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:
Showing 1 through 10 of 212.00-
Very pleased with my purchase - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By Hard to please - December 18 - 10:00 amAfter 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.
-
Great Car - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By JG15lzb - December 18 - 10:00 amThe 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.
-
Big bang for my buck - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By Columbus OH owner - August 13 - 10:53 pmMy 2004 Verona has been my favorite car purchase in over 30 years. I really enjoy this car. It is thrifty and money wise, this car out shines any other midsize sedan for its features, comfort and style. I have the all leather interior and always get a "wow, nice car", when folks get in. I have had no problems mechanically and am very satisfied with this heavily optioned but lower priced car. I had one small front end collision, which was a bit of an issue. A replacement hood was not readily avaliable, it had to come from Korea. The shop time was a whopping four weeks. After the first year of ownership, my gas mileage fell and I found that a sensor had gone bad. Once it was repaired the mileage returned to normal, aproximately 20-24 mpg.
-
A lot for the money!!!! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By Gerardo - June 30 - 8:23 pmThe 2004 Suzuki Verona is a good, reliable car It has a good quiet ride and handles well on the road with good passing power. Its controls are easy to access. It does not have much horsepower, but the torque kicks in at the right time
-
overall review - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By sirlinehane - May 29 - 2:00 amvery well put together vehicle, roomy comfortable and best of all lots less then a honda or toyota. better warranty!
-
My Verona - 2005 Suzuki Verona
By Merridy Reth - April 29 - 5:10 pmGreat styling, roomy interior, power tilt-and slide sunroof, heated seats, heated power mirrors [a must when you winter in Iowa!], love the day/night mirror which removes headlight glare, super sound system-CD/cassette player with 6 speakers, arm rest with cup holders [for the backseat] a very nice touch, European styling without the price of a Europeam sports car, keyless remote entry with trunk release, 8-way power drivers seat, power windows and doors, leather interior, plus leather wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, dash has a sports car style. Drives great and the price range is excellent!
-
Great Value - 2005 Suzuki Verona
By Jim Rutledge - April 21 - 10:23 pmI looked long and hard to find a car that would give me room, economy, and style and I found it in the Verona. It has more room than Camry and priced thousands less. It also comes standard with a V-6.
-
Luv It - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By poppie - April 10 - 2:00 amSuper Sedan at great pricing...Luxurious and a head turner eveywhere I drive. People I do not know say A Suzuki ?? WOW.My 2 young sons equate the Suzuki name wGran Tourismo for Playstation.Fog lights a great plus
-
Suzuki Has come a long way! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By Verona Fan - January 27 - 10:00 amThis car has it all interior is spectacular.It is super quite comfortable and has an awsome ride.This vehicles construction is superior to what I have seen lately and the price fully loaded is 19,900 this car looks like a Volvo drives like a 50,000 dollar car.A luxury car at this price? WOW Quality Comfort Performance and Super Value!This is a Suzuki?!@#$
-
A GREAT CAR FOR 19K - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By tabby97 - January 27 - 10:00 amI really like the car.....My previous car was a VW Passat and even though it was a great car this is much more a drivers car.
