2004 Suzuki Verona Test Drive

Developed from the former Daewoo Leganza and built in Korea, the 2004 Suzuki Verona drives into the most hotly-contested sedan category in America. Front-wheel-drive, DOHC inline six, standard automatic, very well equipped and undercutting the competition in price. US $16,499 to $19,499. Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles total car, 7 years/100,000 miles powertrain.

First Glance

There I was, standing in the el-cheapo, do-it-yourself-for-two-bucks car wash, about to spray soap on my nice red test vehicle. Untypical of Suzuki, it had been delivered to me with a layer of dust so a splash-and-go was necessary before I could take the photos accompanying this review. Suddenly a lady approached, looking absolutely stunned. "That's my car!" she exclaimed with great enthusiasm. "Your car?" Images of Suzuki's press people having given me the wrong set of keys flashed through my mind. Perhaps unknowingly I'd driven off in a customer vehicle and now the owner was confronting me. A frantic 911 call would surely follow. The Mounties (they're the local cops where I live) will arrive, sirens screaming, ready -- eager, even -- to place an automobile journalist under arrest. "Verona!" the lady shouted. "Verona's my name!" Let's be honest, folks. I have never, in all my life, met a woman named Verona. To my knowledge, and probably Suzuki's, Verona is a town in Italy. I was so relieved I almost gave her the keys. Sadly, that encounter was the only occasion where someone actually noticed this car.

In the Driver's Seat

The Verona takes more bending to access than an Accord or Camry, especially in the rear where headroom is non-existent for anyone over 6-feet. Once inside, however, you'll be stunned by the width. Elbow room is almost enough to compensate for a lack of side airbags. Here you can sprawl as you would in a Buick and get the same side support. Which is to say, almost none. Seat squabs are soft enough but seatbacks feel like padded plywood. Not that the Verona isn't a comfortable sedan; it's just that you'll have to accept a few compromises. On the other hand, the instrument panel and cockpit design are admirably restrained; there's a touch of class here. Among the personal touches are an external power outlet and a rear seat armrest that when pulled down, offers twin cupholders plus a covered storage area. A 60/40 rear seat split means that the generously-deep trunk can be used to advantage, assuming you're flexible enough to reach through without bonking yourself on the lid. A full range of power assists is provided, including a 6-way power driver's seat; our tester also came with a sunroof. The air controls feature a peculiar set of graphics but one quickly adapts, though I'd have preferred the radio/CD to be on top.

On the Road

Forgive my somewhat vintage bias but I prefer inline sixes to Vee-aligned sixes. While admitting the latter group is more compact, inlines are smoother and deliver a mellower sound: just ask BMW. Therefore I like the Verona's 2.5 liter twin-cam engine and applaud the manner wherein it is mounted transversely, which is to say headlight-to-headlight rather than nose to tail; unusual for an inline six. This makes for a wider car to accommodate the engine and thereby the passengers. An output of 155 horses is less than some fours in this group but a torque rating of 177 lb.-ft. is class-leading and makes for decent performance, coming on with a push at around 3000 rpm. The 4-speed automatic transmission has a gated shifter that's stiff and awkward to use, somewhat out of place in a car of this type. Steering turn-in is excellent for a family car; turn the wheel and you get an immediate response. With all-round independent suspension, roadholding is on a par with the competition, stable, safe, aided by disk brakes at all four corners. The Verona rides smoothly, noise supression is average, feel of the road good. Overall, a pleasing car to drive.

Journey's End

"Value for money" may be an overused ad line but that's what the 2004 Suzuki Verona is all about. Selling for considerably less than Camry and Accord, it packs a lot of equipment into the base car and you can load it up for less than $20,000. Should that not be enough to move you to the nearest Suzuki showroom, check the 7-year/100,000 powertrain warranty. It's the manufacturer's stamp of quality and your assurance that the Verona's lack of history in North America is not so relevant. The 2004 Suzuki Verona is missing one thing, though: head-turning style. Except for my friend Verona in the car wash, not a single soul so much as glanced at it during two weeks of testing. Only the headlight surround is different; the shape reminding me of an oriental temple. Am I seeing things here or were the designers having a little fun? On the other hand, 'tis often said that buyers in this class prefer being inconspicuous. In which case they'll be happy to get such value, so much interior width, and a sweet inline six.