VW Jetta!

[Eye of the Tiger]

Even Swifts have independent rear suspension 

[the Teuton]

Even Swifts have independent rear suspension 

So do PlastiCars surprisingly.

[68_427]

Needs more rusty hood, roof rack, and BBS rimz...

[sportyaccordy]

i'm guessing the torsion beam rear makes any 4motion hopes out of the question...

Damn near all VW's have had torsion beams in the back. They just switch to IRS when they go 4 motion.

[2o6]

Come on, the Maxima had a beam axle for the longest time, and no one seemed to care.

People did care, and it was slammed for having a torsion beam.

[2o6]

The third gen had IRS.  And you're still incorrect for the 4th gen and 5th gen.  It's a multi-link beam (also called a twist beam, also called a torsion beam), and while it's not as sophisticated as a true multi-link, it's decidedly not a beam axle.  While limited in this (relative to the aforementioned multi-link), the twist beam does allow some independent wheel movement.

Beam axle is what you see for the rear suspension of a Dodge Caravan.

Caravans use a Dion De Tube. 

[2o6]

Damn near all VW's have had torsion beams in the back. They just switch to IRS when they go 4 motion.

No, the MKV Jetta/Golf has IRS.

[The Pirate]

Caravans use a Dion De Tube. 

AWD variants use a de Dion tube.  The FWD version uses a beam axle.  I don't know about the current gen, from 1984 to 2005ish that was the setup.

[TBR]

If you say so.  The Kizashi looks nowhere near as good as the Jetta, despite being as derivative as it is.  And there's no way it drives as well as a 2.0T Jetta.  Maybe as well as the 2.5 though...I've been meaning to write that review.  

The GLI is in an entirely different price range, and I don't think the 2.0T Wolfsburg even still exists (of course I could be wrong since Volkswagen never really acknowledged its existence in the first place).

The Kizashi looks much better than the Jetta I think, though I am actually a fan of both.

[Atomic]

let's not forget... vw is preparing us for the next generation passat. i think that car will be our "upscale" jetta and "lesser" passat in one awesome vehicle. i hope!

[WookieOnRitalin]

The GLI is in an entirely different price range, and I don't think the 2.0T Wolfsburg even still exists (of course I could be wrong since Volkswagen never really acknowledged its existence in the first place).

The Kizashi looks much better than the Jetta I think, though I am actually a fan of both.

The Kizashi is a far better looking vehicle, but I think one of the biggest problems with the Kizashi is its powerplant. Suzuki needs to jump on the turbo bandwagon and throw in a similar turbo to the 2.0T found in the Jetta GLI/Wolfsburg. It's not that the base engine is bad, but from the reviews, it's just another 4 cylinder powerplant. It is not anything special especially considering that Kizashi is supposed to be Something Great is Coming. The Kizashi is a good, good vehicle, but just lacks a better engine to make it that much more desirable. I think launching with a single engine was probably a mistake or they need to put a rush on the next engine. Suzuki said they would have other engine options within the next model year. Guess what is coming up in a few months? It has been on the market for a year and I have read ZILCH about getting other engine choices other than when the car was first released.

I wonder if the alliance with VW has delayed some things for Suzuki.

I'd still take a Kizashi over a Jetta even with a 2.0T.

[CALL_911]

Wow, I don't know what you guys are talking about. This thing looks great! If nothing, it looks a LOT better than the current Corolla Jetta.

[sportyaccordy]

The Kizashi is a far better looking vehicle, but I think one of the biggest problems with the Kizashi is its powerplant. Suzuki needs to jump on the turbo bandwagon and throw in a similar turbo to the 2.0T found in the Jetta GLI/Wolfsburg. It's not that the base engine is bad, but from the reviews, it's just another 4 cylinder powerplant. It is not anything special especially considering that Kizashi is supposed to be Something Great is Coming. The Kizashi is a good, good vehicle, but just lacks a better engine to make it that much more desirable. I think launching with a single engine was probably a mistake or they need to put a rush on the next engine. Suzuki said they would have other engine options within the next model year. Guess what is coming up in a few months? It has been on the market for a year and I have read ZILCH about getting other engine choices other than when the car was first released.

I wonder if the alliance with VW has delayed some things for Suzuki.

I'd still take a Kizashi over a Jetta even with a 2.0T.

Yea that motor in the Kizashi is a downer and a half. 4 banger + automatic + AWD, and they're touting it as a sports sedan?

That shit needs a turbo like yesterday.

I'm still 'meh' about the Jetta. Kinda curious to see if they do the coupe thing. I always wanted an MK3 or MK4 Jetta coupe

[Tave]

Yea that motor in the Kizashi is a downer and a half. 4 banger + automatic + AWD, and they're touting it as a sports sedan?

Huh?

Why would you get the AWD? You can get a 6-spd on the other models.

[ifcar]

The Kizashi is a far better looking vehicle, but I think one of the biggest problems with the Kizashi is its powerplant. Suzuki needs to jump on the turbo bandwagon and throw in a similar turbo to the 2.0T found in the Jetta GLI/Wolfsburg. It's not that the base engine is bad, but from the reviews, it's just another 4 cylinder powerplant. It is not anything special especially considering that Kizashi is supposed to be Something Great is Coming. The Kizashi is a good, good vehicle, but just lacks a better engine to make it that much more desirable. I think launching with a single engine was probably a mistake or they need to put a rush on the next engine. Suzuki said they would have other engine options within the next model year. Guess what is coming up in a few months? It has been on the market for a year and I have read ZILCH about getting other engine choices other than when the car was first released.

I wonder if the alliance with VW has delayed some things for Suzuki.

I'd still take a Kizashi over a Jetta even with a 2.0T.

It's certainly not a bad four-cylinder. Plenty of punch, quiet. A higher-end model wouldn't have likely represented many sales anyway; if anything, they might have considered putting in a smaller engine in base models. Mazda does it with the 3; Suzuki only has something comparable to a 3 S.

[Vinsanity]

and I know the swoopy-car bandwagon is getting a little crowded, but if there's one car in this segment that should be there, it's the Kizashi. From the side, that car looks just plain stodgy, compared to the dramatic front end. It reminds me of a Toyota Yaris sedan (the side angle, that is)

[Raza]

The GLI is in an entirely different price range, and I don't think the 2.0T Wolfsburg even still exists (of course I could be wrong since Volkswagen never really acknowledged its existence in the first place).

The Kizashi looks much better than the Jetta I think, though I am actually a fan of both.

They actually put the 2010 Wolfsburg on the site this time.  It gets a black front instead of the chrome like on mine.  I'm thinking of doing it to my car. 

[Raza]

I can't believe you people like the Kizashi and don't like the cars it most blatantly ripped off.  I don't know what's wrong with you.

[2o6]

I can't believe you people like the Kizashi and don't like the cars it most blatantly ripped off.  I don't know what's wrong with you.

Aside from the facia, they look nothing alike, and the Kizashi has better proportions.

[2o6]

The Jetta looks much taller and narrower. The Kizashi looks very sporty.

[Raza]

Aside from the facia, they look nothing alike, and the Kizashi has better proportions.

You people are blind.  It's attractive, but nowhere near as good looking as a properly trimmed Jetta.  The base trims with the tiny wheels, big gaps, and chrome window trim don't look so good, sure, but the Wolfsburg and GLI look way better than anything Suzuki has put out...ever. 

[2o6]

The Jetta looks tall, and even when properly wheeled, it has a big butt and tall beltline which makes the wheels look tiny.

[TBR]

I can't believe you people like the Kizashi and don't like the cars it most blatantly ripped off.  I don't know what's wrong with you.

A lot of times a derivative car looks better than the car it ripped off. Look at the previous generation Accord and Sonata. The Sonata looked much better even though it shared a lot with the Accord. It's the benefit of hindsight.

I am also not really sure how you can call us blind when you seem to think that the A3 and A5 Jettas look alike.

[the Teuton]

The Jetta looks like a used prostitute. The Kizashi looks tall and narrow, too, but it looks a little better.

[Raza]

A lot of times a derivative car looks better than the car it ripped off. Look at the previous generation Accord and Sonata. The Sonata looked much better even though it shared a lot with the Accord. It's the benefit of hindsight.

I am also not really sure how you can call us blind when you seem to think that the A3 and A5 Jettas look alike.

You guys are blind because you can't see that....

[MX793]

The Jetta looks much taller and narrower. The Kizashi looks very sporty.

The Kizashi has larger wheels and relatively larger wheel arches/openings, but otherwise the silhouettes are pretty darn similar.  The Kizashi also has a slightly shorter rear deck and the rear fenders bulge a bit more.  Altogether, I think the little details make the Kizashi look a little sportier thanks to the bobbed tail and the larger wheel openings and wheels making the car look a little bit lower and a little more muscular.

[2o6]

Guess what, guys!


We get the 2.slow back!


http://www.leftlanenews.com/volkswagen-jetta.html

[Secret Chimp]

The Kizashi looks like a mini Sebring from the side.

[mzziaz]

Guess what, guys!


We get the 2.slow back!


http://www.leftlanenews.com/volkswagen-jetta.html

What? A 115 hp 2.0? in 2011? What the fuck?

[Vinsanity]

Guess what, guys!


We get the 2.slow back!


http://www.leftlanenews.com/volkswagen-jetta.html

well there's the explanation for the lower price tag...the question then becomes, how will the 5-banger be priced?