The 2004 model year marks a dramatic turning point in Suzuki's history. With a newly expanded model line comprised of three passenger car nameplates and three SUV models, Suzuki offers America's Best Value.
Two new European-styled sedans, the premium compact Forenza and the midsize Verona, join an award-winning product line that already includes the Vitara V6, Grand Vitara and XL-7 sport-utility vehicles, and the Aerio sedan and dynamic SX crossover cars. Important feature and powertrain upgrades for 2004 make these familiar Suzuki models more formidable than ever before. The result is a 2004 model lineup that's the strongest in American Suzuki's history. Plus, each is covered by Suzuki's "Open Road Promise," including America's #1 Warranty, reassuring customers that buying a Suzuki is truly a smart move. This industry-leading 100,000-mile/7-year, fully transferable, no-deductible powertrain limited warranty builds buyer confidence and resale value in durable Suzuki products.
By exceeding consumer expectations for capable toughness, leading edge styling and high-end features at prices well below the competition, American Suzuki is on its way to achieving its goal of tripling its 2002 U.S. sales by 2007.
2004 Verona
Suzuki enters the midsize sedan category for the first time with the Verona, a value-packed vehicle that will give more-expensive category leaders like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord a run for their money. But this beautiful new midsize sedan is well equipped to become a class standout. The Verona boasts the only standard inline six-cylinder engine in its class, providing a smoother and more comfortable ride, as well as handsome European-designed sheetmetal, a superior list of amenities, and America's #1 Warranty. Plus, thanks to its transverse-mounted engine design, the Verona offers large passenger room and a wider stance. All this value comes at a sticker price that is thousands less than the competition.
Inside, the Verona challenges virtually every passenger-space dimension of big-name rivals. The Verona's attractive interior is softened with wood grain accents and equipped with a host of luxury features. It comes standard with a sophisticated, all-aluminum, double overhead cam, 24-valve, 2.5-liter inline six that makes a strong 155 horsepower and a stout 177 lb.-ft. of torque. The front-wheel-drive Verona also comes standard with an electronically controlled adapted four-speed automatic transmission. Italdesign in Turin, Italy penned the Verona's European sports sedan-themed sheetmetal.
2004 Forenza
With its prestigious European styling, a host of class-leading standard features typically reserved for luxury cars and a 2-liter double-overhead cam engine providing a smooth ride and big torque at low engine speed, the new Forenza premium compact sedan proves that you really can have it all. Forenza pricing starts at just $12,499, yet Forenza offers more passenger room than Civic or Corolla plus standard air conditioning with micron-air filtration, a in-dash AM/FM CD and cassette player with eight speakers and steering wheel-mounted sound-system controls. With Forenza's sticker price and the confidence of America's #1 Warranty, it's clear that no other compact sedan makes so much luxury so affordable.
2004 Aerio Sedan SX
Many small cars are rolling compromises. Not the Aerio. This small car offers powerfully sporty performance, a spacious and functionally attractive interior, proven safety, fuel efficiency, a premium sound system, fresh European styling and sure-footed handling. Available in front-drive or all-wheel drive and in two distinctive body styles (sedan and the SX sport-crossover) the dynamic Aerio is one of the top class leaders in horsepower as well as standard features. Plus, it comes at an unbelievably affordable price and is backed by America's #1 Warranty. No wonder Consumers Digest called it a "Best Buy" in 2003 and the American Automobile Association gave it an "Auto Guide Award" in the under $15,000 category.
For 2004, the Aerio's engine gains an additional 300 cubic centimeters of displacement and picks up 10 horsepower. The Aerio's new total: 155 horses from a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. That means it has one of the largest standard engines and power of its direct competition.
2005 Suzuki SUV Vitara V6
Looking for an affordable, sporty compact SUV that's refined enough for everyday city driving, has true off-road capabilities and V6 power? That combination can be hard to come by, unless you're talking about the Suzuki Vitara V6.
With its new standard V6 engine, the $16,299 Vitara V6 is the most affordable V6-powered SUV today. And, it's the only compact SUV that boasts tough body-on-frame construction and offers the rugged dual-range four-wheel drive required for serious off-pavement driving. Plus, the Vitara V6 matches or exceeds its car-based competitors in terms of standard luxury features. Standard on the Vitara are air conditioning with micron-air filtration, in-dash CD player, cruise control, keyless remote entry system, automatic lighting system, halogen headlamps, tilt steering wheel, power windows, door locks and mirrors and more. The final element in the Vitara V6 value equation is the long-haul confidence of America's #1 Warranty.
For 2004, the soft-top Vitara Two-door has been dropped from the lineup. Other changes for '04 include new charcoal-colored bumpers and fender flares with integrated mudguards and a newly designed soft spare tire cover. Now the vehicle is simply called "Vitara V6," and it comes solely in LX trim in either rear- or four-wheel drive.
2004 Grand Vitara
The modern SUV marketplace seems to expand exponentially each year, but many buyers find that vehicles that truly answer their needs are few and far between. With its rugged ladder-frame construction, truck-tough dual-range four-wheel drive, a generous list of standard features and America's #1 Warranty, the Grand Vitara offers a long list of positive attributes perfect for savvy customers -- not the least of which is a $17,499 starting price. Even in the line-topping four-wheel drive EX trim, the Grand Vitara stickers at just $21,999. By exceeding consumer expectations for capable toughness, commanding performance and sporty style at a price well below the competition, the Grand Vitara is another reason Suzuki is America's Best Value.
Changes to the Grand Vitara for 2004 include a new hard spare tire cover, a revised rear headlamp and tail lamp design, new alloy wheel design, silver roof rails (with most body colors), color-keyed door handles, and a new panic button on the keyless remote entry system.
2004 Suzuki XL-7
Very few SUVs are at home on the road and in the dirt. The Suzuki XL-7 is one that is. With its tough body-on-frame design, torquey V6 engine, generous ground clearance and available truck-tough four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing, the XL-7 will successfully tackle the most rugged off-road terrain. Yet the XL-7 offers third-row seating for seven, a flexible and cavernous cargo area, top-rated crash protection, plus features and amenities rivaling some of the most expensive luxury sedans. That means the whole family can join in the adventure. The XL-7 starts at just $19,499. The final element in the XL-7 positive value story is the confidence of America's #1 Warranty. With this level of piece of mind it's no wonder Consumers Digest called the XL-7 a "Best Buy" for 2003.
For 2004, the XL-7 gets more power and torque and an optional five-speed automatic transmission that optimizes acceleration and helps maximize fuel mileage. Other significant changes to the XL-7 include a restyled exterior with an attractively freshened front end, grille, bumper cover and headlights. In back, the taillights have also been restyled and a color-keyed hard tire cover has been added. On the safety front, there's an advanced new front-passenger airbag system. Finally, the keyless remote system features an integrated panic button.