CVT

[paininthenuts]

I have read some reviews condemning the CVT box in the Kizi. To be fair, I believe this condemnation is more about CVT's rather than just the Suzuki version. I have owned several autos over the years, and to be honest this is about the best auto box I have had. I admit it is a little different to the traditional box, and takes some getting used to, but I love the fact it is smooth, and the revs drop so low when your foot is off the gas. I should also point out that the CVT box is becoming more popular with manufacturers. The worst auto box I had was on an E class merc. I loved the car, but despite returning the car for several adjustments, it was never right. I would love the opportunity to try a manual Kizi out, however as there isn't one in the UK, it may be a bit difficult.

[KuroNekko]

That's good you like it.
I can't comment much on it has I have a 3 pedal 'Zashi. I've only driven a CVT once and it was a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport also known as a RVR. Until then, I didn't understand what people meant by rubber band-like feel. Upon driving it, I did. That CVT is actually the same one in the Kizashi according to the manufacturer, JATCO.

There are good and bad sides to CVTs.
The good tends to be smooth performance as there is no shift shock because there are no gears. CVTs also offer better fuel economy and have finally allowed automatics to get better fuel efficiency than manuals.

The bad tends to be that they sap power, especially acceleration from a full stop. The CVT Kizashi takes nearly 1.5 seconds longer to reach 0 to 60 MPH compared to a manual by most figures I've seen. That's a huge difference.
CVTs have also shown to be problematic in some cars. Nissan, Audi, and Mini have all had major issues with CVTs. Nissan and Audi also happen to be some of the biggest names and earliest implementers of CVTs.

The Kizashi's CVT seems to be fine, but some have experienced catastrophic failures that resulted in getting a new transmission covered under warranty.
Also, the long-term reliability of CVTs is not known as they are rather new to the industry. There is simply not much data to show how they will hold up with 250,000 plus miles.

Regardless, if you enjoy the CVT, that's awesome. It also allows you to have AWD which is not an option with the manual Kizashi. However, if you want more performance from the car, you need to row your own gears with an extra pedal.

[LPSISRL]

You definitely have to drive it different than a non-CVT automatic. You have to progressively push on the throttle to keep the revs up or they like to take a dive very soon after you get going. This tends to make the car feel like it bogs down. But if you pay attention and feather the gas to keep the rpms up, it accelerates quite briskly. Also, it seems to do better from a dead stop by not stomping on it.

[paininthenuts]

That's good you like it.
I can't comment much on it has I have a 3 pedal 'Zashi. I've only driven a CVT once and it was a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport also known as a RVR. Until then, I didn't understand what people meant by rubber band-like feel. Upon driving it, I did. That CVT is actually the same one in the Kizashi according to the manufacturer, JATCO.

There are good and bad sides to CVTs.
The good tends to be smooth performance as there is no shift shock because there are no gears. CVTs also offer better fuel economy and have finally allowed automatics to get better fuel efficiency than manuals.

The bad tends to be that they sap power, especially acceleration from a full stop. The CVT Kizashi takes nearly 1.5 seconds longer to reach 0 to 60 MPH compared to a manual by most figures I've seen. That's a huge difference.
CVTs have also shown to be problematic in some cars. Nissan, Audi, and Mini have all had major issues with CVTs. Nissan and Audi also happen to be some of the biggest names and earliest implementers of CVTs.

The Kizashi's CVT seems to be fine, but some have experienced catastrophic failures that resulted in getting a new transmission covered under warranty.
Also, the long-term reliability of CVTs is not known as they are rather new to the industry. There is simply not much data to show how they will hold up with 250,000 plus miles.

Regardless, if you enjoy the CVT, that's awesome. It also allows you to have AWD which is not an option with the manual Kizashi. However, if you want more performance from the car, you need to row your own gears with an extra pedal.

I am older than you, but remember a car called the Daf Variematic. As far as I know it is the earliest CVT, but I may be wrong. The funny thing is that it reversed at the same speed it went forward. Picture below

[paininthenuts]

You definitely have to drive it different than a non-CVT automatic. You have to progressively push on the throttle to keep the revs up or they like to take a dive very soon after you get going. This tends to make the car feel like it bogs down. But if you pay attention and feather the gas to keep the rpms up, it accelerates quite briskly. Also, it seems to do better from a dead stop by not stomping on it.

Yes, it takes a little getting used to, and that's why people that have only driven one once or twice shouldn't really make judgement. Needless to say it does not accelerate as quickly as a manual version, but this is the same for any car, auto v manual. What it does well is the mid range acceleration, which to be honest is far more important than from a stand still. Believe me, this CVT gear box is so much nicer than the auto box I had in my Merc. I wonder if there are any figures regarding reliability against a standard auto ?

[murcod]

Needless to say it does not accelerate as quickly as a manual version, but this is the same for any car, auto v manual.

That's certainly not the case with a lot of DSG style boxes vs a traditional manual.

[KuroNekko]

CVTs have been around for a while and were invented by the Dutch, but they were only suited for rather small cars like pictured above. That's why smaller European cars and even Asian cars like the Subaru Justy and many JDM kei-cars had CVTs long before they became mainstream. Now, they are more popular in larger cars like midsize sedans. That being said, CVTs are still problematic in larger vehicles like the Nissan Pathfinder.

Also, as Murcod stated, dual clutch automatics like DSGs are known to offer faster cars than manuals. One of the best examples in the Mitsubishi Evolution X. The MR with the dual clutch auto has a faster track time than the GSR with the 5 speed manual. It's because these autos can shift much faster. It's the main reason why even exotics and supercars have ditched manuals in favor of advanced automatics with millisecond shift times.

[Woodie]

Needless to say it does not accelerate as quickly as a manual version, but this is the same for any car, auto v manual.

That's certainly not the case with a lot of DSG style boxes vs a traditional manual.

That's because a DSG is not an automatic transmission, it's an automated manual transmission.

[paininthenuts]

quote]That's certainly not the case with a lot of DSG style boxes vs a traditional manual.[/quote]That's because a DSG is not an automatic transmission, it's an automated manual transmission.[/quote]

This is true

[Knightstruth]

You definitely have to drive it different than a non-CVT automatic. You have to progressively push on the throttle to keep the revs up or they like to take a dive very soon after you get going. This tends to make the car feel like it bogs down. But if you pay attention and feather the gas to keep the rpms up, it accelerates quite briskly. Also, it seems to do better from a dead stop by not stomping on it.

The above is the biggest difference I learned with a cvt vs traditional auto, you must ease on it. When I had a 2012 Legacy with the CVT it made the car feel like a feather, not in a good way either. You barely realised you were picking up speed.
The Kiz CVT on the other hand feels smooth and progressive when you put you foot on the pedal.