What is it?   This is the Hyundai Verna for 2015. Before you wonder, it's not an all-new model but a significantly updated version of the existing car. As part of the update, the Verna 4S, as Hyundai calls it, gets revised styling, a little more equipment and tweaks to the suspension.   The most visible change to the car, of course, is the new nose. The older Verna?s swept-back headlamps have made way for a more angular pair and the ridged bonnet now flows into a larger grille that has a hint of the old Toyota Corolla in it. The bumper is quite different too with reworked fog lamp housings. At the rear, streaks on the tail-lights give it a faux LED effect and the exhaust is now hidden from view to give the tail a cleaner look. While these changes do help freshen the look and link the Verna to newer Hyundai's such as the Santa Fe and i20, the car doesn?t quite make the same lasting impression it did back in 2011.   In the cabin, there?s not much evidence to suggest this is the updated car. The two-tone dashboard carries on unchanged and you still get the same high level of fit and finish. However, the blue back lighting on the audio player has begun to look a bit dated ? something newer competitors? color screens only highlight. Still, the audio player does gets a useful update with the inclusion of 1-GB on-board memory to store songs. Also new is the reach adjust function for the steering wheel and what Hyundai calls the 'Ergo Lever' that is located on the inside edge of the front passenger seat. Basically, it allows the rear passenger to move the front passenger seat forward to free up legroom and is a handy feature first offered on the Volkswagen Vento. Rear seat passengers also get a revised armrest with twin cup holders and a seat with a longer base. Correspondingly, thigh support is better but you still sit lower than you?d like and the up swept windows continue to hamper the view out. Engine and gearbox options remain the same as before, so you can choose between a 105bhp, 1.4-litre petrol engine (with a five-speed manual), a 121bhp, 1.6 petrol (with a five-speed manual or four-speed auto), a 89bhp, 1.4 diesel (with a six-speed manual) and lastly, a 126bhp, 1.6 diesel (with a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic). The diesel engines get a mild update of their own with a new, low friction coating on their pistons to improve refinement, emissions and efficiency. As per ARAI-tested figures, the 1.4 diesel?s fuel economy is up 1.3kpl (to 24.8kpl) and the 1.6?s has improved to 23.9kpl. But what should be of more interest to potential buyers are the changes that have been made to the rear suspension. There are new coil springs (there to make the ride flatter), a low velocity valve on the dampers (there to smoother rebound) and new bump stops (there to minimize the ?thud? on full compression that Verna's have been notorious for). These changes are there to build on the suspension tweaks the Verna got in mid-2013. An interesting point to note is manual Verna's no longer get rear disc brakes but ABS has been made standard across the range. What is it like to drive? Well, the updated Verna is a big improvement over the older version. The changes to the suspension have made all the difference. It feels more absorbent with that trademark tendency to bottom-out all but gone. As before, there?s a nice softness to the low-speed ride but unlike before, there?s a newfound confidence in the way the Verna behaves at high speeds. There?s more of a connect between the steering and the front wheels, something that makes the new Verna a far nicer cruiser. Compared to the earlier version, this one feels far more settled, has a flatter ride and overall stability is improved too. Still, it doesn?t feel buttoned down to the road at high speeds with a fair bit of vertical movement on gentle undulations. The fact is the Hyundai is still quite far from the ride and handling benchmarks set by the Ford Fiesta and Fiat Linea. The steering still weights up inconsistently and calls for minute but constant inputs to keep the car on the desired course. Even through tighter corners, the Verna still feels a touch soft and decidedly unsporty. More so, the petrol version, where the suspension doesn?t seem as well set up as the heavier diesel version?s. As for the engines, they feel pretty much the same as before. We drove the more powerful petrol and found it to be refined, if a bit underwhelming, in terms of performance. More so because it is the most powerful car in its class. As for the 1.6 diesel, it scores for refinement but once again doesn?t feel as strong as the power figure would lead you to expect. Power comes in after 1800 rpm and this non-linearity in delivery is a bit of an irritant in city driving. What also takes getting used to are the brakes. While stopping power is good, the ABS system kicks in way too early. The experience with this perfect car went with no issues and it felt really great having this car.  

I bought Hyundai Verna 1.6 VTVT S(O) last year in the month of July - A car worth owning with little compromise. The black beauty. The best part is the beauty of the car, specially in luster black. Everything in the exterior is just perfect, the projector, the ORVM, the grill, the Diamond cut alloy. Little more was expected in tail lamp, probably the split type would have done the trick. Nevertheless I find it better looking than any other car in this segment. Lets get inside now. When you take charge of the steering, you feel premium. You have many pockets and bottle holders to keep your things well organised. The cluster, the dashboard, dual tone interiors, fits and finish, loved it. Open the bonnet and you find the metal and wires organised with perfection. Go to the back and open the tail gate with REMOTE and you see enough space to accommodate huge suitcases and luggage for an outing. Let me explain the driving experience now. The moment you hit the push start do a brooommm...brooommm and you start feeling the power of 1.6 Litre machine. start is smooth and the handling is perfect initially. increase the speed and you say handling is OK if not the best, better than earlier Hyundai cars like i20 (i own a Santro as well). ABS, EBD all are close to perfection. The adrenaline of the car is just fantastic. When I press the pedal at 80 KMPH to overtake a vehicle on highways the occupants of the car say we are feeling as if we are in a rocket :). I love this statement. I have touched my top speed of 165 KMPH and i had absolutely no issue in controlling and stability of the vehicle. The bigger tyre gives the confidence to have better grip and edge over road conditions in India. I have run 7K KMs so far and there is absolutely no complain as far as performance is concerned expect a few which I would like to highlight here. 1. Mileage - There is a serious mileage issue, Even after two servicing I get a mileage of approx 11 KMPL in city and 13 KMPL on highways. (I have reported this to service centers well but service of Hyundai is not that great when comes to addressing any performance issue. They are very bookish in their resolution, be it suspension, engine etc. I have never felt the delight coming out a service station even for my Santro. Hyundai definitely needs to work on this). The another issue is comfort at the back seat. When I say front is just perfect the rear has some issue. The seats are very low and window line does create irritation to my mother and wife as they are not able to see outside activity on roads. Another issue is rear AC vents, especially when I am driving in scorching heat of say 45 degree + for more than an hour. Another is a universal issue, the black color, it demands huge care to keep the shine intact. It is practically impossible to keep the car free from micro scratches which at times make you sad. Though the touch screen has been introduced after I bought the car, two other features 1. Sunroof 2. Cruise Control are make me feel inferior in a discussion with colleague who owns City :( These were supposed to be there. Having said that the moment I get out of my Car and we both park the vehicle side by side, I say What a BEAUTY my car is :)