It is always in the details. In the new Verna's case, the details show you how serious its Korean manufacturer is. Some bits such as the boot lining, the rubber mat inside the rear centre armrest and the textures inside the cabin are proof of stringent quality checks. Inside the bonnet, Hyundai offers you two diesel engines — 88 bhp and 126bhp — and two petrol motors — 105 bhp and 121 bhp.
The equipment levels are a step-up too. The top-end SX versions (the only variants we saw on our Coimbatore-Kodaikanal drive) come with six airbags, discs all around, keyless entry and go, a reverse camera, electric folding mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity, a cooled glovebox, USB/iPod ports, climate control and 16-inch alloys. So, on paper, Hyundai has covered a lot of ground but what's the new Verna actually like?
For starters, it looks the part. Those deliciously complex headlamps, Hyundai's hexagonal grille, L-shaped foglamps and slack-jawed chin make it look really sporty. Big 16-inch wheels, wide tyres and that rising crease along the side ensure that nothing is lost as you walk along the side. The rear looks quite smart.
Slide into the comfy front seats and you'll be impressed by how much of a step-up interior quality has taken. This car has none of the old Verna's garish, misplaced wood finish. We like the dimpled surface on the dashboard, the dark wood surround for the centre console and the overall design of the dash. Sure, there are a few not-so-refined bits such as the stop-start button and a few sharp edges around the inner door handles, but these are hardly deal-breakers. The steering is nice to hold, the cubbyholes are big enough and the switches work with convincing quality. The view out from the driver's seat is good as is the posture you are afforded by the well-bolstered front seats. At the rear, you'll find plenty of legroom but the seats are low and, as a result, thigh support is not as good. Grandma won't be too pleased to travel in this car.
As with all manual Hyundais, you have to depress the clutch before you thumb the start button. The diesel starts and settles into a smooth idle. Let out the relatively light clutch, and you'll find the car has enough torque to commute without much complaint. Sure, there is turbo-lag but you'll notice this only when you are in a hurry. Let the revs build to 1900rpm though, and you'll find a satisfying shove as the turbo comes on and 26.5kgm of torque (one kgm more than the Vento) makes its way to the front wheels. It pulls hard and strong all the way to around 4000rpm, beyond which it loses urge and feels laboured and noisy. Like most Hyundai CRDi motors, it feels best when you short-shift and surf the wave of torque.
The diesel Verna comes with a slick-shifting six-speed manual, which gives it really long legs on the highway. That the engine is smooth and refined only adds to the feeling that this car has wings.
The 1.6-litre petrol motor acquits itself well too. It is smooth and quiet enough when doodling around town and you'll find no cause for complaint. Extend the motor and you'll find it performs best between 4000 and 6000rpm, while making suitably sporty noises. The petrol Verna, unlike the diesel, comes with a five-speed manual which is quite fun to use. Its light action won't make you complain about rowing through the gears on a twisty road.
You won't like the rather detached driving experience though. In the interest of comfort, Hyundai has continued with a softly sprung rear end. This means it doesn't feel as settled on undulating roads and over bumps as we would have liked. Add to this an overly light steering that's rather lifeless when it comes to any kind of feedback. The flipside, as always, is a car that is easy to manoeuvre and park. As expected, the petrol Verna is a tad keener to turn in than the nose-heavy diesel. And thankfully, the Verna, especially this top-end version, comes with a set of boots that are more than up to the job. The ride is refined and there's no clunkiness over bad roads and the new Verna does a good job of isolating you from the road as well.
The new Verna (Rs. 7 to Rs. 9 lakh – est ex-showroom Delhi) is a big step forward for the Korean car major and the changes aren't easy to miss. The features list goes on and on and the range of engines should excite the petrolheads. When it is launched at the end of May, you'll find a car that may not be a master of its trade, but it sure digs deep into its repertoire to try and impress you.
