It was only a matter of time before a true rival emerged to challenge Subaru’s dominance in the all-wheel-drive sedan market. For years, Subaru has enjoyed a unique position, with the STI versus EVO rivalry being a notable exception to their largely uncontested reign. However, Suzuki, an automaker known for its value and engineering, stepped up to the plate, presenting a compelling alternative in the form of the Kizashi Sedan.
While Subaru boasts two models, the Legacy and Impreza, Suzuki directly challenges the Legacy with the Kizashi. The Subaru Legacy, it’s true, comes with a broader range of options, including a 6-cylinder engine and more robust configurations. Furthermore, the Legacy holds the advantage of offering an optional manual transmission with all-wheel drive in its 4-cylinder variant, along with larger dimensions and a thriving aftermarket scene for customizations.
Conversely, the Suzuki Kizashi sedan adopts a more streamlined approach, offering fewer trim levels, no manual transmission option with all-wheel drive, a more compact size, and a single engine choice. Interestingly, the Kizashi’s dimensions position it neatly between the Subaru Legacy and the smaller Impreza, suggesting Suzuki aimed for a sweet spot in the competitive sedan segment.
This comparison will focus on a direct face-off between the all-wheel-drive Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium, equipped with the continuously variable transmission (CVT), and the Suzuki Kizashi SE, also featuring a CVT and all-wheel drive. These two sedans are remarkably close in price, with the Subaru holding a slight premium when comparably equipped. Both are powered by 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engines, represent solid build quality, and compete within the same general category of mid-size sedans.
Suzuki Kizashi: An Unexpected Winner?
Hold on – did we just declare a winner already? Perhaps prematurely, but the Suzuki Kizashi sedan does present a surprisingly strong case. When considering standard features, the quality of interior and exterior finishing, the engaging sporty handling, and, let’s be frank, the more visually appealing design, the Suzuki Kizashi emerges as the subtly superior sedan in this matchup.
The Subaru Legacy, on the other hand, prioritizes comfort, offering a significantly improved interior compared to previous generations. It excels as a practical and fuel-efficient vehicle for daily commuting, and its CVT transmission feels smoother and less hesitant than the Kizashi’s. The Legacy also boasts excellent visibility and confident driving dynamics, making it a dependable choice for drivers in regions with challenging weather conditions. It’s undeniably a well-built, safe, and comfortable sedan.
So, if the Subaru Legacy holds considerable strengths, why does the Suzuki Kizashi sedan take the edge?
The preference for the Suzuki Kizashi SE AWD over the Subaru Legacy 2.5i boils down to two key factors: aesthetics and driving enjoyment. The Kizashi simply possesses a more striking and attractive design, and it delivers a more engaging and fun driving experience, particularly when navigating corners. Suzuki’s design prowess extends beyond the Kizashi, as evidenced by the appealing aesthetics of the SX4, which effectively rivals the non-turbo Subaru Impreza.
On paper, these all-wheel-drive, CVT-equipped sedans exhibit similar performance figures and fuel economy. The Subaru Legacy demonstrates impressive fuel efficiency, achieving around 27 mpg combined, while the Suzuki Kizashi manages a respectable 25 mpg combined. Their 0 to 60 mph acceleration times are nearly identical, averaging around 9.4 seconds. The Subaru feels and sounds smoother throughout the acceleration range, especially up to higher speeds. Both sedans would undoubtedly be quicker with manual transmissions; however, the Suzuki Kizashi would likely hold a slight advantage in manual form due to its lighter weight and reduced drivetrain loss associated with all-wheel drive.
However, when pushed through winding roads, the Suzuki Kizashi sedan truly distinguishes itself. While the Subaru Legacy offers a composed and secure ride with adequate grip, it exhibits noticeable body roll and a less engaging driving feel, somewhat reminiscent of larger, less sporty sedans. In contrast, the Kizashi tackles the same corners with greater agility, providing better control and a more connected feel to the road. It presents itself as a more balanced chassis with a hint of sporty character.
Having spent considerable time with various 2010 Subaru Legacy models, the styling has become a point of contention. The somewhat awkward wheel arch design, while perhaps acceptable on the SUV-inspired Outback, appears less cohesive on the Legacy sedan, making it seem bulkier than it actually is. These arches can also visually diminish the wheel size, further contributing to a somewhat heavy appearance. Furthermore, the headlight and taillight designs lack synergy, resulting in an overall unbalanced aesthetic.
Conversely, the Suzuki Kizashi sedan projects a sporty, refined, and sleek image. Its design language shares visual similarities with the contemporary VW Jetta, a sedan widely regarded for its handsome styling, which is certainly a positive association. One minor design element that might be considered a slight misstep (and a trend among many automakers) is the integration of chrome-finished, body-colored exhaust outlets. While they appear stylish at certain angles, a closer inspection from the rear reveals the actual, smaller exhaust pipes nestled within – a detail that is quite noticeable.
The CVT in the Kizashi, however, can be perceived as somewhat noisy and less responsive at times. For drivers who frequently undertake long journeys, the Subaru’s CVT offers a more refined and comfortable experience for extended highway cruising. In fact, in many aspects – roughly 90% – the Subaru Legacy 2.5i matches or surpasses the Kizashi. However, the Kizashi’s CVT, while not terrible, can feel less natural and somewhat sluggish in certain driving situations.
Despite this CVT characteristic, the Suzuki Kizashi sedan presents itself as an exceptional value proposition, particularly considering its impressive (transferable) 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, generous standard equipment list, enjoyable handling dynamics, and attractive styling.
To be clear, the Subaru Legacy remains a solid and capable sedan. However, certain aspects of the Legacy, particularly its styling and less engaging driving dynamics, work in favor of the Suzuki Kizashi. Ultimately, it is the Kizashi’s visual appeal and more spirited driving experience that tip the scales in its favor in this comparison.
