Hyundai Verna Safety Rating: First 5-star NCAP Hyundai Sedan in India
Key Highlights
- NCAP crash rating is not a legal requirement and is a voluntary assessment by manufacturers.
- The 2023MY Hyundai Verna scored a 5-star Global NCAP crash safety rating in October 2023.
- Hyundai has not tested the Verna in Bharat NCAP yet.
The Indian automotive market is currently facing a dearth of attainable sedans. Over the past decade, the market has witnessed a sharp shift in interest towards compact SUVs, which are essentially subcompact crossovers or raised hatchbacks with bulkier fenders or extra side panels.
The charm of a traditional 3-box sedan remains strong in higher price segments. However, the main deciding factor is the local road condition. It is unfortunate that even in certain Indian metro cities, road conditions are not the best for relatively low-riding bodystyles such as sedans and sports cars. At the moment, there are only a handful of ‘properly proportioned’ sedans available in India for under ₹20 lakh ex-showroom.
The Hyundai Verna is one of those few, packing great features, interesting styling, ample performance, trustworthy brand image and of course, a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating. Let us explore the sedan in detail!
Hyundai Verna: NCAP Safety Ratings
The current 6th-gen ‘BN7’ Hyundai Verna was crash tested by Global NCAP back in October 2023. It scored an impressive 28.18/34.00 (5 stars) in Adult Occupant Protection and 42.00/49.00 (5 stars) in Child Occupant Protection. This makes it the first Hyundai sedan in India to score a 5-star NCAP crash safety rating, and briefly, the safest option in its segment until its competitors scored slightly higher scores in Bharat NCAP.
Hyundai Motor India is yet to send the current Verna to Bharat NCAP, but one can expect similar or higher scores if they do. Contrary to popular belief, NCAP safety ratings are not a legal requirement. Manufacturers voluntarily send their products for assessment.
Hyundai Verna: Top Safety Features & Highlights
In typical Hyundai fashion, the Verna sedan packs a lot for the price, including upmarket safety features. For starters, it offers Level 2 ADAS that packs: forward collision warning & avoidance assist, blind spot warning & avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, high beam assist, rear cross traffic collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, among others. Furthermore, the Hyundai Verna features disc brakes on all wheels, hill-start assist, TPMS, alongside standard equipment such as 6 airbags.
Inside, the 2026MY Hyundai Verna has a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Alexa integration, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, heated & ventilated front seats, wireless charging, etc. There are over 65 Bluelink smartphone connectivity features. As it stands, Hyundai and Kia products feature the best infotainment systems on the Indian market, particularly in terms of intuitiveness, smoothness and comprehensiveness.
The sedan has always remained an aspirational product for the wider middle-class ever since it debuted as the Hyundai Accent back in October 1999. Compared to the latest products in Hyundai Motor India’s extensive range, the Verna might feel relatively outdated. A midlife facelift may arrive later in the year.
Hyundai Verna: Specs and Dimensions
The Hyundai Verna has two petrol engines to choose from: 1.5-litre NA MPi (115ps @ 6,300rpm; 143.8Nm @ 4,500rpm; 6-speed manual or CVT) and 1.5-litre Turbo GDi (160ps @ 5,500rpm; 253Nm @ 1,500rpm; 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT). The higher Turbo variant features blacked-out sportier styling elements all around the car.
Unlike earlier, the Hyundai Verna is not offered with a diesel engine. This is surely a missed opportunity, as the company already has a great 1.5-litre diesel unit in other products, such as the Creta. It is worth noting that no sedan under ₹20 lakh ex-showroom comes with a diesel variant at the moment. If anyone can offer one on short notice, it’s only Hyundai Motor India.
Being a sedan, ground clearance is quite decent at around 165mm unladen. The sedan rides on 16-inch wheels in higher trims, which may be less than the norm lately, but it offers good comfort over bad roads. Boot capacity is also respectable at 528 litres.
Hyundai Verna: Variants & Prices
As of 2026, the Hyundai Verna is offered in seven variants, depending on the two engine choices. Here are their ex-showroom (Delhi) prices:
- EX: ₹10.79 lakh
- S: ₹11.95-13.15 lakh
- SX/SX+: ₹12.85-14.67 lakh
- SX (O): ₹14.50-15.98 lakh
- S (O) Turbo: ₹14.74 lakh
- SX Turbo: ₹14.52-15.72 lakh
- SX (O) Turbo: ₹14.50-17.13 lakh
A Long-Standing Favourite
The Hyundai Verna continues to be a favourite on the Indian sedan market, which currently has the lowest number of players than ever before. Competitors include the Honda City (as always), Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia. Maruti Suzuki has discontinued the Ciaz, though surplus units are still available at good deals across NEXA showrooms. Owing to low market traction, Hyundai Motor India does not seem to be in a hurry to make the Verna substantially more competitive. It is still a great choice for the size and price.
FAQs
1. Does the Hyundai Verna come with a diesel engine?
Unlike before, the Hyundai Verna comes only with petrol engines now: 1.5-litre NA MPi (115ps @ 6,300rpm; 143.8Nm @ 4,500rpm; 6-speed manual or CVT) and 1.5-litre Turbo GDi (160ps @ 5,500rpm; 253Nm @ 1,500rpm; 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT).
2. What is the Bharat NCAP safety rating of the Hyundai Verna?
Hyundai Motor India has yet to test the Verna sedan in Bharat NCAP, but it has scored 5 stars in both categories of Global NCAP.
3. Does the Hyundai Verna offer good ground clearance?
The unladen ground clearance is around 165mm, which is quite decent for sedans.
4. How many variants are available for the Hyundai Verna?
The 2025 Renault Triber is sold in seven variants: EX, S, SX/SX+, SX (O), S (O) Turbo, SX Turbo and SX (O) Turbo. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹10.79 lakh to ₹17.13 lakh.
5. Will Hyundai launch a diesel variant of the Verna in the future?
The Hyundai Verna had diesel powertrains before, and hence, chances of seeing another one in the future are not bleak. In fact, the 1.5-litre diesel mill that powers the Creta is a great choice for the Verna as well.