shift knob and steering wheel
• Driver’s seat memory settings
• Proximity entry
• Two one-touch windows
• Tilt & telescopic steering wheel
• Paddle shifters

How intuitive is the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi’s infotainment system?

The S and SE trim only come with satellite radio, USB port, and a 7-speaker setup. The real deal starts with the GTS and SLS trims. Both trims add an in-dash CD player while the clear highs and tight powerful lows of the optional Rockford Fosgate audio system will delight music fans. While the complete absence of buzzing from the interior, even a deafening audio level will impress fans of quality interiors. With 425 watts of power and 10 speakers including a subwoofer, the system produces amazing sound. A touch-screen integrated with a navigation system can be optioned on the higher trims as well. Some other features include:

• Auxiliary audio input
• CD player
• Satellite radio
• AM/FM radio
• 7, 9 & 10-speaker sound system
• Navigation system

Also helping to convey a sense of premium quality is the Kizashi’s exterior. Intentional or not, it actually reminds us a bit of the Volkswagen Jetta, which isn’t a bad thing. The Kizashi’s prominent grille, muscular fenders, and strong shoulder line would look perfectly appropriate on a much more expensive car. The Suzuki Kizashi competes in the midsize sedan category but is smaller than all of its key competitors. For perspective, it is full 10 inches shorter than the Mazda 6 but has a wheelbase that’s only three and a half inches shorter, meaning that the Kizashi’s wheels are pushed nearer to its corners giving a solid purposeful stance to its tidy dimensions. 

The Kizashi’s tidier dimensions make it the smallest and shortest midsize sedan in this competition. In contrast, the Honda Accord is the longest car with a wheelbase of 110.2 inches. The Nissan Altima is almost 80 pounds lighter than the bulky Toyota Camry. Some other exterior highlights of the Kizashi include:

• Body-colored rear spoiler
• Dual exhaust tips
• Black grille
• Fog lamps
• Auto on/off headlights
• Rear-center brake light
• Power mirrors
• Power moonroof
• 18-inch alloy wheels

The 2011 Suzuki Kizashi has undergone only rollover crash tests by NHTSA and has managed to score four stars. IIHS gave the sedan a ‘Good’ rating in most of the tests, except for roof strength in which it received an ‘Acceptable’ rating. The Kizashi also comes loaded with eight airbags, including rear-seat side-impact airbags. It also comes with few safety features such as:

• Front and rear emergency locking retractors
• Rear parking sensors
• Side-impact door beams
• Safety Brake Pedal System
• Stability & Traction Control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

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If you’re in the market for an attractive and safe midsize sedan but also want to get the most for the dollar, then you’ll definitely like the Suzuki Kizashi. However, if buying the name-brand is important to you, then you may step aside from buying the Kizashi. They’ve come a long way, but Suzuki still doesn’t have the strong brand appeal of Honda or Toyota.