4S Fluidic Hyundai Verna - Road Test Review

Report: P.Tharyan; Photography: Mohd. Nasir

Ever since the Hyundai Verna was launched in 2006, this compact sedan won the hearts of hundreds and thousands of customers in the country. The car simply got better in its looks and performance as the years went by. From the Verna Transform in 2010 and the Fluidic Verna in 2011, we now have the 4 S Fluidic Verna in 2015.

The 4S simply denotes how things have just got better with the car. The 4 S symbol denotes how this new car has got a better Styling, better Safety features, better Speed and better Sophistication. When I got the key of the 1.6 litre petrol 4S Fluidic Verna in Udaipur, Rajasthan, I could not resist comparing the car to the royal environs of this city. The car stood out like a smart prince in the crowd. The Fluidic inspiration continued to have its graceful aura both outside as well as inside the vehicle. While there was no doubt that the car got better when it came to looks, it also got plusher interiors and some very robust riding qualities.

The car is being offered in two petrol engine options and two diesel engine options.  The petrol car will have an option of a 1.4 litre and 1.6 litre Gamma VTVT engine. The diesel car will have an option of a 1.4 U II and 1.6 litre VGT-CRDi engine. Both the petrol as well as the diesel cars will have an option of an automatic transmission in the 1.6 litre variant. Thus, depending on the power and torque you really want, one can opt for the right car.

It was a 1.6 litre petrol engine with a manual transmission that we got to drive at Udaipur. As we got out of the palace hotel gates, we hit innumerable pot holes. But the ride comfort immediately proved that this new Verna had a fantastically tweaked suspension. That actually seems to be the high point of this new Verna. Every other car on Indian roads today goes fast, every other car on the Indian roads today accelerates fast and smooth and every other car on Indian roads today looks kind of good. But the Verna has much more than the every other car on the Indian roads. It scores high on the style front, it scores high on the safety front and it definitely scores high on the ride comfort front. This car is not about how low it is going to be eventually priced, this car is all about how much one needs to pay to enjoy its supreme qualities.

Exterior & Interior

One look at the car and you realise that the fluidic design continues to be in vogue. The wing shaped front grille has a grand look about it while the projector headlamps and boomerang shaped fog lamps boosts its overall style appeal. The car stands of smart 16inches diamond cut alloy wheels which have its own sporty appeal. The rear too looks neat, especially with the concealed type exhaust which gives a clean look to the bumper. The elongated stylish wraparound tail lamp gives the rear an LED effect. The two tone rear bumper with reflectors enhances the sporty look of the vehicle.

If the outside is stylish, the inside too is plush and comfortable. The seats come with adequate thigh support, sliding console arm rest with storage (for front passengers) and a rear seat arm rest for those at the back. This comes with cup holders. So, if you have bottles, glasses, knick knacks, then there is plenty of storage space for you in the car. The glove box has cooling. Driver comforts include a height adjustable driver seat, tilt and telescopic steering and electronically adjustable and foldable outside rear view mirrors. Then there is the 2DIN Bluetooth audio system with 1GB internal memory and six speakers, along with USB and Aux input and a multi function steering wheel. Boy, this car is loaded big time with almost every practical feature you want. Talking of practical features, the list is actually endless…smart key with push button start, escort headlamps, auto lights and wipers (turns turn on when you enter a dark tunnel suddenly during the day or the wipers come on when it starts to drizzle suddenly!)…

Safety features

The car is not only loaded with features that make your journey comfortable but also safe. Yes, SAFE. There are loads of safety features in the car. First and foremost, this car has a rigid body structure with high tensile steel, six airbags: dual, side and curtain, anti lock braking, speed sensing auto door lock and impact sensing unlock….Let me pause there and explain what the latter means. Many a times when we start a car and speed up, we tend to forget to lock our doors. Here the car does this on its own as it gathers speed, keeping the occupants safe. Also on impact, the car doors unlock for your quit exit from the car. The car has a reverse parking camera, the inside rear view mirror has a camera display and it also has rear parking sensors. The car also has a driver safety window with anti pinch feature. 

Drive and handling

I must say the car impressed me with its great suspension. Technically speaking, the rear shock absorber comes with low velocity control valve that ensures appropriate damping force and the rear coil springs offer the right spring stiffness rate to counter a bumpy ride. This car also has a bump stopper that counters a thud noise. No wonder the bumps on the roads were of no consequence while driving on the pot holed roads.  Also, the motor driven power steering offered good steering response at all speeds. Because of a smart engine and an electronic throttle control, one could get immense response at the mere tap of the accelerator.

Quick acceleration and a steady climb in speed coupled with great handling features, makes the new Hyundai Verna perfect in every department. It is not just the speed that is impressive, but how the car handles in corners at these speeds. It keeps itself steadily perched on the road with some excellent grip. Even at these high speeds, the car is rock steady. This is one of the high points of this car.

I personally feel that Hyundai has done a great job in ensuring that the car is a winner in every department, whether it is styling, space, comfort, ride and handling. And to know that is a safe car, well, that is very reassuring too! The money you spend buying this car will be akin to a long term investment on the notorious roads we drive on.