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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  Terrible Car - 2006 Suzuki Verona
  By goodfrench229 - December 16 - 10:30 pm

  My 2006 Suzuki Verona is a terrible car. Its heater would not work. I had a broken temperature control cable. Its paint was bubbled up. All four doors and quarter panel had to be repainted. The speedometer needle fell off (no kidding,it fell completely off and was sitting in the bottom of the gauge housing). My car has been stalling during sharp acceleration. This is very dangerous, it would stall and almost die. As you can imagine, this is not much fun when pulling into traffic. The dealer could not do anything to repair this problem. It must be a characteristic of this car. It has done it since it was new. It is hard to start when it is cold outside. The dealer I bought the car from quit dealing with Suzuki. My new dealer is one and a half hours away and he told me if it was running they could do nothing.

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  APEX - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Senior Chief - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car about 3 weeks ago and been driving the hell out of it ever since. Fun to drive!

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  You have to buy one - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Paula P - October 31 - 10:00 am

  No matter where I go, people look at my car. They make comments like, wow nice car. Friends love to ride in it. I baught my car exactly one week before my father died. He took it on a test ride, he wanted to go out and but my mother one. He loved it. For him, that was saying a lot. My sisters and many friends one want one to.

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  "Suzuki" HA "SuDookie" - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Mr. Pissed - October 19 - 5:56 pm

  I cant believe there is anyone out there that is happy with their Verona. It must be that some are great and then most are junk. My Verona has been in the shop six times and it is still junk. I have read that the engine was not designed to run on fuel that has an ethanol content. My Verona has been in the shop six times and the engine is still not right. Suzuki does not stand by this great Warranty they claim to have. I have also read that a lot of Verona owners have had Suzuki buy back their Verona, why would Suzuki do that unless they know the car is junk. I am trying to make the same thing happen. Its a battle. Good-luck.

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  I love my Verona - 2006 Suzuki Verona
  By VClue - September 27 - 7:23 am

  I purchased a Suzuki Verona because it appeared to give me the most options for my money. I have totally enjoyed my car. No, it doesnt have a lot of pick up for a cold start but, once it gets going, it has no problems keeping up with the crowd. It has a smooth quiet ride. The steering is easy to handle. The interior options are a plus. I feel truly blessed to have this car. Unfortunately, my daughter recently had an accident in my car, and the police said, it must be built pretty well because it should have been a lot more messed up from that impact. Shes doing fine and the car is back on the road to enjoy.

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  GAS WHO? - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By TUNIA - September 24 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR IS VERY RELIABLE AND IN STYLE THE ONLY QUESTION I WOULD HAVE IS THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT GOSE ON ALL THE TIME THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE GAS TANK I GUESS IT DOSE LET YOU KNOW WAY BEFOR YOU NEED GAS KEEPS YOU WATCHING..

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  Automobile Industries Best Kept Secret - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Argavaynne - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Awesome car, doesnt get more clearer then that. More features and better warranty then most other manufacturers at a lower price.

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  HOTTTT!!!!!!! - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By ofp01 - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Its the best car out there for the price and its HOT.

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  2005 Verona S - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By gtsfirefighter - July 16 - 3:53 pm

  We bought our 05 as a demo with 6,500 miles on it. Its the smoothest running car Ive ever had. Other than a few minor issues I have no complaints. The city gas mileage could be better, but we do pretty well on the highway, at 30-32 mpg. The city mileage is 23 or so mpg. We have one complaint and that is the sound system. Suzuki could have done a lot better with the radio and speakers.

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  Probably could have done better - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By Carol - June 14 - 3:53 am

  I like the relatively quick action when I punch it, but Ive had it in the shop several times since the purchase. Usually theyre just small things. Currently, its the oxygen sensor. Ive had it in three times for that and its still not fixed. The interior is very classy and I feel "rich" but the other issues are annoying.