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The most radical iteration of the Hyundai Verna is here and we’ve driven it on the Delhi-Mumbai expressway.
Story: Joshua Varghese
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
In its newest avatar, the Hyundai Verna is a completely new car. Fresh design language, dimensions, specifications and features. The car itself now occupies a premium position in the market, one notch above the position of its predecessor. With the powerful engine on offer, the top Verna is also the most powerful sedan in its segment. Armed with these significant changes, the new Verna deserves further scrutiny and the New Delhi-Mumbai highway is our first experience driving the top-end 1.5 TGDi model.
The new Verna style is unlike anything that came before it. The body shape of the sedan is the only thing this generation has in common with its predecessor. At 1,765 mm, the car is wider than before and at the front, a strip of LED DRLs spans the width of the bonnet, giving the new Verna a distinct and unique look. It is further equipped with a parametric grille and headlights that dominate the front bumper of the car. The slanted front end extends to a profile featuring a sharp bezel that bears a striking resemblance to the new Tucson but also manages to highlight that the car’s length has increased to 4,535 mm. The new design is rounded off in style with a fastback-inspired roofline that peaks at the rear featuring elaborate taillights along with lighting elements that span the width of the car. The turbo-petrol variant of the Verna gets disc brakes all around along with black 16-inch wheels and red calipers (up front).
Changes on the inside are no less dramatic both visually and functionally. The first thing I noticed was the new two-spoke steering wheel, a first for Hyundai and a reasonable attempt to make the cabin sportier than before. However, it’s immediately apparent that this is a cabin that provides more comfort than explicitly sporty. The generous use of black plastic and faux leather adds to the premium ambiance of the interior, but there’s also a dash of red to complement Verna’s performance-oriented makeover. Infotainment is managed by a 10.25-inch high-definition touchscreen that conveys music through a premium fit eight-speaker Bose sound system, which is a boon if one enjoys good music while driving. I also like that the screen is tilted slightly towards the driver as it adds a sense of engagement while driving. By the way, the paddle-shifters are exclusive to the DCT TGDi model.
The 2,670mm wheelbase creates a lot of space in the cabin; in both lines. The plush seats are comfortable and the generous use of faux leather further enhances the car’s premium appeal. With an electrically adjustable driver’s seat (only forward/back and recline), a comfortable driving position is easy to find. At six feet one, there was enough room in the back for me once the driver’s seat was adjusted to my height. There’s more shoulder room and good lower thigh support. I would even say that the Verna’s rear seats are among the best in the segment. The trunk is also fairly large and complements the ability of this car to be the perfect choice for small families. There is almost no cabin noise and the NVH level is impressive.
Drivetrain options include a 1.5-liter MPi petrol engine that develops 115 hp and 144 Nm of peak torque. Customers can take advantage of this machine with a choice of transmissions including a six-speed manual or CVT. We drive the top variant and it is equipped with a 1.5 liter TGDi engine that develops 160 hp and 253 Nm of peak torque. That is, on paper, this is the most powerful sedan in its segment. This engine can be mated to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT and you’re really driving with the latter. The driving modes offered include Eco, Normal and Sport. Since we were in Gurugram for a car tasting on the new Delhi-Bombay highway it made sense to start with Normal.
The Verna lives up to expectations in that mode as power delivery is as smooth and linear as fueling. The TGDi engine makes me comfortable holding a speed of 120 km/h on the highway with torque that is always on standby to overtake quickly. When switching to Sport mode, the notable differences include a more positive direct steering feel and the use of a freer turning range in each gear. Unfortunately, on straight-arrow motorways, this isn’t something we can test to our satisfaction.
MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam axle at the rear form the suspension parts. While it appears to be set up a bit on the sturdier side, it brings back ride comfort over questionable road surfaces. Ample ground clearance ensures that speedbreakers are also not a concern. On the highway at 120 km/h, it’s reassuring to see how stable and flexible the Verna is. It maintained its composure and changed lanes at that pace without any fuss or drama. As for the enthusiastic driving spirit, the new Verna has what it takes to keep things interesting on the straight but sadly, we didn’t get a chance to test her skills in corners especially since such bends are rare on expressways. So, we’ll leave it at that when we get the car for a test drive.
Like the new Tucson, the car also gets level two ADAS features including an Avoidance Assist system for forward collisions and blind spot collisions. Other useful ones include lane keeping assist and alerts, smart cruise control, and high beam assist. However, unlike the Tucson, this system is not enabled by default. So, if someone turns off the car and starts it again, all the ADAS features that were previously turned off will still be off.
The price of the new Hyundai Verna starts at Rs 10.90 lakh (ex-showroom) which may be an introduction but significantly undercuts its rivals. The car you see in this image is the 1.5 Turbo Gdi DCT SX(O) variant and goes up to Rs 17.38 lakh (ex-showroom), which is again lower than its rivals. The new Verna is head and shoulders above the car it replaces in every way. It has radical styling, a more complete interior, a long list of safety features and the most powerful engine in its segment. Of all these advantages, what I like most about this car is that it is easily the most comfortable and roomy in its segment.
Full video review here:
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