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Riding the mainstream

Suzuki’s new Verona boasts styling from Italian designer Giugiaro. Its roomy interior is loaded with standard features.

Suzuki has always been a bit player in the U.S. auto market, selling subcompact cars and small SUVs that are high on value though in somewhat minimalistic terms.

In some quarters, Suzuki is best known for it high-performance motorcycles. Aside from SUVs, Suzuki cars have been tiny critters aimed at young drivers, many of whom appreciate the funky appeal of the Aerio sedan and four-door hatchback.

But for 2004, Suzuki hits the mainstream with a vengeance, offering a midsize sedan that competes directly with best-selling behemoths Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Value is the lure for the new Verona, which carries an impressive load of standard features and trim for well under $20,000.

What it is

With attractive styling by Italian designer Giugiaro, an interior that is roomy and well-equipped and a standard inline six-cylinder engine, Verona delivers the goods for most people seeking a practical midsize sedan.

Naturally, value is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to automobiles. The fact that Verona is actually a rebadged Daewoo will deter many prospective buyers, considering the bankrupt South Korean company’s ignominious scurry from these shores.

So a small Japanese automaker is marketing a South Korean-made sedan to draw sales from the huge Japanese automakers. That’s kind of different. By the way, General Motors bought Daewoo in 2002, and Chevrolet has begun selling one of its product for 2004 as the subcompact Aveo.

Is there something wrong with Verona being a Daewoo? Probably not, and Suzuki offers a seven-year, 100,000-mile power-train warranty to counter any reliability concerns.

What it is

Suzuki’s new flagship, Verona, is a midsize sedan that strikes at the heart of America’s richest automotive market. The new Suzuki comes fully loaded with convenience and drivability features at a price that far undercuts similarly equipped imports such as Accord, Camry and Nissan Altima.

Verona comes in three flavors, starting with the S model starting at $16,499 and topping off with the EX at about $20,000, fully equipped. The midrange LX was tested here.

Performance

The transverse-mounted inline six is unusual among front-drive automobiles, most of which depend on the compact proportions of V-6 engines. The Verona engine is fairly small, at 2.4 liters, generating a smooth and quiet 155 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.

That’s enough power, even for this nearly 3,400-pound car, but it doesn’t compare with the sharp acceleration of competitors’ V-6 sedans. Actually, it’s more in the area of Accord, Camry and Altima four-cylinders, though the inline six trumps them all in refinement.

All Veronas have four-speed automat ic transmissions that function well.

Drivability

Verona has a soft boulevard ride, emphasizing comfort rather than performance. This should keep passengers happy, though drivers may tire of the mushy suspension and body sway.

The steering is also vague and numb, without the desirable precision or response expected in today’s sedans. The four-wheel disc brakes are excellent and come standard with antilock.

A full-size spare comes standard instead of the little doughnuts in most car trunks.

Styling

Without the prominent Suzuki “S” on the grille, Verona could be mistaken for any number of placid midsize sedans. The overall look is richly appealing, however, nicely finished and painted. The 16-inch alloy wheels, standard on the LX and EX, look sharp.

Interior

The high level of standard equipment is impressive, including power windows, locks and mirrors; automatic climate control; a good-sounding, six-speaker a dio system with six-disc CD player; leather-wrapped steering wheel with stereo controls, and a leather-wrapped shifter.

The appearance and trim are generally above par, but all that phony wood trim is distracting. Also, there seems to be a disconnect between the traditional luxury styling in most of the cabin and the white-faced gauges, which usually signal a certain sportiness. The designers need to decide which they want Verona to be.

The interior is spacious, front and rear, at least as roomy as Accord or Camry.

Pricing

All versions of Verona come fully equipped, with only narrow differences among them, including standard leather and power seats in the EX. Base price for the LX is $17,799, and the only extra is shipping at $500.

The total of $18,299 is a solid bargain, any way you cut it.

Bottom line

Suzuki offers a lot for a little with the mainstream, midsize Verona. Also new for 2004 is another Suzuki assault on the mainstream with the compact Forenza. Watch for more, bigger SUVs and new automobiles from this ambitious automaker.