2023 Hyundai Verna To Be The Only C-Segment Sedan From Next Year? Diesel Honda City To Be Axed

• The 2023 Hyundai Verna is expected to be priced higher than the current version
• It is expected to get more features and safety equipment
• Also, it will be the only sedan in the segment to be offered with a diesel engine

With the country moving towards stricter emission rules, also known as Real Driving Emission norms which will be applicable from April 2023, it looks like Hyundai Verna will only be the sole C-segment sedan which will be available in the diesel version.

Currently, the C-Segment sedan comprises 5th-gen Honda City, Maruti Ciaz, VW Virtus, Skoda Slavia and Hyundai Verna. Out of these, only the City and Verna get a diesel motor as an option. However, fast forward to 2023, Honda might axe the trusted 1.5-litre i-DTEC motor from the City.

With the stricter emission norms, several carmakers are not willing to upgrade their diesel engines thus leading to the discontinuation of the same. However, Hyundai will upgrade the diesel engine as the same motor which is offered in Verna also comes in Creta and Alcazar. This same motor is seen in Kia Seltos as well as the Kia Sonet diesel automatic.

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The 1.5L diesel motor is also used in i20 as well as Venue. However, instead of VGT, they use fixed-geometry turbo. Hyundai will discontinue the diesel from i20 soon, however, it is not clear whether the carmaker will upgrade the FGT motor of the Venue or not. They might also introduce the same unit with similar power figures in the Venue too, however, that will surely increase the prices of the same.

Sharing more light on the 2023 Hyundai Verna then design-wise, it will retain its fluidic silhouette. It borrows a lot of inspiration from the new-age Elantra that is sold in the global markets currently. Expect some changes at the front and rear profiles. We expect the side profile to remain more or less and it'll get the new alloy wheels.

Feature-wise, the 2023 Verna is expected to get a larger touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, more BlueLink-connected features, a bigger electric sunroof and more.

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Verdict

The Government of India is ensuring stricter laws for diesel vehicles present in the country. Currently, they have banned BS4 diesel vehicles in Delhi (the capital of India) citing the increase in pollution levels. Seeing how the government is reacting to diesel vehicles, we believe that they might soon be discontinued by a good margin from the country.