Autocar India
3h

I went to book a Hyundai Creta but seeing the stylish Verna next to Creta, took its test drive. The seat and ambience seem way better than any car and have almost decided to go with Verna but I have one doubt about its ground clearance. Since I will be driving the car in Chennai city and on highways with occasional patchy roads, even if scrapping occurs rarely, will it be a costly affair to repair?

Verified
5m

Go for the Hyundai Verna. Your usage in the city and highways with only occasional patchy roads is exactly the kind of scenario where the Verna works well. It offers a more premium cabin, a lower seating position and a more engaging driving experience than the Creta, which is why it felt so good on the test drive. The ground clearance is lower than the Creta, but it is not a deal-breaker. On rare occasions, you may scrape the underbody on a badly designed speed breaker or a deep pothole, but this is usually limited to minor scrapes on the underbody cladding or the exhaust heat shield. These are not expensive to repair and do not affect the car's reliability or safety. The Verna is a well-engineered sedan and can handle occasional rough patches without issue. If you are still concerned, you can take speed breakers at an angle and slow down on bad patches, which will minimise the chances of scraping. Overall, the Verna will give you a enjoyable ownership experience, and the ground clearance is not a reason to avoid it.

Hyundai Verna

Hyundai Verna

Help Girish with similar question

More posts on similar cars

1w

Dear Team, I am quite perplexed and would greatly appreciate your assistance. I currently drive a 2023 Hyundai Creta Turbo top-end model and am looking to upgrade to a superior vehicle, with a budget of under Rs 30 lakh. My driving is evenly split between highways and city roads. Usually, there are two adults and one teenager in the car for 99% of my drives. I also admit that I do not have a strong parking sense, which makes me apprehensive about driving larger vehicles. I require a fully automatic car. Once a year, I travel with my family of four adults, one teenager, and a dog, along with substantial luggage to hilly destinations such as Shimla, Mussoorie, and Manali. My Creta has never struggled with the overall load, and I have never faced any issues with its performance or ability to handle steep climbs, even with the air conditioning on and the car fully loaded. The most economical option appears to be the top-end Alcazar, as it is currently available with a discount. However, I am considering the XUV700 top-end AX7L, as I believe it might offer more power and luxury. I am also anticipating the launch of the new MG Hector, which I expect to be more luxurious and fuel-efficient. Could you please advise me on which car would be most suitable for my requirements? If I opt for the top-end Alcazar Turbo Diesel, will it be capable of handling steep climbs with a full load, or should I consider the XUV700 with its 2.0-litre engine? Also, which of these vehicles would provide greater comfort in Delhi's bumper-to-bumper traffic? Regards, Ady

Verified
2d

Given your usage pattern, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7L diesel automatic is the best car under 30 lakh. Your annual hill trips with a full load, including four adults, a teenager, a dog and substantial luggage, are the key factor here. The XUV 7XO's 2.2-litre diesel engine is significantly more powerful and torquey than the Alcazar's 1.5-litre diesel, which will make a noticeable difference on steep climbs with a full load. The XUV 7XO also offers a more spacious and comfortable cabin, especially in the third row, which will be appreciated on long journeys.The Hyundai Alcazar diesel automatic is a good value proposition, especially with current discounts, and it will handle hill climbs with a full load, but it will not feel as effortless as the XUV 7XO. This Mahindra car XUV 7XO also feels more premium inside and offers a more luxurious overall experience.In Delhi's bumper-to-bumper traffic, the Alcazar's smaller size and lighter steering make this Hyundai car slightly easier to manoeuvre, but the XUV 7XO's automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to live with, and the difference is not significant enough to outweigh the XUV 7XO's advantages on your hill trips.The MG Hector is worth considering if you are willing to wait, but it is unlikely to match the XUV 7XO's diesel performance and overall package. The XUV 7XO AX7L diesel automatic is the most complete upgrade from your Hyundai Creta, offering the right balance of power, space, comfort and luxury for your needs.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleHyundai Alcazar
VehicleMG Hector
VehicleHyundai Creta

Popular discussions right now

2d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

Verified
16h

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
VehicleRenault Duster
1d

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

Verified
22h

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleSkoda Kushaq

Want to sell your car?

Sell your car at the right price, without the stress.

Posted on: 1 Sept 2026