Overview & Reviews

Quentin Crisp once said, "If at first you don't succeed, failure may be your style." It's a message Suzuki wisely took to heart in its expeditious handling of the short-lived Verona.

Sold as the Daewoo Magnus internationally, the Suzuki Verona was launched on U.S. shores in model-year 2004, a reflection of Suzuki's desire to carve its niche in the lucrative midsize sedan segment. The Verona came armed with one of the lowest price tags in the segment, along with a decent interior and pleasant ride quality. Still, it became immediately apparent that the sedan's modest charms weren't enough to lure buyers in this highly competitive segment.

Suzuki's sales goals were by no means overly ambitious -- the manufacturer hoped to sell a meager 25,000 Veronas per year. Sales fell short of even these humble expectations as consumers were turned off by the car's lack of key safety features and unimpressive handling and performance. Suzuki quickly called it a day, killing the Verona in 2006. However, the manufacturer hasn't let go of its dream of conquering the midsize sedan segment. Suzuki has announced plans to re-enter the category in the near future with an all-new vehicle.

Most Recent Suzuki Verona

Available in a single generation spanning 2004-'06, the Suzuki Verona midsize sedan was the largest car in Suzuki's roster at this time. With one of the lowest price tags in its segment, this Suzuki was designed to appeal to buyers wanting an inexpensive way into the midsize sedan category.

Verona buyers got a car with handsome though nondescript looks, and a wheelbase roughly equal to that of a Honda Accord. The most inexpensive Verona was the S trim, which came with keyless entry, 15-inch wheels, cruise control, air-conditioning, full power accessories and a CD player. Next up was the LX, which added climate control, 16-inch alloys and auxiliary remote steering wheel controls. Those who chose the Verona EX benefited from additional features like an electrochromatic rearview mirror, heated seats and a power moonroof. Traction control was the only option, available solely on the EX.

This family sedan was more notable for what it didn't offer than for what it did. Convenience features like a tilt and telescoping steering wheel and one-touch up/down windows weren't available, even though they were commonly found elsewhere in the midsize segment. Also absent was an in-dash CD changer. Its safety features list also came up short, as the Verona initially failed to offer side and head curtain airbags. (Side airbags were eventually added, however.)

Inside its cabin, the Suzuki Verona drew favorable comparisons to the Honda Accord and Volkswagen Passat. Gauges were pleasant to look at and some materials did a nice job of conveying an air of quality. Materials weren't universally up to snuff, though. The Verona's leather was coarse to the touch, and plastics on the dash felt cheap. Control stalks were flimsy relative to those of other cars in its class.

The car's engine, a 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder producing 155 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, struggled laboriously to help the Verona accomplish even the most basic passing maneuvers and distinguished itself as one of the weakest in its class -- even relative to competing sedans' inline four-cylinder engines. On the plus side, the car's four-speed transmission made the best of the situation with well-timed shifts.

Suzuki took steps to make the Verona more palatable. In 2005, the car got long-overdue side airbags, along with a standard tire-pressure monitoring system and a trunk-mounted tool case. LX models benefited from a standard sunroof. Antilock brakes became standard in 2006; the trim lineup was also condensed into two trims, the Base (which was similar to the former S) and the Luxury (similar to the ES).

In editorial reviews, the Suzuki Verona's driving experience proved to be a disappointment. Acceleration was lackluster and the car was wobbly around turns; steering, too, came up short, feeling disconnected from the road. In its favor, the Verona offered capable brakes and a comfortable ride.

In the end, though, even Clarence Darrow would be hard-pressed to win a case for the Verona. Although inoffensive, it simply didn't measure up to its rivals; in an Edmunds.com comparison test of 10 midsize sedans, the Suzuki Verona was the last-place finisher. Used-car buyers seeking dirt-cheap prices in this segment would be better served by choices like the Hyundai Sonata or Chevrolet Malibu instead.

User Reviews:

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  Problems - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By figs1 - December 4 - 7:37 pm

  i baught the car at 30k miles after an old ladie had it. got it for a sweet deal and thought i just made out with a great buy. by the first week my tpsm light was going off with 40 lbs of air in each tire. i drove it to college (700 miles) over 10 times. while over at college my car started jerking and pulling to find out i have to replace my intake. got it replaced for boo koo bucks and everything was good. about a day later the jerking started again. it would stall out at lights go low (300) rpm and jump to 6000 rpm. this would spin my tires and even fight my brakes causing me to have an accident with a 2011 lexus (not good) got it repaird and found that the wire connectors were loose.

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  Guess its still a Daewoo - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Juan - August 20 - 6:26 am

  I purchased the Verona back in 2004 brand new and I was ecstatic. It looked great, rode well, and was incredibly smooth. I was always complimented on how good-looking the car was and how nice the interior appeared. And even now I still like the Verona, its just the reliability that is complete crap. Ive had issues with the 02 sensors, bearings, and now the engine has problems with the fuel injectors. At about 11,000 miles the whole transmission had to be replaced and its now beginning to act up again. The car isnt worth the headache. And its a shame because Suzuki couldve had a hit.

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  WOW - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Jason Doyle - March 12 - 9:30 am

  I really dislike this car. It has power underneath the hood, I cant deny, and I am aware of the cars age. However, I have had this car for half of a year and have spent over $1,000 replacing and fixing parts that my dealer should have himself. The sunroof and heated leather are quite nice, but this car is noisy and is in no way a smooth ride. I was generous with the review I left, and I am in a hurry to get myself out of this vehicle and situation. It may just be the very unreliable and deceitful dealer I purchased this from (Autoworld of Conway, SC).

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  The style is nice, but thats it. - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By esalazar - March 31 - 12:10 pm

  This car I only had for 1yr 9 mos. Been in the shop 5 times. I filed a claim under the lemon law. I turned in this car on May 16th, 2007 with 37,332 miles on it. I got it with only 23,900. Its a really nice car, and I got lots of compliments on it. Considering the motor, the suspension and the lack of speed. it was not nice enough to keep and deal with. It would be nice though, if Suzuki can fix the problems on the Veronas, they are very nice. The first car I have ever really liked turned out to be a lemon.

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  Annoying Buy - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Justin - February 27 - 1:16 pm

  This car has proven to be a poor choice. Although it has nice styling both on the outside and inside, the constant miniscule problems I have had for the past 4 years have all but driven me crazy. There have been few major problems, except just last week I got it out of the dealership shop for a tapping noise. Thank God for the 100,000 mile warranty, because Suzuki just replaced the entire head, no questions, and it didnt cost me a cent. It continues to be reliable, but I will not purchase another Suzuki.

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  Biggest Lemon known to mankind!!!!!! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Vnelly1 - June 13 - 3:40 am

  I purchased this vehicle in 11/08 and have had about 1 month of worry free driving. This car is a screaming nightmare!!! Hesitating, stalling and jerking. I am so thoroughly disappointed with this vehicle - my 94 Pontiac Grand Prix ran better than clink. Never again!!!!!

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  Quality and Reliability BUST - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By JoT - May 26 - 10:23 pm

  I fell in like with this car when I saw it on the lot, and in love when I saw the price tag. Unfortunately, all appearances were deceiving. This car has been a lemon since week one. I started taking the car to the Suzuki dealership myself after the the dealer I purchased it from demonstrated that they couldnt get a power outlet fuze replaced under the Suzuki warranty in less than two weeks. I have spent cummulative weeks at the nearest Suzuki dealership, having oxy-sensors replaced, the ECU reprogrammed multiple times, the ignition lock, the wheel lock, and many, many smaller random sensors replaced. Then the bumper-to- bumper warranty ran out and Im stuck in a lemon.

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  Not what I Expect - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By Rik - March 15 - 4:43 am

  With just 3,400 miles on it, the "air bag" light indicator in my 2005 Suzuki Verona came on while I was driving. I took it to the dealer where I bought it and I was told theyre too busy. I stressed to the technician / mechanic if he understand the consequences that may arise if something happens. The techs response is: "oh nothing will happen". I told this guy: "are you going to compensate my kids if something happens?" I asked for his manager and the owner of the dealership, and guess what: of course the response is: "theyre not in." Now, Im still driving the car with the airbag indicator lights on the dashboard and just waiting for what will happen. Hopefully Suzuki and the dealer will pay for it if something happens.

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  Its okay... - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Ally - November 21 - 6:53 pm

  This was my first car so I was happy to druve any thing but it would not be my first choice. The good thing anout this car is that I havnt had too many mechanical problems with it. The bad thing about it is that it is a blah car. Nothing special about it. I have only seen about 5 others in my city!

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  HUGE NIGHTMARE BUYER BEWARE - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By alienwizard - November 7 - 8:33 pm

  i bought this car with 16,000 miles on it the first year was trouble free...then the nightmare began..at 30,000 miles the head blew it was replaced through warranty...then one at time the coils would go .. then hubs went...then shocks failed...then the coils again..ignition went twice..at 80,000 the engine blew...had it replaced through warranty..along with 2 new cats..a week later out of the garage ...po303..coil.nope plug nope..cylinder 3 gone ..i was like what the hell 5 years paying on this spent more time at suzukis garage then on the road..note the low mileage..biggest p.o.s. ever buyer beware....