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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  nice - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By boi - October 26 - 8:58 am

  really nice car. has reliability problems, tranny is crap. but the acceleration at higher speeds is nice.

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  Very pleased with my purchase - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Hard to please - December 18 - 10:00 am

  After having driven Accord for many years, I was convinced that I could not be as satisfied with anything else. So I am pleased to say that I am happy with the Verona. I researched before I bought and I have waited now for 6 mos and 14000 miles to make any statements of my own. I would recommend this car to anyone looking to make an intelligent car buy. It looks nice, it drives nice, it has been reliable and of course the standard features make this a hard act to follow. I dont believe you will be disappointed.

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  dollar for dollar - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Naples Dave - December 18 - 10:00 am

  I have had multiple problems with my new Verona none however being mechanical. Most of the problems are head lamp seal was bad, weld maks showing on the C posts, mild wobble in the driving, engine power loss when slowing to a stop/start however the new computer chip corrects it, and flickering or the outside temp numbers. all have been fixed with mild to medium wait time for my car. The car is smooth while driving and very stylish all in all very good deal for the price you pay.

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  Great Car - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By JG15lzb - December 18 - 10:00 am

  The 2004 Verona is a great car. I just got this car last month and I absolutely love it. The interior is quite spacious with plenty of room to store items. (My sister has a Camry and the Veronas interior measures up to it inch for inch). The wood trim looks and feels real. I havent had any problems with the car yet but time will tell.

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  The Car I Wish It Was - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Jim_From_IL - December 10 - 10:53 pm

  I intially bought this car for its sleek styling and overall value. It comes with lots of options all thrown in for what you would have to pay thousands extra if you went with a Toyota Camry (which was my other choice). Too bad the performance of this is plagued with computer glitches and transmission issues. This being the first model year has had its problems. I just got mine out of the shop for the third time. This time the ECM (Electronic Control Module) had to be reprogrammed. As of Aug, 06, it seems better now, but Im almost afraid to drive it. It has stalled twice while approaching stop lights. If I get any more major problems, I will seriously be thinking about dumping (uh - trading) it.

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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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  2005 Suzuki Verona EX - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By DaveD - October 2 - 2:23 am

  My 2005 Suzuki Verona EX is my second Suzuki. I have experienced the same problems in both my previous Forenza now this 2004 Verona. They seem to want to hide the fact that the tachometer surges. Ive stalled at the least safe times in BOTH makes, getting onto freeways or trying to pass. You will love the warranty until you try to USE it and then try to get a "loaner" when they keep it over night. You will be stuck. this is my last Suzuki purchase ever, its a cheap car, and mom always said, "you get what you pay for", listen to your mother.

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  No More Suzy Qs 4-Me - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By Big Mel - September 21 - 11:00 am

  Personally, I like the automobile as a whole. Its fun to drive and has a lot of drive appeal. The only set back I truly have is trying to find parts (since I am somewhat a "do-it-yourselfer"); and even at best it seems to be difficult for auto shops to find the necessary parts (like air filters). Other than that its a great car, fun to drive and all in all I havent had any serious problems out of this car. Ill say on a scale from one to ten Ill give it an eight.

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  Must be the first one! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Lau - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Just buy this one yesterday....maybe the first one...only 6 arrived from port. This was a reservation. Best car for the price. wow!! features!! good motor. Alas, a good fuel drinker. RELIABILIY unknown

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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.