2020 Hyundai Verna: Which variant to buy?

The Hyundai Verna is one of the most popular mid-size sedans available in India today. It’s very well equipped, more than decent to drive and be driven in, available in five trim levels and with five engine-gearbox combinations, and has a price tag that ranges between Rs 9.31 lakh and Rs 15.10 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). This means there’s a Verna for nearly every budget. However, with 11 versions on offer, picking the right one can be difficult. Read on to know which 2020 Verna variant is right for you.

• 2020 Verna available in five variants – S, S+ SX, SX(O) and SX(O) Turbo
• The Verna SX in automatic form gives you the best bang for your buck
• Opt for the top-spec Verna SX(O) in petrol-CVT or diesel-AT guise if price is no object

Variant-wise prices for the 2020 Hyundai Verna facelift are given below:

Which 2020 Verna engine-gearbox combination is our pick?

The Verna is the only car in its segment to come with three engine and five gearbox options. The 115hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is on offer with 6-speed manual and CVT auto gearbox options, while the 115hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel unit can be paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque-converter automatic. Hyundai India also offers a 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Our review of the Verna turbo-petrol showed that this engine-gearbox combination does add a fun-to-drive aspect, but it’s not smooth enough in everyday, urban environs.

Most will find the 1.5-litre petrol engine more than adequate for city and highway driving, though if your commute includes more of the latter, opt for the excellent diesel unit. Both 1.5-litre engines work better with their respective automatic options and are well worth the Rs 1.15-1.25 lakh premium. This is why the Verna petrol-CVT and diesel-AT are our pick of the 2020 Verna’s powertrains. The Verna diesel-automatic is of particular interest as Hyundai’s mid-size sedan is the only one in its segment to come with this option.

What features and safety kit do you get with each 2020 Verna variant?

The entry-level Verna S in only available in petrol-manual form but isn’t sparsely equipped. Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, remote central locking, Isofix child seat mounts and a manual day/night inside rearview mirror are standard fit.

Halogen headlights, wing mirror mounted indicators, 15-inch steel wheels shod with185/65 tyres with wheel covers, dual-tone beige and black interiors, front and rear armrests, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and voice recognition, a four-speaker Arkamys audio system, steering-mounted controls, power windows, a manual AC with rear AC vents, a cooled glovebox, front USB port and power adjustable ORVMs are on offer with this trim.

With the Verna S+, you get larger 16-inch steel wheels wrapped in thicker 195/55 tyres with wheel covers, though this variant is only available in diesel-manual guise at Rs 10.66 lakh.

The mid-spec Verna SX may cost about Rs 1.39 lakh more than the respective entry-level trims, but adds quite a lot of kit for the premium. Safety features such as a rear camera, front projector fog lights, auto-dimming inside rear view mirror, automatic projector headlights with a follow-me-home function, a rear defogger and height-adjustable front seat belts have been added.

Other features on offer with the SX variant include cornering lamps, LED DRLs and tail-lights, 16-inch grey alloy wheels with 195/55 R16 tyres, a leatherette-wrapped gear knob and steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch multi-info colour display, driver’s seat height adjust, a powered sunroof, hands-free boot opening function, keyless entry and go, two tweeters, automatic climate control, wireless smartphone charging, cruise control, a rear USB port and power folding ORVMs. Do note, the SX variant is available in four out of five engine-gearbox options.

For the extra Rs 1.9 lakh you pay for the Verna SX(O) over the SX trim, features such as LED headlights, 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, leatherette upholstery, ventilated front seats, adjustable rear seat headrests, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with an HD display, Hyundai’s Blue Link in-car connectivity tech, and a tilt and telescopic adjustable steering come as standard.

Safety features too see an upgrade – side and curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-start assist and a tyre pressure monitor are on offer.

As its name implies, the Verna SX(O) Turbo is only available with the turbo-petrol engine and dual-clutch auto ’box. It is priced just Rs 14,000 higher than the SX(O) petrol-CVT and also gains kit like front parking sensors, rear disc brakes and paddleshifters.

A blacked-out front grille and shark fin antenna, along with the same treatment on the wing mirrors, helps visually differentiate this top-spec variant on the outside, while all-black interiors with red highlights help distinguish it on the inside.

Which 2020 Verna variant is the one to buy?

Considering the petrol-CVT and diesel-AT are the best engine-gearbox combinations to choose – depending on the length of your commute – and that they are only available in the SX trim onwards, this mid-spec variant makes the most sense for those on a budget. There are plenty of premium features to be had and more than adequate safety kit for the money.

Price no bar, pick the SX(O) trims as they will come with segment-first ventilated front seats, along with six airbags, a tyre pressure monitor and in-car connectivity tech. 

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