The Hyundai Verna is one of the few remaining C-segment sedans that you can buy in the country today, thanks to the rising popularity of SUVs and raised hatchbacks. Is it, in fact, the best sedan under Rs 20 lakh? In this story, we try to answer this very question.
Let us first take a look at the pros of the 2024 Hyundai Verna.
The 1.5-litre GDi turbo-petrol engine is the most powerful mill available in the segment, generating 160PS of power and 253Nm of peak torque. Its combination with the 7-speed DCT makes it perfect for performance enthusiasts. You can also opt for a 6-speed manual if you crave total control over the machine.
The cabin of the Verna feels very well designed and sophisticated. It feels elegant and youthful at the same time, with premium material covering the boldly-shaped surfaces. Being a Hyundai, it gets plenty of features and would not leave you wanting for more, unless you are a person who’s very hard to please.
The Verna is like one of those gift hampers that you get on festive occasions; you might not like everything but there’s something for everybody in the package. The car balances performance with luxury and safety at the same time, and will cater to the needs of all the members of your family. It is comfortable, sporty, and spacious, everything that a family sedan is expected to be.
Given that this is an opinion piece, I am really fond of the Hyundai Verna design. I’m not denying that it is polarising, but it grows on you with time, even if it doesn’t appeal to you at first sight. Concisely, the Verna boasts of a radical and interesting design language that would not make you regret choosing it over its rivals eventually.
The Hyundai Verna does have its own share of shortcomings that we take you through in the following slides.
The 10.25-inch infotainment system on the Hyundai Verna does not support wireless connectivity for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay just like other Hyundai cars that get the same system. What makes the problem even more unpleasant is that the same can be found on lower variants with the 8-inch infotainment system. Hyundai India did inform us that this issue shall be resolved from the upcoming year.
The naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine has not been known to be the best when it comes to fuel economy or mileage. The GDi, despite being a turbocharged unit, delivers a better fuel economy than the naturally-aspirated unit. The NA engine with the CVT is pleasant to drive in the city though, with its smooth manners and non-erratic acceleration.
Just like all its other rivals, there are no Hyundai Verna diesel variants. The last generation of the Hyundai Verna used to get a 1.5-litre diesel engine, which the current-generation of the Verna misses on. But, the diesel is available in C-segment compact-SUVs like the Creta and Seltos.
We might be nitpicking here but the design of the steering wheel is a bit confusing. The two-spoke design with the vertically-palindrome (if that phrase exists) Hyundai logo makes it difficult to comprehend whether the steering is aligned straight or upside-down.
Evidently, the pros of the Verna outweigh its cons by a large extent. For reference, the Ciaz hasn’t been updated since we can remember, the Honda City isn’t very enthusiastic to drive anymore, the Virtus and Slavia lack behind on the quality front, and the Verna thus emerges as a clear winner among these sedans. It has its own share of short-comings, but the value that it offers does make it the best sedan under Rs 20 lakh currently on offer.