Sayonara Kizashi!

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KuroNekko
Posts: 5276
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

Well, the time has come. I am no longer a Kizashi owner. I officially sold my 2011 Kizashi Sport GTS to my nephew yesterday. I'm glad it went to a young driver so eager to learn and own a manual transmission vehicle in this era, especially the super rare and obscure Kizashi.

I bought the Kizashi in the summer of 2012 so I had it for almost 13 years. It's the longest I've personally owned any car largely due to the many merits of the Kizashi. However, as I have previously wrote about, my needs have changed for a vehicle and with the impending effects of the tariffs, I decided it was time for a new car. I bought my replacement vehicle about three weeks ago but hadn't had the time for a proper post until now.

These are some of the last photos I took of the Kizashi in my ownership. It really held up quite nicely over the years. It's been a very reliable vehicle that has never left me stranded or gave me a headache. I enjoyed many journeys in this car including a solo cross-country drive from Maryland to California. I part with it having many fond memories over the 130,000 miles I personally put on it.

Kiz2.jpg
Kiz3.jpg
Kiz1.jpg



As for the replacement, it's a very different kind of vehicle but one that I believe suits me best now. I wrote about it in other posts before I purchased it but seeing it in person and test driving it sealed the deal. I now have a Mazda CX-50 Hybrid.
Photos below are from a camping trip last weekend during its maiden adventure. The first of many to come.

cx50 1.jpg
cx50 3.jpg
cx50 2.jpg



As for the forum, I will continue to be a moderator and contribute as much as I can. While I will no longer join most of you in the ranks as a fellow Kizashi owner, I still intend to engage in discussions here and help out where I can. I will say I joined this forum weeks after I bought my Kizashi in 2012 during a rather difficult time in my life. The Kizashi and this community really helped me find joy and engagement thus has been rather special to me. For that, I thank you all.
With that, my chapter with the Kizashi comes to an end.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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SAEED_KIZZY
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Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2017 2:31 pm

Good for your nephew KuroNekko. I am sure he won't need to go to the mechanic for the next 10 years or more :D.
As for the Maza CX-5, a cool-looking car, congratulations.
KlutzNinja
Posts: 299
Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2019 6:58 am

I remember in my Kizashi goodbye thread, you said seeing the photos of my (totaled) Kizashi reminded you of yours, and now I’m getting that same feeling looking at your pictures lol.

Anyway, congrats on the new car and welcome (back) to the Mazda fam. I’m glad the CX-50 Hybrid ended up being what you had hoped for, and I hope you have a good ownership experience. Now that you have a car from an automaker that’s still in the US, how much of the maintenance do you plan to do yourself? And is your dealer at least somewhat nearby (for the sake of recall work)? I did my first oil change myself, but the DIY place I used closed down, so last year I had to go to a local dealer. It wasn’t bad, but they suggested some maintenance for later that, upon further research, was not really necessary. Kind of reminded me how much I don’t like the dealership service center experience.

I’m also glad your Kizashi is sticking around, sort of. I hate the feeling of growing attached to something like a car and then seeing it off for the last time, not knowing who will get it and how it will be treated.
I’d love to know your takes on your Mazda far, good and bad. And it looks like yours is in blue? Or is it the dark grey? Part of me wished Mazda kept the Deep Crystal Blue Mica they’ve had for years, but the CX-50’s blue is a nice balance between DCBM and the lighter Eternal Blue my brother’s CX-5 has. I’m not too familiar with the CX-50 trims but I’m guessing you got the cloth seats you wanted? How are those compared to the Kizashi’s?
Current: Blue 2018 Mazda 3 GT 5-Door
Previous: Blue 2010 Ford Focus SES,
Black 2013 Kizashi Sport GTS-L (CVT; FWD)(RIP)
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5276
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

Sorry for the late reply. I was in Japan for the last two weeks.

I bought the CX-50 Hybrid from a local dealership in OC. They included a complimentary year of service so I plan to have it serviced via them for the first year (also for any possible software updates) before taking care of maintenance myself. As a hybrid, it should require less maintenance than a conventional ICE and given it has the 4th gen Toyota Hybrid System of the RAV4 Hybrid, I hope to enjoy the merits of the system's solid reputation.

What's also neat is that the dealer I bought the vehicle from also has an online parts store with discounted prices. The Mazda of Orange Parts Dept actually runs www.mazda-parts-online.com thus I'm looking forward to discounted prices for parts in the future while avoiding shipping costs because I can pick up in person. It's just one of the perks many Kizashi owners like myself didn't enjoy for most of our ownership given the orphan status of Suzukis in the US and Canada.

As for the color, it's the CX-50's bespoke Ingot Blue Metallic. It and the black are the only two base colors while all others cost more. Given this is the first brand new car I ever bought, I've never before considered paying more for a certain color. While I like black, I didn't want three black cars in a row so opted out of that color. I wanted the Polymetal Gray but the one I wanted was sold minutes before my appointment with the salesperson at the dealer. I ended up reserving a blue one that was on route to the dealership and must say I like the color a lot despite it being a base color that I rarely see among CX-50s on the road. It's my first blue vehicle so I'm liking the new color for me.

The CX-50 Hybrid comes in three trims in the USDM. The base is Preferred. The middle trim is Premium and the top is Premium Plus. it's a bit different in offering from the NA and Turbo CX-50s that go lower and higher in trim levels, respectively. I was keen on having non-leather seats so I got the Preferred trim as the others have leather seats. About the only feature I really wanted from the upper trims that I could not have was the 12-speaker Bose system. That being said, I test drove a Premium with the Bose and must say I was more impressed with the Kizashi's RF system's sound. It's really the one thing I miss most about the Kizashi right now in all honesty as the RF system was vastly superior to my CX-50's stock sound system. That being said, the sound system can be modified if I desire.

I've had the Mazda for over a month but given I was overseas for the last two weeks, I've not driven it that much recently. I've put about 900 miles on it thus far including the camping trip I mentioned earlier. To my delight, the vehicle is getting better MPGs than the car's estimate on the display and closer to EPA figures. My last tank averaged 38.7 MPG in manual calculations, beating the 35 MPG estimate of the display. EPA average for the car is 38 MPG combined.

I'll report more on the Mazda over time but I can say I'm quite happy with it thus far. It does have certain aspects that people complain about regarding Toyota's hybrids like the strange brake feel and the drone under hard acceleration but I can't say it really bothers me too much. These issues don't really present themselves in normal casual driving but more so in demanding, aggressive driving. I'm also pleased with the handling of the CX-50 though it's not as precise and organic like the Kizashi. However, I had realistic expectations for a hybrid CUV and never expected to it compare directly to an ICE vehicle, a sedan, or other vehicles with different kinds of powertrains and chassis. I was really comparing the CX-50 Hybrid among its competition and those I knew were on the way like the Subaru Forester Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid Trailsport. However, characteristics and timing favored the CX-50 Hybrid thus it was the choice I went with and I'm quite satisfied.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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BatNasko
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2023 4:18 pm
Location: Bulgaria

Congratulations and many accident-free kilometers with Mazda. Kizashi is a great car. I also own it for two years and so far I am very happy. I bought it with a cracked cylinder head and even though I am from Europe (Bulgaria), Old Tech helped me a lot from my first day on the forum by sending me a healthy cylinder head, for which I am very grateful. I am also selling my Kizashi, but I will most likely stay with it for a long time, due to low demand. Now I am waiting for delivery of the two front KYB shock absorbers, which I think I got at a good deal - 225 euros, purchased from Europe.
Good luck!
2012 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT FWD (Silver)
KlutzNinja
Posts: 299
Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2019 6:58 am

KuroNekko wrote: Tue May 13, 2025 12:45 am Sorry for the late reply. I was in Japan for the last two weeks.

I bought the CX-50 Hybrid from a local dealership in OC. They included a complimentary year of service so I plan to have it serviced via them for the first year (also for any possible software updates) before taking care of maintenance myself. As a hybrid, it should require less maintenance than a conventional ICE and given it has the 4th gen Toyota Hybrid System of the RAV4 Hybrid, I hope to enjoy the merits of the system's solid reputation.

What's also neat is that the dealer I bought the vehicle from also has an online parts store with discounted prices. The Mazda of Orange Parts Dept actually runs www.mazda-parts-online.com thus I'm looking forward to discounted prices for parts in the future while avoiding shipping costs because I can pick up in person. It's just one of the perks many Kizashi owners like myself didn't enjoy for most of our ownership given the orphan status of Suzukis in the US and Canada.

As for the color, it's the CX-50's bespoke Ingot Blue Metallic. It and the black are the only two base colors while all others cost more. Given this is the first brand new car I ever bought, I've never before considered paying more for a certain color. While I like black, I didn't want three black cars in a row so opted out of that color. I wanted the Polymetal Gray but the one I wanted was sold minutes before my appointment with the salesperson at the dealer. I ended up reserving a blue one that was on route to the dealership and must say I like the color a lot despite it being a base color that I rarely see among CX-50s on the road. It's my first blue vehicle so I'm liking the new color for me.

The CX-50 Hybrid comes in three trims in the USDM. The base is Preferred. The middle trim is Premium and the top is Premium Plus. it's a bit different in offering from the NA and Turbo CX-50s that go lower and higher in trim levels, respectively. I was keen on having non-leather seats so I got the Preferred trim as the others have leather seats. About the only feature I really wanted from the upper trims that I could not have was the 12-speaker Bose system. That being said, I test drove a Premium with the Bose and must say I was more impressed with the Kizashi's RF system's sound. It's really the one thing I miss most about the Kizashi right now in all honesty as the RF system was vastly superior to my CX-50's stock sound system. That being said, the sound system can be modified if I desire.

I've had the Mazda for over a month but given I was overseas for the last two weeks, I've not driven it that much recently. I've put about 900 miles on it thus far including the camping trip I mentioned earlier. To my delight, the vehicle is getting better MPGs than the car's estimate on the display and closer to EPA figures. My last tank averaged 38.7 MPG in manual calculations, beating the 35 MPG estimate of the display. EPA average for the car is 38 MPG combined.

I'll report more on the Mazda over time but I can say I'm quite happy with it thus far. It does have certain aspects that people complain about regarding Toyota's hybrids like the strange brake feel and the drone under hard acceleration but I can't say it really bothers me too much. These issues don't really present themselves in normal casual driving but more so in demanding, aggressive driving. I'm also pleased with the handling of the CX-50 though it's not as precise and organic like the Kizashi. However, I had realistic expectations for a hybrid CUV and never expected to it compare directly to an ICE vehicle, a sedan, or other vehicles with different kinds of powertrains and chassis. I was really comparing the CX-50 Hybrid among its competition and those I knew were on the way like the Subaru Forester Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid Trailsport. However, characteristics and timing favored the CX-50 Hybrid thus it was the choice I went with and I'm quite satisfied.
I’m glad you’re happy with the Mazda, and also that you got it when you did (before all the pricing shenanigans started). The CR-V Trailsport ended up being closer to the CX-50 Meridian than the Passport Trailsport in terms of what you get (i.e. no skid plates), so I’m glad you didn’t wait for that specs reveal. The hybrid CX-50’s handling is said to be a bit off from the ICE versions, at least according to Savagegeese, who had a long-term CX-50 turbo when they reviewed the hybrid. That said, I’d still take it over everything else in its class (although I’d be open to test driving everything for fairness).

I’m no audiophile, but in my experience, my Mazda’s Bose system is pretty comparable to the Kizashi’s RF. To my ears, it is a bit “cleaner,” at least when using the Bose Centerpoint feature. Without the special Bose features, I’d say it’s maybe a bit below the RF in quality. The 4th gen 3 is said to have an even better sound system due to better speaker placement. The main knock on my sound system is the lack of sound deadening in the doors causing vibrations during bass-heavy moments, and I don’t even have my bass setting maxed out lol. The RF was pretty solid for a mainstream market car, though. I’m sort of curious how the Kizashi’s standard sound system fared. Seemed like the RF came on a lot of models.

I think you left for Japan right around the time my brother got back from there. He seems to go every year now.

I’m looking forward to your Mazda updates.
Current: Blue 2018 Mazda 3 GT 5-Door
Previous: Blue 2010 Ford Focus SES,
Black 2013 Kizashi Sport GTS-L (CVT; FWD)(RIP)
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KuroNekko
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Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

KlutzNinja wrote: Tue May 13, 2025 9:54 pm
I’m glad you’re happy with the Mazda, and also that you got it when you did (before all the pricing shenanigans started). The CR-V Trailsport ended up being closer to the CX-50 Meridian than the Passport Trailsport in terms of what you get (i.e. no skid plates), so I’m glad you didn’t wait for that specs reveal. The hybrid CX-50’s handling is said to be a bit off from the ICE versions, at least according to Savagegeese, who had a long-term CX-50 turbo when they reviewed the hybrid. That said, I’d still take it over everything else in its class (although I’d be open to test driving everything for fairness).

I’m no audiophile, but in my experience, my Mazda’s Bose system is pretty comparable to the Kizashi’s RF. To my ears, it is a bit “cleaner,” at least when using the Bose Centerpoint feature. Without the special Bose features, I’d say it’s maybe a bit below the RF in quality. The 4th gen 3 is said to have an even better sound system due to better speaker placement. The main knock on my sound system is the lack of sound deadening in the doors causing vibrations during bass-heavy moments, and I don’t even have my bass setting maxed out lol. The RF was pretty solid for a mainstream market car, though. I’m sort of curious how the Kizashi’s standard sound system fared. Seemed like the RF came on a lot of models.

I think you left for Japan right around the time my brother got back from there. He seems to go every year now.

I’m looking forward to your Mazda updates.
Yeah, I have no regrets with getting the CX-50 Hybrid over the competition I was considering. Overall, it was timing that really sealed the deal for the CX-50 Hybrid over the Forester Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid Trailsport given neither were on sale before Trump's tariffs were to be enacted. The Trailsport is not even in production yet and the Forester Hybrid seems to just start production thus only pro reviewers seem to be driving them recently.

As for the Trailsport, yes, it's apparently mostly a cosmetic package with AT tires and not much like the Passport Trailsport in offroad seriousness. No lift, no skid plates, and apparently only upgrades in AWD programming instead of hardware, which apparently overheats when pushed because it's a clutch pack. I agree it's a lot like the CX-50 Meridian in packaging in that it really doesn't elevate the offroad performance beyond the standard vehicle other than with tires. It's more show than go. I have a feeling a base Forester Hybrid will outperform even the CR-V Hybrid Trailsport offroad. This leads me to discuss the Forester Hybrid:

Hands down, this is the best "offroad" hybrid CUV in class due to Subaru's excellent AWD system that the hybrid retains. However, that's also the detriment when it comes to a hybrid system's efficiency. It gets a solid 4 MPG less than the Toyota and Mazda hybrids that use an on-demand e-AWD system in the form of a rear electric motor. In fact, the Forester Hybrid only gets 2 MPG better than the ICE version for Hwy rating, which is rather pathetic for a hybrid. As a hybrid, it seems to make some compromises in efficiency for the sake of retaining Subaru's qualities of Permanent AWD and higher ground clearance at 8.7 or so inches. This certainly elevates offroad and all-weather performance but at the cost of fuel efficiency. I have a feeling that Forester Hybrid owners, much like many CR-V Hybrid owners, might see lower fuel economy than expected due to these factors. I think the trade-off must be carefully considered and for me, I preferred everyday efficiency over offroad prowess when it comes to a hybrid.

I also couldn't stomach the styling of the new Forester. Subaru seems to not give a shit about styling anymore and the proof is with the Forester and the god-awful new Outback. No thanks.
Lastly, I'm a bit wary about Subaru's boxer engine in the hybrid running an Atkinson cycle while mated to Toyota's e-CVT, motors, and battery. The Mazda takes the entire Toyota system, which is a proven system in its fourth generation. The upcoming next-gen RAV4 Hybrid will have the 5th gen Toyota Hybrid System thus it's likely why Toyota let Mazda use the current system in the CX-50 Hybrid. Going back to the Subaru, I'm a bit concerned about how the boxer engine will pan out running relatively new technology for Subaru when the rest of the hybrid components come from Toyota. Also, as a prior owner of two Subarus, I don't really favor their boxer engine design for long term ownership. It's harder to work on and more expensive to repair.

My concerns about the Forester Hybrid's engine is also related to why I wasn't going to wait for the next-gen Mazda CX-5, which is rumored to have a bespoke Mazda-designed hybrid system. Not only will it not arrive until 2026 as a MY 2027, I'm a bit wary about Mazda's first own attempt at a conventional hybrid while mated to a new tech engine. Their current PHEV system has some issues with the larger models and Mazda is claiming the new CX-5s will have a brand new SkyActiv-Z engine. Basically, a new hybrid system mated to a new ICE. I'm just a bit wary given the history of their Skyactiv D, X, MX-30, and their current PHEVs either missing the mark and/or not being critically acclaimed. In my mind, the CX-50 Hybrid was the one new hybrid in which you had a solid expectation of efficiency and reliability because under the Mazda skin, it was a venerable 4th gen RAV4 Hybrid. It also didn't hurt that the RAV4 Hybrid's system made up to 219 HP, considerably more than the Honda and Subaru that are a bit over and under 200 HP, respectively. In essence, the Toyota system makes more power, thus is faster in acceleration, yet returns considerably better real-world fuel efficiency than rivals. I guess this is what a 25-year tenure with hybrids gets Toyota... and the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid.

I have read and watched reviews that compare the CX-50 Hybrid's handling to that of the non-hybrid CX-50s. Most say there is a handling difference but it's rather minor. It's no surprise given the weight and some chassis differences between the Hybrid and non-Hybrids. What I appreciate is that Mazda was able to retain much of the CX-50's sharp handling for the Hybrid and it's acclaimed to be the best among the direct hybrid competition. No surprises there. I do appreciate the handling characteristics of the CX-50 Hybrid and got to test it out on the Angeles Crest Highway when I went camping. I was pleased with the handling and thought the hybrid system did well in providing enough power going uphill while maximizing regen going downhill. I'm sure the rivals like the Forester and CR-V have a more comfortable and supple ride but my priorities are with handling and a bit more punch when needed while maximizing overall efficiency. Overall, the CX-50 Hybrid's character appealed to me the most and the timeline of the tariffs quickened my final choice. I'm sure the Forester Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid Trailsport have their merits and likely will be great cars but the CX-50 Hybrid seems to be ideal for me. I waited a couple years for it, having read of Mazda's plans for it when the NA and Turbo CX-50s debuted. I'm glad I waited and got the Hybrid in optimal timing in different ways. It's made transitioning from the beloved Kizashi a better experience.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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AirRideFan
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Man! Congrats on the new whip, Kuro! I'm so happy to hear the Kizashi is going to a family member, but ALSO that your nephew is a young dude who's going to be rowing his own gears...so cool. I didn't realized the new CX-50 hybrid was using (the Best!) hybrid drive train out there. Very glad to hear you're enjoying it...and that mileage is very impressive, especially for an AWD CUV! I see new Camry's at work with average mpg's of "44.9", etc...kinda makes me feel dumb, when my Kizashi is currently only getting around 21-22 mpg's around town- but I guess it will take many years for those savings in fuel to equal buying a newer hybrid like one of them in the future. Love that you went with the Ingot Blue Metallic (base) paint color, also. I agree with you...paying for a paint color, especially when Mazda's offering such a beautiful color, like yours, for free seems a little silly. Tesla's, on the other hand... IF you have a boring (free) white Tesla- gotta get it wrapped, imo! lol
2012 KIZASHI Sport SLS ...currently riding on Rial Como wheels for the winter, size 17x7. & Speedline (thin 5 spoke, C5 Corvette) wheels for the summer time, staggered. :drive:
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KuroNekko
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Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

AirRideFan wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 10:52 pm Man! Congrats on the new whip, Kuro! I'm so happy to hear the Kizashi is going to a family member, but ALSO that your nephew is a young dude who's going to be rowing his own gears...so cool. I didn't realized the new CX-50 hybrid was using (the Best!) hybrid drive train out there. Very glad to hear you're enjoying it...and that mileage is very impressive, especially for an AWD CUV! I see new Camry's at work with average mpg's of "44.9", etc...kinda makes me feel dumb, when my Kizashi is currently only getting around 21-22 mpg's around town- but I guess it will take many years for those savings in fuel to equal buying a newer hybrid like one of them in the future. Love that you went with the Ingot Blue Metallic (base) paint color, also. I agree with you...paying for a paint color, especially when Mazda's offering such a beautiful color, like yours, for free seems a little silly. Tesla's, on the other hand... IF you have a boring (free) white Tesla- gotta get it wrapped, imo! lol
Thanks man. Yeah, I am glad my nephew took on the Kizashi so I'll get to see it once in a while. It's a special car that I will always be fond of.

As for the CX-50 Hybrid, I am very pleased with it thus far and it's really turning out to be the vehicle worth my wait and departure from the Kizashi. Of course, it's not perfect but I'm quite happy with it, especially as I'm now doing more driving not really possible with the Kizashi. In fact, right now, it's covered in mud from camping in the mountains last weekend. The campsite was a remote group site that required about 40 minutes of trail driving, including several wide puddles that covered most of the trail. The Kizashi would have likely got stuck driving through the middle of the puddles but not the CX-50. Also impressive was that in slower speeds on dirt trails, it ran in EV mode. I set the Mi-Drive to "Trail" so the rear motor was primed for AWD traction and the vehicle silently traversed the trail with zero faults. I also noted that the frequent braking to slow the vehicle on rougher trails charged up the traction battery rather rapidly, in ways I typically can't do even in city driving. In essence, I was offroading in EV mode most of the time, not using any gas despite driving an ICE in these conditions often uses more fuel than normal. Of course, the CX-50 Hybrid is not a rugged offroad vehicle but really handled the main mountain trails admirably for my purposes.... and to the level my wife and dogs would tolerate being bounced around.

Yeah, it's apparent that many people don't know the details about the CX-50 Hybrid and completely overlook that it's a RAV4 Hybrid wearing a Mazda suit. So many people pay dealer mark-ups on top of MSRP and even wait months for a RAV4 Hybrid when the arguably better sibling is sitting readily available at Mazda dealers who will give you a discount! While the RAV4 Hybrid does offer a broader range of trims and some advantages, I don't think they really negate the CX-50 Hybrid that has better styling inside and out. I think anyone considering the current gen RAV4 Hybrid should check out the CX-50 Hybrid. That being said, the next gen RAV4 Hybrid that was announced recently will move on to the 5th Generation of the Toyota Hybrid System, following the Prius and Camry. It makes more power and I believe switches to exclusively Li-ion batteries instead of the traditional NiMH. I see pros and cons to this.

Since I'm already writing, I'll use this opportunity to ramble on about the CX-50 Hybrid in more of a continued report on experience:

As for criticism of the CX-50 Hybrid, they are relatively minor but worth noting.
I think the main one for me is the seat firmness. The seat design is comfortable but the hardness of the seat cushion is noticeable after a couple hours of driving. The Kizashi had more comfortable cushioning that allowed for less fatigue over long drives.
My wife also states that given the base model I have does not have passenger motorized seats, the height of the chair is set too low and impedes her view out. That being said, she's not even 5 foot tall.

I also think the key fob Mazda uses is unnecessarily big. It's almost double the width of the Kizashi fob yet made of scratch-tastic plastic. Hence, I got a case for it that then made the remote even bigger. It's now like an oversized Zippo lighter despite only having small buttons on the side of the fob.

While I personally like Mazda's approach to the smaller and further display that relies more on the physical control dial and surrounding buttons, it's not for everyone. I can see how those used to a close-up touchscreen will feel like Mazda is taking an old-school approach that belongs in yesteryear. However, I personally like Mazda's approach of focusing on driving engagement rather than driving tech. Physical buttons ranging from temperature control to navigation make access quick and intuitive. It's been working great with my Apple Carplay as well so I've come to actually like the infotainment system.

It's also definitely on the smaller side of interior space for the class because Mazda wanted a lower roofline for the 50. It makes the car look sportier like a wagon than a boxy SUV but at the cost of headroom space and height for cargo. However, the CX-50 a bit longer than some direct rivals so depth of the cargo area makes up for the shorter height, in a way. Another plus of a lower roof line is that it makes rooftop cargo a bit more accessible. I often use my Thule roofbox for adventures so this was an applicable factor for me.

While I don't really mind the e-CVT drone too much, it's definitely not a pleasant sound that invokes the excitement of an engine in high RPMs. It's an odd grumble-drone but on the plus side, seems to be much better than a conventional CVT in different ways. Despite being oddly noisy, it very smoothly and quickly gets up to speed with neither the rubber band feel of a CVT nor the shift-shock of a cogged auto or manual. In researching the hybrid e-CVT, I've also learned it's apparently one of the most reliable and problem-free transmissions in existence due to it being a planetary gearset. Toyota techs claim they see less issues with this transmission than either the engine or the batteries, which themselves have a rock-solid reputation in the 4th gen Toyota Hybrid System. I guess the e-CVT comes with pros and cons but for me, it's tolerable given the smooth and linear power delivery joining the unpleasant drone.

As a hybrid, I was initially a bit afraid I'd be sacrificing too much for the sake of practical efficiency. It initially seemed I'd be giving up the delightful ICE characteristics mated to a more conventional transmission, the offroad ability of more robust models, and other aspects being stuck between an ICE and an EV. However, I'm finding that the CX-50 Hybrid really seems to find a happy medium in most regards for me. It's efficient, smooth (until the hard acceleration drone), actually handles great, and romps through trails totally adequately for most outdoor purposes. My range is also 550 miles on this thing, which is about double that of a comparable EV.

Overall, I'm digging this car and find it a pretty good vehicle for me now.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
chazyouwin
Posts: 405
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:57 pm
Location: Northern New Jersey USA

NOOOOOOOOO! Can’t believe we’re losing you as a fellow owner. Great that you’re staying on as a moderator and contributor though. As for me my 2010 Kiz is approaching 97k miles. Still have a 2012 SX4 and a 2012 Grand Vitara. And now also have a Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid. The Suzukis are so very reliable, rust-free, fun to drive - there’s no reason to consider replacing.
2010 Kizashi SLS FWD Gray; 2013 Grand Vitara 4wd red; 2012 SX4 blue; 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV black

Previous: 2002 XL-7 Limited (2); 1992 Accord; '91 Volvo; '85 Toyota; '84 Celica; '73 Mercedes.
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