How does the new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine on the Verna stack up against its turbocharged rivals? 

Recently, Hyundai launched the latest iteration of the Verna that brought with it an extensive overhaul inside and out with plenty of additional bits. One particular addition is a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine option which is the sedan’s most powerful setup in India. This is also the addition of another 1.5-litre turbocharged sedan option aside from the two European titans, the Skoda Slavia and the Volkswagen Virtus that rule the roost in the midsize sedan segment of our country. Question is, how does the Verna’s new turbo-petrol motor stack up against its fellow 1.5-litre turbo-petrol rivals on paper? Let's find out.

Dimensions

With the new Verna growing significantly in dimensions compared to its predecessor, it has led to the sedan being the widest in the segment and having the longest wheelbase in this comparison. That being said, the Slavia and Virtus stand taller than the Verna. Also, since the two VAG cars are essentially the same underneath the skin, it comes as no surprise to see the two sedans are pretty much identical even though the Virtus is slightly longer than the Slavia. As far as boot space goes, the Verna just about edges its rivals.
 

Key Features

Looking at the features lists, all three sedans are pretty much neck and neck in terms of equipment on offer, with big touchscreens, premium audio systems, digital driver’s display and ventilated front seats being some of the premium features. The 2023 Verna begins edging out a little bit with heated front seats, voice commands for the electric sunroof. Google and Alexa voice assistant as well as extra colours for the ambient lighting. That being said, an odd miss out is wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the Slavia which is there in the Virtus. 
 

Safety Kit

While the three sedans are adequately equipped, the Verna gains crucial ground thanks to having six airbags as standard on all variants, and especially the ADAS advanced driver safety suite. With the ADAS add-ons, the Verna also has a front camera which isn’t there in the other two sedans. 

Powertrains

Now, to the meaty bit of this specifications comparison. The Verna’s new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol motor makes it the most powerful sedan in its segment by 10PS and even torque output is 3Nm higher than the VAG twins. Considering the Slavia and Virtus are based on the same platform, they are identical under the hood. However, enthusiasts can option the Slavia with a six-speed manual which is absent even as an option on the Virtus.

Price and Verdict

All prices, ex-showroom

Taking into consideration all factors, the three sedans are well equipped with common features, but the 2023 Hyundai Verna has some standout moments. The most important one - it being the most powerful sedan in its segment and it comes equipped with ADAS. What’s more, the carmaker is offering all this kit at a cheaper price range and with more variants compared to the Skoda Slavia and the Volkswagen Virtus. Of course, being good on paper is one thing, experiencing it in the real world is another, so stay tuned for our first drive review on how the Verna performs with the new 1.5-litre turbo.