The Suzuki Verona is a compact 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 highly contested mid-size sedan segment, offering a blend of comfort, fuel efficiency, and a reasonable price point. The Verona shared its platform and many components with other vehicles within the General Motors portfolio, a result of Suzuki’s partnership with the American automaker at the time.
Suzuki Verona: An Overview
The Verona occupied a niche position in Suzuki’s lineup, aiming to provide a more spacious and refined alternative to their smaller models like the Swift. It was positioned as a family-oriented vehicle, offering five seats and a reasonably sized trunk. The Verona’s design was conservative, prioritizing practicality over bold styling. It was available with a single engine option – a 2.0-liter inline-four – paired with either a manual or automatic transmission. The Verona’s production run was relatively short, ending in 2006, likely due to shifting market demands and Suzuki’s evolving product strategy.
Engine & Performance
The Suzuki Verona 2.0i was powered by a 1.998-liter (121.93 cubic inches) inline-four cylinder engine. This naturally aspirated engine produced 131 horsepower at 5400 rpm and 181 Newton-meters (133.5 lb.-ft.) of torque at 4200 rpm. Power delivery was adequate for everyday driving, with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of approximately 9.3 seconds and a 0-100 km/h time of 9.8 seconds. The Verona’s top speed was electronically limited to 200 km/h (124.27 mph). The engine featured a multi-port fuel injection system and a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) valvetrain. The Verona’s weight-to-power ratio was 10.9 kg/Hp, and its weight-to-torque ratio was 7.9 kg/Nm. Fuel economy figures were respectable for its class, with combined fuel consumption averaging 8.8 liters per 100 kilometers (26.7 US mpg or 32.1 UK mpg).
Design & Features
The Suzuki Verona was a traditional four-door sedan with a conventional front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. Its exterior styling was understated and functional, lacking the aggressive lines often found in contemporary sedans. The interior was designed with practicality in mind, offering comfortable seating for five passengers and a usable trunk space. Standard features included air conditioning, power windows, and central locking. Safety features, while not as comprehensive as those found in modern vehicles, included an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The Verona’s suspension consisted of independent coil springs at the front and a rigid axle suspension at the rear, providing a comfortable ride quality. The vehicle rode on 205/65 R15 tires. The Verona’s dimensions were: length 4770 mm (187.8 in), width 1815 mm (71.46 in), and height 1440 mm (56.69 in), with a wheelbase of 2700 mm (106.3 in).
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Suzuki |
| Model | Verona |
| Type (Engine) | 2.0i (131 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, 23 UK mpg) |
| Fuel consumption (extra urban) | 6.8 l/100 km (34.6 US mpg, 41.5 UK mpg) |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 8.8 l/100 km (26.7 US mpg, 32.1 UK 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 | 10.9 kg/Hp |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 7.9 kg/Nm |
| Power | 131 Hp @ 5400 rpm |
| Torque | 181 Nm @ 4200 rpm (133.5 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm) |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine displacement | 1998 cm3 (121.93 cu. in.) |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Fuel injection system | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated |
| Engine oil capacity | 4 l (4.23 US qt | 3.52 UK qt) |
| Coolant capacity | 7.5 l (7.93 US qt | 6.6 UK qt) |
| Kerb Weight | 1422 kg (3134.97 lbs.) |
| Max. weight | 1912 kg (4215.24 lbs.) |
| Max load | 490 kg (1080.27 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 groundbreaking vehicle, served as a competent and affordable option for families in the markets where it was sold. Its blend of practicality, fuel efficiency, and reasonable performance made it a viable alternative to more established competitors. Although its production run was brief, the Verona remains a notable example of Suzuki’s efforts to expand its presence in the global automotive market.
