Opening
A few days back, Hyundai launched the latest version of its sedan Verna with new body styling. Described as the Fluidic Verna, it is officially known as the Verna RB, where RB refers to Reborn.
Compared to the now discontinued Verna Transform, the Verna RB carries a smoother (fluidic!) exterior, and certain technical improvements. Also, more engine options have been introduced. As you will see below, the Verna is now available in three engine options for diesel and petrol each, and within these engine options, again 5 trims per fuel type. It seems to offer a suitable Verna for different budget ranges.
Interestingly, the name as mentioned on the rear of the car is just Verna with the relevant variant, and does not refer to RB or Fluidic. That being said, the main idea is to differentiate in the consumer’s mind from the ‘old’ and ‘new’ Verna, and also to carry forward the image set by earlier version Verna.
Appearance Exterior
The HyundaiVerna RB is quite a sleek looking car. Starting from the front, the front grille is in the shape of a hexagon giving a premium look. The eagle eye shaped headlamps that run into the fenders have a two piece black bezel design, which further adds a sense of luxury to the styling. The fog lamps too look stylish.
The Verna RB comes with body colored outside rear view mirrors with side blinkers which further add to styling and usefulness. Chrome outside door handles are convenient and give an elegant feel when handling .
The rear combination lamps are designed well with clear lenses and shape and have been thus fitted that they run into the rear quarter panel and add to the car’s styling.
The most noticeable thing in the Verna RB is the shape given to side panels and doors of the car. A protruding line starting near the tail lamp runs into the line of the door handle and ends at the front bumper. The curvy shapes induced at the bottom of the door panel, running panel, and bumper indeed give a fluidic impression to the car!
Appearance Interior
The Interiors of the Verna are a great plus point for the overall impression of the car, and the fit and finish are impressive.
Upholstery choice ranges from fabric to leather upholstery depending upon the trim - leather upholstery is available in top end variants. The Verna’s seats are well designed for best of comfort and luxury feel. The car comes with fully automatic air conditioning which functions well and we enjoyed the car’s cooling and temperature control inside.
The rear seat center arm rest serves a dual purpose as storage space for things needing easy access, while adding comfort. Headrests of both front and rear seats are height adjustable, and a Sunglass holder is present in the roofing. The glove box is cooled and hence helps to keep things such as fruits or chocolates fresh and even cold drinks can be placed to preserve coldness for quite some time.
The Power window controls are finely placed just near to right hand arm rest of driver.
We found the Verna quite spacious for both rear and front passengers, and they can sit quite comfortably.
The rear parking system assistant is a great initiative from Hyundai, and usually seen only in higher end cars. It features a visually guided parking system in the electro-chromic rear view mirror where a camera helps to align the car in exact position while parking. Another excellent feature of the rear view mirror is that it automatically senses and reduces light intrusion from rear vehicles and reduces the induced glare. Hence, this helps the driver for easy judging of rear vehicles while driving in nights.
Some of the features of instrument cluster include ambient temperature display, trip meter, engine running time display, average fuel mileage, speed indicator etc. Another feature which improves the drive is the clean air dust ionizer, which cleans up the air in the car.
The Smart key with button start is a new feature with respect to Verna. Here, sensors sense the presence of key in permissible limit with which ignition can be started with the press of a button.
The Verna carries USB, iPOD and AUX supports for unlimited music enjoyment.
Other safety features include ABS with EBD and Rear parking sensors which helps while parking in tight places. Dual airbags and even curtain airbags are available in higher versions thus ensuring complete safety and comfort for the passengers.
In the wake of ever increasing fuel prices (just, as we write, a steep hike of fuel by Rs 5 per liter for petrol leading to 71 Rs per liter in Bangalore), one has to think many times before going for buying a vehicle.
Thankfully, Hyundai has done a great job in coming up with improved fuel efficiency in its Verna RB. The claimed fuel efficiency (ARAI) in KMPL of 1.4 L petrol version is 17.43 and for the 1.4 L CRDI it is an impressive 23.5. For the 1.6 L Petrol the mileage is 17.01KMPL, and 1.6L Diesel is 22.32.
It is of course to be considered that the mileage claimed are under standard conditions with minimum loading and best of handling conditions. The on-road mileage can always be less by one or two KMPL and can also go to even less with slow moving traffic conditions, but on a comparable metric, they remain quite impressive.
We will update with detailed mileage numbers for the Hyundai Verna as we take it on a longer drive.
The Eco drive system is a new initiative from Hyundai. Here, an alternator management system controls power supply to battery to relieve engine load, reducing fuel consumption and emissions while decelerating and idling. There is also a gear shift indicator which prompts to change gears efficiently. The ECO indicator in the automatic transmission version glows when the car is at best of fuel efficiency, leading to a sense of fulfillment.
Performance Drive
The Verna Transform was available in two engine versions, viz. 4 cylinder 1599cc engine delivering power output of 103PS, torque of 146NM, and 5 speed manual transmission. The diesel version was available in a 4 cylinder 1493cc engine delivering power output of 110PS and a torque of 235NM. The diesel Verna Transform was available in both 5 speed manual transmission and 4 speed automatic transmissions. Here, it is to be noted that in Verna Transform there was no option of Automatic Transmission for petrol version and no options for airbags in any variant.
Color options included HW (Crystal white), BG (Stone black), HD(Sleek silver), NB(Blushing Red), CM(Deep Ocean Blue), and QZ(Champagne Gold).
With the introduction of the Hyundai Verna RB, Hyundai has introduced four engines, viz. the 1.4L Petrol, 1.4L Diesel, 1.6L Petrol, and 1.6L Diesel. The 1.6L engines in each fuel type also come with an automatic transmission option. You will note that Hyundai has introduced engine options less capacious than available in the earlier Transform.
Let’s take a look at the different Hyundai Verna RB engine options.
The 1.4L VTVT Petrol version comes with a 4 cylinder 1396cc engine, delivering a power of 107PS, Torque of 134NM, and claimed fuel efficiency of 17.43KMPL.
The 1.4 L CRDI diesel version comes with 4 cylinder 1396cc, engine delivering power output of 90PS, torque of 220 NM, and fuel efficiency of 23.5KMPL.
The 1.6 VTVT Petrol version comes with a 4 cylinder 1591cc engine delivering power output of 123PS and torque of 155NM. The claimed mileage for this Verna trim is 17.1KMPL. The 1.6 VTVT offers two transmissions, viz. automatic and manual, as well as three trims. Thus, it comes in four variants, VTVT 1.6 (the base model), VTVT SX 1.6, VTVT SX(O) 1.6, and VTVT SX(O) AT 1.6. The feature set of the latter two is the same, barring the transmission.
The 1.6 Diesel version comes with a 4 cylinder, 1582 cc engine delivering power output of 128PS, a torque of 260NM, and claimed fuel efficiency of 22.32KMPL. Similar to the petrol, it is available in four variants, CRDI 1.6, CRDI SX 1.6, CRDI SX(O) 1.6, and CRDI SX(O)AT 1.6.
Also, in the petrol engine options, a 5 speed manual transmission is used and 4 speed automatic transmission for the AT version. In the diesel versions, a 6 speed manual transmission and 4 speed automatic transmission version is used.
Color options available in Verna RB include include Sleek silver, Carbon Grey, Stone beige, Phantom Black, Crystal white, and Purple Fantasia. It is to be noted that one extra color, Purple, has been introduced in the new version.
As explained, both the petrol and diesel variants have a number of trims. The following list summarizes the key differences between the trims.
- Base: comes with power steering, power windows, A/C. Misses safety options like ABS, airbags, rear view camera.
- Middle (SX): comes with safety features such as ABS, airbags, rear view camera.
- Top (SX (O)): comes with luxury features such as leather and alloy wheels.
We took the Verna RB for a quick drive around Bangalore. We found driving the Verna Fluidic quite a positive experience. While entering the car, one can appreciate the new shape of car and good impression onroad.
Wide doors allow good ease in getting in and going out. There is ample leg space and seat fit and finish including lumbar support ensure that the driver is quite comfortable.
Once the ignition is switched on, a good instrument cluster with plenty of informative features welcome the driver, including a digital gear indicator indicated with gear position.
A turning of the key starts the smooth engine. Driving is as smooth as the famous earlier version Verna Transform, but in the latest version additional power and gear selection option boost comfort for driver in handling car.
We liked driving the New Verna thanks to its smooth pick up, gear change indicator, nicely positioned rear view mirror and cabin mirror. Suspension is good and one can feel best of comfort during humps or ditches. The latest developed cabin mirror is impressive in giving good vision of the rear side vehicles.
In all, when one has driven the Verna Transform, a drive in the Verna RB does allow one to appreciate newness and technical advancements in the car.
Tech Specs
| Technical Specifications | |||
| Make | Hyundai | ||
| Model | Verna | ||
| Variant | 1.4L M/T | 1.6L M/T | 1.6L A/T |
| Engine Capacity (L) | 1396 | 1591 | 1591 |
| Power (PS) | 107 | 123 | 123 |
| Torque (NM) | 134 | 155 | 260 |
| Gears | 5/M | 5/M | 4/AT |
| Ground clearance | 170 | 170 | 170 |
| Length | 4370 | 4370 | 4370 |
| Width | 1700 | 1700 | 1700 |
| Height | 1475 | 1475 | 1475 |
| Wheel Base | 2570 | 2570 | 2570 |
| Fuel Tank capacity | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Claimed fuel efficiency | 17.43 | 17.01 | 22.32 |
Features
| Features | VTVT 1.4 | VTVT 1.6 | VTVT SX 1.6 | VTVT SX(O) 1.6 | VTVT SX(O) AT 1.6 |
| Power Steering | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Central locking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| A/C | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Woodgrain interiors | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2 DIN MP3 Player | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sunglass Holder | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Driver seat armrest | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Keyless entry | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fog Lamps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Immobiliser | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ABS With EBD | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Air bags | No | Driver | Dual | Dual and curtain | Dual and curtain |
| Rear disc brake | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Impact sensing door unlock | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 16"Alloy wheels | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smart key with illuminated button | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rear view camera with display on ECM | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rear parking sensors | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Full cloth upholstery | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Leather upholstery | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Average fuel efficiency | 17.43 | 17.1 | 17.1 | 17.1 | 17.1 |
| Ex Showroom price Bangalore | 708320 | 774694 | 835494 | 906427 | 977361 |
| Onroad Price Bangalore | 850488 | 932797 | 1005237 | 1089750 | 1174264 |
Competition All Specs
| Specifications |
Hyundai
Verna |
Ford
Fiesta |
Fiat
Linea |
Chevrolet
Optra Magnum |
VolksWagen
Vento |
Toyota
Altis |
| Variant | 1.6 SX CRDI | 1.4 Sxi | Emotion Pack | 2.0 LT | 1.6 Highline | 4D-J |
| Engine Capacity (cc) | 1591 | 1399 | 1248 | 1991 | 1598 | 1364 |
| Power (PS) | 128 | 68 | 93 | 121 | 105 | 88 |
| Torque (NM) | 260 | 160 | 203 | 314 | 250 | 205 |
| Gears | 6/M | 6/M | 5/M | 5/M | 5/M | 6/M |
| Key Features | ||||||
| Power Steering | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Central locking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| A/C | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Alloy Wheels | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leather wrapped steering wheel | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2 DIN MP3 Player | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sunglass Holder | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Keyless entry | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Fog Lamps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ABS With EBD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Airbag | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | No |
| Average fuel efficiency | 22 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 17 |
| Ex Showroom price Bangalore in Lakh | 9.4 | 8.39 | 8.37 | 8.58 | 9.23 | 11.44 |
Conclusion
The Hyundai Verna is a great development in its segment and it offers a tough fight to its competition with good lot of new features. Hyundai has done a lot of improvements with respect to technicality, comfort and features, and the new design of the body shape is a major improvement boosting image of car and allowing it to compete even with the cars in range of 9 to 13 Lakh on road.
The Verna RB is clearly a step forward from the Verna Transform and it will be worthwhile seeing how customers respond to the same.
![Hyundai Verna [2020-2023]](https://imgd-ct.aeplcdn.com/160x89/n/cw/ec/41197/hyundai-verna-right-front-three-quarter7.jpeg?q=80 "Hyundai Verna [2020-2023]")
