Used Hyundai Verna: Key Things to know Before Buying

The Hyundai Verna has been a favourite sedan among Indian buyers for years. With its impressive blend of design, powertrain options, interior quality, comfort, and reliability, the Verna offers excellent value. 

However, a second-hand purchase demands careful inspection and evaluation. This guide will assist first-time buyers, enthusiasts, and anyone seeking expert insights into buying a used Hyundai Verna confidently.

Evolution of the Hyundai Verna in India

Here’s a brief overview of the Hyundai Verna’s lineage in India. The model has been in the Indian market since 2006 and has undergone four significant generational changes and three facelifts.

2006-2011 Hyundai Verna and Verna Transform - The 1st Generation

The first-generation Hyundai Verna was launched in September 2006. Originally a replacement for the ageing Hyundai Accent, launched in India in 1999, Hyundai decided to rename the new model the Verna instead.

At launch, the Verna was offered with a 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel,  both paired to a manual transmission. Later, the Verna became the first car in the segment to be offered with a diesel automatic.

The Hyundai Verna ‘Transform’ facelift was launched in June 2010. The changes made the Verna look more sporty, feel more plush on the inside, and offer some new equipment. 

2011-2017 Hyundai ‘Fluidic’ Verna and ‘4S Fluidic’ Verna - The 2nd Generation

Hyundai launched the second-generation ‘Fluidic’ Verna in May 2011. With this generation of cars, Hyundai started the trend of offering ‘bang-for-the-buck’ products. 

The powertrain options on offer highlight how spoilt for choice the customers were - they could choose from six powertrain combinations! These included a 1.4-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol or a 1.4-litre, turbo-diesel available with 5-speed manual transmissions. 

Customers could also choose from the larger 1.6-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol or a 1.6-litre, turbo-diesel motor paired to a manual or automatic transmission.

The 4S Fluidic Verna was launched in February 2015. It ditched some sportier features - like disc brakes on all four corners - for more premium and safety features, like the space-enhancing ‘Ergo’ lever on the left front seat. ABS was now standard on all variants, while the top-spec SX variants continued to be fitted with six airbags.

2017-2023 ‘Next Gen’ Hyundai Verna - The 3rd Generation

Launched in August 2017, the ‘Next Gen’ Hyundai Verna was built on a new ‘K2’ platform with dimensions closer to the Honda City, a new design language including the ‘Cascading’ grille, a higher focus on safety and many segment-first features.

At first, this generation of the Verna was offered with only the larger 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol and turbo-diesel engines. The 1.4-litre petrol and diesel engines were re-introduced to make the Verna more attractive for budget-conscious customers.

While based on the same platform as the third-generation Verna, the 2020 update could almost be considered a new generation - the changes made were comprehensive. These included design changes that made the Verna look completely different inside and out, an all-new 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, and many new features.

2023-Present Hyundai Verna - The 4th Generation

The latest generation of the Hyundai Verna was launched in March 2023 and moved the game forward in the mid-sized sedan market. Apart from its futuristic design, the Verna is finally as spacious at the rear as its rivals while also becoming a much better car in terms of high-speed stability and cornering capability. 

Hyundai no longer offers the Verna with a diesel engine. The first of two petrol engine options is a 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated unit paired to a 6-speed MT or CVT (IVT in Hyundai-speak). The other, sportier option is a 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol petrol engine developing 158bhp and 253Nm paired with a manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Maintenance and Service Costs of Hyundai Verna

Hyundai cars are known for their reasonable maintenance costs. Depending on the model and condition, a used Verna typically requires an annual service budget of ₹5,000 to ₹10,000. 

The parts for the Hyundai Verna are readily available, as it has been one of Hyundai's most popular sedans in India for multiple generations. Locating a Hyundai service centre is convenient, and ensuring timely servicing of your Verna will help maintain its performance, reliability, and smooth operation.

The average service costs for the first five years of service for the 4th generation Verna are as follows:

Hyundai Verna Periodic Maintenance Costs

Prices for some of the more commonly replaced parts of the 4th generation Hyundai Verna are as follows:

Hyundai Verna 1.5 Petrol Spare Parts Costs

Resale Value of the Hyundai Verna

The Verna holds its resale value well, as do most used Hyundai cars, especially well-maintained models. Diesel variants hold better resale value due to their fuel efficiency, but petrol models are also sought after. 

Diesel-powered Vernas are losing value due to stricter norms in some cities, like Delhi/NCR. With the adoption of the stricter Vehicle Scrappage Policy and lower spare parts availability, the value of the 2006-2010 first-generation Verna may decline.

The values of various generations of the Hyundai Verna are as follows:

Second Hand Hyundai Verna Price

The resale value of a used car depends on several key factors, including:

Variant and Features: Higher variants with premium features, such as automatic transmission, leather interiors, and advanced infotainment systems, tend to command better resale value.

Mileage: Cars with lower odometer readings generally have higher resale value, as they are perceived to have less wear and tear.

Fuel Type: Diesel variants of the Hyundai Verna often have higher resale value due to better mileage, although this may vary depending on fuel policy trends and local regulations.

Ownership History: Single-owner cars are typically valued higher than those with multiple previous owners.

Service History: A complete and consistent service record from authorised Hyundai service centres boosts buyer confidence and resale value.

If you want to sell your Hyundai Verna, the CARS24 Used Car Valuation Tool can help you find the best price - for free!

Common Problems with a Hyundai Verna

Electric Power Steering Failure: Some owners of the 2011-2015 model year ‘Fluidic’ Verna have reported premature failure of the EPS system. This includes the motor and the control unit, which are expensive to replace (~ ₹ 8000) outside the warranty period. The issue affects a small portion of Vernas for this model year but seems to recur once it occurs. 

Exhaust Pipe Leak Due to Rusting: A common issue with many Hyundai cars is repeated water condensation over time, leading to rust holes in the exhaust pipe. As this can affect performance and fuel efficiency, getting this part checked and replaced if necessary is recommended.

Air-Conditioning Cooling Coil Failure: The cooling coils of the air conditioning unit are a common point of failure in many Hyundai cars. The Verna has featured a climate control system throughout most model years, so the failure of such a premium feature means slightly higher repair costs.

Air-conditioning Direction Motor Failure: Many owners have complained that the air-conditioning direction motor, which controls the airflow direction, is failing prematurely. 

Power Window Switch Failure: The power window switches in many high-mileage Hyundai Vernas may require replacement. 

Electric Boot Release Switch Failure: The electric switch for the tailgate/boot release has been known to fail in many Hyundai Vernas. It is a simple and inexpensive replacement, but the frequency can be annoying.

Specifications of the Hyundai Verna (2023–present)

Here are all the specifications of the current version of the Hyundai Verna in India.

Hyundai Verna Specifications

Conclusion

The Hyundai Verna remains a strong contender in the used car market with its rich legacy, diverse powertrain options, and feature-packed variants. Whether you opt for the earlier models known for their simplicity or the recent versions offering cutting-edge features and safety, the Verna balances style, performance, and comfort. 

However, as with any used car purchase, thorough inspection, proper documentation, and understanding of potential issues are crucial. A used Hyundai Verna can be a wise and rewarding choice, thanks to reasonable maintenance costs, good resale value, and widespread availability of parts and service centres.