2024 Hyundai Verna – Expert Review

Under Rs 20 lakhs, the sedan category has many contenders. The torch bearer Honda City, Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia and the Hyundai Verna. Out of these we recently test-drove the Futuristic Verna to explore its true credentials and whether it is worthy of your next New Car Buy.  

Of late, the Indian automobile space has been dominated by the subcompact and compact SUVs. However, with the recent influx of potent offerings in the sedan category; the love and desire of owning one has gained momentum. South Korean automaker – Hyundai Motor India to keep their hopes alive in the segment introduced the Futuristic Verna. A departure from previous generations, do you like its exterior appeal?

2024 Hyundai Verna – Exterior Design

For many at first glance, it would be either like it or hate it. A closer look, the futuristic and ferocious exterior design does help make an impression. From the front to the rear, there is a lot happening courtesy of the sloping bonnet with sharp lines. Personally, the LED treatment that runs across the front profile looks very nice. The LED headlamps located on either side combined with a chunky grille featuring radar-based ADAS functions and a chiselled bumper help add a sporty character.

The rather pointy front quarter blends in well with the rest of the side profile. There are flatted wheel arches, and black-finished 16-inch alloy wheels bearing red callipers that denote the 1.5-litre Turbo variant which we are driving. Rest the doors in particular offer lots of cuts and creases like those seen on the Hyundai Exter and Tucson.

As for the rear, it is a sloping roofline that blends seamlessly into a wedged tailgate. The presence of connected LED tail lights and a dual-tone bumper provide this portion of the vehicle a very distinctive look. 

Hyundai Verna – Interior Design and Layout

Since we are referring to a sportier version, the Hyundai Verna’s interior comes with an all-black treatment. The red and blue inserts which can be found throughout the cabin are a welcome touch. The quality of plastics used is good while the fit and finish ensure a premium feel.

Talking about the dashboard layout is positioned towards the driver and co-passenger. There are dual 10.25-inch screens, one for the touchscreen infotainment system and the other for the instrument cluster. Mind you both these screens are not in one single unit like seen on the latest Gen Hyundai Creta. The touchscreen out here is very intuitive to use. It offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The aircon vents provided here appear a bit too compact as they distribute less air which during peak summers can be a bit of an issue the moment you sit inside the vehicle.  

Controls for air-conditioning and the music system can be found in the form of buttons with a dual digital display. From the features standpoint, one gets a wireless charger alongside a USB port, a Type C point and a 12V socket to recharge your electronics. How comfortable is the four-wheeler? The front seats offer a good amount of head, shoulder and legroom. They also come equipped with ventilation for cooling and heating. The rear in this regard was earlier lacking leg space but due to the update in dimensions and a bit of recline for the occupant seated here short and long commutes are not an issue. For passengers, you also get a manual curtain that helps block the sun from behind. Plus, there are two type C ports available to charge your phone alongside rear AC vents and a small bay to store small stuff.

Regarding tech and safety, the car provides Level 2 ADAS functions such as Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Collision, Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, Forward Collision, and Lane Following Assist among others. With all of this thrown in, let us also tell you that the Hyundai Verna has received a 5 Star Safety Rating from Global NCAP. This means that there are 6 airbags on offer alongside Electronic Stability Control, Park Assist, Hill Start Assist Control and more. 

2024 Hyundai Verna – Engine and Performance

As mentioned earlier, we were driving the 1.5-litre Turbo petrol. Therefore, the particular powertrain delivers a maximum power output of 157 bhp with 253 Nm of peak torque. By sheer numbers the power output remains the same as the gasoline unit however in performance this one feels the peppier one out of the two. It has a linear pickup while the refinement of the engine is also very satisfactory. To enjoy the powerplant to its fullest, there are 3 Drive Modes on offer namely Eco, Normal and Sport. The first option (Eco) is where the engine stays very calm and has the objective of providing better fuel efficiency. In Normal, the engine acts a bit more responsive while in Sports it shows the eagerness to unleash the power on the road.   

In culmination, the 6-speed manual gearbox onboard offers smooth shifts. Though in city stop-go traffic lower down the revs the sedan does feel sluggish. While on the open highway, it is delightful to be behind the wheel as the vehicle feels planted due to its low-slung profile. Its ride quality due to a good suspension setup ensures that going over potholes, broken roads and speed breakers isn’t an issue. The precise handling characteristics help complement the overall onboard experience. With all of this given, how is the mileage? Well, all Hyundai’s as we would know aren’t fuel efficient. It is the same case with the Verna as it was only able to deliver a figure of 10 kmpl in the city while on the highway it went up to 13 kmpl with a very light foot on the throttle.

2024 Hyundai Verna – Verdict

With all major aspects covered of the vehicle, should you buy this over the Honda City, Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus? The answer is a definitive yes! The Verna, according to us, ticks all the right boxes for those individuals who like to make a style statement, with comfort being their need and tech bragging rights. While the performance of the turbo will let you enjoy the best of both worlds - city and highway use. But just be mindful of the efficiency which isn’t its strongest point. That aside, it is still a worthy contender.

Also, read Renault Kiger Turbo Expert Review - Still Relevant in 2024?