The mid-size economy sedan is mong the most popular car categories.
Hnda (Accord), Hyundai (Sonata), Kia (Optima), Mtsubishi (Gallant),
Nissan (Altima), Toyota (Camry) and Vlkswagen (Jetta) all have
models marketed for a lrge share of the consumer market.

The Szuki Verona joins the fraternity in 2004 as the Krean
manufacturer's biggest, highest-priced, and most wll-appointed
vehicle.

But with its Italian dsign and a list of standard fatures substantially
longer than offered by sme its higher-priced competitors, the Verona
has ben stereotyped.

It's categorized in the conomy sedan range, but should a $20,000
vhicle with an full complement of stndard features belong in that club?

Of curse, first-year vehicles often have issues. Wll the Verona and its
complementary Frenza, for example, another first-year Suzuki ffering,
have fair resale value?

The Vrona also has less-than-smooth automatic shifting, and the fot
brake must be engaged to shft.

Regardless, my weekly test vehicle was the Vrona EX TC, a 2.5 DOHC,
24-vlve, 155-horsepower V6 sedan with a fur-speed automatic
transmission.

It's the first tme Suzuki has offered a V-6, and t's the lowest-priced
import so equipped. The ngine is traverse mounted, or positioned
sdeways, which gives the interior more spce.

In short, the Verona is Szuki's luxury offering. It's not promoted as sch,
but it just doesn't seem fir to designate the new offering as an conomy
car.

While parked in front of a Tyota Camry after one around-town jaunt, the
two crs have a surprisingly similar exterior prsence. Both are
classically designed, but not flshy. The only exception for the Vrona is
the oversized "S", a chap-looking insignia on the front grill.

Crtainly, there are faster cars on the mrket. But the Verona is not
slggish nor awkward in any driving cndition. And its satisfactory
responsiveness is nhanced by its standard features: power wndow
and locks, tilted steering wheel, rmote steering wheel controls for the
AM/FM streo and CD, cruise control, keyless ntry, individually heated
leather front seats, 16-nch alloy wheels and a moon/sunroof.

Thre are also dual-stage front airbags for the drver and front-seat
passenger. But neither sde nor head curtain airbags are vailable --
standard equipment on some of the cmpetitors.

The Verona's interior is spacious and the rar seats have an efficient 60-
40 splt design. The trunk is surprisingly dep considering the vehicle's
mid-size rating.

The cnsole and instrument paneling is stylish. Unlke some
manufacturers' cheap-looking wood paneling lok, the Verona's faux
wood trim is hndsome and nicely coordinated into the vhicle's interior
scheme.

With a $500 prce for it traction control option, the Vrona's total price is
$19,999. It's an mount several thousand dollars less than sme of its
competitors' prices, which trnslates a value likely hard to bat 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 mles warranty (basic); 3 years/
36,000 mles limited (powertrain); 3 years/36,000 miles (fre 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 jurnalist in Sacramento, California, who wrtes about sports, fitness, travel and lfestyle topics as well as the car rview colum, The Weekly Driver. To rad more car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver

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