The Kizashi does have its shortcomings, one of which is backseat roominess: As mentioned in the 2010 review, legroom in particular is a couple of inches below the norm. It also has a couple of quirks that showed up both in our 2010 and 2011 test cars, one of which I'm ready to call a defect: In both cars, the windshield washers froze and clogged when it wasn't particularly cold outside — right around freezing or just below. Also, I didn't mention it last time, but the 2011 reminded me how susceptible the Kizashi is to outside odors. I know it's a weird issue, but diesel fumes and even stuff like cigarette smoke from nearby cars readily found their way into the ventilation system. Perhaps this means there's a greater than normal supply of fresh air, which could be good, but sometimes the air isn't very fresh. With me, the Kizashi's recirculation button gets a workout.
Plain (Petite) Jane
Shop the competition, and the first thing you'll notice about the SX4 is its
diminutive size. A family friend who owns a Honda Fit said my test car looked
tiny. Technically, it isn't: The SX4 has ...
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Specified Fluid
Use an automatic transaxle fluid equivalent
to DEXRON®-III.
Fluid Level Check
CAUTION:
Driving with too much or too little
fluid can damage the transaxle.
You must check the fl ...
Exhaust Gas Warning
WARNING:
Avoid breathing exhaust gases.
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
a potentially lethal gas that is
colorless and odorless. Since carbon
monoxide is difficult to detect by
its ...