Suzuki Verona Road Test

Suzuki is trying very hard to make its way into a crowded market and has decided that offering more for less and backing it up with a better warranty are the way to proceed. On paper that works, but in the real world there are a lot of trade-offs. For example, the recently introduced Verona cuts a nice figure, is attractively priced, and is well equipped. But the lack of significant number of Suzuki dealers makes the getting warranty repairs difficult for those in un-serviced areas. Secondly, the pricing of the Verona steps on the toes of its Aerio model which, although funky looking, is faster and has more room. Thirdly, some of the standard features, such as four-wheel disc brakes, don't provide any better stopping than the competition cars that have rear drum brakes. So the Verona is a car that needs to be well researched by buyers because its basic appeal may wear off.

There are three Verona models available. We recommend the under US$14,000 S model as it comes well loaded. If you want to move up to the US$16,000 LX you get ABS, 16-inch alloy wheels, and automatic climate control. The top of the line EX adds a sunroof, heated leather seats, and a power driver seat but costs over US$19,000.

Suzuki's Verona S model has standard air conditioning, heated outside rearview mirrors, a Micron cabin filtration system, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, remote keyless entry, a tilt steering wheel, a six-way adjustable driver seat intermittent wipers, electric rear defroster, fog lights, split folding rear seats, heated power mirrors, 4-wheel-disc brakes, a CD/cassette stereo with steering-wheel controls, and power windows and locks.

The best item though is the warranty on the engine and transmission, which are covered for 7-years/100,000 miles. Granted there is a lot of competition from the Korean manufacturers, but the Verona offers more and looks sharper. In fact, looks are one of its major selling points. There isn't any going to be anyone who is going to think that you are driving one of the least expensive sedans available. Betters still, Suzuki dealers are dealing.

Mom's view: The brakes were soft as was the ride. It just is not as sporty to drive as it looks. I had a lot of others concerns, too. The stereo is barely adequate and the horn is difficult to use as you must remove your hand from the wheel and press on the bottom of the steering hub before it operates. That takes way too long. The heating and cooling controls are not as easy to use as in the Liana and, and there wasn't any side airbags. The heater controls on our test car didn't keep the temperature anywhere near even. The sound the car makes when the remote key is used is undignified and the trunk lid does not pop-up high enough. All of these were minor, but the automatic transmission, with its nice hold feature for traveling in the mountains, was our major concern. If is certainly nice in daily driving, but the software slows the engine too much for smooth shifting and, when cold, the car bucks. Furthermore, it is slow to kick-down when passing.

That's a lot of negatives, but there are some positives that need to be highlighted. First, the freeway ride is fairly quiet and relaxing. The seating position is superior and the initial acceleration is good. The trunk is usable and there is adequate rear seat room. Of course, there are a significant number of other pluses. You get an inline six where the competition offers a four-cylinder power plant, four-wheel disc brakes, and it is a nice looking car, too.

Overall, the Verona is an attractively priced for a compact sized vehicle, but I would opt for the upscale EX you have automatic climate control, larger wheels, a six-cylinder engine, and the recommended antilock brakes. The top of the model line EX, which was our test vehicle, had a power sunroof, heated leather seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and an eight-way adjustable power driver seat. However, it costs five thousand dollars more than the base model.

In terms of safety, the Verona offers daylight running lights, a 34.8 feet turning circle, a Toyota Camry sized heft, and dual front airbags. I would have liked side airbags, especially in a new model such as this.

Dad's view: One way or the other you are going to pay and buying the Verona is a classic case. The price is great, but the resale isn't. For example, the very usable Aerio loses nearly 50 percent of its value in two years. This is despite the fact that the Suzuki warranty is transferable, something that not all manufacturers offer.

Driving the Verona is interesting. It truly has two characters. When cold the four-speed automatic transmission isn't smooth and you get a lumpy ride going downhill waiting for the car to warm up. Once online, the 155-horsepower inline six-cylinder, transverse-mounted engine is responsive. The unit is all-aluminum, with dual-overhead cams, 24-valves, and 177 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. You get the best acceleration at low speeds. So around town or when cruising everything is fine. When you need more speed, cornering, or stopping power you soon realize where Suzuki saved money. The transmission is slow to downshift, the engine suddenly feels like a four cylinder, and the ride is cushy. For me this is a good car if you want basic transportation and comfortable is more important than performance.

Young working male's view: Not a bad looking car and it has plenty of room in front. The storage areas in the center console, glove compartment, and doors were fine. I got about 24 in mixed driving on unleaded regular and was satisfied. The only item that significantly bothered me, outside of the languid acceleration, was the shift gate that made it difficult to get the car into reverse. It reminded me of the old Jaguar shift gate in that you had to move the lever both to the side and down to reach the reverse notch. I liked the Verona, but I had to keep reminding myself of the price when it came to the spirited driving I prefer. In fact, for the same money I would opt for the Suzuki Liana which has more power, more room, and is more fun to drive while costing nearly the same. Of course, it borders on weird looking whereas the Verona is simply non-offensive.

Young working woman's view: It's the warranty, stupid. That sums up the main reason I would buy the Verona. Certainly, it is priced well, but it's only a bargain if you can use it and a car that costs you money in repair bills is not a bargain. The point is that Suzuki's 7-year/100,000-mile warranty that is fully transferable, and the tremendous deals that are being offered make the Verona very difficult to ignore. Overall, you have just one tough choice to make. Do I buy a good used car and take my financial chances on its condition, or do I order a new Verona just the way I want it for the same money? Personally, I love the look of the Verona and can accept its power limitations for the security blanket the warranty offers. The only turn off I had while testing the car was the horde of salesman waiting to pounce at the dealership. I think Suzuki needs to take some selling lessons from Infiniti and Lexus.

Overall, the Verona S has a lot to offer for the price. It has a spacious interior and cargo room and lots of standard features. The practical side to the Verona is thus very hard to ignore and when you throw in the back seats that fold down, steering wheel auxiliary controls, easy to reach controls, and a gentle ride you are going to find that Suzuki has made itself a player.

Good points: Value, warranty
Needs improvement: Handling, resale, automatic transmission

Written by The Car Family