The Verna now comes with an all-new lineup of engines borrowed from other Hyundais. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol with the DCT automatic is borrowed from the Venue. The 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines with manual and automatic transmission have been borrowed from the Creta. The 1.5-litre petrol we are driving can either be had with a 6-speed manual or a CVT automatic.

Time then to talk about the engine. And boy oh boy, there is stuff to talk about. Starting with the refinement, this 4-pot motor really puts all the other 3-pot turbos in the market, in their place. There is barely any vibration from the motor throughout the sensible rev band and below 2000rpm, where it mostly operates in the city, you will also barely hear it work. And when you decide to step on it, it revs flawlessly to 6500rpm with a sweet note.

Complementing it beautifully is the CVT. It's smooth, refined and super quiet. And the best part, it doesn't behave like typical CVTs. There is hardly any lag between you pressing the paddle and the speeds increasing. This CVT manages to cut out both the lag, as well as the stretched acceleration effect seen in most other CVTs. This is because of two of its characteristics. One, it is an 8-step CVT and while accelerating, changes through the steps in quick succession to keep the momentum going strong. Second, it doesn't hold high revs and wait for the speeds to match. Rather it builds revs like a torque converter which gives you stronger acceleration.

In fact, compared to the older 1.6-litre Verna petrol with a torque converter automatic, this powertrain is just 1 second slower to 100kmph and does the sprint in 13.04 seconds. That is impressive considering the new motor is down on power by 8PS and uses a CVT to deliver the same. It makes 115PS of power and 144Nm of torque.

On the highway, the acceleration feels a tad lazy which is why we advise planning overtakes in advance. That said, you can overcome this delay by manually downshifting a couple of cogs by sliding the shifter into manual mode. Also, the Verna effortlessly cruises at 1700 rpm at 100kmph, keeping it quiet, pleasant and efficient on the highways.

Having driven the turbo-petrol DCT powertrain in the Venue, I can’t see it offers a smoother drive experience in the city. And in fact, if you are looking for a city-oriented sedan, the 1.5-litre CVT is the less expensive automatic costing Rs 15,000 less than the turbo-petrol.

Ride and Handling

Verna has always offered a very balanced suspension setup. In this facelift, however, it looks like things have shifted further towards the comfort side. It feels at ease going over daily hurdles like broken roads or speed breakers. The Verna provides ample cushioning and manages to settle down quickly post those hurdles as well. What it really manages to do well is filter out the harshness of the surface. Even if you go over a level change a bit faster than usual, it still manages to keep the occupants well-cushioned and away from a backache. In these situations, a thud can be heard inside the cabin, but the bitterness of the bump is not felt. On the highways, the Verna stays composed and will remain comfortable for long journeys as well.

With this setup, it's natural that there will be a bit of body roll. But luckily, it’s predictable and doesn't get bothersome in daily drives. Under an enthusiast’s command, it will roll a bit more but that too settles quickly and doesn't get scary at any point. The steering feedback is exactly as neutral as the suspension. It has been tuned for the city and highways and gives just enough feedback and weight to stay in confidence. But if you are in a mood to play, the feedback will feel a bit lacking.