2004-2006 Suzuki Verona: Road Test

Verona disappoints with sluggish takeoffs and mediocre midrange power. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly, but is slow to kick down for more passing power. One test car's engine ran erratically when first started on cool mornings. Test cars averaged 19.8 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. Suzuki recommends regular-grade fuel. Verona's comfort-calibrated chassis and tires smother most bumps, helped by a solid-feeling structure. Large humps and dips can induce mild float, however. Handling is pleasant but hardly sporting, with slightly overboosted steering along with moderate cornering lean and grip. The brakes supply good stopping power. Unfortunately, traction control is only available on the top-line EX. Verona's smooth-running engine sounds strained in full-throttle acceleration, but isn't unduly loud and cruises comfortably at highway speeds. Moderate tire and wind noise are about par for the class. The conventional-looking dashboard has clear instruments and reasonably handy controls. However, shifting requires an awkward motion of pushing down on the shift knob while moving the lever through a notchy zigzag gate. Materials are appropriate for the class, and detail workmanship is quite good. In front, there's adult-size head and leg room, though lanky drivers may feel squeezed. Seats are quite ordinary but comfortable enough. Visibility is about average for a sedan. In back, three adults will be pinched, but two 6-footers have decent leg room even behind a tall front-seater, plus good foot and head room. The seatback seems raked a bit much for long-haul comfort. Entry/exit is about class-average. Sickle-shaped trunklid hinges intrude some into a usable but average-size trunk. Releases for the standard split folding rear seatbacks are inside and somewhat inboard, so they require stretching to reach. Cabin storage is nothing special, but a self-propping hood with gas strut is an upscale convenience.

Value for the Money
Veronas are nicely equipped, but they're plug-ordinary in performance, where their 6-cyl acts more like the 4-cyl engines of many rivals. Verona's lower resale values vs. more-established competitors are an advantage to used-car buyers, as is Suzuki's transferable warranty.