Autocar India
DR

Drnatarajan

5w

I currently own a Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI GT DSG and have been facing issues with jerky low-speed performance in city driving, along with persistent rattles despite multiple service visits. I am considering upgrading to either the Kia Seltos (turbo petrol DCT) or the upcoming Renault Duster (turbo DCT). My usage is around 60% city and 40% highway. My main concern is whether these alternatives will offer a smoother and more refined driving experience in city traffic compared to my current car, or if they will exhibit similar behaviour due to the nature of dual-clutch transmissions.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
5w

With 60% city use and you already unhappy with the Volkswagen Taigun’s DSG jerks and cabin rattles, the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT automatic is the safer bet for you rather than the turbo DCTs. The IVT is a belt-type automatic (essentially a CVT) that has no clutch to slip, so it moves off smoothly in slow traffic and is jerk-free at parking speeds. It is also easier to live with in our stop-go traffic, and power is adequate for your weekend highway runs, but it won't have the punch and pace of the VW Taigun 1.5.

If you switch to a Seltos turbo DCT, its relaiively jerky too. Dual‑clutch gearboxes like the VW DSG and Kia’s DCT can still give a small lurch when you crawl in bumper-to-bumper traffic. On rattles, Seltos cabins we’ve used have held up quite well, but no car is fully immune to rough roads

Two trade-offs with the Seltos IVT: it won’t feel as quick as your 1.5 TSI when you floor it, and on bigger wheels, the ride can feel a bit firm on sharp bumps.

About the new Duster: it has a wet-clutch DCT, which is a bit slower to shift than the VW DSG, and it's not as smooth as the Kia IVT. t.

Overall, for your mix and your pain points, the Seltos 1.5 IVT lines up best. If you really want a turbo punch, the Seltos turbo DCT is fine, but expect similar low-speed manners to your Taigun.

Volkswagen Taigun

Volkswagen Taigun

NI

Nishith

5w

What about the 1.0 L TC gear box on VW Taigun. Yes, that is low powered as compared to 1.5 DSG of VW and would be a downgrade if you go for it. But I have been using it for almost a year now. And it is my only vehicle, whether for City or highway use. My usage is 80% city and 20% highway drives. It has decent power and when it comes to overtaking, you doesn’t have to think twice if you plan it because it delivers that instant punch. And also the engine does not feel jerky and there is no issues as such in stop-go traffic. The issue you have mentioned is surely a trade-off. Power and responsiveness on highway, but when it comes to city traffic, this can be an issue. I am not a fan of Koreans because, safety has not been a priority for them. They have always sold their cars on features and tech. Even though they have got 5 star in BNCAP, it is still far away from GNCAP standards.

NI

Nitin

5w

Try the 3xo tgdi petrol and you can see the driving difference between in the city or highway. It has no lag or jerk of any kind. Torque converter is very smooth and no lack of power

RS

R Sundar

5w

Use the sport mode in city for DCT. Counterintutive. But works almost at TC levels

PR

Pradeep

5w

Byd atto3 issues

More questions on similar cars

TH

Tharan

3d

I currently own a Maruti Suzuki Swift that has done around 130,000 km, and I’ve loved driving it. I’m now planning to upgrade to a petrol manual SUV with a budget of around Rs. 25 lakh. We are a family of 4, and my usage is roughly 70% city and 30% highway. I have an opportunity to buy a Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport 1.5 TSI MT for around ₹28 lakh from a dealer. Automatic is a strict no because my son is learning to drive, and a manual would be good for that Should I go ahead with it? Is it a good upgrade considering my usage and preferences?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

With 70 percent city use, some highway trips, a family of four, and a strict manual requirement, the Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport 1.5 TSI manual is a good upgrade from your Maruti Suzuki Swift. However, the manual transmission on the 1.5 TSI was discontinued earlier this year and has not returned with the recent facelift. This means the car you are considering is a pre-facelift version that may have been sitting at the dealer for a while. Moreover, Rs 28 lakh also seems very steep, as the last recorded on-road price of the 1.5 GT Plus Sport MT in Chennai, as per our records, was around Rs 22-23 lakh. Haggle hard if you proceed, do a very thorough pre-delivery inspection, and push for an extended warranty.As for the vehicle itself, the 1.5 petrol with the manual is an excellent choice. It feels quick and smooth, pulls cleanly from low speeds so you do not have to shift constantly in traffic, and has strong performance for safe highway overtakes. It is not too big for city lanes, the higher seating position improves visibility, and it feels stable at speed. Cabin quality and the overall safety focus are clear steps up from your Swift.Two things to note for your usage: the clutch is heavier than your Swift’s, and fuel consumption and upkeep costs will be noticeably higher.Alternatively, you could consider the Hyundai Creta N Line manual or the Renault Duster 1.3 manual, both of which are great options for keen drivers.

VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Swift
VehicleHyundai Creta

Popular discussions right now

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Deepak Jain

4d

I am planning to buy the Honda City facelift that was launched yesterday. How does it compare with the Volkswagen Virtus? I am also assuming that the government will continue supporting E20 fuel even if E85 is introduced in the future. So, is it still safe to buy a petrol vehicle in Delhi/NCR?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
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The new City facelift does make a stronger case now because Honda has added genuinely useful features like a larger infotainment screen and ventilated front seats, while pricing has remained fairly sensible. But fundamentally, the character of the car has not changed.Against the VW Virtus, the choice still comes down to personality. The Virtus is the more fun to drive option, especially with the turbo petrol engines, because it feels stronger, more eager and more engaging from behind the wheel. The City, on the other hand, is the more balanced sedan. The 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol is smooth, refined and easy to live with, but if outright performance is your priority, it will not feel as quick as the turbo Virtus. The City hybrid changes that equation because it is genuinely quick and can match the 1.5 TSI for straight line pace, but it is still not what you would call an enthusiast’s car.On the fuel front, yes, it is safe to buy a petrol car in Delhi NCR. Current mainstream petrol cars are already E20 compatible, and even if India eventually pushes toward higher ethanol blends, that transition will be gradual rather than an overnight switch. Beyond a certain point, if the country were to move meaningfully toward very high blends like E85, manufacturers would need proper flex fuel engines engineered for that fuel, and the government would also need to continue offering lower blend fuel options during any transition.

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Posted on: 19 Apr 2026