Pricing, Value and Features
Both of these unique all-wheel drive vehicles most assuredly have value for money on their side. As we stated earlier, our 2012 Impreza 2.0i Premium stickered just over $20,000 which admittedly just gets you the basic essentials such as air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, Bluetooth, USB/iPod integration, 16-inch alloy wheels, a 6-speaker AM/FM/CD player and the constant security of Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive system. Do note, however, that this Impreza was equipped with a very agricultural feeling five-speed manual transmission that did nothing but make us believe Subaru initially designed it for use in a tractor. A CVT automatic is also available and highly recommended for $1,100.
Now, the 2012 Subaru Impreza can be loaded with most of the options that would bring it in line with the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi GTS at a similar $25,749 as tested MSRP. In addition to including the aforementioned 18-inchs sport alloy wheels, the Kizashi GTS AWD comes standard with dual zone climate control, push button start, a power driver’s seat, power moonroof, a uniquely tuned sport suspension as well as a thumping 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system with USB connectivity that well and truly put the Subaru’s tinny sounding system to shame. Our Kizashi GTS also came equipped as standard with a CVT automatic that reminded us not once of what it must be like to work on a farm. (Winner: 2012 Suzuki Kizashi GTS AWD)
Fuel Economy
The winner here is not the one with the more impressive EPA fuel economy numbers as we rarely, if ever, see them in real world conditions. But to reiterate, the 2012 Subaru Impreza with the manual transmission returns 25 city/33 highway whereas the Kizashi GTS AWD gets a still decent sounding 22 city/29 highway rating with a CVT automatic. So what were our one week averages? The Kizashi returned a 24.3 fuel economy figure and the Subaru held its lead by averaging 27 miles per gallon most of the week. (Winner: 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium)