How the 2017 Hyundai Verna stacks up against its major rivals

Hyundai is all set to launch the latest avatar of its best selling sedan Hyundai Verna on August 22, 2017. The new Verna is slated to replace the aging model which was launched way back in 2011. Let us see how Hyundai Verna is going to stack up against its major rivals.

Design:

Hyundai has tried to retain the design language of the outgoing Verna which had clicked so successfully with the Indian masses, while having a fresh, more contemporary take on the styling. The new Verna can be seen with a newer grille, larger headlamps, fog lamp housings, sleeker tail lamps and new design 16 inch alloys. While the new Verna will be having a similar height to that of the outgoing one, it is also noticeably longer and wider. The new Verna also sports the best in class headroom and is also one of the widest in the segment. However, it has to make do with the smallest boot in its class.

While you can be extremely generous while packing for travel in either Honda City or Maruti Ciaz which sport the biggest boots at 510L, Verna will force you to be a bit more restrained while packing, with boot capacity at 480L. While VW Vento has the biggest fuel tank at 55 L, it also has the least of legroom owing to its shorter wheelbase.

Interiors:

Hyundai cars are known for their equipment level and Verna too will not disappoint in this regard. A new 7 inch touchscreen system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, voice commands, steering mounted controls, bluetooth, rear AC vents, a segment first cooled and ventilated seats, sunroof, cruise control and rear parking sensors, six airbags on the top spec variant shall all be part of the package.

Honda City too sports a 7 inch infotainment system with Mirror-Link support, in-built navigation and steering mounted controls. Barring the ventilated seats, both Honda City and Hyundai Verna feature list are almost the same including the sun-roof and six airbags on the top spec variant.

Both Maruti Ciaz and Volkswagen Vento miss out on the sun-roof and six airbags although the rest of the equipment levels are nearly identical.

Drivetrains:

Hyundai has carried forward both the 1.6L petrol and diesel engines, while ditching the 1.4 L base diesel, from the outgoing model which are the most powerful in its class, generating 123 HP and 126 HP respectively. Both the petrol and diesel options will come mated to a 6-speed manual ( outgoing model’s petrol had a 5-speed gearbox), while Hyundai will also offer an option of 6-speed automatic in both the engine options.

Honda’s petrol is the silky smooth 1.5 L i-vTEC god enough for 119 HP and 145 Nm while the 1.5 L i-DTEC diesel generates 100 HP and 200 Nm. The petrol comes mated either to a 5-speed manual or a CVT while the diesel gets a 6-speed manual.

Maruti Ciaz’s 1.4 L petrol generating 92 HP and 130 Nm and Fiat sourced 1.3 L MJD diesel generating 90 HP and 200 Nm ensure engines are its weakest link. While petrol gets a 5-speed manual or a 4 step auto, the diesel gets a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard.

Volkswagen’s Vento gets three engine options – a 105 HP 1.6-litre petrol, a 105 HP 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and a 110 HP 1.5-litre diesel. The 1.6-litre petrol is exclusively mated to a five-speed manual while the 1.2-litre turbocharged engine only gets the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The diesel motor is offered with a five-speed manual and a DSG automatic transmission.

While Maruti Ciaz can boast of the best fuel efficiency among its competition, VW Vento figures the lowest numbers and comes last.

Pricing:

Hyundai Verna prices are expected to be between INR 8.8 L for the base petrol, going upto 12.5 L for the top diesel auto.While Honda City is priced between INR 8.4 L and 13.5 L, Maruti priced between INR 7.6 L and 11.4L is the cheapest of the competition. While entry level Vento is priced at INR 8L, the top end diesel featuring the latest DSG tech comes with a hefty 13.8 L price tag.

While Hyundai Verna does look like a winner in the segment, we need a proper road test to be done before betting on the model.

Also read: Hyundai Verna – First Impressions

[ Image Credit: AutoCarindia]