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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HUGE NIGHTMARE BUYER BEWARE - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By alienwizard - November 7 - 8:33 pmi 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....
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Verona Vomit - 2005 Suzuki Verona
By Stupid Steph - October 12 - 6:36 pmI have owned this car for approximately fifteen months in which time I have experienced a rear brake fluid leak that caused them to go all the way to the floor. Now that I am want to get a different car, no one will give me much for it because they say that the word is "the transmissions are no good." I myself have experienced it stalling and shifting in and out while driving down the highway.
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2004 Suzuki Verona - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By eddie c. pollard - September 27 - 1:16 amThe car has been in the shop quite a bit as a result of a stalling / hesitation problem with the engine. Also, the cruise control has quit working and has been replaced once and will need to be replaced again. The cruise control is a mechanical unit that sometimes surges significantly once set and poses a safety problem.
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Life after Death - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By Ken - September 14 - 7:53 amI had very few issues with the vehicle. Most of the issues were that maintenance personnel didnt know what to do with it, expressly Jiffy-Lube. This car is so well built that it saved my life!!! Its gone now. It was a total loss when an idiot ran a red light at 70 mph!! He destroyed the front clip and the front pillar, but didnt shatter one glass!! I owe my life to it. Ken
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Where are they hiding the x-tra 2 cyls ? - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By Louienj1 - August 19 - 2:00 amTo sit in this car is the best dollar for dollar lux-o-like sedans. Hit the road and you CAN NOT believe this car is 6 cyl. I drove many cars under 25k, none of the others had less power. Understand that true driving power is derived by the engine output vs. the cars weight. This car is "an attractive cow with the heart of a hamster". I really liked the interior of the car. Suzuki should use the XL-7 V6 engine, even if it adds $1-$2Gs to the price. If you really do want this car, wait. By 2005 they will offer a more powerful version. So buy a more powerful V6 or save on the 2004 models left or buy used (because the warranty transfers).
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Pleasant Surprise - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By Suzuki Lover 4 Life - August 1 - 12:46 amThe the fit and finish of the 2004 Suzuki Verona compares favorably with a number of more expensive European sedans. This car has a quality Japanese engine and drivetrain.
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Good car for the buck - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By mmb - June 27 - 10:00 amOwned it now for about 6 months. Great looks, nicely appointed. Disappointed in overall mpg at about 21. For the money, seems to be a good value. The 2004s are being sold for around 18k after rebate where I live.
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The Beast with Faults - 2004 Suzuki Verona
By geneo - June 26 - 11:43 amThe Engine will pass most anything in and out of its class [I used to own an audi turbo] at the front end it has a hesitation. The suspension is too soft and will need to be replaced too soon [100k]. The electrical/indicator system is not the best[my check engine light has been on and off for over 100k and my millage has not changed since day one, and the dealers cannot give me a ration explanation. Car has 150k miles and stops on a dime and has bailed me out of several nasty braking situations!
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Lots Of Standard Feature For The Money - 2005 Suzuki Verona
By Action - June 18 - 1:46 amSluggish Acceleration and Its a Little Heavy Handling Also Gas Mileage Could Be Better. Averages 23-26. 10% Lower than the 28hwy Advertised.
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MY VERONA - 2005 Suzuki Verona
By nace818 - June 13 - 6:53 pmMy Verona has 9000 trouble-free miles on it. I really do love this car. I have read alot of negative comments about the car, but none of them seem to apply, at least not to mine. I think the design is great both interior and exterior. Im really surprised I dont see more of them on the road. Its alot of car for the money. If Suzuki would do more advertising for it, I think it would be a better seller. My advice would be buy one and you will enjoy it.
