The Suzuki Verona is a mid-size sedan produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki from 2003 to 2006. While not officially sold in the United States, the Verona was primarily marketed in Europe and other international markets as an affordable and practical family vehicle. It represented Suzuki’s attempt to compete in the crowded D-segment, offering a blend of comfort, space, and reasonable performance. The Verona was based on the then-recent Daewoo Nubira (later Chevrolet Nubira), a result of Suzuki’s partnership with General Motors at the time. This collaboration allowed Suzuki to expand its model range without significant independent development costs.
Suzuki Verona: An Overview
The Verona aimed to provide a comfortable and reliable transportation option for families. It featured a relatively spacious interior, a decent level of equipment for its price point, and a focus on practicality. While not known for sporty handling or groundbreaking innovation, the Verona offered a solid and dependable driving experience. Its design was conservative, intended to appeal to a broad range of buyers seeking a no-nonsense sedan.
Engine & Performance
The Suzuki Verona 2.5i was powered by a 2.5-liter inline-six cylinder gasoline engine. This engine produced 156 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 240 Newton-meters (177 lb-ft) of torque at 4000 rpm. Power was delivered to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. The engine featured multi-port fuel injection and a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) valvetrain. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) took approximately 9.8 seconds, while 0 to 60 mph was achieved in around 9.3 seconds. The Verona had a maximum speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). The engine’s power-to-weight ratio was 9.8 kg/Hp, and the torque-to-weight ratio was 6.4 kg/Nm. Fuel economy figures were rated at 12.3 l/100 km (19.1 US mpg) in urban driving, 6.8 l/100 km (34.6 US mpg) on the extra-urban cycle, and 8.8 l/100 km (26.7 US mpg) combined.
Design & Features
The Suzuki Verona was a traditional four-door sedan with a conventional layout. It offered seating for five passengers and featured a 65-liter (17.2 US gallon) fuel tank. The Verona’s dimensions were 4770 mm (187.8 inches) in length, 1815 mm (71.5 inches) in width, and 1440 mm (56.7 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 2700 mm (106.3 inches). The kerb weight of the vehicle was 1535 kg (3384 lbs), with a maximum permissible weight of 1960 kg (4321 lbs) and a maximum load capacity of 425 kg (937 lbs).
Standard features included an anti-lock braking system (ABS), ventilated disc brakes on the front wheels, and disc brakes on the rear. The suspension consisted of independent coil springs at the front and a rigid axle suspension at the rear. The Verona rode on 205/65 R15 tires. While not a luxury vehicle, the Verona offered a reasonable level of comfort and convenience features for its class, focusing on providing a practical and reliable mode of transportation.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Suzuki |
| Model | Verona |
| Generation | Verona |
| Type (Engine) | 2.5i (156 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production | 2003 |
| End of production | 2006 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Sedan |
| Seats | 5 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Fuel consumption (urban) | 12.3 l/100 km (19.1 US mpg) |
| Fuel consumption (extra urban) | 6.8 l/100 km (34.6 US mpg) |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 8.8 l/100 km (26.7 US mpg) |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 9.8 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 62 mph | 9.8 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 60 mph | 9.3 sec |
| Maximum speed | 200 km/h (124.27 mph) |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 9.8 kg/Hp |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 6.4 kg/Nm |
| Power | 156 Hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 240 Nm @ 4000 rpm (177.01 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm) |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine displacement | 2492 cm3 (152.07 cu. in.) |
| Number of cylinders | 6 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Fuel injection system | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated |
| Engine oil capacity | 6.4 l (6.76 US qt | 5.63 UK qt) |
| Coolant capacity | 8 l (8.45 US qt | 7.04 UK qt) |
| Kerb Weight | 1535 kg (3384.1 lbs) |
| Max. weight | 1960 kg (4321.06 lbs) |
| Max load | 425 kg (936.96 lbs) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 65 l (17.17 US gal | 14.3 UK gal) |
| Length | 4770 mm (187.8 in) |
| Width | 1815 mm (71.46 in) |
| Height | 1440 mm (56.69 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2700 mm (106.3 in) |
| Front track | 1550 mm (61.02 in) |
| Rear track | 1535 mm (60.43 in) |
| Drivetrain Architecture | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Gearbox type | Automatic transmission |
| Front suspension | Independent coil spring |
| Rear suspension | Rigid axle suspension |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Tires size | 205/65 R15 |
The Suzuki Verona, while not a standout model, served as a practical and affordable option for buyers in its target markets. Its reliance on GM technology allowed Suzuki to offer a competitive vehicle without extensive in-house development. Though it didn’t achieve significant sales success, the Verona represents an interesting chapter in Suzuki’s global expansion strategy.
