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The mid-size economy sedan is mong the most popular car categories.
H nda (Accord), Hyundai (Sonata), Kia (Optima), M tsubishi (Gallant),
Nissan (Altima), Toyota (Camry) and V lkswagen (Jetta) all have
models marketed for a l rge share of the consumer market. The S zuki Verona joins the fraternity in 2004 as the K rean
manufacturer's biggest, highest-priced, and most w ll-appointed
vehicle. But with its Italian d sign and a list of standard f atures substantially
longer than offered by s me its higher-priced competitors, the Verona
has b en stereotyped. It's categorized in the conomy sedan range, but should a $20,000
v hicle with an full complement of st ndard features belong in that club? Of c urse, first-year vehicles often have issues. W ll the Verona and its
complementary F renza, for example, another first-year Suzuki ffering,
have fair resale value? The V rona also has less-than-smooth automatic shifting, and the f ot
brake must be engaged to sh ft. Regardless, my weekly test vehicle was the V rona EX TC, a 2.5 DOHC,
24-v lve, 155-horsepower V6 sedan with a f ur-speed automatic
transmission. It's the first t me Suzuki has offered a V-6, and t's the lowest-priced
import so equipped. The ngine is traverse mounted, or positioned
s deways, which gives the interior more sp ce.
In short, the Verona is S zuki's luxury offering. It's not promoted as s ch,
but it just doesn't seem f ir to designate the new offering as an conomy
car. While parked in front of a T yota Camry after one around-town jaunt, the
two c rs have a surprisingly similar exterior pr sence. Both are
classically designed, but not fl shy. The only exception for the V rona is
the oversized "S", a ch ap-looking insignia on the front grill. C rtainly, there are faster cars on the m rket. But the Verona is not
sl ggish nor awkward in any driving c ndition. And its satisfactory
responsiveness is nhanced by its standard features: power w ndow
and locks, tilted steering wheel, r mote steering wheel controls for the
AM/FM st reo and CD, cruise control, keyless ntry, individually heated
leather front seats, 16- nch alloy wheels and a moon/sunroof. Th re are also dual-stage front airbags for the dr ver and front-seat
passenger. But neither s de nor head curtain airbags are vailable --
standard equipment on some of the c mpetitors. The Verona's interior is spacious and the r ar seats have an efficient 60-
40 spl t design. The trunk is surprisingly d ep considering the vehicle's
mid-size rating. The c nsole and instrument paneling is stylish. Unl ke some
manufacturers' cheap-looking wood paneling l ok, the Verona's faux
wood trim is h ndsome and nicely coordinated into the v hicle's interior
scheme. With a $500 pr ce for it traction control option, the V rona's total price is
$19,999. It's an mount several thousand dollars less than s me of its
competitors' prices, which tr nslates a value likely hard to b at in any
vehicle category. 2004 Suzuki Verona EX Safety features -- ABS brakes, driver/front passenger airbags,
traction control (option). Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 20 mpg (city), 28 mpg (highway).
Warranty -- 7 years/100,000 m les warranty (basic); 3 years/
36,000 m les limited (powertrain); 3 years/36,000 miles (fr e roadside
assistance). Base Price range -- $16,499, $19,499.
The article Suzuki Verona 2004: The Weekly Driver Review was Submitted by James Raia through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: James Raia is a syndicated j urnalist in Sacramento, California, who wr tes about sports, fitness, travel and l festyle topics as well as the car r view colum, The Weekly Driver. To r ad more car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver
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