5th Generation Hyundai Verna Review
Car Tested: 2018 Hyundai Verna; Test Location: Chennai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 9.50 – 16 lakhs (est.)
The new generation Hyundai Verna packs in major changes under the skin
The Verna nameplate isn’t new and Hyundai has been selling this sedan since 2006. It was only in 2011, when the Verna got Hyundai’s new ‘Fluidic Design’ sculpture, the sedan got huge attention from buyers. In fact, at that time, it even outdid the Honda City which was ruling over the mid-size sedan market. Eye catchy design, long list of features and powerful petrol and diesel engines made the Verna a very desirable car. However, the competition caught up and despite the facelift in 2015, the Verna couldn’t hold it against the Honda City and Maruti Ciaz.
Hyundai is now set to debut the next generation Verna which is based on the second iteration of the ‘Fluidic Design’ philosophy. The design is now more understated and still exudes the elegance. The Verna is heavily inspired by the Elantra and looks a smaller version of the same. However, the design changes can be called more evolutionary as the silhouette is still unmistakeably Verna, especially with the sloping roofline.
Despite its resemblance to the previous generation model, there are a lot of changes in this car. The new Verna is longer, wider and has a longer wheelbase too. Although by a small margin, these dimensional changes have made a huge difference overall. There are a lot of goodies on offer. The exterior is highlighted by the characteristic Hyundai front grille, projector headlamps with cornering lights, projector fog lamps, 16-inch diamond cut alloys and LED tail lamps.
The cabin is new but feels familiar to some newer cars from Hyundai
The interior interface is fresh with good quality of materials used. The layout is again similar to the Elantra with a touch-screen infotainment system which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other notable features include electric sunroof, 7-inch AVN, hands free smart trunk & voice recognition. Hyundai is offering segment-first front ventilated seats and even the rear space has improved but only marginally. Rear room is still not comparable to the other cars in the segment like the Honda City and Maruti Ciaz. Even the headroom at the rear is strictly average. Hyundai has also equipped the car with a rear AC vent which helps in cooling the car uniformly.
Hyundai has carried forward the same 1.6-litre engines. Both the petrol and diesel engines are a gem when it comes to performance and it’s no surprise really why Hyundai is using the same ones. Hyundai is not offering the 1.4-litre engines which were available in the previous generation car. The petrol motor produces 123 PS while the oil-burner’s peak output is 128 PS. Hyundai is offering 6-speed automatic as well as manual transmissions. The 6-speed autobox is also available on the diesel. The single clutch transmission offers smooth shifts but isn’t the quickest when you want to drive in a hurry.
Another big step forward comes in the dynamics department. The previous generation Verna wasn’t really meant for corner craving as the steering was light and the suspension was soft with little feedback. However, with the use of the high strength steel and a rigid body frame, the fifth generation Verna has vastly improved when it comes to handling. It is more eager to change direction and does so with confidence. The steering offers reasonable feedback but still doesn’t feel as connected at high speeds. We will however reserve our judgement until we do a full blown review. Ride quality too has improved but it was difficult to judge over a short drive on well surfaced-tarmac.
The fifth generation Verna will be launched soon and Hyundai is confident that it will a key player in the popular mid-size sedan segment. We reckon the new Verna will be a popular car owing to its sleek looks, well appointed interiors and a long list of features including few segment-first ones. Both petrol and diesel engines perform well and Hyundai has addressed the market requirement with a 6-speed automatic which appears for the first time with the Verna. The mid-size sedan segment is surely poised for an interesting battle with the launch of the Verna.
What’s Cool
* Equipment list is very long
* Strong drivetrains on offer
* Driving dynamics have improved
What’s Not So Cool
* Rear seat not as good as rivals
Alternatives: Honda City, Maruti Ciaz, Volkswagen Vento, Skoda Rapid
Further Reading –
2018 Hyundai Verna First Drive Video Review