J.D. Power Kizashi Overview
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Knightstruth
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:22 pm
i never trusted JD myself because they would have certain mercedes and VW on their high 90 day quality report and it would seem to me this does doesn't hold up in real world. On the other hand I have found cousumer reports reliability reports to match what is being found in the real world. For example they noted that coils on Audi's where something to look out for and sure enough my friend hand to have his replaced.
Yup and it's why I consider internet owner forums among the best resources for researching a car. It's the best place to find out what real issues there are with the car if one is seriously considering it. There have been a number of wise folks who have joined here and asked about the Kizashi before deciding to buy it. Publications like CR are only really good for getting a short synopsis when comparing a number of different cars.bmw&kizzyownr wrote: I would trust many of your opinions (based on prior knowledge/purchase) just as much these sources.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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bmw&kizzyownr
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:11 am
Agree 100 percent! However, I know I'm over critical of CR... but guess my history with the Samurai, Trooper, and Kizashi make me skeptical of some of their recommendations..... and maybe the 'unintended' intentions/consequences of them. 
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bmw&kizzyownr
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:11 am
Here's info I've gleaned from their latest annual auto issue: The owner satisfaction and reliability ratings come from annual auto surveys. They have 327 acres on their test facility in Connecticut. They buy about 70 cars and trucks that they test each year. Some tests (fuel economy, acceleration, etc) are objective instrumented tests. Others (seat comfort, ride quality, etc) are subjective graded by what they called their 'experts'. They also don't accept advertising so it won't sway them in their evaluations and conclusions.
It all sounds good. In fact, I believe it's a good source of info for a car buyer. However, when they make blanket allegations about vehicles (as they have in the past). I.e: like the Samurai or Trooper aren't safe (rollover risks) to make a dramatic statement and help sell magazines....that's when I have an issue with their findings. In fact, they were found guilty of steering the trooper on a 'somewhat' angled entrance vector into their rollover test which, in my opinion, 'intentionally' skewed the results. This was substantiated by an appeals court...and they 'finally' admitted such, however always saying it was an 'honest' error. Yea, an honest error performed in the trooper test but not any other vehicle, sure!?X! So, I don't believe the vehicle deserved the 'not acceptable' rating CR gave it as I don't believe it was 'significantly' more prone to turnover problems than any other SUV on the market. That was a 'subjective' comment that they have wisely decided not to utilize in the future. The dramatic statement (UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED!) helped put them on the map and build their customer base but it really irritated me as I knew it wasn't true! However, a lot of good did come out of their testing as CR was successful in lobbying the NHTSA for a rollover standard which (after revision) "I believe" is utilized today.
Again, I'm glad their ratings are published for users to peruse. The more info available the better. However, some folks buy their cars regardless of comparisons and at any cost. I.e. CR may recommend vehicle "X" so a reader will purchase it for $40K where the competition "Y" could have been bought at $30K. Even though the $30K vehicle may experience a "few" more problems (minor in some cases), and it is more engaging to drive.... CR says buy vehicle "X". In many cases I would buy vehicle "Y" cause life is short and I want to drive something that stirs the soul rather than an appliance. However, I recognize everyone is different and some feel exactly the opposite as me. The example I gave probably isn't a good one, as their projected 'cost of ownership' might change their ratings/review of these two vehicles....but you get the idea.
They also tout some vehicles (with good crash ratings) as 'safest cars on the road' even though they may performed poorly in their braking or crash avoidance (emergency lane change tests) tests. Part of their recommendation is objective (verified by tests) but part of it is subjective (not verified by tests) and the opinions of the editors. Again, good info, but just one source to review/consider when deciding which vehicle to purchase.
Just my two cents and I'd better stop.... since I could write a whole book relative to "my thoughts' on their evaluation process. Take care & happy motoring!
It all sounds good. In fact, I believe it's a good source of info for a car buyer. However, when they make blanket allegations about vehicles (as they have in the past). I.e: like the Samurai or Trooper aren't safe (rollover risks) to make a dramatic statement and help sell magazines....that's when I have an issue with their findings. In fact, they were found guilty of steering the trooper on a 'somewhat' angled entrance vector into their rollover test which, in my opinion, 'intentionally' skewed the results. This was substantiated by an appeals court...and they 'finally' admitted such, however always saying it was an 'honest' error. Yea, an honest error performed in the trooper test but not any other vehicle, sure!?X! So, I don't believe the vehicle deserved the 'not acceptable' rating CR gave it as I don't believe it was 'significantly' more prone to turnover problems than any other SUV on the market. That was a 'subjective' comment that they have wisely decided not to utilize in the future. The dramatic statement (UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED!) helped put them on the map and build their customer base but it really irritated me as I knew it wasn't true! However, a lot of good did come out of their testing as CR was successful in lobbying the NHTSA for a rollover standard which (after revision) "I believe" is utilized today.
Again, I'm glad their ratings are published for users to peruse. The more info available the better. However, some folks buy their cars regardless of comparisons and at any cost. I.e. CR may recommend vehicle "X" so a reader will purchase it for $40K where the competition "Y" could have been bought at $30K. Even though the $30K vehicle may experience a "few" more problems (minor in some cases), and it is more engaging to drive.... CR says buy vehicle "X". In many cases I would buy vehicle "Y" cause life is short and I want to drive something that stirs the soul rather than an appliance. However, I recognize everyone is different and some feel exactly the opposite as me. The example I gave probably isn't a good one, as their projected 'cost of ownership' might change their ratings/review of these two vehicles....but you get the idea.
They also tout some vehicles (with good crash ratings) as 'safest cars on the road' even though they may performed poorly in their braking or crash avoidance (emergency lane change tests) tests. Part of their recommendation is objective (verified by tests) but part of it is subjective (not verified by tests) and the opinions of the editors. Again, good info, but just one source to review/consider when deciding which vehicle to purchase.
Just my two cents and I'd better stop.... since I could write a whole book relative to "my thoughts' on their evaluation process. Take care & happy motoring!
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bmw&kizzyownr
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:11 am
I stand corrected: Their "Safest Cars on the Road" choices includes vehicles that score as an IIHS Top Safety Pick plus earned at least an "acceptable" rating in the small-overlap front-crash test, a "good" rating in all other crash tests. In addition, hey had to have a front-crash-prevention system equipped with an automatic emergency-braking (autobrake) feature that earns an advanced or superior rating in their front-crash-prevention ratings.
Probably a good test, but still with a subjective element. Because, if an automobile tested was superior in all categories but scored lower in one of the elements recognized...it wasn't evaluated as one of the "safest cars on the road" even though it may have been "superior" in all categories (but one) than the other vehicles recommended. The recommendations they present are probably easier to 'digest' by most consumers but I would prefer a simple matrix which indicates the rating each car achieved so I could make my own judgment. I guess that's my managerial experience of a Govt. Electronics Test Center coming out.... but I do realize my thinking is different that Joe Public in this matter. Doesn't make either way right, just different.... I suppose.
Probably a good test, but still with a subjective element. Because, if an automobile tested was superior in all categories but scored lower in one of the elements recognized...it wasn't evaluated as one of the "safest cars on the road" even though it may have been "superior" in all categories (but one) than the other vehicles recommended. The recommendations they present are probably easier to 'digest' by most consumers but I would prefer a simple matrix which indicates the rating each car achieved so I could make my own judgment. I guess that's my managerial experience of a Govt. Electronics Test Center coming out.... but I do realize my thinking is different that Joe Public in this matter. Doesn't make either way right, just different.... I suppose.
CR reviews are worth consideration if you only plan to keep the vehicle for 2-3 years. A forum like this is much more valuable if you keep it beyond the honeymoon period.
64 Galaxie 68 Olds 442 65 Impala 70 VW Bug
74 Nissan B210 66 Chevelle 73 Olds 98 71 C20
75 Monza 82 Escort 75 E150 75 Civic 76 Accord
86 Escort 87 Taurus 83 Chevy G20 85 Ranger 4x4
93 F250 4x4 95 Silhouette 95 LHS 03 Corolla 10 Kizashi S MT
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74 Nissan B210 66 Chevelle 73 Olds 98 71 C20
75 Monza 82 Escort 75 E150 75 Civic 76 Accord
86 Escort 87 Taurus 83 Chevy G20 85 Ranger 4x4
93 F250 4x4 95 Silhouette 95 LHS 03 Corolla 10 Kizashi S MT
17 Sienna