We have driven the 1.5-Turbo Verna and it’s an absolute beast as far as performance is concerned. The way the 160 horses come alive is nothing short of an adrenaline rush. However, most Verna buyers opt for the more value-friendly 1.5 NA engine, and we decided to sample the same this time. Our Verna comes mated to the CVT transmission—or IVT in Hyundai speak. Having put it to the test as our daily drive for about 3,000 km, it’s time to pen down our observations. While the car excels in several areas like space, comfort, and equipment, there are some trade-offs, especially when it comes to performance and driving dynamics.
Let’s begin with the car’s biggest strength—space and comfort. The Verna has matured into a properly spacious sedan, especially in the rear seat area, which was a weak point in earlier generations. Hyundai has clearly worked on improving legroom and shoulder room, and this has made the Verna far more accommodating for rear-seat passengers. The seats themselves are well-cushioned with good under-thigh support, which makes long-distance journeys quite relaxed. The Verna gets ADAS—something most rivals don’t—but to be honest, we prefer to drive with the ADAS off, as it’s pretty chaotic in Mumbai traffic.
One of the standout features during summers is the ventilated front seats. They work effectively even on moderately hot days and are a godsend during long drives in hot weather. This feature is often missing in even more expensive cars and adds a true touch of luxury and convenience. The Bose audio system is another high point. It delivers clear, crisp sound with rich bass and a balanced profile. Whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, or calls via Bluetooth or Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, the audio experience is genuinely enjoyable, especially for music buffs.
Another advantage is the Verna’s ride quality. The suspension strikes a good balance between comfort and composure. It handles undulations and potholes well without being too soft or wallowy. Hyundai has tuned this car with comfort as the priority, and that shows in daily use. Ground clearance is decent, and the car doesn’t kiss its underbelly on the highest speed breakers. The 205/55 R16 Apollo tyres on our car offer great grip levels. The 5-star NCAP rating is surely a positive and definitely boosts confidence in the product for prospective buyers.
While most things are on the better side, one glaring omission is the lack of a rear window sunshade. This becomes particularly noticeable during summer when rear passengers are exposed to direct sunlight. For a car at this price point and with such a comfort-focused approach, this feels like a missed opportunity. The Creta and Alcazar get it, and so should the Verna. The instrument cluster is derived from the Venue; we would have loved to see the digital one that comes with the current Creta and Alcazar. On the other hand, boot space is quite good and will swallow a lot of luggage. An interesting point to note is that the current-generation Verna is more spacious than the last Elantra sold in India.
Then comes the engine and transmission package. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, while refined and smooth, feels underwhelming in terms of outright performance. 115 PS of power and 144 Nm of torque won’t excite you if you are in a hurry. It’s perfectly adequate for city commutes and gentle highway cruising, but if you’re looking for spirited driving or quick overtakes, it leaves you wanting more. The power delivery is linear but not exciting. Paired with this is the IVT transmission—Hyundai’s version of a CVT. In traffic and during slow, steady acceleration, it behaves well and is smooth. In Hyundai’s defence, their CVT is much better and less laggy compared to the Japanese ones.
However, push the car even slightly and you’ll notice that the gearbox feels sluggish and rubber-band-like in response. It takes a moment too long to react to throttle inputs, which saps confidence during overtakes or when quick acceleration is needed. While it serves the purpose of efficiency and ease of use, enthusiasts or even moderately spirited drivers may find it wanting. While the chassis is set up very nicely, the steering doesn’t offer the feel and feedback one has come to expect from German rivals—although the average customer may not find any issue here.
Overall, the Hyundai Verna 1.5 NA IVT is a very well-rounded sedan for comfort-oriented buyers. It shines in areas like space, ride quality, creature comforts, and cabin refinement. Features like ventilated seats and the Bose sound system add a premium touch. Currently, the Verna is returning around 8 km/l in the city and around 14 km/l on the highway, which is pretty much the same as what the 1.5-Turbo delivers—but you have more power to play with on the latter. However, if your priorities include performance or enthusiastic driving, the 1.5 NA with IVT might not satisfy you fully. For everyone else, the 1.5 NA with IVT is just the thing the average sedan buyer wants.
