India-spec Hyundai Verna facelift interior: first pics

After announcing pricing for the second-gen Creta, Hyundai Motor India is now gearing up for the market launch of the heavily updated Verna sedan, which is slated to take place later this month. The company recently announced the official commencement of bookings for the refreshed sedan and also confirmed that it will come with Hyundai’s Blue Link connected car tech that includes features like Smart-watch app link and remote vehicle start, to name a few.

In the run up to the 2020 Verna price reveal, we have got our hands on one of the first pictures of the updated car's interior. The new Verna's interior looks more or less the same as the pre-facelift model’s but a closer look reveals quite a few changes.

First up, the infotainment display is an inch larger than the outgoing car's 7.0-inch screen and it gets features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto among others. The second big change is the full-digital instrument cluster that replaces the analog dials seen on the pre-facelift Verna. The same instrument cluster can also be seen on the China-spec Creta (Hyundai ix25) SUV and is also expected to be offered on the all-new next-gen i20 that’s due later this year. Additionally, the updated Verna also gets faux wood trim on the dashboard, which replaces the faux brushed-aluminum trim, new-look AC vents that are similar in design to the recently launched Creta, and the upholstery gets minor design and colour combination tweaks as well.

Apart from the above updates, the refreshed Verna will also have major changes under the hood. There will be three new BS6-compliant engine options starting with a 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol paired with a 6-speed manual or a CVT; a 115hp, 1.5-litre VGT turbo-diesel mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter auto; and a 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that will be available in fully-loaded SX(O) trim only. This engine option will only come with a 7-speed DCT gearbox that can be operated via paddleshifters.

Exterior changes on the new Verna include restyled LED headlamps that look more upmarket than before, a large "Cascading grille" that comes with a dark chrome finish, an all-new front bumper with brushed aluminum inserts, new alloy wheel designs, restyled tail-light inserts and a mildly restyled rear bumper. The 2020 Verna will be offered with six exterior paint shade options – black, red, white, silver, grey and “Starry Night”, which is essentially a gloss-black finish. Apart from the new feature add-ons, Hyundai’s midsize sedan will be continued to be offered with features such as a sunroof, ventilated front seats, wireless smartphone charging, hands-free boot opening and an Arkamys sound system.

The new Verna will face-off against the likes of the next-gen Honda City that will launch in the coming weeks. Additionally, the 2020 Hyundai Verna will also compete with the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, the Toyota Yaris, and the updated 1.0-litre TSI versions of the Skoda Rapid and the Volkswagen Vento as well.

Expect Hyundai to announce pricing for the Verna facelift around end of this month.