Volkswagen Virtus Review: 1.0 TSI And 1.5 TSI Automatics Driven

In the day and age of SUVs of all shapes and sizes, sedans, more importantly, compact sedans are starting to make noise, as the segment is undergoing an influx of fresher models with the Skoda Slavia and the Honda City e:HEV hybrid sedan taking the fight straight to Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and the Hyundai Verna. Volkswagen India now has brought in the replacement to the Vento and yes it looks gorgeous! With us, is the Volkswagen Virtus that comes in 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre TSI turbo petrol units, but we will be driving only its automatic avatars, specifically the Virtus 1.5 TSI with the 7-speed DSG unit and the Virtus 1.0 TSI with the 6-speed torque convertor. Read on to know exactly what we think of the newest contender vying for the throne in the compact sedan segment.

We tested only the automatic versions of the Volkswagen Virtus, specifically the 1.5 TSI Virtus with the 7-speed DSG unit and the 1.0 TSI Virtus with the 6-speed torque convertor.
Photo Credit: Arvind Salhan

There's generous use of chrome on both the versions, be it in the profile, or the face. But there's enough to differentiate between the 1.0 TSI and the 1.5 TSI Virtus'. For starters, the Virtus 1.5-litre receives GT badging on the grille, in profile, and even at the back. It is, without doubt, a sporty-looking car, as the single slat grille with chrome surrounds, LED headlamps, and L-shaped LED DRLs all come together quite nicely. And it even reminds you so much of the Volkswagen Jetta! The Wild Cherry Red and Carbon Steel Grey paint scheme on our test vehicles look gorgeous, but there's also the Curcuma Yellow from the Volkswagen Taigun, and a new Rising Blue Metallic paint scheme. The wide air dams and the fog lamp housing look edgy while the sloping roofline and a stout character line add to its overall road presence.

Exterior changes are minor on both versions of Volkswagen Virtus, but when it comes together, it brings a whole new character to the car.   

And of course, the big change is the alloy wheels, they are both 16-inches but the 1.5 TSI receives blacked-out alloys, while the 1.0 TSI receives a dual-tone treatment. The gentle splash of chrome on the door handles, contrast black on ORVMs and roof, wrap-around LED taillights, Virtus lettering on the boot lid, and boot-mounted number plate recess round-up rest of the sporty design. Lastly, the 1.5-litre Virtus receives a faux spoiler at the rear. 

Red brake calipers and GT badging on the front, fender, and rear are specific to the Virtus Performance Line. 

The larger displacement Virtus also gets a dual-tone scheme with black roofs while the smaller displacement Virtus receives a mono-tone colour scheme. It's based on the same platform as the Slavia and there's a lot that both cars have in common but really, the VW Virtus just looks a class apart!

The Virtus Performance Line gets a faux spoiler, while the 1.0-litre TSI version remains true to its body colour. 

Tech and Interior

Now the cabin of the Volkswagen Virtus is extremely spacious, as the quality of the materials used is on the premium side. But the first things you would notice on the 1.5 TSI Virtus are the Red highlights on the dashboard, which are specific to the Wild Cherry Red paint scheme. Apart from this, most elements are common on the top-spec versions of the Virtus 1.5 TSI and the 1.0 TSI, such as the 10.1-inch Play infotainment system, and automatic climate control, but a specific feature on the top-specs is ventilated seats for the front passengers. You also get an all-digital instrument panel which is again on offer with the top-spec version and so is the electric sunroof.

The red highlight on the dashboard is specific to the Wild Cherry Red paint scheme but adds a whole new layer to its sporty nature. 
Photo Credit: Arvind Salhan

Like the Taigun, the Virtus' Dynamic Line will come in three trims- Comfortline, Highline, Topline, and a single-spec Performance Line. However, it is worth mentioning that most of these features are limited to the top-spec as the mid trims miss out on the larger display, ventilated front seats, and digital instrument panel. Nevertheless, the cabin is possibly one of the best in the segment with plush leather. Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, as well as wireless charging, are a few tricks that the Virtus has up its sleeve but then again it is limited to the higher trims.

The all-digital instrument cluster, wireless charging space, and electric sunroof are specific to the top-spec versions of the Virtus. Rear passengers get individual air-con vents and two USB Type C slots.  

Dimensions

With respect to the dimensions, the Virtus is the longest and the widest in the segment, but does that translate to more space for the second-row passengers?

The second row on the Virtus is quite good on space, and we like it, as there's a decent amount of headroom and good enough knee room. The under-thigh support is also not bad and gives us a nice feeling to be here. The seats are also quite comfortable, and you also get a centre armrest here, as well as AC vents for the second-row passengers here, and two Type C charging ports.

There's a difference in the seat upholstery as well on both versions of the Volkswagen Virtus. 

The boot space on the Volkswagen Virtus is the largest in this compact sedan segment. 
Photo Credit: Arvind Salhan

Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 TSI 6-Speed AT 

We have both 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre TSI versions in automatic avatars. First up, is the lower displacement turbo engine. Now, we've seen this 1.0-litre powerplant before on the Volkswagen Taigun, as well as on its siblings, the Skoda Kushaq, and the Skoda Slavia. It punches out 114 bhp and a strong 178 Nm of peak torque. Most notably, the torque kicks in between 1,750-1,800 rpm, and stays till 4,500 rpm, which is ideal for city driving. The NVH level is low, and you don't get any heavy vibrations, with very minimum noise that sweeps into the cabin, only adding to the overall driving experience.

The NVH level is low on the Virtus 1.0-litre TSI, as you don't get any heavy vibrations, with very minimum noise that sweeps into the cabin, only adding to the overall driving experience. 
Photo Credit: Arvind Salhan

Our initial impression of driving the 1.0-litre Virtus is that the engine performs at its optimum between 1,800- 1,900 rpm and that's when the car is fun-to-drive. Even at the lower spectrum of the rev band, the power is ample, even though the turbo doesn't start spooling till 2,000 rpm. The engine noise is sweet and sort of music to our ears as is rev-happy. The in-gear acceleration is sprightly and even under strong duress, the engine does not run out of breath. On highways, the Virtus manages to reach the triple digits quite comfortably and wants to stay there all day long.

The Volkswagen Virtus 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, TSI petrol engine punches out 114 bhp and a strong 178 Nm of peak torque, with very linear power delivery.  

Now, the unit that we are driving gets a 6-speed torque converter, and it doesn't really slump but offers rapid and smooth transitions. You also get paddle shifters, and we don't really have anything to complain about it. For quick runnings, you can slot the gear into Sport Mode or even the manual mode and use the paddle shifters for up/downshifts or even do use the gear levers. 

The 6-speed torque converter on the Volkswagen Virtus 1.0-litre TSI offers rapid and smooth transitions.

Volkswagen Virtus 1.5 TSI 7-Speed DSG

Things are different on the Virtus with the larger displacement. It is available with a single 7-speed DSG box with ample power on tap and claims to be the most powerful sedan in the segment. Now of course, if you love to drive and are willing to spend a little extra money, then the 1.5-litre TSI EVO engine is the version you should be opting for. There's one caveat though, this powerplant doesn't come with a manual gearbox sadly, contrary to the 1.0-litre TSI engine, which comes in both manual and automatic gearbox options.

If you love to drive and are willing to spend a little extra money, then the Virtus 1.5-litre TSI EVO engine is the version you should be opting for.
Photo Credit: Arvind Salhan

This unit develops 148 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque, which kicks in quite early, so the combination of a powerful engine with the DSG box, is something that you will love while driving this car. Plus, you have Sport Mode, for you to take things under control by switching to the manual mode.

The combination of a powerful engine with the DSG box is something that you will love while driving this car.

And of course, paddle shifters are a common aspect here. So, different things to play within the Volkswagen Virtus. Moreover, Volkswagen claims under 9 second, 0-100 kmph sprint time for this powerplant, which is quite remarkable, and we even experienced its resolve to get off the mark.

There's one caveat though, this powerplant doesn't come with a manual gearbox sadly, contrary to the 1.0-litre TSI engine, which comes in both manual and automatic gearbox options.

Ride & Handling

As the Virtus is based on the Group's MQB-A0-IN platform, the company says that the suspension is tuned to tackle the bad roads typical of India and we even got to test it quite extensively. Both the 1.0-litre and the 1.5-litre powerplants sit on the same 16-inch alloy wheels shod with 205/55 tyres that offer ample damping to smoothen things out. Even on undulated roads that we've encountered, the car remains stable and did not bother us with the jerks. The high ground clearance of 179 mm also helps its case. We are also happy to report that the ride quality on the Virtus is quite impressive and we have nothing to complain about.

Both the 1.0-litre and the 1.5-litre powerplants sit on the same 16-inch alloy wheels shod with 205/55 tyres that offer ample damping to smoothen things out.
Photo Credit: Arvind Salhan

The highway stability is well balanced and maintains its composure while doing high speeds, and never makes you uncomfortable or even unnerving. The stiffer suspension helps and handles itself quite well around corners. The light steering is suitable for city driving and weighs up once you hit the ground running.

Fuel Efficiency

Volkswagen claims a healthy return on the 1.0-litre versions with 19.40 kmpl on the manual, and 18.12 kmpl on the automatic, while the 1.5-litre returns 18.67 kmpl. And a lot has been done to achieve that figure according to Volkswagen. One is the cylinder deactivation technology which we've seen even in the Taigun and then there's the Engine Start/Stop function which also helps push efficiency higher.

Volkswagen claims a healthy return on the 1.0-litre versions with 19.40 kmpl on the manual, and 18.12 kmpl on the automatic, while the 1.5-litre returns 18.67 kmpl.

Safety

Safety is paramount for Volkswagen and the Virtus brings tons of safety features with the company even going on a limb to claim it to be one of the safest cars in the segment. Now, safety is something you can expect Volkswagen to work within all sincerity with its cars and is evident with the Virtus as well. You get more than 40 safety features, but the highlight is of course the 6-airbags, Multi-Collision Brakes, as well as tyre pressure deflation warning which always comes to your rescue on Indian road conditions, but mind you, these will be limited again with only the top-spec versions.

You get more than 40 safety features, but the highlight is of course the 6-airbags, Multi-Collision Brakes, as well as tyre pressure deflation warning which always comes to your rescue on Indian road conditions, but mind you, these will be limited again with only the top-spec versions.

Additionally, you also get Electronic Stability Control, Park Distance Control, and a rear-view camera to make parking in tight spots easier while ISOFIX child seat anchorage is an added layer of protection. For ease of convenience, you also get Volkswagen Connect with numerous features to stay connected.

For ease of convenience, you also get Volkswagen Connect with numerous features to stay connected.

Verdict

With all parameters covered, it all boils down to the pricing and while Volkswagen will announce it on June 9, 2022, it should be interesting to see how the company stacks it up against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, its sibling Skoda Slavia, and the Honda City, which is now offered with a hybrid powertrain. But going by Volkswagen's strategy to pitch the Virtus as a premium offering, it could be on the expensive side and so we expect the sedan to be priced between Rs. 10.49 lakh and Rs. 18 lakh (ex-showroom, India), since the strategy worked well for Volkswagen with the Taigun.

Volkswagen Virtus replaces the VW Vento in the compact sedan segment and will rival the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, Honda City, and the Skoda Slavia. 

And we have little doubt over VW's commitment to the Indian market, and with a car like the Virtus that is high on looks, and features, with two powerful petrol engines; Volkswagen might just hit it out of the park with the pricing. So, for now, we can only wait!