Hyundai Verna facelift spotted testing ahead of 2026 launch

Hyundai’s midsize sedan is finally getting a much-needed facelift. The Hyundai Verna was first spotted testing on Indian roads back in September. Newer spy shots of the sedan, captured in South Korea, hint towards significant design and cosmetic changes. The 3rd-gen model of the Verna was launched in India back in 2023. The 3-year mid-cycle refresh will come in the form of this facelift model next year.

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2026 Hyundai Verna: What to expect?

The Hyundai Verna was recently spotted on a road test in its home territory, South Korea. This updated version of the sedan will arrive in India next year. The front and rear ends of the test mule were completely draped under covers, hinting at big design changes. The profile remained undisguised.

The camouflage on the test mule had larger cutouts for the LED headlamps. We expect the design of these headlamps to be inspired by the Hyundai Sonata, which is still sold in international markets. The front bumper and air dam will also follow the design language of the larger sedan. A sleek LED light bar will span the width of the front fascia. The rear bumper will also undergo a few tweaks. The design of the LED tail lamps will also be updated. These tail lamps will be connected by a light bar.

The spy shots surfaced so far have not revealed any details about the interior of the Hyundai Verna. While we don’t expect any radical changes to the cabin and the dashboard, the automaker will spruce up the vibe of the sedan with premium trims, inserts, and panelling.

The facelifted model could borrow the dual 12.3-inch curved panoramic displays for the touchscreen infotainment system and the digital instrument cluster from the newly-launched Hyundai Venue. The infotainment system will support the automaker’s new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) system powered by NVIDIA. Hyundai’s new three-spoke steering wheel design with the illuminated dots is also expected to make the cut.

Things will remain unchanged under the hood, as the Hyundai Verna facelift will retain the powertrain of the current model. The sedan comes in 2 engine options. The 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine generates a maximum power output of 115hp and 144Nm torque. It can be mated to a 6-speed manual or an IVT automatic gearbox. Meanwhile, the 1.5-litre Turbo GDi petrol engine produces a maximum power output of 160hp and 253Nm torque. This engine can be mated to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT gearbox. Hyundai may also add a strong-hybrid powertrain to Verna’s lineup down the line.

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Final Thoughts

As things stand, Hyundai India is gearing up to launch the Verna facelift in the first quarter of 2024. It could unveil the sedan be February. Prices for the current model start at Rs 10.69 lakh and go up to Rs 16.98 lakh. The facelifted model will demand a premium, and could fetch up to Rs 11 lakh for its entry-level variant. Upon launch, it will rival the Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia, Honda City, and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.