Hyundai Motor India Ltd launched the 5th gen Hyundai Verna last week. We were in Kochi recently to test drive this car. Priced from INR 7.99 lakh, ex-showroom, next gen Verna sports a super body structure frame that is built of 50% Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS). This is more than three times what is on offer with other manufacturers.
Staying true to its character, new Verna has been built to bring together Futuristic Design, Dynamic Performance, optimised Safety, and new features. Designed for disruption in its segment, Verna is banking on benchmark features.
A global car which is sold across 66 Countries, and has already seen sales of over 8.8 million (3.17 lakh units have been sold in India to date), Hyundai states that they have no doubt that the new Verna will emerge as the best car in the segment. The new Verna has been rigorously tested across terrains in India, and elsewhere. R&D Centres in Namyang (S. Korea), Chennai and Hyderabad have worked to establish a superior sedan meant for customer satisfaction.
New Hyundai Verna Prices
[table id=201 /]
[table id=202 /]
Exteriors & Interiors – First Impressions
Compared to the old Verna, the new one does look sportier and sharper. In the front, you have Hyundai’s family grille adorned by projector headlights and LED DRLs. Highlight of the side profile is the sloping roof, giving the car a coupe-like stance. At the rear are new LED taillights, which are inspired by i20 and Elantra.
On the inside is a dual tone dashboard finished in premium quality plastic. Manual top end variants get leather seats with leather steering wheel. The auto variant we drove had fabric seats. On the dashboard is a new 7 inch AVN system, which will take care of your infotainment and navigations needs. The screen display is sharp, but lacked responsiveness.
Touch and feel of interiors is good. Seats offer good comfort, for all passengers. There is an arm rest for front, as well as, rear passengers. At the rear, you have AC vents, which along with the front vents keep the cabin cool. There is electric sunroof and a good music system to keep you entertained.
Space could be an issue for some passengers. In spite of being wider and longer than the old Verna, the new Verna feels smaller on the inside. Taller passengers might complain about the legroom and headroom at the rear.
Storage spaces inside the cabin are in plenty. There are bottle holders on all doors, cup holders, large glove box, pockets at the rear of front seats, etc. Overall, the new Verna does feel more premium than before from the inside and gets more features as well.
For a better understanding of the new Verna and its features, have a look at the video below –
2017 Hyundai Verna Specs
[table id=196 /]
[table id=197 /]
We test drove the 1.6 litre diesel and 1.6 liter petrol manual as well as auto variants in Kochi. Though this is the same engine and transmission option on offer in the outgoing Verna, the way it handles the new gen Verna is completely different.
The new body consists of 50% high tensile steel, which has not only made the chassis lighter, but also stronger and more rigid than before. What this translates into is a much improved driving performance. Acceleration from stand still is impressive, and probably the best this segment has to offer.
Power delivery is progressive, making the car fun to drive – be it petrol or diesel variant. Steering feedback is good, allowing you more control when maneuvering or taking on those fast curves. Steering weighs in well with increase in speed, just like you would want for a driver’s car.
Built on the all new K2 platform and at an investment of INR 1,000 crore, the 5th gen Verna is engineered for improved driving and handling for a more confident and peppy driving experience. Suspension tuning is optimized for cornering and high speed stability, superior ride comfort and responsive handling performance. Rear suspension changes cater to comfort and ride stability for rear passengers through a vertical angle for the rear shock absorbers and coil springs on a coupled torsion beam axle.
New Hyundai Verna Mileage
[table id=200 /]
Front suspension runs on McPherson strut with coil springs and gas shock absorbers. A front stabilizer reduces body roll when cornering. The Motor-Driven Power Steering System (MDPS) is tuned such that when cornering and at high speeds, feedback to the driver ensures better handling response. Front wheel caster angle improves steering feedback when driving at a higher speed on highways.
The test drive cars were fitted with Hankook tyres. These offered exceptional road grip and did not lose traction even when we were pushing the car hard. Braking has a good bite, thanks to larger disc brakes. The car stops impressively without losing its line. ABS kicks in at about the right time, helping the car slow down smoothly.
A Rigid and Responsive Chassis, and improved impact Harshness optimises driver feedback for an improved driving experience. Ample weight control improves performance and fuel efficiency. Low NVH levels are attributed to the use of improved sound absorption materials, strong body structure (AHSS), and the latest in design engineering. Measures include engine and transmission mount design change, tunnel insulator, foam filler in cavity, and more.
Shifting gears in the manual (6 speed) variant is done with ease. Gear ratios are tuned for Indian road conditions, allowing you a hassle free drive without changing gears even at low speeds. Automatic gearbox shifts much earlier than I would prefer, but then there is the Manual Drive mode, in which you can shift the autobox as per your liking. NVH levels are fantastic. There is barely any noise that seeps into the cabin.
Verdict
Overall, new gen Verna scores well when it comes to driving dynamics. This was the one department where the current Verna failed to deliver, despite being offered with powerful engines. Niggles from the old Verna like no steering feedback, lesser control at high speed, high body roll, uneven braking, etc, have been ironed out by Hyundai in the new gen Verna – making it a worthy competitor in the segment once again.
No doubt, that the new Hyundai Verna is the new driver’s car in the segment. It is more powerful, drives as well as handles better than its arch rivals, but where it loses out is rear seat passenger headroom and legroom. Compared to Honda City and the Maruti Ciaz, we found that the new Verna lacks the roominess in the rear seat.
But, priced more aggressively than rivals, it will be interesting to see how the car performs against rivals. Hyundai India has already received over 54,000 enquiries, and 4,500+ confirmed bookings. That’s an amazing start to an amazing car. Will this momentum sustain, only time will tell.
[wp-review id=”248535″]
