The most beautiful bird on Indian roads... Review on Hyundai Verna

Alright now here I describe a vehicle that has been one of the most amazing vehicles in its section the HYUNDAI VERNA.

I'm quite aware that many of you might have done a lot of homework before buying your dream vehicle considering the fact that:

1. Cost

   
   




2. Looks

   
   




3. Fuel/Mileage

   
   




4. Dealer &

   
   




5. After sales service

   
   

Background:

Now let me be very frank with you.  While going to buy a vehicle I never imagined that the Hyundai Verna would be my dream machine. I had happened to visit Popular Cars in Goregaon for buying a second hand car. While I have been driving the Maruti Zen for 6 yrs now, I needed a vehicle that would give me good ground clearance, good looks, good mileage and performance. I happened to spot a Hyundai Verna 2006 model which was driven for about 15, 000 kms. The dealer closed down the rate to Rs. 6, 15, 000/- as of April ' 08. I' ve always loved to buy a new car, but then since the vehicle (Verna Petrol XI) was in immaculate condition I though this is the one for me. I test drove it and this is wat I found:

*1. Amazing pickup

1. Fantabulous air - conditioning; the whole cabin cools in a matter of 3 mins with max!!! After which one would literally shiver.

   
   




2. Power steering and power windows are great as smooth as feather touch.

   
   

*I felt the owner has really maintained the vehicle while glaring at the Sony USB player connected on the dashboard and amazing Sony speakers at the rear. I wondered what would be the price for a new Verna. I went on the site and got a list of all dealers in Mumbai! While I have been driving the Maruti Zen for 6 yrs now, I needed a vehicle that would give me good ground clearance, good looks, good mileage and performance.

While I was in Andheri looking at all models (considering that there are new as well as second hand car dealers there), I felt it makes sense to travel a little further down Andheri Kurla Road and have a look at the New Verna in the showroom. I straight went to A 1 Auto and bang the verna was right at the door step..looking stunning as ever.

I felt the difference in a new car... A NEW CAR IS A NEW CAR ISNT IT GUYS?

I spoke to the branch manager, and he guided me very well and told me that I made the right decision to shift from a 2nd hand car to a brand new one. I negotiated and (uska poora juice nikal diya) and guess wat I got the new verna for a an unbelivingly PRICE OF 6.85 LACS. So that meant, I spend another 70 thousand (considering the 2nd hand car) and I have a new car.

Now, before I finally zeroed down on the verna, I had a look at the Chevrolet Optra (Big Car), Ford Fiesta(Good looks, bad space management  & interiors), SX4 (Big dabba and looks of a desi copycat from an imported sedan, Big and bulky and also EXPENSIVE), Ford Ikon (low height and performance).

I purchased the Hyundai Verna XI petrol on 17th May' 08, so its like abt a month and a half now that Ive been using it.

*Technical Info can be found here (Due to space constraint) : https://hyundaiverna.co.in/verna_try.asp?pagename=tecspec

*Interiors :

*1. The interiors are amazing with wooden finishings. Also the plastic and other accesories including the dashboard are a class apart.

1. The seats are neat with a nice hand rest for the driver. The seats at the rear are great with cup holders and quite different pockets for storage (books, water bottle) etc.

   
   




2. The seats have to be maintained. I suggest putting leather seat covers to get comfort as well as cooling.

   
   




3. Also try going in for a learther steering cover. Comes in handy while the ac chills its way...

   
   




4. Hyundai has given adequate space for various storages (Spectacles, CD's, loose cash, Cups & bottles etc in the front as well)

   
   

*Exteriors:

*1. Since I own the Black Hyundai Verna, the maintainence is quite less. I always look for scratches since they are qute visible when u buy a black colour. But the quality of the paint coating is amazing.. SCRATCHLESS!!!

1. The Headlights as many have described are a little bad (the fog lamps of no use)

   
   




2. Wheel caps are clean with utmost protection to the tyres and not those showy types.

   
   




3. Remote keyless entry is good. But one often wonders when the car is locked or unlocked. Hyundai should have given a buzzer when the car locks/unlocks. The mere display of change in the light pattern makes you watch the light when u lock the vehicle. (If you unlock the vehicle and dont open the door within 30 secs, the doors get locked, amazing stuff)

   
   

*Mileage:

*1. Since, I drive mostly on city roads and seldom on highways, I prefer to drive the vehicle on top gear and avoid applying unneccesary brakes at top speeds. It helps in maintaing good engine balance anfd gives good mileage. Currenty with my model (Petrol XI) I get 12 kmpl in city and 15 on highway (Obiously with AC). Add another 2 kms without ac in city and on highway.

Servicing:

Since, its been a month and I’ve driven about 1200 kms, I took it to Jayabharat Hyundai for its first service. The vehicle came out clean with no major or minor changes in oil change, brake oil, engine oil etc. What it needed was a nice wash considering the heavy downpur in Mumbai in the first week of June. What I spent on the servicing? A mere Rs. 80/- on VAT and ST : )

The service centre suggested that I do an Anti-rust since it made sense as my Zen intially had rusted exteriors at some parts. (Hyundai should consider doing this before the delivery as a standard procedure). I spent around Rs. 5000/- on the entire anti rust (getting a warranty of 3 yrs) on the engine and lower body. (I feel this is requred, but its entirely your decision)

*Conclusion:

1. THE NAME VERNA ISN'T CATCHY SO MANY OF US DONT THINK OF GOIN FOR IT. (Thanks to bad marketing by Hyundai Motors)

*2. If you too are like me who looks for Performance, Mileage, Costs, Comfort, AC, Power steering/Windows, Leg room , Head room, Rear Seat space, Rear seating and BOOT (A huge boot for all those small vacations (4 suitcases can easily be considered).

1. If your looking at grabbing a Verna Diesel, I'd suggest not going in for it as its noisy with the peculiar diesel sound and high cost. Go for the petrol variant as its cheap and smoooth and avoid the hassles in the long run.

*THE HYUNDAI VERNA IS WHAT YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR . . . F E E L  I T

FORGET THE REST. . . DRIVE THE BEST!

*Regards,

Prasad Nimbalkar.*

Till next time, lets pump up the volume and see the other birds stare at the black bird : )

*P.S -  I should also thank the other writers views for helping me make a wise decision while buying esp.   vandandalal & chak_de_verna

Their  review are right here :  https://mouthshut.com/review/Hyundai_Verna-140415-1.html

https://mouthshut.com/review/Hyundai_Verna140831-1.html