First Drive: 2004 Suzuki Verona (Camry/Accord fighter)

BigSmooth

Lifer
Aug 18, 2000
10,484
12
81
The main problem I see with this car is that the 155-hp V6 is actually weaker than some of the competition's 4-cylinder engines, while also offering worse gas mileage. Even though they call it smooth, I don't see how it could be more refined than the 4-bangers in the Accord/Altima/Camry.

Other than that it seems like a good value for a cheap new car along the lines of a Hyundai product.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Don't worry, it's just a rebadged DAEWOO!!! Chevy is about to release this exact same vehicle, but with the Chevy badge on it ;)
 

Cooljt1

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2002
1,466
0
76
I don't get why people even buy hyundai, kia, daewoo, etc. After a year the car is worth half the value and in 5 it will probably be dead. I guess they want to say they bought a new car or something? If i had 10k i would just buy a used honda or toyota knowing it will last a lot longer and resell better.

oh damn...$20k.....I'd just get a a loaded 2001 or 2002accord for that price.
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Inline 6 engine?? Wow, I thought only GM and BMW still have those in passenger vehicles:Q

And agreed on the power output. Both the Camry and Accord have 160HP 4-bangers with 160 or greater lb-ft of torque. I believe that the Altima is 175/175.
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: rbloedow
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: rbloedow Don't worry, it's just a rebadged DAEWOO!!! Chevy is about to release this exact same vehicle, but with the Chevy badge on it ;)
Nooooooooo. You're thinking about this car: http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/89290/page006.html

Nope: <a href="http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1028808">http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1028808</A> :p

The US isn't getting that crap. We already have a new Malibu which is far superior to this junk. Only Canadians would fall for that Chevy scam ;)
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: rbloedow
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: rbloedow Don't worry, it's just a rebadged DAEWOO!!! Chevy is about to release this exact same vehicle, but with the Chevy badge on it ;)
Nooooooooo. You're thinking about this car: http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/89290/page006.html
Nope: ">http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1028808">http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1028808</a> :p
The US isn't getting that crap. We already have a new Malibu which is far superior to this junk. Only Canadians would fall for that Chevy scam ;)

But if you look at my iriginal statment, it was correct - Chevy is releasing this exact vehicle (even if it isn't in the US).
 
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
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Honda or Toyota have nothing to worry about.. Who should be petrified? Hyundai... They do have decent cars now (have a 3 year old elantra that runs like new) but, lets be honest, the low sticker price is what convinced me to buy it over a civic... Now that there's a car out there that's $300 less than their sonata (and fairly decent)... Well, they have to rethink their approach a bit and perhaps design a more stylish and more powerful car soon...
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
The main problem I see with this car is that the 155-hp V6 is actually weaker than some of the competition's 4-cylinder engines
Oh damn what a farce. That's like the V6 in the tiburon that is no faster than a sentra Spec V but gets like 4 miles to the gallon. Damn engine is a piece of junk. Who sucks so bad they need a V6 to put out 155 HP in this day and age?

To add insult to injury it's a Suzuki. My god how many suzukis are sold in the US each year? 15? 20? Nobody buys them. Come on now, I'd take a Kia any day over a suzuki. Well, at least this suzuki looks decent - except for the S badge at the front.
 

nan0bug

Banned
Apr 22, 2003
3,142
0
0
Its a nice looking car. Definately a step in the right direction - I can remember not too long ago when Subaru was in their shoes. If they can keep QC on point in their factories, this could be the start of something big for them.
 

N8Magic

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
11,624
1
81
Originally posted by: Skoorb
The main problem I see with this car is that the 155-hp V6 is actually weaker than some of the competition's 4-cylinder engines
Oh damn what a farce. That's like the V6 in the tiburon that is no faster than a sentra Spec V but gets like 4 miles to the gallon. Damn engine is a piece of junk. Who sucks so bad they need a V6 to put out 155 HP in this day and age?

To add insult to injury it's a Suzuki. My god how many suzukis are sold in the US each year? 15? 20? Nobody buys them. Come on now, I'd take a Kia any day over a suzuki. Well, at least this suzuki looks decent - except for the S badge at the front.

Come on Skoorbie.

Suzuki >>>>>>>>>>>> Kia

They didn't get to be the number one volume seller in Japan by building unreliable crappy cars. While their cars may not be too exciting, they ARE reliable and utilitarian. In the "econo" sedan market, i'd have to say this is the leader. :)
 
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Originally posted by: N8Magic
Originally posted by: Skoorb
The main problem I see with this car is that the 155-hp V6 is actually weaker than some of the competition's 4-cylinder engines
Oh damn what a farce. That's like the V6 in the tiburon that is no faster than a sentra Spec V but gets like 4 miles to the gallon. Damn engine is a piece of junk. Who sucks so bad they need a V6 to put out 155 HP in this day and age?

To add insult to injury it's a Suzuki. My god how many suzukis are sold in the US each year? 15? 20? Nobody buys them. Come on now, I'd take a Kia any day over a suzuki. Well, at least this suzuki looks decent - except for the S badge at the front.

Come on Skoorbie.

Suzuki >>>>>>>>>>>> Kia

They didn't get to be the number one volume seller in Japan by building unreliable crappy cars. While their cars may not be too exciting, they ARE reliable and utilitarian. In the "econo" sedan market, i'd have to say this is the leader. :)

This is actually a daewoo though.. You can't compare these to japan built suzukis...
 

Babbles

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2001
8,253
14
81
The engine may not be anything to brag about, but if I wanted a comfy loaded car with more room then an Accord, for $20k I don't think you could go too wrong.

Does not seem to be too bad of a vehicle.
 

Greg03

Senior member
Jul 24, 2002
559
0
0
Before anyone buys this consider the simple fuel economy savings over 5 years - it will more than make up for the cost difference between this and the Accord. I test drove this and it is alright -- not an accord or even a camry, but OK. But...the resale value, fuel economy, and reliability made me buy an Accord.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Come on Skoorbie.

Suzuki >>>>>>>>>>>> Kia

They didn't get to be the number one volume seller in Japan by building unreliable crappy cars. While their cars may not be too exciting, they ARE reliable and utilitarian. In the "econo" sedan market, i'd have to say this is the leader. :)
They do lots of funny things in Japan ;) Over here I'd just not consider a suzuki. Maybe because they suck, or maybe because i"m ignorant of them but I'll tell you the only new ones I see are those equisitely hideous little aeiros<sp>.

And as mentioned this verona's engine has no gas economy. 20/28 vs. a higher HP output accord's 4 (160 vs. the former's 155 hp) 26/34. It gets worse mileage than the 240 HP Accord even!
 

Red

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2002
3,704
0
0
Suzuki needs to stick to Gixxers and Busas. If they made this car with some kinda crazy 11k redline 4 cylinder that revved as fast and as high as a Busa, that would be cool. I guess that is why people like the 9k S2000!
 

CChaos

Golden Member
Mar 4, 2003
1,586
0
0
As you can see in the article it's an inline 6 not a V6. Also, despite what you all may think, power isn't everything. People looking for maximum hp are probably not buying 4 cylinder sedans. The fuel economy is troublesome though.

EDIT: Oh, and as detrimental as it is, I imagine that you'll see incentives and financing deals on these that will push the prices quite a bit lower. That's something you won't get from Honda.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,395
8,558
126
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
The main problem I see with this car is that the 155-hp V6 is actually weaker than some of the competition's 4-cylinder engines, while also offering worse gas mileage. Even though they call it smooth, I don't see how it could be more refined than the 4-bangers in the Accord/Altima/Camry.

Other than that it seems like a good value for a cheap new car along the lines of a Hyundai product.

its a small 6, actually about the same size as many of the competitors' 4s. and the 177 ft lbs of torque isn't exactly a small number. as for smoothness you have to remember this is an inline 6, not a v6, and inline 6 is as smooth as you can get. where did you find the mileage thing, it isn't listed in edmunds spec sheet? lastly, it doesn't really matter that it is small for a 6, the car is being postitioned against the competitors 4. merely having 2 more cylinders will get people in the dealer, and the car will probably feel a bit faster due to more torque lower.

NFS4: the altima is 175/180
 

bernse

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2000
3,229
0
0
Originally posted by: CChaos
Oh, and as detrimental as it is, I imagine that you'll see incentives and financing deals on these that will push the prices quite a bit lower. That's something you won't get from Honda.

No kidding. Honda doesn't have to. People will buy their products anyway.