Volkswagen Virtus

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You are spot on in your observation about the high engine noise during hard acceleration on the Honda City CVT. That is a function of its CVT gearbox and the notorious 'rubberband effect' in which the revs rise sharply without a correspondingly quick increase in road speed. The CVT gearbox does have its advantages, with a smoother drive experience in city and low-speed conditions, but it's not the exciting choice.The Volkswagen Virtus is the superior driving car, thanks to its turbocharged engines and torque converter automatic and dual-clutch automatic gearboxes, depending on the engine you opt for. The Virtus is due for an update in the weeks to come, which will see the move to an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission for the 1.0 TSI engine. We've experienced the same engine and gearbox combination on the Skoda Slavia and found it to have uplifted the overall drive experience. In terms of cabin insulation, ride comfort, and even highway stability, the Virtus does feel superior to the Honda City. Fuel economy, however, is entirely dependent on your driving style. Drive with enthusiasm, and you'll see fuel economy dip quickly, which is something true for all turbo-petrol engines.While both the Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus are sound products, the City does have the more proven track record for reliability. That being said, there are no fundamental areas of concern on the Virtus. The upcoming update will also address the mediocre cooling, which has been a bugbear for the product since launch.To us, the Volkswagen Virtus is the car that will put a bigger smile on your face.

Honda City

Volkswagen Virtus

Skoda Slavia

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Unfortunately, there are only few sedans to choose from. Aside from the Volkswagen Virtus that you're familiar with, there's the Skoda Slavia, Hyundai Verna, and Honda City. While all models are good in their own right, none of them would feel like a significant upgrade over your 2019 Kia Seltos 1.4 DCT. The Toyota Camry is a great product but would be too much of a stretch. With sedans out of the question, we'd shift our focus to SUVs. And the first model that comes to mind is the new Kia Sorento. It's significantly larger than the Seltos, offers the flexibility of a third row of seats and feels genuinely premium on the inside. Your kind of use makes the Sorento Hybrid worth a look. It's got more than adequate power, and you'll also get great fuel economy over your mix of city and highway drives. If your priority is more towards the highway experience, we's guide you towards the Sorento diesel. The diesel is strong and punchy and works really well with the dual-clutch gearbox. It makes for a refined highway cruiser that you'd happily spend long hours in. Of the other models, you could also consider the Mahindra XUV7XO petrol. Again, it's got the flexibility of three rows of seating, feels plush and packs in loads of features. The 200hp petrol engine is also very impressive. However, if you've been happy with the Kia experience, the Sorento would be our pick for you.

Toyota Camry

Volkswagen Virtus

Skoda Slavia

Hyundai Verna

Honda City

Kia Sorento

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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Since you are upgrading from a Maruti Suzuki Dzire and this will be your first German car, both the Volkswagen Virtus Topline AT and Skoda Slavia Prestige AT are worth considering. They share their engines and platform, so the differences largely come down to styling, features and pricing. The updated Slavia gets improved air conditioning with a new variable geometry compressor, an eight speed torque converter automatic that is smoother and more efficient, larger infotainment and driver display screens, a 360 degree camera and a rear seat massage function, making it a more appealing package than before.However, the Virtus is also expected to receive a facelift soon, with similar styling and feature updates likely. We would suggest waiting before making a decision, especially as the updated Virtus could address some of the current model’s shortcomings.

Volkswagen Virtus

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Skoda Slavia

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The Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia are essentially the same car under the skin. The Slavia is fresh from an update that brings with it an upgraded air conditioner and a new 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission, which have enhanced the driving experience. The same changes, along with similar feature upgrades, are coming soon to the Volkswagen Virtus as well.Both models suit your requirements of 12,000km of annual driving with 4 to 5 long trips. The 8-speed automatic feels smooth in the city and works well with the 1.0 TSI engine. There's also more than adequate performance for long highway drives, backed up by very reassuring high-speed manners. In essence, the choice boils down to your personal preferences in terms of looks and brand image. You could also decide on the basis of proximity to a dealer and the best deals that you're getting on comparable models.

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

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The Virtus and Slavia are nearly identical, so the build quality, driving dynamics and even performance will be largely similar. As a result, the feedback you've received for the Slavia will hold true for the Virtus as well. That said, both the cars feel rock-solid at highway speeds and body roll is well contained too, despite their almost SUV-like 179mm ground clearance. Their 1.5 TSI engine is entertaining, and if you love to drive, both cars will certainly appeal to you.Between the two cars, you're likely to get higher discounts on the VW Virtus GT, as an updated one will be launched in a few weeks. Besides some cosmetic upgrades, the 2026 Virtus GT will get an updated air-con (available in the 2026 Slavia), which will be more effective in cooling the cabin. Hence, if you like the Virtus for its styling, we'll suggest you wait for that instead.However, if you can't wait, we'll suggest you go for the 2026 Skoda Slavia.

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus