2023 Hyundai Verna Review

Introduction

Earlier this year, Hyundai introduced the sixth-generation Verna. In light of this, we felt it would be wise to compare the new Verna to its main competitors, including the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, and Volkswagen Virtus. Nowadays, discussing any sedan without addressing the sedan sector as a whole seems unjust. Once you do, a trend that characterizes the segment's current state becomes apparent. They are all going large, whether in terms of size, features, or any other aspect. Taking the City as an example, it is now its largest in history and comes close to filling the void left by the Civic.

Hyundai calls all these cars mid-large sedans except for the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. And they are correct; the Skoda Octavia is now the only vehicle in the sector above these cars. But now, the question that will be addressed today is whether these elements make it simple for the new Verna to develop its character or if it is juggling too many tasks at once and has ignored the basics.

Design

Let's begin by taking a deeper look at the car's design. The first thing you'll notice is the car's size and presence. The new Verna is 95mm longer, 36mm wider, and has a 70mm larger wheelbase as a result. To properly illustrate what these figures mean, the Verna is currently the widest car among its rivals and also has the longest wheelbase. With this fresh look, you may even mistake it for the newest Elantra at first glance!

There is a lot to discuss when it comes to the design. The LED strip that covers the car's nose is, of course, its most notable feature. Underneath this eye-catching design feature is a new, broader grille that houses the LED headlights and is finished in dark chrome. In contrast to the overall edgy look of the car, the side wheels on the car are 16-inch alloy wheels, which in my opinion, play it a little too safe. I would have preferred larger 17-inch wheels. But they do appear classy. The door handles, and window belt line is finished in satin chrome, but the roofline's coupe-like appearance and smooth connection to the boot stand out. The rear bumper gets a similar design approach to the front grille - Parametric, what Hyundai calls it. And the highlight is the linked LED tail lights, which, when turned on, present a complex design that adds a luxury touch to the sedan.

Whether you like it or not, the all-new Verna takes a fresh approach to design overall, making it stand out. It seems wonderful and far nicer in person than it does in photographs. The Turbo model, which has alloy wheels with red calipers and the choice of dual-tone paint treatments, is what we drove for our initial impressions. Alloys with a silver finish and single-tine color choices are available on non-turbo models.

Interiors and Features

The wonderful parts continue after you enter the new Verna. The interiors are again black with red highlights and metal pedals because they are the Turbo version. In comparison, the non-turbo version's inside is a dual-tone cream black. Overall, the inside of the brand-new Verna is simple in style. The dashboard is tilted towards the driver, making it stand out by pairing two 10.25-inch screens housed in one housing to give it a seamless appearance. The Verna has come with an electric sunroof that is also voice-activated, 64-color ambient lighting that spans the width of the soft-touch console and onto the doors, and a unique two-spoke steering wheel sure to spark conversation.

The center MID is the only component of the instrument cluster that shifts between information, despite being digital. The whole console, on the other hand, changes colors based on the driving style selected. Combined with an eight-speaker sound system, the touchscreen infotainment system provides a top-notch in-car entertainment experience. It has excellent touch responsiveness and an intuitive user interface. However, remember that during our media drives, the system required the mobile to be connected via a cable and did not enable wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. According to Hyundai, this capability will be added to the vehicle via an upcoming Over-The-Air (OTA) update. Hyundai made clever use of available space by combining HVAC and infotainment controls into one unit that can switch between the screens at the press of a button. Two actual knobs can switch their functions as well. It takes some time to get accustomed to, but the whole structure makes sense once you do. Hyundai has also thoughtfully positioned the controls for the seat heating and ventilation immediately below it. Although the driver's seat can be adjusted electrically, the height is still adjusted manually. Other amenities include automated headlights, keyless entry, and a wireless phone charger.

The new Verna features more space overall, especially at the back, which may be the most significant upgrade. The Verna's sloping roofline allows it to provide extra headroom for the back passenger despite not being taller than before. The biggest change, however, can be seen in the increased legroom compared to the previous model. Now, if not the finest, it is at least on a level with the segment. Another useful feature is the manual sunblind that is provided for the back passengers. Additionally, the new Verna has the largest boot in its class, measuring 528 liters.

The cabin has considerable storage space, and most of your belongings will end up in one of them. There is a sizable ventilated glovebox. Then there are the door pads, which can take two 500 ml bottles each (have you ever wondered why they didn't include a single large 1-liter bottle holder?) and a few other trinkets. There is an electric parking brake in the turbo-petrol DCT version, which frees up a lot of room in the center console. As a result, you receive a larger storage box under the center armrest. Seatback pockets are provided for the rear passengers as well as for storage.

Driving Experience

The brand-new Hyundai Verna is really promising. After all, it possesses the tools necessary to become the segment's king of high trumps. There are two engine options available for it. The first is a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 113bhp and can be paired with either an 8-step gearbox or a 6-speed manual transmission. The Verna's second option is a 1.5-liter, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol engine with 158 bhp power. There are various noteworthy decisions to be made in this situation. Both the diesel and hybrid engine options are no longer available from Hyundai. In addition, the new 1.5-liter turbo-petrol engine replaces the outmoded 1.4-liter turbo units found in vehicles like the Creta. The turbo petrol engine also comes with a manual gearbox rather than the two-pedal iMT system, which aficionados will appreciate.

The level of the ride has also improved. It stands out because it doesn't sacrifice ordinary comfort in pursuing performance. Combining a flexible setup for navigating potholes and a rigid setup for carving corners strikes a satisfying balance. The same goes for the steering, which is a little firmer than before.

Maintenance

Hyundai provides a range of maintenance plans for up to five years. The package includes major operating components, including brakes, wipers, clutch, belts, etc., as part of the Hyundai Shield of Trust. A further Super package is available that lowers the maintenance costs even more. It includes built-in inflation insurance against rising labor and part prices. The maintenance window is a year / 10,000 kilometers.

Air Conditioning

The Verna has a completely automatic temperature control system that effectively cools the cabin on a hot day. The highly effective ventilated seats gave a layer of comfort, which improved the situation. Additionally, the air conditioner has an integrated air cleaner.

Conclusion

In all relevant respects, the latest Verna has advanced a segment, and it actually feels like Hyundai was right when it said it would do so. Although it may not be the best in performance or fuel efficiency like some of its competitors, it excels in practically every regard, with few obvious drawbacks. And if you like the edgy new appearance, the new Verna is an obvious choice. The new Verna from Hyundai is a masterpiece, striking the ideal balance between comfort and sportiness. They have perfected the process for building a car that performs admirably enough in each area for the best value overall.