What a car!!. Review on Hyundai Verna

I had Logan petrol before this, and the reasons for replacement were 1) poor driving comfort and 2) poor acceleration. I had not understood my priorities when I bought my first car, but was immensely clear second time around. I test drove three cars - SX 4, Honda City and Verna.

First was City. I switched on the car and just turned the steering on both the sides - and it felt that there was nothing attached to the steering! It was completely free and an immense pleasure to drive. I talked with the dealer to take my old car, but the price offered was so low that I could not afford City (priced 10.08 lakhs).

Next was SX4. Steering test was a big failure and so was the acceleration, in the 2nd and 3rd gears. Maybe it has improved now as they have reintroduced the car.

Finally, Verna. Steering performance was far better than SX 4 but not as good as City. But the driving was amazing. Gear shift smooth, acceleration great. Price tag was also Rs. 2 lakhs less than Honda. I went ahead and booked the car and after a long wait of 2 months got the delivery.

Ownership

I have driven the car for just around 1000 Kms in the city within two months.

a) Driving

For city driving, it's 2nd gear has amazing range, starting from 15 Km/hr to 35 Kms, which really reduces the need for gear change while driving. As I had experienced while test driving, the acceleration, gear shift etc. is very very good, even at low speeds. In all, driving comfort is of utmost level.

b) Space

Space inside cannot be compared with Logan and passengers will not be  as comfortable as in Logan. But most of the time it is I alone who is inside the car, so there is no regret. And my family size is 3 (wife and kid) and there are no complains. But the real test will be when we take a long drive, outside the town.

There are N number of cubby holes inside the car, which is a big help. Many small sundry items can be placed without any problem. This is really a good touch. But the glove box could have been bigger.

c) Accessory

Audio system comes pre-attached and is definitely very good. But I fail to understand how they could be so cheap when the remote for the system was designed. Remote looks like a cheap toy from China and does not fit with the rest of the car's premium look.

AC is comfortable, but cannot be really tested because of the weather in Bangalore.

d) Mileage

I have checked mileage once and came around 9. I have to check what I get after first service and will update the review after the service.

e) Dealer

I bought this car from Advaith in Bangalore. Salesman was eager but over enthusiastic in promising date, which was given to be 10 days after booking. The same was postponed innumerous times and I finally got full two months after booking. They blamed their tyre vendor and said due to that assembly line was stuck.

Also, I have to get exchange bonus (as I sold my old car to them), which has still not come. They had promised mid of November, and next by first week of December. Now, it is 18th December - let us see what happens. Things happen, but they take their own time.

Improvements

In this price range, they should definitely provide front air bags and steering mounted controls. I think with refurbished SX 4 and new Tata Manza, Verna will get tougher competition. I might have gone for Manza had it been available at that time.