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You don't really need electrically adjustable heated leather seats in your new mid-sized sedan, but on cold December days they sure feel great. Audio controls on the steering wheel may not be a necessity, but keeping your eyes on the road may save your life. Automatic climate controls bringing interior environment to a pre-set temperature may seem like an unnecessary luxury until you have to keep "fiddling with the adjustments." Each of these "luxuries" may become a necessity when you have experienced their benefits for any length of time. Even four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes set on 16" alloy wheels may seem unnecessary when you are on a budget and buying a new car. But a morning of driving on snow packed roads will convince you that it is good to have full steering control when you are in a panic stop situation. The cars that have these features may seem out of your price range and you might be considering a used car or a lesser vehicle. Before you "settle" for something less than what you deserve, check out this car. This week I drove the surprising 2004 Suzuki Verona EX from Sunflower Automotive in Olathe KS. I don't know about you but I don't think luxury vehicles when I hear the brand name Suzuki. I think of the Superbike competition on Speed Channel where the famed GSX-R dominates high performance motorcycle racing. Maybe even inexpensive rugged four-wheel drive Sport Utility Vehicles marketed under a variety of nameplates due to their value and performance come to mind, but not near luxury mid-size sedans. The 2004 Suzuki Verona EX is a surprise because all of luxury features mentioned at the beginning are present as standard equipment for less than a used Honda Accord with fewer goodies. While this level of luxury is new for Suzuki, the technology is direct from their global partner General Motors and represents the best resources of the salvaged Daewoo bankruptcy. However, if the Verona looks more European than Asian it may be due to the design work of Italdesign-giugiaro located about 200 miles West of Verona Italy, hometown of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. European exterior design of the Verona continues with the design of the in-line six-cylinder engine. Most front wheel drive cars have in-line 4 cylinders or V-6 engine configurations. The Suzuki Verona follows in the BMW 3 and 5 Series tradition with an in-line six-cylinder engine co-developed by Porsche. Benefits of an in-line-six are the smooth power band and exceptional torque. The 155 horsepower is adequate on the highway and the 177lb.-ft. torque will launch you from stops but remember this is not advertised as a true "performance car" either in handling or power. Interior quality is exceptional from the standard sunroof to the glove soft leather seats. Green glowing electro luminescent gauges are among the coolest instrument panels available. A pictogram climate control display is easy to read and functional in changing weather. One of the best features of buying a new 2004 Suzuki Verona EX is that you not only get the standard 3 year 36,000 mile warranty for most components, but you get a factory 7 year 100,000 mile warranty for the powertrain. Unlike many extended warranty plans this one has no deductible and is transferable to future owners. Truthfully, I'm surprised. I really enjoyed the 2004 Suzuki Verona EX. It has all of the luxury features I have come to expect on a mid size sedan at a price that I expect for a compact. You can easily pay $5,000 more for a lesser vehicle. The folks at Sunflower Automotive at the intersection of 119th and I-35 in Olathe will set you up with your personal test drive of the new Suzuki. Of course they can also let you try out a new Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Dodge, Hyundai or used car as well. But if you drive the 2004 Suzuki Verona EX, you may just find that luxuries at these prices really are a necessity.
2004 Suzuki Verona EX Base $16,499
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©2003 - Stan Risener