after driving virtus 1.5 you wont like the driving dynamics of anything else. german SUV feel is just unmatched, nothing else in this segment comes close

CarWise•28 Dec 2025

4/5

virtus GT offers a more solid german style driving feel with excellent highway stability. very satisfying to drive if you enjoy dynamics

Mayank s•5 Dec 2025

4/5

cost of ownership of a VW is quite high but for a driver centric car for family i would always go for virtus. the sheer power and driving dynamics of that car is too good. worth every rupee if you enjoy driving

Volkswagen Virtus Expert Reviews

Autocar score

We like

Tough build
Ride and handling

We don't like

Some poor interior bits
No diesel or hybrid option

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Volkswagen Virtus Images

Leather Wrapped Gear Knob Shift Selector Image - 4890

Color Carbon Steel Grey Matte Image - 3188

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Questions you may find useful

Siddhant Lokhande

•2d

I am planning to buy an automatic car with an on-road budget of around ₹15 lakh. I currently drive a Honda Civic (manual), and my monthly usage is relatively low at under 400 km. The car will primarily be used for daily city commutes (office) and occasional highway trips—around 2–3 times a year, typically within 500 km. I am looking for a well-balanced option that offers comfort, reliability, and good fuel efficiency for both city use and occasional highway driving. I am not in a hurry and can wait until the end of the year if better options or updates are expected. Could you please suggest the best choices in this budget, keeping long-term ownership and ease of driving in mind?

Autocar India

•1d

You haven't mentioned the body style or whether you have any transmission preference (MT or AT). But since you're used to the low-slung Honda Civic manual, chances are the new crop of compact SUVs might not give you the same satisfying 'sporty' drive experience. You could consider the Hyundai i20 N Line, which is a 'fun-to-drive' hatchback. You could get either the manual or dual-clutch automatic version well within your budget. If it is a fun-to-drive sedan you're after, the entry-level 1.0 TSI manual versions of the Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia will fall within Rs 15 lakhs (on-road) too. Both these cars are likely to get an update this year, with similar changes as their mid-size SUV counterparts, Taigun and Kushaq; expect minor cosmetic updates and an upgraded air-con system with its manual version.

Akshay Nayak

I am planning to buy a new car and have narrowed my choice down to the Skoda Slavia/VW Virtus with the 1.5 DSG. I really love how both cars drive, and the DSG feels like magic. However, 90% of my driving is in the city, and I live in one of the most traffic-congested areas of Mumbai (Malad). Would it be a wise decision to go for the DSG gearbox? Which other cars would you recommend in this segment (no SUVs)?

Autocar India

•2d

Go for the Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 TSI automatic rather than the 1.5 DSG, given your 90 percent city use in Malad’s heavy stop start traffic. You get the same cabin, driving position and overall feel you liked, but the 1.0’s torque converter automatic is far better suited to daily Mumbai conditions as it is smoother at low speeds, easier to modulate in bumper to bumper traffic and less stressful to live with over time. The 1.5 DSG, while genuinely quick and engaging with its fast shifts, can feel jerky at crawling speeds, tends to heat up in prolonged traffic and can be expensive to repair once out of warranty, which makes it less ideal for your usage. The 1.0 still feels adequately quick in the city with light controls and easy drivability, so you are not really giving up much unless you drive hard on open roads. If you are considering alternatives, the Honda City CVT and Hyundai Verna IVT are even smoother in traffic and very easy to live with, while the City e:HEV is the best for city efficiency if you are willing to stretch. The only drawback with the 1.0 is that it lacks the punch and sharp shift feel of the 1.5 DSG on highways, but overall it is the far more practical and stress free choice for your driving conditions.

Sachin Bhosle

Hi Autocar Team, I am looking for a powerful sedan for a daily commute of around 80 km, with most of the driving on highways, along with a 600 km long drive on most weekends. I am looking for a car with solid build quality, no sunroof, and one that feels planted at high speeds. It should also offer strong safety, including ADAS features. Additionally, I would prefer a sedan with good steering feel and engaging driving dynamics.

Autocar India

•1w

With 80 km a day, mostly on highways and a 600 km run most months, you need a safe, steady sedan that feels good at speed and does not force a sunroof. In that brief, the Honda City V CVT with Honda Sensing fits best because it gives you ADAS without a sunroof and stays calm and secure on fast roads.The City’s steering is light in town but feels natural and sure as speed builds, and the car remains composed over rough patches. The cabin is well-made, and you get core safety features like six airbags and stability control.Do note: the City is not the most powerful in this price band, so if you want very quick bursts for overtakes, you will need to press the engine harder, and the CVT can sound loud when you do.If you want stronger power and a more connected feel and can give up ADAS or the no-sunroof requirement, look at the Volkswagen Virtus 1.5 TSI DSG or Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG. They feel very strong on the highway, and their steering has more weight, but they miss ADAS, and top versions will add a sunroof. Overall, for your highway-heavy use, ADAS and no-sunroof requirement, the City V CVT lines up best.

Mohammed Zuber

Hello Autocar team, I am planning to buy a new car, and I am very much confused between the VW Virtus GT and the Hyundai Creta Auto petrol. I am a proud owner of the Hyundai Creta 1.5 SX petrol 2023. But I feel I need a more punchy car. So, can you please clear my doubts on both of these cars?

Autocar India

•1w

If your goal is a stronger, more exciting drive than the 2023 Creta 1.5, you should opt for the Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus. It is a lower, lighter car with a strong turbo-petrol engine and a quick-shifting DSG gearbox. The Creta's turbo-petrol engine option may have a 10hp advantage on paper, but this one feels far stronger in practice. The steering also feels more direct, so on a fast road, the car goes where you point it with less delay. Coming from your current Hyundai Creta, you will immediately feel the extra shove in the mid-range and the sharper response. There are a couple of trade-offs. You will feel bumps a bit more than in your Creta, and though ground clearance is good, it's not as good as that of an SUV.So, for pure driving fun and a real step-up in how it pulls, go Virtus GT Plus DSG. Apart from everything else, it will also feel like a different car, while another Creta will feel too similar to your 2023 model. Do note, there is a facelift for the Vento coming later in the year, so if you can wait a few months, consider doing that.

Volkswagen Virtus

Hyundai Creta

Vin

•7w

I want to buy a new car for my grandparents, which will mostly be driven by a driver (they will mostly use the backseat). They currently use a Honda City. The running is around 300km per month, only in the city. I would not want a car that is high, since it will be difficult for them to get in, but still a good car that I can use for my business meetings when I am in town (2-3 days a month). Do not want another Honda City, as it seems boring to me now. I don't need ADAS, it's not meant for Indian roads yet. Please suggest a good car in a similar budget to the Honda City (let's say around 20 lakh).

Autocar India

•6w

If you want something that is comfortable for your grandparents in the rear seat and also fun to drive when you take the wheel, we would suggest considering the Volkswagen Virtus.The Virtus sits at a comfortable height, not too low and not too tall, which makes it easy to get in and out of, especially for elderly passengers. The rear seats are well-contoured and supportive for two people, so your grandparents will be comfortable when they are being driven around. The ride quality is also comfortable, which suits city usage well.At the same time, this Volkswagen car is also very engaging to drive. If you can stretch your budget a bit, the 1.5-litre TSI engine is smoother, more powerful and great fun behind the wheel. The 1.0-litre engine is also good and has enough performance if you want to stay within budget.You can also look at the Skoda Slavia, which is essentially the same car with some cosmetic differences, in case you prefer Skoda.One thing to keep in mind is that both these cars are expected to get an update soon, which could mean good deals on the current models if you are not looking to wait.

Volkswagen Virtus

Skoda Slavia

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