New Hyundai Verna 2023 Review: We drove the new Hyundai Verna turbo petrol with its manual as well as its DCT gearbox sometime back and they were huge fun. The ample power and the enhanced dynamics are indeed the talking points of the new Verna but a lot of buyers will probably go for the naturally aspirated 1.5 MPi petrol with the automatic. That would be the best value Verna on paper but is it really that good? We had the car for a week to find that out.


First up, the non-turbo Verna gets standard wheels which are not black but the overall styling remains a big talking point. The front end divides opinion but like the Creta when it came out, the styling is what first grabs your attention. The lovely fastback-like roofline and the multiple creases/lines are lovely to my eyes and it is a low slung too. It is the most striking shape possibly within this price bracket. The non-turbo variant with the 1.5 MPi gets a dual-tone cream/black interior which actually looks more premium than the all-black ones on the turbo. However, the upholstery is prone to get dirty.


Other than a powered hand brake, the naturally aspirated Verna gets all of the goodies just as on the turbo Verna. Quality is top notch so the engine is familiar with 115bhp and 144Nm with either a 6-speed MT or the 8-step CVT or IVT. What you get is excellent refinement and smooth power delivery. The spike and the turbo rush are missing of course but it is very smooth along with the CVT tuned very well.


We will say that this is the best iteration of the CVT/1.5L engine combo with even smoother shifts plus the dreaded rubber band effect is lowered even when you push hard. There are drive modes but it is best kept in Normal although eco is not at all sluggish. Power is linear and presented in a smooth fashion which is perfect for everyday traffic scenarios. Coupled with light steering and you have a sedan which is perfect for daily use. The suspension is also miles ahead of the previous one with an obvious bent towards comfort. In terms of efficiency, we got 12kmpl in the city. Interestingly the non-turbo version does not get some ADAS features as on the turbo like smart cruise control and lane vehicle departure alter which the DCT Turbo gets.


The top-end Verna CVT is priced at Rs 16 lakh plus with the turbo DCT costing a lakh more. For enthusiasts the turbo is in terms of sheer power on offer plus the DCT gearbox of course. However, there are many who want a stylish sedan with plenty of features along with a smooth powertrain- which the Verna IVT or CVT has. The interior colour might also swing some chauffeur-driven sedan buyers this side too. The CVT petrol is the practical Verna with its refinement and pleasing driving manners. As far as sedans go, this is as good as it gets currently.


What we like - Looks, comfort, features, quality, smooth powertrain, refinement


What we do not like - Turbo petrol offers more performance 



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