Background: Don’t look now, but Japan’s big three automakers (Toyota, Honda and Nissan) have growing competition from within their own boarders. One of the surprise vehicles test driven last year was a four-door Suzuki Aerio, a competitively priced, compact wagon with high seating positions and pleasant road manners. Now, the folks at Suzuki have dropped off two versions of the all-new, 2004 Verona. This value-packed, mid size vehicle is doing battle with the likes of the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu, familiar names in the highly competitive mid-size sedan segment. Verona made its world debut at the 2003 Chicago Auto Show along with its compact-sized Suzuki Forenza counterpart. Didn’t know what to expect when the front-wheel-drive Verona arrived, but after a week of test driving, impressions are favorable. Verona is the largest sedan ever offered by Suzuki, a Japanese automaker probably better known for building motorcycles. It’s the first of nine new vehicles Suzuki plans on rolling out during the next five years. The company’s ambitious plans include tripling 2002 U.S. calendar years sales by 2007; that’s a lofty goal of 200,000 units. By comparison, 58,500 units were sold in 2003. General Motors, the world’s largest automaker, owns 20 percent of Suzuki and has provided much needed capital for this aggressive strategy.
Trim level/engine: Verona is available in three trim levels: S, LX and top-of-the-line EX. All are powered by a 2.5 liter, 24 valve, in-line six-cylinder engine delivering 155 horsepower. All of Japan’s big three automakers have mid-size sedans with the choice of four or six-cylinder engines, but the more potent six cylinders account for a majority of sales. Mileage estimates check in at 20 miles per gallon city and 28 m.p.g. highway. The fuel tank holds 17.2 gallons of gasoline. Verona’s inline six horsepower ranks below many of its mid-size competitors. A V-6 Camry churns out 210 horses while a Hyundai Sonata cranks out 170.
Standard equipment: Verona comes with features not always standard in mid-size sedans. Standard is an AM/FM/compact disc and cassette player. Cassette players are becoming more of an option these days. Heated power mirror, cruise control, steering wheel mounted secondary radio controls and fog lights are features not always found standard on all trim levels of many rivals. Also standard across the board are a four-speed automatic transmission, power door locks, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, air conditioning, power windows, speed sensitive power steering and power door locks. Verona does not offer many options, but adds more features to the top two trims. The LX and EX editions also include automatic climate control. The EX version adds heated front seats, power sliding sunroof and eight-way power driver’s seats
Price: Suzuki provided the Daily Herald with two versions to try. A top-line EX edition included a starting price of $19,499. The only option was traction control ($500) which brought the bottom line to $19,999. Also supplied was mid-level LX that started at $17, 799 and ended up at $18,299 with the $500 destination charge. The lowest priced S trim level starts at $16,499. These prices stack up very favorably. The lowest-priced Toyota Camry V-6 with automatic transmission starts at $22,260. The lowest-priced Camry, a four cylinder with manual transmission checks in at $19,045. A top-of-the-line Verona with V-6 engine and automatic transmission is only about $400 more than an entry-level Camry. A Base Malibu with four-cylinder engine starts at $18,370; the lowest-priced V-6 checks in at $20,370. Pricewise, Verona’s key competitors are offerings from the South Korean automakers, the low-price leaders for more than a decade. The reason; Verona is built in South Korea by a General Motors subsidiary. Still, a comparably-equipped Verona has a price advantage over a similarly-sized Hyundai. Hyundai’s mid-size Sonata Base edition with automatic transmission and V-6 engine starts at $17,649, more than a $1,000 more than the Base Verona. A four-cylinder Sonata with five-speed manual checks in at $15,999.
Inside: Cloth seating surfaces are the norm in S and LX editions while leather types are standard in EX. Front head room is average, not spectacular. In back, those six feet and over may find things tight. Rear seatbacks have a fold-down center arm rest with cup holders. These same backs fold down with a 60/40 split when needed. The mostly analog instrument panel has three deep set, independent, tube-like housings with a center speedometer. Four small squarish vents are interspersed throughout the dashboard. The circular ignition cylinder is found on the dash just right of the steering column, and illuminates at night with a day-glow green. A small ceiling caddy with storage for sunglasses is found by the rearview mirror along with map lights. The driver’s door is home to four power window controls and the power lock button. A dial controlling the side view mirrors is on the dashboard’s far left side. Below is a small pull-out drawer for coins. All cruise control functions are found on the steering wheel via a right-side square stub. Multi-speed front windshield wipers activate from a right side steering column stalk. Headlights activate from the left side turn signal. The vertically arranged central dash region has a stand-alone digital clock at the apex. The mid-level, rectangular ventilation system features a dial controlling temperature, a toggle button for fan speed and buttons monitoring direction. The sound system rests below. Anchoring the bottom is a retractable ash tray with lighter. Ash trays can still be found on Asian makes, but are disappearing in American-badged vehicles. Both test vehicles had polished wood trim throughout the center console and on all four doors. The standard automatic transmission is floor mounted with dual in-line beverage holders to the rear. It takes time to master the shifter. One must slightly push down the handle and maneuver through the templated pattern. To the left is the hand-operated parking brake. Behind the cup holders is a dual arm/rest storage bin hinged at the rear. A small pull lever unlocking the fuel door is on the floor left of the driver’s seat. The trunk release button is more conveniently located on the driver’s door. Under the trunk’s flat-floored cargo area is a full-size spare tire, not the temporary variety usually expected, a nice surprise. Lid hinges are the curved interior variety, not the exterior shock-absorber type so stow large packages carefully.
Exterior: Styling tilts towards the conservative side. Flush-mounted door handles have chrome accents. In front, the smallish grille includes a Suzuki “S” logo centered within a honeycomb grille flanked by triangular headlight housing. The radio antenna is built into the rear window.
Warranty: Suzuki has one of the more flexible extended warranties. The powertrain is covered for seven years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first). There is no out-of-pocket deductible and the powertrain warranty can be transferred from owner to owner, a feature not available with some other extended warranties. Many other vehicle parts are covered by a limited warranty good for three years or 36,000 miles. The battery is covered for 24 months. Roadside assistance is also covered for three years or 36,000 miles. If a vehicle is deemed inoperable and requires an overnight stay at the dealer during the limited warranty period, the Suzuki dealer will supply a courtesy rental vehicle.
Safety features: All three trims include driver and front passenger dual stage air bags, daytime running lights, anti-theft alarm system, remote keyless entry, front and rear side-impact door beams and rear child safety locks. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes are optional in S models and standard on LX and EX editions. Electronic traction control is optional in uplevel EX only.
Final thoughts: As with other Korean-built vehicles, the Verona offers a distinct price advantages over many mid-size competitors. The inline six cranks out 155 horsepower, a bit below other six cylinder engines in the mid-size segment, but more than adequate when tooling around with a couple of passengers. Suzuki’s seven year powertrain warranty gives those apprehensive of buying an all-new car during its first year of production some piece of mind. |
