Autocar India
16w

I want to buy a sedan. My usage will be approximately 25% city driving and 75% highway driving. My priorities are a fun-to-drive experience, good handling, strong highway stability, rear-seat comfort, and solid build quality. My budget is around ₹18-20 lakh.

Verified
15w

With 75% highway use and a Rs. 18-20 lakh cap, the Volkswagen Virtus with the 1.0 turbo petrol and manual is the best fit. It feels quick when you press the throttle, so quick passes on the highway are easy, and it stays very steady at speed with a nice, weighty steering, which makes long drives calmer. The rear seat is wide with good legroom and a well-angled backrest, so two adults will be comfortable for hours. It also feels solid inside and out, and its crash test score is strong, which matches your build quality ask.

A couple of things to note: at low speeds, the ride can feel a bit firm over sharp bumps, and Volkswagen’s service reach is smaller than Maruti or Hyundai in smaller towns, so check your nearest workshop.

If you want the same driving feel but a slightly richer cabin vibe, look at the Skoda Slavia with the same 1.0 turbo. This sedan shares the core strengths of highway stability and safety, and some find its seats a touch softer.

For your brief, the Virtus 1.0 manual lines up best. However, do note that a facelift is expected later this year.

Volkswagen Virtus

Volkswagen Virtus

15w

I have decided for Slavia 1.5

15w

I have decided for Slavia 1.5 and waiting for the facelift

15w

Monte Carlo or Sportline🤩🤩 Suspension is yiur choice since I own one each from VW/Skoda group

14w

I want a car in a budget of 5-8 lakhs I want a city car. So suggest me a good car

Help Pratik with similar question

More posts on similar cars

1w

I’m a first-time car buyer with very limited driving experience. I’ve only driven an SUV like the Mahindra KUV100 a few times in the past and have never driven a sedan before. I don’t really need a car for my daily commute, but I’d like to have one for long drives, convenience and occasional trips. I’m strongly considering the new Skoda Slavia or Volkswagen Virtus 1.0L MT because I really like both cars. Given my limited driving experience and the fact that I’ve never driven a sedan before, does it make sense to choose one of these as my first car? Would the Slavia or Virtus be manageable for someone with my level of experience, particularly when it comes to judging the car’s size, parking, manoeuvring in traffic and driving on highways?

Verified
2d

Yes, the Skoda Slavia or Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 TSI manual is a perfectly sensible first car, even with limited driving experience. Both cars are well-balanced sedans with good visibility, predictable handling and a forgiving nature, which makes them easy to live with. The 1.0 TSI engine is punchy enough for highway driving but not intimidating, and the manual gearbox is light and easy to operate.The main adjustment will be the lower seating position compared to an SUV like the Mahindra KUV100, which can initially make judging the car's extremities a bit trickier, especially in tight parking situations. However, both cars are not excessively large, and with practice, you will quickly get used to their dimensions. Parking sensors and a rear camera, which are available on higher variants, will also help build confidence. If you are genuinely concerned about parking and manoeuvrability, you could consider the Skoda Kylaq or Volkswagen Taigun / Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI instead. However, if you spend time practising, the Slavia or Virtus will not be difficult to get used to.

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Posted on: 16 May 2026