Verna for speed lovers only. Review on Hyundai Verna

I had purchased a Verna VGT CRDi with ABS on May 2008, after doing a lot of research by test driving Tata Indigo, Aveo, Accent, Safari 2.2, and Scorpio Mhawk. Fiesta was left out as my dad already owns it. Verna was the only vehicle left and somehow I disliked the vehicle right from the day of release in 2006.

But then I decided to have a test drive and I called up Talwar Mobiles at Secunderabad for a test drive. A test vehicle was promptly brought the very next day as promised to my office. From the word GO, I was totally impressed by the pickup of the vehicle and I fell flat for the vehicle.

It was like a love at first drive. It had almost every feature I had expected. I took almost 2-3 weeks digging the net and from friends who own a verna, about their opinion. Ofcourse the opinion was positive and the only draw back was the mileage. Anyway that was not a concern. My requirements were instant pickup, comfort, cabin space, boot space, smooth steering and gear and easy traffic drive.

Everyday I happen to travel 46 kms from home to office and back and that too in peak traffic. I get tired on either side while travelling on Indica, which I owned and the same problem with my wife's maruthi Alto. I finally decided to go for the vehicle bearing in mind the comfort verna promises to provide.

Finally I booked a new Verna and during those waiting days, I started to admire every verna I had come across on the road. The vehicle was delivered after 2 weeks as I had to get my finance ready and it was a Sky blue Verna.

I have driven 4000 kms as on today i.e, 14th August. With only 1 service done. Believe me, the vehicle has outperformed and I am fresh as a flower even after driving the 46kms everyday. Sometimes I feel I am travelling on a cloud. There are situations while overtaking, my mind asks 'yes no yes no yes no'. But while driving verna, before I could think, I am well ahead after overtaking confidently. So the chances are 200% to clear any vehicle in front!

Anyway these are my current observations on the vehicle:

Good:

• Straight line acceleration is excellent.

  
  




• Excellent in zip drive, you feel you are driving an Alto or a Santro in terms of squeking between vehicles!

  
  




• Excellent AC system, I am travelling on 1 point most of the time.

  
  




• Feather touch steering and gear system.

  
  




• Pickup is terrifying, I could feel my hair standing up whenever I press the pedal!

  
  




• Driver seat adjustment and steering adjustment, not every car gives this option.

  
  




• Unbelievable Supersilent cabin and engine, people think that I have a petrol car!

  
  




• ABS is a stunner in braking. Real worth for a car like Verna.

  
  

Bad:

• Sudden turns makes the car lose control. This is a real concern.

  
  




• Top end has a Cheap kenwood music system with 20 watts speakers at the front and back !!!!!!

  
  




• Beige gets dirty very soon and difficult to clean it.

  
  




• 1 button remoteless key, you can't hear a squeak while locking and unlocking ! Sometimes not sure whether the vehicle is locked or unlocked.

  
  




• headlamps are low powered.

  
  

Regarding mileage, there are various discussions and various conclusions. As for me I am maintaining a full tank and refuel when the needle drops to 3/4 itself. So I am yet to test the mileage and I have turned a blind eye for the time being.

Suspension seems to be little poor and I am forced to come down to zero just to climb a speed breaker or pothole. I know Hyundai will never make a mistake and I have come to know that the low floor is for the centre of gravity and for better road grip. Increasing the suspension will only make the ride bouncy. Also the black strip below the front bumper seems to be a concern as it scrapes on tall speed breakers.

There is no car which is a 100% perfect. We just have to see which vehicle provides the maximum comfort and features. Other then the small teething internal problems, the vehicle has outperformed. I have driven on the highways and had a test of chases and overtakes of vehicles like Scorpio, Safari, Fiesta and Scoda. It has beaten every vehicle on the road and I could see other vehicles fuming in black trying to overtake this verna.

Aditional modifications done to the vehicle, I have replaced the wheel disks with crome alloys, replaced the kenwood system with JVC touch screen player and fixed Pioneer amp and woofer. Replaced the hyundai central locking system with Autocop system for better audible safety. Fixed an imported transparent spoiler to control the car jumps at high speeds. This is very essential for turbo charged cars. Upgraded the head lamp bulbs from 55/60 watts to 90/100 watts. Now the vehicle looks real cute and I started to have admirers each day.

I have started to become a road bully and I am easily able to take revenge on others which I could'nt do it on Indica :). Sometimes I feel my hair standing up when the car takes off in a flash. I think I need to get used to this :).

I sincerely recommend people, especially the younger generation, to go for this car. Drive it and Feel it!

My final verdict, Verna is for speed lovers and not for budget hunters. You need guts to drive Verna!

Pls don't forget to rate my review comments.