Hyundai Verna

I have purchased Hyundai Verna transform last month and my till date experience is simply thrilling and awesome.

During my selections process, I have made analysis on almost all available products.

Following are the critical criteria before selecting your dream machine:

1. Technology - The engine technology is how old and how much proven, is the key factor before selecting a vehicle. Hyundai Common rail diesel technology is the most reputed world wide and 1500 CC CRDi engine is sold worldwide as either Accent or other local name. This engine is even now supplied to other car manufacturer like Mitsubishi.

Note: CC is centimeter cube means the size of the engine internal area.

Please check with other brand for their engine technology, whether their own or somebody else. Biggest car manufacture is now moving to own engines from Fiat engines.

1. Power Vs CC ratio

Good technology will provide good power with less CC engine. Less CC engine means good fuel efficiency. Just compare power in either HP or PS Vs CC. Good technology will provide good power with less RPM. Even less RPM will make less wear and tear in engine over a period of time. Please check the Torque vs RPM to know your engine better.

1. Specification comparison

Performance summery : Petrol Version

Make CC Power Torque

SX4 - Maruti 1586CC 104 PS @ 5600 RPM 145 NM @ 4100 RPM

Dezire - Maruti 1197CC 85 PS @ 6000 RPM 113 NM @ 4500 RPM

Logan - M&M 1390CC 75 PS @ 5500 RPM 110 NM @ 3000 RPM

Honda city 1497CC 118 PS @ 6600 RPM 146 NM @ 4800 RPM

Toyota Innova 1998CC 132 PS @ 5600 RPM 181 NM @ 4000 RPM

Volkswegan Jetta 1595CC 102 PS @ 5600 RPM 148 NM @ 3800 RPM

Hyundai verna 1599CC 103 PS @ 5500 RPM 148 NM @ 4000 RPM

Optra 1598CC 104 PS @ not mention 148 NM @ not known

Few makes are not compare like Skoda, TATA and Fiat.

Performance summery : Diesel version

Dezire- Maruti 1248CC 75PS @ 5500 RPM 190NM @ 2000 RPM

Logan - M&M 1461CC 65 PS @ 4000 RPM 160NM @ 2000 RPM

Scorpio - M&M 2197CC 120PS @ 4000 RPM 290NM @ 2800 RPM

Xylo - M&M 2489 CC 112 PS @ 3800 RPM 260 NM @ 2200 RPM

Toyota Innova 2494 CC 102 PS @ 3600 RPM 204 NM @ 1400 RPM

Volkswegan-jetta 2000 CC 110 PS @ 4200 RPM 250 NM @ 1500-2500 RPM

Hyundai Verna 1493 CC 110 PS @ 4000 RPM 241 NM @ 1900-2750 RPM

Now, you can check different models for price VS power VS fuel efficiency VS service support VS spare parts price.

Looks are always better with Honda, VW, GM and Hyundai. No "JUGAD" is make from hatchback to sedan.

I found Hyundai verna better priced for power, Fuel efficiency and pick up.

Toyota innova is second choice but it is very big car in size. It is difficult to drive and park in city area and the fuel efficiency is almost 35-40% less than Verna. Car version called Etios (sedan & hatchback) will be launch soon, but I am not interested for "BUDGET TOYOTA" car.

VolksWegan- Jetta is a great car to drive but it is very expensive (Rs. 15 L - Ex showroom). Even I don’t know how they will charge for spare parts in future. VolksWegan learns Indian way and will offer Vector (Sedan) make from existing Polo (Hatchback) in near future. This car will be between Jetta and Polo. This will be interesting if VW just not try to make cheap car for India and offer good quality car with reasonable price.

I always dream to have Honda car. But Honda is not offering Deisel cars in India. Petrol cars are initially cheap by Rs. 1 L at least but over a period of life say 10 years or 250000 KM, diesel will be always economical. Honda is selling cheap SUV called "IVANZA" worldwide (In the same price range), but they still want to sell us City only.

1. Drive & control

Weight is the important factor for any vehicle. Vehicle manufacturer can make vehicle light to get better fuel efficiency. Enough weight vehicle always stable at high speed. Please ask for weight, which is not mention in any sales brochures.

1. Tips for test drive

a. Drive slow and feel the engine noise, it will give you the feel of engine refine-ness.

b. Drive for at least 15 KM + to have real good idea about the ride and comfort.

c. At least once drive for more than 120/130 KM to have idea about control and road stability. If required go to highway. THIS IS MUST.

d. Dealers always offer high end model for test drive. Please verify, what you will get in your vehicle.

Now my own experience with Verna transform,

I love to drive this car in the city and on the highway. In the city this is as good as my old Santro/Maruti 800 to control and swift. On the highway, it is chasing Skoda and VW comfortably ( I have drive upto 150 Km on express way). Caution : Above 140 Km speed, the body weight is less and car starts behave like a boat on water. The fuel efficiency is above 18 Km/Liter, during first 2500 KM drive. (Mostly I drive on Highway, may be in city it will drop a little bit). AC is good.

Hope, I have shared some important information for your selection process. Hopefully this car will not give any adverse surprise in future.

Have fun and great drives with your dream machines.