In the last series of makeovers and model generations, the underdog and plucky Mazda6 won my heart. It was smaller than the rest of its competitors, but also lighter and less apologetic about being a car. It didn't have a plushy ride like a Malibu and the steering inspired a level of confidence not often seen in a car of its class, unlike a Camry. But the Mazda6 didn't just come out of left field - it was a 12 year-old boy with his hat on backwards running onto the grass.
And he turned out to be one of the best, albeit also one of the most ignored at what he did. So Mazda decided he'd be "beefed up" in the redesign, targeting a more "serious" mainstream crowd. Not the first time an automaker's done that in recent years, and I can't really blame them for doing it. Example: remember the 2000-era Altima? Kind of small for a mid-size, but tough and likable. It was a cellar-dweller in sales, so Nissan introduced a bigger, beefier Altima around 2003 with a VQ-series 270HP V6 option. Sales ballooned as much as the Altima's body.
So, where is the family man to aim his sights if he wants something that's affordable, good to look at, reasonable to insure, safe, and inexpensive enough to repair (sorry VW, but getting German parts will still cost you big time)?
This looks promising: the Suzuki Kizashi. The front fascia is reminiscent of the 5th generation Jetta, but that's not a particular problem for me. the tribute to Deutscheland continues 'round the back with a very BMW E92 5-series look. I'm not the biggest fan of the E92, but again, there are worse cars to draw influence from.
But looks only tell half of the story; Suzuki's biggest selling point of the Kizashi is its optional AWD system. Build your Kizashi the right way and, in theory, you could have a good-looking, affordable sedan that's got monumental grip and control for around 23 grand. And you wouldn't have a small, spartan piece of machinery like you'd get from Subaru for that price. Sounds good. A little too good.
Here's the bombshell, and it's a pretty big one: the AWD system is only available with a CVT. I'm sorry, but every enthusiast knows you just don't get the same feeling with an automatic, especially a CVT automatic. And I'm sorry, but with the way I'd want the Kizashi optioned as a father/family man, in GTS trim with fog lights and AWD, it comes to ~ $26,700. That's very close to what I'd pay for a Subaru WRX 5-door. And that has a real transmission and [arguably] the best AWD system in the world.
Sorry, Suzuki. The allure just isn't there once you know there's no six-speed manual transmission/AWD combination and no engine choice (185HP is all you'll get in a Kizashi). Maybe you'll steal some sales from the Koreans in lower model forms, but once the price goes past 22 grand, you're just out of your element, and not unique enough to be a true underdog. It looks like cars like the original Mazda6 just won't exist anymore.
Sorry, kid. You coulda been a contenda.
