2018 Hyundai Verna 1.6D from Zoomcar

Hyundai has launched a new model of its popular sedan, Verna. Verna comes in about 12 different variants, with ex-showroom price (Delhi) ranging from 8 lakhs to 13 lakhs. Add another 20-25% for approximate on road price. Verna competes with other premium sedans such as Honda City, VW Vento, Maruti Ciaz and Skoda Rapid. The previous generation Verna had once successfully dethroned Honda City as largest selling car in its segment. But Honda city got regular updates and regained lead later. (City has been in India for 20 years now). With new model, Hyundai wants its pie back.

Noticed that Zoomcar recently added Verna to its fleet. Decided to book it for a short duration. You can rent this car for 4 hours during a weekday for Rs 500. They had some 50% off offer, so I could book the new Verna for 4 hours/20 kms for Rs 250. This post is my review of the car based on this short drive.

While booking I didn’t know which variant Zoomcar has chosen for its fleet. Rental agencies usually go for cheapest variants to save cost. As suspected the car was cheapest variant in diesel- E

The cheapest variant misses out on various exterior features- fog lamps, projector headlamps, DRL, automatic boot release, keyless entry and so on

Also notice the difference in colour of rear bumper and body- may be it suffered some damage and had to be replaced- the car I drove had logged 6000 kms

On the inside, the cheapest variant misses out on almost all exciting features. No touch screen, no push button start, no steering mounted control, no rear ac vents and so on. Interestingly Hyundai has given two buttons on the steering wheel- using these you can toggle between tripmeters, distance to empty etc and reset trip meters. This saves giving a rod in the instrument panel or some buttons elsewhere. Airbag and ABS is standard across variants.

 The cabin of fully loaded version is very attractive. But on the cheapest variant, this is how it looks

 Instrument cluster is good enough, no graphics as in top end

Doors again, look neat and comfortable. Cheaper trim does get power windows on all doors and some electronic adjustment for the rear view mirrors

 Verna Being a sedan, second row comfort is a serious consideration. Below is a picture showing the space you get- when first row seat is extended to extreme back and extreme front position.

 Car was said to be fitted with a speed governor, but I could go a bit faster than 80 kmph. Because of the short duration of my rental and speed limits I couldn't experience the car much.

Verna range starts at 8 lakhs and goes all the way till 13 lakhs- ex- Showroom Delhi. Add approximately 20-25% for on road price in your city- that is 10 to 16 lakhs. This pricing is slightly higher than Ciaz range but fairly lower than Honda City, the segment leader. Many customers looking for a car in 10-15 lakh range are now preferring compact SUVs, so Verna will also face some heat from Ford Ecosport, Nexon and Duster.

Hyundai had advertised a decade ago on Verna saying "If it gets any better, you will need a pilot's license to drive it". This one certainly can be driven with regular DL.

Overall Verna feels like a promising car. Best wishes.