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Suzuki Kizashi 2010 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2010 Suzuki Kizashi? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2010 Suzuki Kizashi issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

When should I service my 2010 Suzuki Kizashi?

Transmissions that are sealed for life always seem like a pretty big statement of faith from a manufacturer, don’t they? Unfortunately, that faith sometimes seems to be misplaced, at which point the car-maker has to issue a service bulletin and change the rules, usually after a number of failures. And automatic or CVT transmissions are a classic case.

That’s exactly what happened to Suzuki in the USA when it issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to cover the US-market version of your car after enough owners reported CVT problems, usually in hot weather when the unit would start to act erratically. The TSB included the new information that, if the car was used in tough conditions, perhaps a CVT fluid change every 50,000km might not be a bad idea.

Given that Australia has similar levels of ambient heat to the US, I don’t think that’s bad advice for an Aussie Kizashi owner, either. Plenty of other car-makers have had to change their recommendations mid-stride, so it’s not just a Suzuki thing. But as any transmission specialist will tell you, heat kills automatics and CVTs, and that starts with a break-down of the fluid which, as well as providing the drive, also cost and lubricates the transmission. For the sake of the few dollars involved, I’d have the fluid in my CVT changed every 50,000km.

Used Suzuki Kizashi review: 2010-2014

Graham Smith reviews the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Suzuki Kizashi as a used buy.

Suzuki produced a mid-size sedan that keeps living up to the maker's reputation for engineering and quality.

Suzuki was once regarded as something of an oddball in the car world with its almost microscopic cars and four-wheel drives that had relatively limited appeal. That's changed in recent times as the company unleashed new models with much broader appeal, such as the Swift and Grand Vitara.

The Kizashi, launched in 2010 as its entry in the mid-sized market, was immediately acclaimed for its refinement and on-road manners.

There were three variants of the sedan, the front-wheel drive XL and XLS, and the all-wheel drive Sport. The XL and XLS were superseded by the Touring and Prestige a year later.

impressively quiet and refined.

The styling was pleasant and appealing, the lines neat and proportions well balanced.

Inside, it was quite roomy for four adults and was well appointed with ample features.

The sole engine was typically Suzuki, a jewel-like 2.4-litre four-cylinder that put out a decent 131kW/230Nm. It was smooth and delivered plenty of punch when needed.

The standard gearbox was a continuously variable transmission and there was an optional six-speed manual for the front-drivers.

On the road the Kizashi was impressively quiet and refined, with excellent road manners and well balanced handling. It was an all-round impressive car.

Owners tell us they are in the main happy with their Kizashis; few report any issues at all. Typically the earliest examples will have up to 100,000km, which makes them prime prospects for used car buyers.

Given Suzuki's well-earned reputation for engineering and build quality, the Kizashi can be bought with confidence there won't be serious problems.

One issue raised relates to the paint, particularly red, which appears to be soft and chips quite easily. Check for stone chipping, and perhaps ask the seller to repair it before signing off on the deal.

Suzuki engines, though highly regarded, need good care to produce their best, particularly over the long term. Check the car you are thinking of buying has been well maintained and serviced as per Suzuki's recommendations.

As a CVT, the transmission doesn't drive like a conventional auto and its foibles can put some people off. When test-driving, make sure you are happy with the way the CVT operates and note, for example, shuddering when taking off or accelerating, hesitating etc.

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Used Suzuki Kizashi review: 2010-2015

Suzuki's strength in Australia for many decades was in clever small cars and excellent 4WDs. Then in January 2010, it made the interesting move into medium-size cars with a new model called Kizashi.

Aimed at a huge number of competitors - including the Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord Euro, Mazda6 and Subaru Liberty - in a market segment that wasn't particularly strong, Kizashi was less successful than the importer hoped.

It's a good-looker with a powerful appearance that gives a fair touch of sportiness.

In August 2010 the Suzuki Kizashi Sport arrived. It surprised all by taking the European route of being offered with all-wheel drive for better traction on slippery surfaces. Ice, snow or just plain rain - not 4WD as in Suzuki SUVs.

As befits its title, this Kizashi has a full-on sports body kit, 18-inch alloys and lowered ride height that further enhanced it's already strong appearance.

However, the so-called Sport is heavier than the standard front-wheel-drive, but has no more power so is slower in a straight line.

The 2.4L engine petrol four produces 131kW and a creditable 230Nm. This is a relatively large car so performance is adequate rather than exciting.

The Suzuki Kizashi is relatively tall to provide good interior room. There's better than average legroom in the back seat and four adults can be carried in comfort. Headroom is fine in the standard models, but the sunroof in the topline Kizashis steals a fair bit of height from the back seat.

Interior stowage space is good, with large door pockets and several other areas to hold all the little nick-nacks that seem to travel everywhere with us.

Boot space is impressive thanks to the tall tail design and the opening is reasonably wide. However, you may find it difficult to get some really bulky items in.

On the road the Suzuki Kizashi feels almost European in the strength of the body. Ride comfort remains good even on rough roads and tyre/road noise are generally well subdued, though coarse-chip surfaces do raise noise levels significantly.

There is a fair number of Suzuki dealers Australian wide and the big success of the 4WD models mean there are more dealers in country and bush areas than for many other makers in a this market segment.

Insurance premiums for the Kizashi vary more than usual for this class, possibly because low sales mean that companies have statistically different experiences with them. Shop around for a good deal, but make sure you're doing accurate comparisons.

If you are keen to get the high build quality of a Japanese vehicle, but like the chassis dynamics of a European one then a Suzuki Kizashi should be on your short list of cars.

Kizashi is a well-built vehicle with a solid reputation, but it still makes sense to have a professional inspection. Should you wish to do an initial inspection yourself look for the following:

Crash damage or signs of repairs, the easiest things for amateurs to spot are ripples in the body panels when viewed end on in good light; tiny paint spots on unpainted areas like glass, badges and trim.

Uneven wear on the front tyres and/or damage to the wheel rims probably indicates poor parking, but may also have been caused by a crash.

Check the condition of the interior trim, particularly in the rear seat area where it may have been knocked about by the kids.

Be sure the engine starts easily and settles into a smooth idle within a few seconds of kicking over. Ideally, do this check with the engine stone cold after an overnight stop.

Automatic transmissions should be smooth in their operation, indeed changes should only be noticeable if accelerating hard.

Manual gearboxes that crunch on fast down-changes may be about to damage someone's bank account. Make sure it isn't yours.

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What caused Kizashi limp mode?

It would seem that a faulty sensor caused it, and the problem has been fixed by replacing it.

Kizashi on 91RON?

The car’s official Suzuki fuel ranking is regular 91 octane.

Used Suzuki Kizashi review: 2010-2011

NEW - Suzuki has always been a highly regarded small car brand by those in the know, its small sedans and four-wheel drives having a well deserved reputation for quality and innovation.

More recently the company has pumped up its range with new and even better models like the new Swift and the even newer Kizashi, the company's first crack at a mid-sized car.

The Kizashi was widely acclaimed for its refinement and on-road character when it was launched. For many it was a revelation. It was only available as a sedan, but there were three models to choose from, beginning with the front-wheel drive XL, the mid-range FWD XLS and the all-singing, all-dancing all-wheel drive Sport.

The styling was unremarkable, but inoffensive, with neat lines and balanced proportions and the odd touch of chrome for a highlight. Inside it was reasonably roomy for four, the cabin was awash in rather sombre tonings, but there was everything you could want and a flash of silver brightened it a little.

The power was provided by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that generates 131 kW and 230 Nm and provided plenty of punch. The standard gearbox across all models was a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that was generally smooth and responsive, but there was also the option of a six-speed manual gearbox in the XL and XLS. Sport buyers could only have a CVT, the six-speeder wasn't available, which is a pity given the sporting pretentions of the model.

But Sport buyers did have the grip advantage of all-wheel drive whereas XL and XLS punters only had front-wheel drive in their cars. On the road the Kizashi was impressively quiet and refined with excellent road manners, balanced handling and good grip.

NOW

With the Kizashi just ticking over into its third year on the market there's little to report in terms of reliability concerns, and with Suzuki's past history for robustness there's little reason to be anything but confident going forward.

Some owners have reported heavy stone-chipping on their cars, much heavier than other cars, particularly those coloured red or grey. It's unclear if it's a paint problem or just the shape of the car that promotes chipping, but whatever the reason it chips very easily. It not only looks ugly, but it affects resale.

Others have reported issues with the CVT transmissions doing odd things, so it's worth checking thoroughly by subjecting the CVT to all sorts of driving situations and observing for any shuddering, slipping, over-revving, and odd noises.

Suzuki engines are finely crafted pieces of jewellery and need looking after, so make sure the oil has been changed regularly and doesn't look black or full of gunk when you pull the dipstick. Check the tyres, the Kizashi has a reputation for wearing out tyres quickly, which is perhaps a reflection of its handling.

SMITHY SAYS

Quiet, refined with great on-road manners the mid-sized Suzuki is definitely one to think about.

Suzuki Kizashi 2010-2011

Price new: from $30,490 to $39,990
Engine: 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder, 131 kW/230 Nm
Transmission: CVT auto, 6-speed manual, FWD, AWD
Economy: 8.4 L/100 km
Body: 4-door sedan
Variants: XL, XLS, Sport
Safety: 5-star ANCAP
 

 

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