Ahead of the brand-new Vernas launch on March 21, we look at how the Hyundai sedan has formed up over the years.Published On Mar 17, 2023 07:38:00 PMRight from its intro back in 2006, the Hyundai Verna has actually constantly been one of the strongest players in the Indian midsize sedan section. It describes why Hyundai hasnt quit on the Verna in spite of the truth that the sector is losing popularity in the current past to compact and midsize SUVs. Come March 21, a brand new Verna, now in its fourth generation, will go on sale in India, followed by other markets. Prior to the new Verna comes along, we take a flight back in time and inform you how the Verna has actually evolved over the years.Hyundai Verna started its life as the Accent in India Hyundai concerned India in late 1990s with the Santro hatchback, and its popularity encouraged Hyundai to bring the Accent midsize sedan to India. The Accent that we got was the second generation design worldwide, which, interestingly, was called Verna in its home market of South Korea. The Accent entered at a time when the midsize sedan sector was relatively crowded with rivals like the Daewoo Cielo, Mitsubishi Lancer, Fiat Sienna, Maruti Suzuki Esteem, Ford Ikon and, obviously, the Honda City.We drove the Hyundai Accent in the very 2nd issue of Autocar India.We drove the first-gen-for-India Hyundai Accent and featured it on the October 1999 cover of the Autocar India magazine. The Accent developed a strong very first impression on us and our testers, and they especially liked the Accents styling, the premium interiors and the huge vehicle feel that it offered when on road. Nevertheless, we felt that the Accent was more of a comfy cruiser than a straight-out chauffeurs car. It was introduced here in November 1999 with an attractive beginning price of Rs 5.35 lakh (ex-showroom). Accent replacement was called the “Verna” in India (2006-2011)The value-for-money rates, great appearances and brand name reputation earned by Hyundai in a reasonably short duration of time made the Accent effective in the competitive midsize sedan space. While it never really fell the Honda City, the section preferred, the Accent was still a strong contender.However, six years into its lifecycle, the Accent started facing the force from newer, more advanced rivals. From the lower end of the section, it needed to take on Tatas new Indigo, and it now had the exceptionally capable made-for-India Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Aveo as its direct rivals. It still had the powerful City, which already, had relocated to a new generation and was drastically various from the model it replaced.The greatest talking point of this Verna was the strong and powerful four-cylinder diesel engine.Hyundai introduced the new generation Accent in India, however it carried the Verna badge this time. While the new generation was called Accent in some markets, Hyundai picked the Verna name for India due to the fact that it continued to offer the previous generation Accent along with. This assisted Hyundai position not one, however 2 designs at each end of the segment.The Verna was a huge enhancement over the Accent. Based on Hyundais MC platform, the brand-new Verna had much better outsides, more premium interiors and crucially, a far better four-cylinder diesel motor compared to the three-cylinder system in the Accent. In our extensive road test of the Verna, it was the diesel that stood out as the exceptional powertrain. We liked its strong efficiency and discovered it close to the segment-leading Fiesta diesel in terms of improvement and fuel performance. Like the Accent, the Verna was priced really competitively and went on to win Autocar India 2007 Value for Money vehicle of the year.In 2010, Hyundai introduced the Verna Transform, a facelift of the first-gen model, with stylistic updates.Second-gen Verna ups the style ante (2011-2017)The new generation Verna occurred some five-and-a-half years later, and the biggest talking point was the design. The brand-new Verna was a huge departure compared to the previous cars and truck, thanks to Hyundais brand-new “Fluidic Sculpture” design language. It truly stood out even in a section of striking cars like the Fiat Linea, new-gen Ford Fiesta and the third-generation Honda City.The Fluidic Verna went on to win the 2012 Autocar India Car of the Year awards for design.Hyundai likewise made it an indicate make the Verna feel premium on the inside, and packed it with a number of segment-first functions. There were also multiple powertrains to select from, and with all these characteristics, the Verna ended up being a force to reckon with in this segment. It went on to win the very best Design and Styling category at the 2012 Autocar India Car of the Year awards.What it did not have was the vibrant polish that a few of its rivals like the Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid offered. The flight, in particular, felt too soft which hindered the automobiles high-speed stability. Hyundai dealt with the shortcoming with a significant update in 2015. The mid-cycle facelift was christened Verna 4S and brought with it significant suspension updates and styling tweaks. Hyundai tones down the Vernas styling (2017-present)By 2017, it was time for another generation modification for the Verna, and this time too, Hyundai opted for a full style change. Nevertheless, for this generation, Hyundai called back on the styling a bit and made the Verna look more fully grown and grown up. The interior, too, wasnt as aesthetically striking as previously, but what did not change was the high quality feel and the long equipment list. Hyundai also made big improvements in the Vernas dynamics, and both the fuel and diesel motor offered strong efficiency. What Hyundai did not address sufficiently was the back-seat space and convenience, which was still brief of some of its rivals.While still trendy, the 2017 Verna was not significant looking as its predecessor.A significant facelift for the Verna can be found in 2020, which saw the vehicle get considerable cosmetic updates and brand-new powertrains, including the spirited three-cylinder turbo-petrol from the Venue. It likewise got brand-new naturally-aspirated petrol and turbo-diesel engines, and 3 automated transmission choices– offering a wide array of powertrain choices. All of this made it much better prepared to handle its competitors like the brand-new Honda City, Toyota Yaris and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.New Hyundai Verna will have it difficult The new-gen Verna will make its worldwide debut on March 21. While the previous iterations have arrived in the middle of a great deal of competitors, the new Verna comes at a time when the midsize sedan segment has actually shrunk. There are less rivals, but the brand-new Verna sees a new type of competitors from an entire host of midsize SUVs, which are plainly the more popular option in the Rs 10 lakh-20 lakh price bracket.Plus, while the rivals have reduced, the existing ones like the Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and the just recently facelifted Honda City are all credible enough to offer the Verna serious competition.The brand-new Verna gets style hints from international models like the Grandeur sedan.As it has done previously, Hyundai appears to be putting their all into the new Verna. It brings a very different design that is inspired from Hyundais international designs like the Grandeur sedan and the Staria MPV. From the teasers, the Verna looks loaded with features, consisting of 2 10.25-inch screens, Bose sound system and ADAS tech. It also gets a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes a class leading 160hp. A long list of features, strong performance, the assurance of the Hyundai brand name and value-for-money prices has all helped the Verna become such a strong gamer in the segment. It has actually likewise operated in the Vernas favour that Hyundai has been very receptive to feedback and every version has actually been a major enhancement over the one it has actually changed. Can the new Verna duplicate the success of its predecessors, particularly at a time when the marketplace dynamics have moved? Only time will inform. The very first impressions, nevertheless, are definitely positive.Also see: Hyundai Aura facelift video reviewHyundai style head SangYup Lee is 2023 World Car Person of the YearHyundai Alcazar gets new 1.5 turbo fuel engine; bookings openCopyright (c) Autocar India. All rights scheduled.

Ahead of the brand-new Vernas launch on March 21, we look at how the Hyundai sedan has actually formed up over the years.Published On Mar 17, 2023 07:38:00 PMRight from its intro back in 2006, the Hyundai Verna has always been one of the greatest gamers in the Indian midsize sedan segment. It still had the powerful City, which by then, had moved to a new generation and was drastically different from the design it replaced.The greatest talking point of this Verna was the strong and powerful four-cylinder diesel engine.Hyundai launched the new generation Accent in India, but it brought the Verna badge this time. Like the Accent, the Verna was priced extremely competitively and went on to win Autocar India 2007 Value for Money cars and truck of the year.In 2010, Hyundai launched the Verna Transform, a facelift of the first-gen design, with stylistic updates.Second-gen Verna ups the design ante (2011-2017)The brand-new generation Verna came along some five-and-a-half years later on, and the most significant talking point was the style. It truly stood out even in a section of striking vehicles like the Fiat Linea, new-gen Ford Fiesta and the third-generation Honda City.The Fluidic Verna went on to win the 2012 Autocar India Car of the Year awards for design.Hyundai likewise made it a point to make the Verna feel premium on the within, and packed it with numerous segment-first functions. There are fewer rivals, however the new Verna sees a brand-new kind of competition from an entire host of midsize SUVs, which are clearly the more popular option in the Rs 10 lakh-20 lakh price bracket.Plus, while the rivals have actually reduced, the existing ones like the Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and the just recently facelifted Honda City are all trustworthy adequate to give the Verna severe competition.The brand-new Verna gets style cues from worldwide designs like the Grandeur sedan.As it has done formerly, Hyundai appears to be putting their all into the new Verna.