Evolution of Hyundai Verna: How This Sedan Has Transformed Over the Generations

Indian car enthusiasts and sedans are a love story that has been around for ages. With leading car makers launching sedans in different design languages and features, there is one particular car that has stood the test of time. That is the Hyundai Verna. First launched in 2006 by South Korean automobile manufacturing company Hyundai Motor Company, the Verna created a buzz the moment it hit the streets. 

It has been almost two decades, and it is still as popular as ever. Hyundai has made several changes to the first-generation Verna to match up with advancing technologies and changing customer preferences. This write-up offers a detailed overview of these transformations over the generations. 

The First Generation Verna (2006–2011): The Diesel Difference

In 2006, Hyundai brought out the Verna in India, which was priced above the old Accent and below the Elantra. Although it was the third-generation Accent globally, Hyundai chose to market it as the Verna in India. Within the first few days, it sold more than 5,000 units, drawing plenty of public interest.

What set the Verna apart early on was its 1.5-litre diesel engine. It offered more power than even larger, more expensive sedans like the Skoda Laura Diesel. Hyundai later introduced a diesel-automatic option in 2009, a first for the segment, paired with the newly launched SX variant that included all-wheel disc brakes and ABS. 

In 2010, the Verna received a small update, known as the Verna Transform, which included a different grille and new alloy wheels. Its design and engineering remained unchanged, but its popularity resulted from its consistently strong performance and good value.

The Fluidic Verna (2011–2017): Bold Design Meets Premium Features

In 2011, the Korean brand Hyundai presented the Verna to the market as the Fluidic Verna. The new “fluidic sculpture” design made this sedan one of the most attractive sedans in its category.

Under the bonnet, both 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines could be found, with manual and automatic transmission choices. The more powerful 1.6-litre unit delivered over 118bhp, making it the most potent offering in its class at the time. It outperformed rivals like the Honda City, Volkswagen Vento, and Skoda Rapid.

The Verna cabin included never-before-seen features for this budget segment. With a keyless engine start, air conditioning, a camera for the rear and six airbags, the car was among the most advanced on the market. The model received further fine-tuning in 2015, and it is known as the 4S. Features such as automatic headlamps, automatic wipers and updated suspension made Verna a fashionable and practical family car.

The Third Generation Verna (2017–2023): Technology Forward

In 2017, the Verna was updated to its fifth generation with a sportier and superior design. It was now larger and filled more space than it ever had before. The 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines were carried forward. A bigger chrome grill was added, along with much bigger headlights and taillights. This led to a three-level lighting setup on the back and a continuous flow up to the boot lid. Even though it was longer by 70 millimetres, the roof was now curved like a coupe. 

The cabin featured a large touchscreen, smartphone connectivity support and an electric sliding sunroof. Among its positives, the third-gen Verna had a simple interface and lots of places to hold things. The boot was sufficient at 480 litres. Air ventilation, touchscreen infotainment compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and wireless phone charging made the sedan very attractive. 

The 2020 facelift brought many new features and engines before the BS6 implementation. The Verna 2020 model had a bolder face with a larger hexagonal grille and attractive alloy wheels. The driver-focused cabin lacked rear knee room. Hyundai introduced the new Smartstream 1.5-litre engine with a Verna Turbo variant powered by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 7-speed DCT variant. 

The Current Generation Verna (2023–Present): A Technological Marvel

The newest generation of the Verna, the fourth-gen, was launched on 21st March 2023. Prominent changes include:

• LED headlights with a connecting lightbar across the front. 
• LED taillight clusters with a connected strip of light.

It is bigger than the previous generation with a length of 4535 mm and a wheelbase of 2670 mm. It also has a bigger boot space of 528 mm. It gets advanced features like:

• Smart cruise control with stop-and-go
• Autonomous braking 
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reverse camera
• Bose premium surround system
• Ventilated front seats
• Powered sunroof

Perhaps the most significant change is that the diesel engine has been dropped. The Verna now comes with a 1482 cc 1.5L Turbo GDi Petrol engine offering a power of 160 bhp at 5500 rpm and a torque of 253 Nm between 1500 and 3500 rpm. The second engine option includes a 1497 cc 1.5L MPi Petrol engine offering 115 bhp at 6300 rpm and 143.8 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm. There are three transmission choices: 6-speed manual, 6-speed IVT, and 7-speed DCT.

Conclusion: Traditional to Ultra-Modern

The Hyundai Verna has been transformed a lot during its nearly two decades. While originally offering strong diesel power in a standard sedan, it has now evolved into a technology-loaded car with stylish design and top-class features. Over the past few years, each new Verna has changed to meet what Indian car buyers want, be it improved performance, more comfort, or advanced technology. The Hyundai Verna reveals what steady advancements in cars look like, offering modern design, nice seating, safety and strong performance throughout generations.

Also Read: Hyundai Creta vs Tata Curvv: Comparing the Practicality of a Mid-Size SUV and SUV Coupe