Hyundai Verna Turbo Manual: 5000km Long Term Review Conclusion

The Verna turbo is leaving the CarDekho garage, leaving some big shoes to fill

The Hyundai Verna Turbo manual is leaving the CarDekho long-term fleet after just over three months with us during which I added nearly 5,000 kilometres to its odometer. Previous reports brought to you detailed experiences of the Verna’s features set and cabin practicalities, along with a brief overview of its driving behaviour and fuel economy. In this concluding report wrapping up our time with the Hyundai sedan, we will summarise our experience to help you decide if it’s the right car for you.

Styling - Distinct, looks its best at night

The fourth-generation Hyundai Verna in India arrived in early 2023. Its design was initially perceived as polarising, especially that front end with the LED DRL light bar spanning the width of the bonnet. However, I always found this unique design interesting from the start and it only grew on me after my months with the Verna. It is especially impressive at night, like when the LED light bar activates when you unlock the car as you approach it. The same applies to the rear, with the sleek connected LED taillights and fang-like light signature at each end. 

In profile, the Verna does look a little confused with the crisp styling on the front half and the angular details on the rear, especially with the creases on the rear doors. The Verna runs on 16-inch alloy wheels which are blacked out in the turbo-petrol variants with red front brake callipers for a sportier visual presence.

The busy and modern design of the Hyundai Verna seems a bit attention-seeking during the daytime, but those same styling cues make it hard to ignore the sedan at night.

Features - Many on offer, but with strange misses

Hyundai did not seem to hold back with the list of comforts and technological conveniences for the new-gen Verna. It gets an integrated display setup for the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and semi-digital driver’s display with a TFT MID, touch-input switchable control panel for AC and media controls, and wireless phone charging. This top-spec SX(O) variant comes with a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, ambient lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, 4-way power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, and an 8-speaker Bose sound system.

The Verna’s features list spoils you with comforts, but it is not without some drawbacks. For example, you don’t get wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and it only works via the USB Type-A port but not the Type-C port. Also, you only have one-touch up-down for the driver’s side window and not all windows, which is something even my old VW Polo comes with. You can read this report here to know more about some of the functionality oversights in the Hyundai sedan’s features list.

Safety Net - Good, but could be better

The Verna is the only other sedan in the segment to come with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Its ADAS suite includes collision avoidance systems, lane assist, high-beam assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the smart cruise control is limited to automatic variants, so it was missing from the turbo-manual variant that we had with us. Other safety kit on offer includes six airbags, front and rear parking sensors, seat belt alerts for all seats, a rearview camera, and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). 

We’ve previously shared our experience of the Verna’s ADAS kit, but in summary we can say that the features do make life easier but still take some getting used to. We hope Hyundai continues to calibrate the collision avoidance systems to make them even better suited for Indian driving conditions for increased safety. The Verna could also use an additional blind-view camera if not a 360-degree camera system.

Space & Practicality - Impressively accommodating

Another aspect of the Verna that we covered in detail in a previous long-term report; the Verna scores fairly high in terms of cabin practicality and boot space (528 litres). You can store 1-litre bottles in all door pockets, the front armrest has a decent amount of storage while the rear passengers also get a fold-out armrest with cupholders. There is another small storage slot below the rear AC vents in addition to the front seatback pockets, and each of these proved to come in handy at different points.

You get a fast-charging USB Type-C port in the front console with 2 Type-C ports for the rear. While you don’t get a headrest for the rear middle occupant, all headrests are adjustable. 

In terms of rear seat space, the bench is wide enough for three adults, but comfort is maximised with only two adults. There is also adequate legroom and headroom for most average-sized persons. In the front, the seats offer sufficient support and bolstering which makes long journeys (either by distance or by time in traffic) a breeze.

You also get a rear windscreen shade to protect passengers from the heat, but the Verna misses out on rear window sunshades. 

Driving Performance - A smile machine

The most revered part of this experience was the three-pedal setup. Its potent 1.5-litre TGDi turbo-petrol engine is the most powerful engine in the segment, and unlike its rivals, Hyundai offered the Verna with the manual option from launch. 

This package packs a solid punch for this price, and picks up speed effortlessly. It makes quick work of any and all overtakes with a strong pull in the second and third gears. But perhaps even more impressive is how well it accelerates even while in sixth gear which makes overtakes on the highway even easier as you will not need to downshift. Realistically, the Verna is not a performance car but there’s enough power and torque accessible to your right foot to put a smile on my face and this manual setup gave me plenty of happy memories.

Fuel Efficiency - Cost to the fun

The performance of the Hyundai Verna Turbo does come with the caveat of high running costs due to its fuel efficiency. These are the mileage figures I witnessed, on average, over the total duration of the long term review:

It is especially thirsty in the city, but improves significantly on the highway.

Handling - Better than before

When Hyundai was preparing the new-gen Verna to take on the Honda, Skoda and Volkswagen rivals, it seems like the company made an extra effort to work on its handling abilities. Yes, it still has the light steering which makes it easy to use around the city in traffic and while parking. But pop it into Sport mode using the drive mode selector on the centre console, and the steering wheel gets electronically weighted that gives you a lot more confidence while driving around bends. The overall stability of the car through the corners has also been improved a lot over the previous generations of the Verna.

Ride & Comfort

In terms of the ride quality of the Hyundai Verna, it is pleasant in most circumstances. While it does not deal well with larger potholes or undulations at speed, the sedan shines on the highway and at low speeds in the city. 

The low seating position of the Hyundai sedan does make getting in and out slightly difficult, especially for older users. However, once seated inside, the Verna is plenty comfortable for all seats. While I did not have the chance to load it up with three passengers, it has plenty of room for two. The seats themselves have decent cushioning and even after four-hour stints, it kept me comfortable and not exhausted. 

Verdict

I was apprehensive when the Hyundai Verna turbo was first assigned to me,  as I have a personal history with Hyundai sedans. My first car was a 12-year-old Hyundai Accent, with various generations of the Verna being part of my personal life through friends and family, many of which I have driven as well. Lately, it seemed like Hyundai had turned away from the Verna’s image of a slightly sporty alternative in the sedan space and focussed entirely on features. So, when this new Hyundai sedan came out swinging with its powerful turbo-petrol engine, that too with a 6-speed manual shifter, there was a rush of nostalgic excitement.  

While I would state that this Hyundai Verna turbo is certainly not a perfect pick, it does offer an attractive combination of executive comfort and driving joy. 

Date when received: December 17, 2023

Kms when received: 9,819 km

Kms till date: 14,754 km (4,935 km driven)