The new Hyundai Verna adds segment-first features like cooled seats, handsfree boot opening, along with improved infotainment, and a new chassis and Elantra-esque design.
Hyundai India has launched the 5th generation Hyundai Verna, earlier today. The Verna was anticipated for a long time, and with its launch finally taking place, competition in the Indian C-segment sedan category just went up by a notch. Hyundai has announced introductory prices for the first 20,000 customers of the Hyundai Verna, and the prices range from Rs. 7.99 lac to Rs. 12.61 lac, ex-showroom Delhi. The new Verna retains the good elements from the older one, while introducing a host of new features and functionalities to take on the likes of the 2017 Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Skoda Rapid and Volkswagen Vento.
What's new
Technology and Electronics: The Korean carmaker has always been among the first companies globally to bring forth technological advancements in cars, and the new Hyundai Verna is proof of it. To begin with, the new car gets Hyundai's latest generation Audio Video Navigation (AVN) infotainment system. This includes a 7-inch touchscreen LCD display, and includes the standard array of Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink and an integrated navigation system. Standard connectivity options like Bluetooth, USB, SD card and aux are retained, and the system also includes Hyundai's new Auto Link platform. The Hyundai Auto Link can be accessed from a smartphone, and relays important information like Roadside assistance, Driving data, Vehicle health status, and Vehicle history on to your phone to be accessed any time.
Furthermore, the instrument cluster now includes a 3.5-inch, monochromic TFT LCD display that shows trip data, and other vehicle information like settings, audio and others. For audio, the new Hyundai Verna includes an Arkamys 6-speaker surround audio system, marking a big step up from the previous Verna. Other electronics and technology inside the car include a range of segment-first features like cooled front seats, handsfree trunk opening and impact-sensing automatic door unlocking, bringing the Verna really close to the Hyundai Elantra in terms of the equipment package. It also gets electronic sunroof, integrated rear window curtains, reverse sensors and rear camera with adaptive guiderails, six airbags, ABS with EBD, cornering lamps, projector head and fog lamps, LED tail lamps, Eco Coating AC technology for deodourising the cabin, a shark fin antenna and cooled glove box.
Design: The new design also closely resembles the Elantra from a segment above, with the cascade front grille with horizontal chrome slats, and swept-back headlamps. From the side profile, it gets a smoothly angular roofline and a compact-ish boot lid, which gives the new Verna a coupe-like stance from the sides. From the rear, it still looks somewhat muscular, but has lost a lot of bulk to look more agile. In every way, the Hyundai Verna looks like a smaller version of the Elantra, just like the Rapid resembles the 2017 Skoda Octavia. Even inside the car, you get soft padding on the door armrests, dual-tone beige and black leatherette upholstery, sliding armrest to the front center, and a slightly angled dash – all taken from the Elantra and coming of appreciable fruition in the Verna.
Performance: The new Hyundai Verna comes with 1.6-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engines, which produce 121bhp/151Nm and 126bhp/260Nm of power/torque figures, respectively. Both get options for manual and diesel transmissions, with the 6-speed manual transmission retained from before. The automatic one is a new, reengineered, 6-speed transmission system. It gets 5-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels, and gets the new rigid body with improved durability, reduced coefficient of drag for improved stability, McPherson strut front suspension, coupled torsion beam axle with vertical absorbers and hydraulic rebound control for enhanced ride comfort. ARAI-quoted fuel efficiency figures are 17.7kmpl (petrol, manual), 15.92kmpl (petrol, auto), 24.75kmpl (diesel, manual) and 21kmpl (diesel, auto).
Pricing and Competition
The all-new Hyundai Verna will have to compete against the 2017 Honda City, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz (which, incidentally, has a new performance model out now) and the Skoda Rapid (which also has its new Monte Carlo trim launched today) as its prime competitors. Introductory prices for all variants of the Verna are as follows:
Petrol:
E MT: Rs. 7,99,900;
EX MT: Rs. 9,06,900;
SX MT: Rs. 9,49,900;
EX AT: Rs. 10,22,900;
SX(O) MT: Rs. 11,08,900;
SX(O) AT: Rs. 12,23,900
Diesel:
E MT: Rs. 9,19,900;
EX MT: Rs. 9,99,900;
SX MT: Rs. 11,11,900;
EX AT: Rs. 11,39,900;
SX(O) MT: Rs. 12,39,900;
SX+ AT: Rs. 12,61,900
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