After making changes to the Creta’s portfolio, Hyundai’s made similar revisions to the Verna. It was back in March 2020 when the carmaker silently unveiled prices of the BS6-compliant and refreshed Verna. Now, we have a new base variant of the sedan in question. Dubbed as the ‘1.5 MPi Petrol 6-Speed Manual E’, it wears a price tag of Rs 9.03 lakh. And, alongside the addition of the new derivative, Hyundai has also increased prices of the remaining variants. The table below clarifies it:

Each of the remaining eleven derivatives now costs Rs 7,900 more. Hyundai hasn’t confirmed the reason behind the price hike. In all probability, it had to do something the weakening currency and rising input costs.

Coming back to the newly-introduced variant, it costs approximately Rs 36,000 less than the previous entry-level option – the 1.5 MPi Petrol 6-Speed Manual S. Naturally, the ‘E’-spec misses out some features. The list includes a shark fin antenna, a USB charger in the front and a sunglass holder. Also, Hyundai has taken away the 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. In other words, the Verna comes with no music system in the ‘E’ specification.

Under the bonnet is the same 1.5-litre petrol engine which pumps out 113bhp/144Nm. And, as mentioned above, the powerplant comes coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. You can have the same motor with an IVT as well. Other engine options include a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol (118bhp/172Nm) and a 1.5-litre diesel (113bhp/250Nm). While the former is available only with a 7-speed DCT, the latter is available with both 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic (torque converter).

Is the new variant enough to shrug off the pressure from the Skoda Rapid? Only time will tell. Other options in the same segment include the Volkswagen Vento, Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and the Toyota Yaris.