Hyundai Verna CRDi VGT: Long Term Ownership Report

live2drive · 27th November 2009, 13:34

After driving my beloved Santro for almost two years, I decided this was it and I needed something more powerful and quicker for those occasional adrenaline rushes. I had the option of buying a new car, could'nt decide on which one to buy. My preferences were clear. Performance, FE and most importantly a DIESEL were on top priority.

My garage consisted of 3 cars: Esteem Vxi, Verna CRDi and my beloved Santro Xing XS.

In the meanwhile we bought an Innova diesel V variant and I started eyeing the CRDi which was parked almost all the time.

Discussed the thing with folks at home and finally they agreed to sell the Santro and hand over Verna's keys to me.
Since then it has been a long journey for me. The car was bought on 9th March 2007 and since then it has been 2 years and 8 months. At present, The odo reads 40470.

The car is a hoot to drive I tell ya. Loads and loads of torque. Just floor the pedal, and the objects in the rear view mirror are history. :P

Ownership Experience

Engine : The Engine of the CRDI is beyond criticism. 110bhp 240Nm torque, need I say more? Its a total powerhouse, loves to be revved and accelerates till redline when the rev limiter hits in at 4800rpm. The gear shifting is awesome, absolutely in love with the click sound it makes.
Turbo lag is minimal.

Ride and Handling: Ride quality is decent. Bumps and undulations are absorbed without a fuss. Handling, Enough has been said about it, I agree it may not be the best in the segment but certainly not as bad as advertised here.

The stock tire size 175/70 R14 is too puny for this engine and chassis though.

Interiors: Interior space is very good. Seats are comfortable and driving position is awesome. Lots of cup holder's and cubby holes present.

FE: The car gives a FE of 13-14kmpl in hardcore rock crawl traffic. FE with occasional trips to the expressway hovers around 16kmpl.

ISSUES faced:
This car has become a smoke machine due to a fault in the EGR valve.
Diesel filter water sensor failure. Yet to be changed in the next services.

Apart from these two hiccups, there have been no issues so far with the car. Just regular servicing and DIY maintainance.

MODIFICATIONS done so far:

1. Prestige 14" matte black rims with red inner lip.
2. Yokohama AVS ES 100 195/60 R14.
3. 3M SP70 sunfilm on the front
4. 3M SP05 sunfilm on the sides (now removed)
5. 3M SP20 sunfilm on the rear glass
6. Custom blue lighting underdash
7. Art Leather seats from Hyundai
8. 6000K HID's
9. Hella RedGrilles
10. Fiamm Windtone horns

ICE:
* Clarion DXZ785USB HU
* Bull Audio CS 650.75 6.5" Component set
* Kenwood KAC-M845 four channel amplifier
* Pioneer 307 DVC sub in a 1.2 cuft sealed box
* Pioneer GM-D510 Mono amp
* Scosche RCA
* Kicker 12AWG for Sub
* Kicker 16AWG for Speakers

Hyundai Verna CRDi VGT: Long Term Ownership Report-dscn0847edit.jpg

More pics to follow.

shishir_bn · 27th November 2009, 13:46

Good review. Add some of your travelouges if you have done any in this car.

live2drive · 27th November 2009, 20:51

Thanks Shishir. I have done various short trips but those are'nt worthy of being in the travelogues section.

para_7k · 27th November 2009, 22:08

Good Review. Your alloys look smashing

Gilead · 27th November 2009, 22:33

Very nice review. I really dig the alloys. How has your A.S.S experience been so far?

live2drive · 27th November 2009, 22:40

Thanks para & Gilead. Well, the A.S.S. experience has been good except for one occasion where a mess was created outta the paintjob on my car. No circus otherwise.

swiftnfurious · 28th November 2009, 19:58

Adrenaline rush & Diesel engine! What a combination! I doubt anyone would have thought these combinations 5 years back. Verna CRDi is one driver's car that I was so impressesd with after my Swift VDi. I would want to own one later! You got nice alloys wheels too.

motophsyco · 28th November 2009, 20:05

Get the Pete's Box and Bilstein suspension from Peter and almost no car under 15L can smoke you on our highways.

Aarman_008 · 29th November 2009, 07:50

Excellent review. Truly scorcher of an engine. Your Verna looks too good with the alloys.

aZa · 29th November 2009, 12:30

live2drive : Awesome car bro, the car looks smashing with the new alloys... !!! Loved ur ice setup too!!

live2drive · 29th November 2009, 12:47

@swiftnfurious, motophysco, aarman, aZa: Thanks a lot guys.

Some more pics:

Hyundai Verna CRDi VGT: Long Term Ownership Report-dscn0850edit.jpg

Hyundai Verna CRDi VGT: Long Term Ownership Report-dscn0852.jpg

Hyundai Verna CRDi VGT: Long Term Ownership Report-dscn0854.jpg

Hyundai Verna CRDi VGT: Long Term Ownership Report-dscn0855.jpg

Hyundai Verna CRDi VGT: Long Term Ownership Report-dscn0863.jpg

Hyundai Verna CRDi VGT: Long Term Ownership Report-dscn0869.jpg

Jayant..B · 29th November 2009, 12:50

Nice review. I feel Verna is always underreted here. And the look are the culprit. If Hyundai give the car a facelift and if it looks like a sturdy Eurpean car, there will be queue outside Hyundai dealerships I promise. :-)

drchernish · 29th November 2009, 14:01

Nice car.i have the same one in white.

Aarman_008 · 30th November 2009, 02:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayant..B

Nice review. I feel Verna is always underreted here. And the look are the culprit. If Hyundai give the car a facelift and if it looks like a sturdy Eurpean car, there will be queue outside Hyundai dealerships I promise. :-)

Very True, and I believe there is a thread existing about the launch of a face lifted Verna. People buy Verna only for its performance, but if its looks are given a upgrade, i am sure it will boost up the sales.

Ramsagar · 1st December 2009, 09:36

A very nice upgrades you have on the machine. Looks good with matt black rims.
How is the ride after the tire upgrade, has it improved in terms of handling etc?

The fit & finish of seat covers are not up to the mark.

27th November 2009, 13:34	#1
live2drive BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 525 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	Hyundai Verna CRDi VGT: Long Term Ownership Report After driving my beloved Santro for almost two years, I decided this was it and I needed something more powerful and quicker for those occasional adrenaline rushes. I had the option of buying a new car, could'nt decide on which one to buy. My preferences were clear. Performance, FE and most importantly a DIESEL were on top priority. My garage consisted of 3 cars: Esteem Vxi, Verna CRDi and my beloved Santro Xing XS. In the meanwhile we bought an Innova diesel V variant and I started eyeing the CRDi which was parked almost all the time. Discussed the thing with folks at home and finally they agreed to sell the Santro and hand over Verna's keys to me. Since then it has been a long journey for me. The car was bought on 9th March 2007 and since then it has been 2 years and 8 months. At present, The odo reads 40470. The car is a hoot to drive I tell ya. Loads and loads of torque. Just floor the pedal, and the objects in the rear view mirror are history. :P Ownership Experience Engine : The Engine of the CRDI is beyond criticism. 110bhp 240Nm torque, need I say more? Its a total powerhouse, loves to be revved and accelerates till redline when the rev limiter hits in at 4800rpm. The gear shifting is awesome, absolutely in love with the click sound it makes. Turbo lag is minimal. Ride and Handling: Ride quality is decent. Bumps and undulations are absorbed without a fuss. Handling, Enough has been said about it, I agree it may not be the best in the segment but certainly not as bad as advertised here. The stock tire size 175/70 R14 is too puny for this engine and chassis though. Interiors: Interior space is very good. Seats are comfortable and driving position is awesome. Lots of cup holder's and cubby holes present. FE: The car gives a FE of 13-14kmpl in hardcore rock crawl traffic. FE with occasional trips to the expressway hovers around 16kmpl. ISSUES faced: This car has become a smoke machine due to a fault in the EGR valve. Diesel filter water sensor failure. Yet to be changed in the next services. Apart from these two hiccups, there have been no issues so far with the car. Just regular servicing and DIY maintainance. MODIFICATIONS done so far: 1. Prestige 14" matte black rims with red inner lip. 2. Yokohama AVS ES 100 195/60 R14. 3. 3M SP70 sunfilm on the front 4. 3M SP05 sunfilm on the sides (now removed) 5. 3M SP20 sunfilm on the rear glass 6. Custom blue lighting underdash 7. Art Leather seats from Hyundai 8. 6000K HID's 9. Hella RedGrilles 10. Fiamm Windtone horns ICE: * Clarion DXZ785USB HU * Bull Audio CS 650.75 6.5" Component set * Kenwood KAC-M845 four channel amplifier * Pioneer 307 DVC sub in a 1.2 cuft sealed box * Pioneer GM-D510 Mono amp * Scosche RCA * Kicker 12AWG for Sub * Kicker 16AWG for Speakers More pics to follow. Last edited by live2drive : 27th November 2009 at 13:35.
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 13:46	#2
shishir_bn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,195 Thanked: 120 Times	Good review. Add some of your travelouges if you have done any in this car.
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 20:51	#3
live2drive BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 525 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	Thanks Shishir. I have done various short trips but those are'nt worthy of being in the travelogues section.
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 22:08	#4
para_7k BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: chennai Posts: 469 Thanked: 112 Times	Good Review. Your alloys look smashing
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 22:33	#5
Gilead Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,142 Thanked: 60 Times	Very nice review. I really dig the alloys. How has your A.S.S experience been so far?
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 22:40	#6
live2drive BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 525 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	Thanks para & Gilead. Well, the A.S.S. experience has been good except for one occasion where a mess was created outta the paintjob on my car. No circus otherwise.
	() Thanks

28th November 2009, 19:58	#7
swiftnfurious Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 7,204 Thanked: 9,663 Times	Adrenaline rush & Diesel engine! What a combination! I doubt anyone would have thought these combinations 5 years back. Verna CRDi is one driver's car that I was so impressesd with after my Swift VDi. I would want to own one later! You got nice alloys wheels too.
	() Thanks

28th November 2009, 20:05	#8
motophsyco BANNED Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 23 Thanked: 0 Times	Get the Pete's Box and Bilstein suspension from Peter and almost no car under 15L can smoke you on our highways.
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 07:50	#9
Aarman_008 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 140 Thanked: 4 Times	Excellent review. Truly scorcher of an engine. Your Verna looks too good with the alloys.
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 12:30	#10
aZa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Noida / Delhi Posts: 1,595 Thanked: 21 Times View My Garage	live2drive : Awesome car bro, the car looks smashing with the new alloys... !!! Loved ur ice setup too!!
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 12:47	#11
live2drive BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 525 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	@swiftnfurious, motophysco, aarman, aZa: Thanks a lot guys. Some more pics:
	(1) Thanks

29th November 2009, 12:50	#12
Jayant..B BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mango Town Posts: 91 Thanked: 7 Times	Nice review. I feel Verna is always underreted here. And the look are the culprit. If Hyundai give the car a facelift and if it looks like a sturdy Eurpean car, there will be queue outside Hyundai dealerships I promise. :-)
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 14:01	#13
drchernish BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: kanpur Posts: 426 Thanked: 70 Times	Nice car.i have the same one in white.
	() Thanks

1st December 2009, 09:36	#15
Ramsagar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: BLR_Nellore(AP) Posts: 1,396 Thanked: 252 Times View My Garage	A very nice upgrades you have on the machine. Looks good with matt black rims. How is the ride after the tire upgrade, has it improved in terms of handling etc? The fit & finish of seat covers are not up to the mark.
	() Thanks