Kizashi in the Market

The Kizashi catches your attention with a low starting price and continues to impress with its interior quality and features like dual-zone automatic climate control, a USB stereo input and standard keyless entry and engine start. Unfortunately, few features are offered as options at any trim level, meaning you might have to climb the trim-level ladder.

The price jumps from $18,999 to $21,499 for the SE, which adds the automatic transmission, 17-inch wheels, a power driver's seat and the option of heated side mirrors. The $22,499 GTS reverts to the manual transmission and adds a moonroof, fog lights and the Rockford stereo with Bluetooth. The $24,399 SLS adds leather seats (heated in front), an auto-dimming rearview mirror, auto on/off headlights, HomeLink, heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers and rear parking sonar. All prices above are for front-drive and each trim's standard transmission. The automatic costs $1,100-$1,500, depending on trim level, and all-wheel drive adds an additional $1,250.

These prices are competitive, but they're not groundbreaking for a newcomer in a crowded segment, especially when compared with feature-packed, bargain-priced quality models like the Hyundai Sonata. The Kizashi's best chance of breaking through comes with its affordable and efficient all-wheel-drive model, which remains rare in the midsize sedan class.