2004-2006 Suzuki Verona: Full Review

Updated: 11/23/08

2004 Suzuki Verona
2006 Suzuki Verona
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2004-2006 Suzuki Verona ▼

  • Price Range:  $4,300 - $8,300
CG Rating

52

out of 100

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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2004-2006 Suzuki Verona and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.

Pros

  • Ride

Cons

  • Acceleration

Vehicle Highlights

Suzuki introduced a South Korean-built compact-size sedan with an unusual-for-the-class engine arrangement for 2004. Verona offered S, LX, and top-line EX models. All came with a transverse-mounted 2.5-liter inline 6-cyl engine plus a 4-speed automatic transmission and 4-wheel disc brakes. LX and EX included ABS, which was not available on the S. EX also offered optional traction control. Side airbags were unavailable. All Veronas included fog lamps, heated power mirrors, power door locks with keyless entry/alarm, power windows, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, CD/cassette stereo with steering-wheel controls, and split folding rear seat. The LX added 16-inch alloy wheels to replace 15-inch steel wheels, plus automatic climate control. EX added a sunroof, heated leather seats, and a power driver seat. Against the midsize Honda Accord and Toyota Camry it targeted, Verona was slightly shorter in both wheelbase and overall length, but a bit wider and some 250-300 lb heavier. Like other Suzukis, Verona carried a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that included roadside assistance, and transferable 7/70,000 powertrain coverage with provision for a free loaner car. Verona was designed by the bankrupt Daewoo Motor Company, Ltd., and built by GM Daewoo Automotive Technologies, which GM formed after buying parts of Daewoo. GM also owned a stake in Suzuki.

Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)

Category Suzuki Verona Rating
Performance 3
Fuel Economy 5
Ride Quality 6
Steering/Handling/Braking 5
Quietness 6
Controls/Materials 6
Interior Room 6
Room/Comfort (rear) 6
Cargo Capacity 3
Value within Class 6
Total Score: 52
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2004-2006 Suzuki Verona. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2004-2006 Suzuki Verona.

Year to Year Changes


2005 Suzuki Verona: Front side airbags and a tire-pressure monitor were made standard. The LX added a sunroof to its list of standard equipment.
2006 Suzuki Verona: Model offerings were trimmed to just Base and Luxury. Base equipment mimicked that of the former S, Premium that of the former top-line EX. ABS was added as standard on both.

Our road test for the 2004-2006 Suzuki Verona includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2004-2006 Suzuki Verona and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2004-2006 Suzuki Verona is right for you.

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

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.

Expert Ratings Summary

Category Suzuki Verona Rating
Performance 3
Fuel Economy 5
Ride Quality 6
Steering/Handling/Braking 5
Quietness 6
Controls/Materials 6
Interior Room 6
Room/Comfort (rear) 6
Cargo Capacity 3
Value within Class 6
Total Score: 52

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Suzuki Verona includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Suzuki Verona .

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Audio system: The radio may do strange things such as turn off when the remote (steering wheel) control for volume is pressed, may switch stations randomly, or go off without command due to a bad ground connection in the steering column. (2004)

Electrical problem: A false trouble code (and possible check engine light) due to software problem and dealers were flashing computers on all vehicles in for any service. Look for reprogramming label (BNH, 1BNL, 1BNF or 1BNJ) in glove box indicating work done. (2004-05)

Electrical problem: Damaged insulation on wiring harness between left fender and its liner results in a short or opens, causing various components (from lights, fuel pump, rear defogger, etc.--about 40 circuits in all) to quit working. (2004-05)

Steering problems: A campaign was conducted to replace the power steering pulley which could come apart. (2005-06)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.
Item Name Repair Cost
A/C Compressor $600
Alternator $270
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $2,600
Brakes $325
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $830
Constant Velocity Joints $930
Exhaust System $420
Radiator $190
Shocks and/or Struts $720
Timing Chain or Belt $600
Our price chart for this generation Suzuki Verona details a range of prices in year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Prices Good Average Poor
2006
Verona $7,500-9,200 $6,800-8,300 $3,800-4,600
2005
Verona $6,000-7,200 $5,200-6,300 $2,500-3,000
2004
Verona $5,000-6,000 $4,300-5,100 $2,000-2,400
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.
Specs for this generation Suzuki Verona include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification 4-door compact car
Wheelbase, in. 106.3
Overall Length, in. 187.8
Overall Width, in. 71.5
Overall Height, in. 57.1
Curb Weight, lbs. 3380
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 13.4
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 17.2
Seating Capacity 5
Front Head Room, in. 39.1
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.2
Rear Head Room, in. 37.3
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 37.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

A 2.5-liter 155-hp 6-cylinder engine with 177 lb-ft of torque was offered only with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Engines Size liters /
cu. in		 Horse- power Torque Transmission:
EPA city/hgwy		 Consumer Guide Observed
dohc I6 2.5 / 152 155 177 4-speed automatic: 20/27 4-speed automatic: 19.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Built In:  South Korea
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Suzuki Verona include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test 2005 Verona
Front Impact, Driver 3
Front Impact, Passenger 4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2004-2006 Suzuki Verona directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.

NHTSA Recall History

2004 Verona: A malfunctioning brake-light switch could cause the brake lights to remain on, even without the driver's foot on the brake pedal. Following drivers would not be able to tell when the brakes had been applied, which could result in a crash. The dealer will replace the brake-light switch.
2005 Verona: The power-steering-pump pulley may separate from the pump, causing sudden heavy steering due to a lack of power assist. It can also lead to engine overheating, battery discharge, or engine stalling. The dealer will inspect, and if necessary, replace the power-steering-pump pulley.
2006 Verona: The power-steering-pump pulley may separate from the pump, causing sudden heavy steering due to a lack of power assist. It can also lead to engine overheating, battery discharge, or engine stalling. The dealer will inspect, and if necessary, replace the power-steering-pump pulley.

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