Volkswagen Virtus vs Rivals: Price Talk

The introductory prices for the Volkswagen Virtus are out and they’re somewhat surprising. It costs between Rs 11.22 lakh and Rs 17.92 lakh (ex-showroom), making it one of the most expensive choices in the segment.

The Virtus replaces the Vento in Volkswagen India’s lineup as a more premium offering. It is bigger, better equipped and some would say better looking. The high price for the base variant is somewhat justifiable as it gets a lot of kit as standard such as LED headlamps and taillamps, a touchscreen infotainment system, 8-speaker sound system, and height adjustable driver’s seat. Let’s see how the prices for the new Volkswagen sedan compare to its segment rivals:

Petrol-manual

• The Virtus has the second highest entry-level price in the segment, after the fifth-gen Honda City, but it’s not the most expensive model here. That crown stays with the Skoda Slavia that offers the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with both manual and automatic transmissions.

• The Virtus is a petrol-only offering with two engines: 115PS 1-litre turbo-petrol and 150PS 1.5-litre turbo-petrol. Only the smaller engine is offered with a manual, a 6-speed transmission.

• The Maruti Ciaz is the most affordable option and even the top-spec manual is Rs 32,000 cheaper than the entry-level Virtus. It offers the least performance with its 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine that produces 105PS/138Nm mated to a 5-speed manual.

• Skoda’s sedan is like a cousin to the Virtus as it has the same mechanicals. The Slavia manages to have a lower entry price even after the most recent hike. Its highest comparable Style petrol-manual variant is slightly cheaper than the Virtus Topline. There’s also a special variant introduced due to the ongoing supply disruptions called Style NSR as it does not offer the sunroof.

• The mid-spec Hyundai Verna SX is priced similar to the entry-level Virtus. It gets a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to 6-speed manual producing 115PS/144Nm. There’s also a 1-litre turbo-petrol engine that is not offered with a manual shifter. Its top-end SX(O) trim is priced similar to the mid-spec Virtus and Slavia while being better equipped with features like six airbags, ventilated front seats, and front parking sensors.

• The City and Verna are the only sedans in this segment that are also available with 1.5-litre diesel engines. The Honda sedan even gets a segment-first petrol-hybrid powertrain priced at Rs 19.5 lakh (ex-showroom).

Petrol-automatic

• The Volkswagen Virtus has the highest starting price for a petrol-automatic sedan while the Slavia is the most expensive. Once again, the Maruti Ciaz is the most affordable.

• Virtus and Slavia offer the 1.0 TSI with a 6-speed automatic and the 1.5 TSI with a 7-speed DSG (dual-clutch automatic). 

• The Honda City’s petrol engine is mated to a CVT automatic, same as the naturally-aspirated engine of the Hyundai Verna. However, the Verna’s turbo-petrol engine is only offered with a 7-speed DCT.

• The Ciaz has an outdated automatic transmission here with a 4-speed automatic.

Read More on : Volkswagen Virtus on road price