2004 Suzuki Verona
Good points : Value, warranty
Needs improvement : Handling, resale, automatic transmission
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 $14,000 S model as it comes well loaded. If you want to move up to the $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 $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 Aerio 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.