Car Expert ReviewsThe latest generation of the Verna is larger, faster, and more feature-rich than ever before. But what is it like to live with every day?
Moving to a new city presents numerous challenges and changes, but perhaps the most significant for me was losing access to a personal car. As a self-proclaimed enthusiast, I knew it would be difficult to find a suitable replacement for my Volkswagen Polo GT back in Delhi. But when I was assigned the new Hyundai Verna WITH the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine as my long-term review daily-driver, I admit I was a little excited.
The Hyundai Verna has always held a special place in my heart due to my long history with Korean compact sedans. My first family-loaned car, a few years after getting my driver’s license, was a Hyundai Accent. I always preferred the look and feel of a sedan over any other type of car, especially how low the driving position was (almost like a race car). More than a decade later, I find myself with the digital key fob (rather than the actual key of the Accent) for the most powerful version of the sedan to date.
Initial impressions
On a Sunday afternoon a week before Christmas, I picked up the new Hyundai Verna, and the first task was to thoroughly clean it. That’s why I took it to the professionals, who washed it and cleaned the interior. I finally got to know the new-generation sedan from the inside out. This top-spec SX(O) Turbo gets full LED lighting front and rear, which looks especially stunning at night. The blacked-out 16-inch alloy wheels with red brake callipers add to the car’s sporty appearance.
The Hyundai compact sedan has become a lot more premium inside its all-black cabin with leatherette upholstery since the days of the Accent. Its integrated displays, cabin lighting, and plethora of comforts all contribute to a modern interior, which includes a 4-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with manual height adjustment.
Oh, and in case I forgot, the Verna in question came with a 6-speed manual transmission! After years of driving a Volkswagen DSG (dual-clutch automatic), the powertrain takes some getting used to, but the turbo-petrol engine produces 160 PS and 253 Nm.
The Perfect Christmas Gift
The Hyundai Verna long-termer arrived just in time for the Christmas weekend, which seemed quite fortunate. Perhaps the best chance to put some serious miles on the car before 2024. Unfortunately, it appears that the combined car-owning population of Pune and Mumbai planned to travel over the long weekend, resulting in massive traffic jams. Instead, on Christmas Day, I drove the Verna to a nearby tourist attraction in the ghats, along a twisty road with smooth tarmac. This was the first opportunity to see what the new Hyundai Verna could do in terms of power delivery, ride quality, and handling.
The turbo-petrol engine is responsive in the mid-range, and the suspension setup provides more confidence at speed than you’d expect from a Hyundai sedan. It also has drive modes, but the main difference is that the “Sport” mode weights the steering wheel for greater control through corners.
What’s lined up for the Verna?
Since I relocated for work, I made certain that I was not too far from the office, so that the daily commute would not add significantly to my mileage. Even with trips to the gym and the grocery store, I won’t be able to cover 100 kilometers per week. Instead, I’m planning a slew of weekend road trips to explore my new surroundings and reconnect with old friends in nearby cities.
It’s also worth noting that driving the manual variant with a heavy right foot will be an expensive affair, with the Verna SX(O) Turbo returning an average of just over 9 kmpl in moderate city traffic. However, on the open road where you don’t have to change gears as frequently, it improved to 11-13 kmpl.
Furthermore, regaining the freedom of personal mobility allows me to pursue new interests and broaden my horizons.