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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  SuZukI Verona the big "S" - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Douglas Arthur - September 11 - 10:00 am

  The car is great, what I like the most is that the engine is realy smooth like driving with an electric motor. One you have experienced the smoothness of the motor you wont want to go back to a V design. At first I thought the car was weak on power, but once the engine broke in the power was acceptable. I realy wanted all the options but wanted the best bang for the buck and I believe I got it with the Verona instead of a Honda, or Toyota. We got our Verona with 1500 Dollar Factory Rebate and 500 Dollar Suzuki Loyalty discount. Being a big guy the width of the car is much appreciated. Handling is good and could be realy fun with the right set of tires.

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  3Bs: BEST BANG for BUCK - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By veronaowner04 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2004 Suzuki Verona EX fully-loaded from Passport Motors and Im still happy one month later. The acceleration wasnt great for the first week, but it adapted to my driving habits and now I can accelerate fine. I love the interior design and it looks very classy! Ive only gotten one recall on this car, but then gain what car hasnt this year???

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  Nice Car for the Money - 2006 Suzuki Verona
  By happy lady - August 25 - 2:46 pm

  The Suzuki Verona is a nice sedan. It rides great on the highway. It has all the toys for a great price. It could use about 40 more housepower though.

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  great bang for the buck - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By mike czebotar - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Close to the first but im sure, not the last. Suzuki has fit a home run with this one. What a value. Compare to cars selling in the high 20s. I dont know what other features you could add. So far only 3,000 miles, all trouble free. The selling dealership rates very high also.

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  Cant beat it for the Money! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Jonathan123 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  After four months of searching, I finally went with the Verona. During my arduous search, I compared Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans, Kias, Hyundais, and all the american offerings and could not find a better car for the money. Though not as peppy as others, the comfort level and trim features placed the verona well ahead of the competition.

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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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  04 Verona - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By miguel barrios - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Although I have not had the vehicle long, I like the eay it drives and also the quality of the interior I found it to be better than some of the upscale models.

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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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  My new license plate: MYVRONA - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By JR Hersch - May 22 - 2:00 am

  After back surgery, I was needing to trade my truck in for something more comfortable and easy on the pocketbook to drive. Im married with no kids and was actually going to the dealership to look at a used 2-door Pontiac Grand Prix. Boy am I glad the sales staff showed me this fantastic car! The EX is great on the budget and my back!

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  Driving a Death Trap - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By pegasus2017 - May 18 - 10:39 pm

  The car bucks and sputters and stalls when Im not giving it enough gas. The problem is the Throttle Body which becomes contaminated with coolant and cant regulate the cars idle. Its been replaced 3 times, but they havent found where the coolant is leaking, so it happens repeatedly. A rep from California was involved, and oversaw the last repair, which lasted 7 months, and then it started again. This time they washed their hands of me, and my dealer told me they cant do anymore. Ill never buy Suzuki again. My little boy has Cancer and we have to drive an hour each way for chemo every week. I have to drive with one foot on the gas and one on the brake. This cars a death trap.