The experience has allowed me gauge the Verna as a daily driver and the results are quite interesting. A midsize premium sedan isn’t one that many would think of as their daily driver, especially given the current state of affairs of traffic in Pune. A lot of the roads in a state of disrepair and I guess, civic authorities do not use these roads themselves, which is why they’re not being attended to. 

The Verna soaks up ruts and potholes with ease, though I have to slow down to make sure the suspension doesn’t bottom out on the bigger ones. That said, it is easy to note that this generation of the Verna offers better shock absorption as the suspension is slightly firmer than the older generation car. 

I’m also liking the convenience of having electric adjust for the driver’s seat but there is no memory function. This means I need to readjust the seat position every time someone else drives it! Also, the winters in Pune are unusually mild this year, but a late night drive had me feel the need to use the car’s seat heating recently, when it was particularly cold. This made me think how much of a boon the heated seats would be for owners in say, Delhi-NCR right now!

Overall, strong low end grunt from the engine and smooth throttle response coupled with the convenience of the 7-speed DCT mean the Verna is perfectly at ease even in traffic, while I’m comfortable inside, also thanks to the plush seats, Bose tuned audio system and overall cabin comfort!

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I came to this conclusion on a recent outing with the Verna, with me sitting at the back and Ed behind the wheel. The first thing you notice when you step in the back is the seats are placed quite low, which takes some getting used to given the abundance of SUVs we have been driving recently. The Verna boasts the longest wheelbase in its segment and it shows with the space on offer. I am six feet tall and I had more than enough knee room and legroom to stretch out. Yes, the underthigh support could be better but I had no complaints about headroom.

What elevates the experience further are the well-bolstered seats and plush suspension setup which absorb most of the bumps on roads with great sophistication. You might feel slightly claustrophobic due to the all-black interior in the turbo-petrol variants, but the NA variants get lighter interiors. So, to answer the question, yes, the Hyundai Verna now can be your pick as a chauffeur driven car.

However, not driving the Verna Turbo is a missed opportunity, given that it is the most powerful sedan in its segment and everyone has been raving about its dynamics as well. So let’s see if I am able to trick Ed into trying the rear seat next time around!

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I love the fact that the new Verna looks nothing like its predecessors. The styling takes a different direction and I for one like how the new Verna looks as a whole, especially is this deep shade of red. I not a fan of what lies ahead of the Knight Rider style LED light strip on the bonnet. The front looks like a mishmash of different elements though the hidden lights are a nice touch. Come to think of it, the Verna’s styling reminds me of the crime-fighting K.I.T.T. car from the 80’s TV series Knight Rider. If you are a fan of the show, you’ll like the way the car lights up inside the cabin as well.

I love the many small quirks in the new Verna. Like the two spoke steering wheel with the rotational ambigram of the Hyundai logo at the centre. Or the climate control panel that turns into the music system panel at the touch of a button. The Verna is filled with Easter eggs like these which I am discovering every day.

It offers a big car feel, not just in terms of space but also the way it rides and handles. The Verna sits on a new platform which offers the polished dynamics of a fun to drive car and has the chassis to handle the powerful motor. And a powerful motor it has! The motor delivers a class-leading 160PS and 253Nm and has the Verna go like stink. However, it’s not just the straight-line performance that impresses, it’s how responsive the motor is and how well the DCT gearbox complements the engine’s characteristics. It’s quick, intuitive and smooth-shifting. This is one sophisticated powertrain.

It all comes together to make the new Verna quite a sporty sedan. Is it the best sports sedan in its segment? I think it comes quite close. More importantly the boffins at Hyundai have set out doing the right thing which makes the future of the Verna look promising.

More importantly, I feel the Verna has its heart in the right place. The focus has shifted towards the enthusiast, a welcome change. It’s a fantastic tourer according to Ed who drove it from Delhi to Jaipur (check the story on page 48). Maybe I should try it out with the Verna next.

The post Hyundai Verna 1.5 Turbo: Long Term Update – 5,214km first appeared on Turbocharged.