Skoda Kushaq vs Volkswagen Virtus

Autocar India

Engine & Transmission

Engine Type

Turbocharged
Turbocharged

Engine Displacement

1498 cc
1498 cc

Number of Cylinders

4
4

Engine Installation

Front
Front

Fuel Type/ Propulsion

Petrol
Petrol

Gearbox Type

DCT
DCT

Number of Gears

7
7

Manual Shifts via Gear Lever on Automatic Gearbox

N/A

Paddle Shifters for Automatic Gearbox

Sport Mode for Automatic Gearbox

N/A

Drive Layout

Front Wheel Drive
Front Wheel Drive

Lockable Differential/s

Max Engine Power

149.55 hp at 5000 - 6000 rpm
150hp at 5000-6000 rpm

Max Engine Torque

250 Nm at 1600 - 3500 rpm
250Nm at 1600-3500 rpm

Pure Electric Driving Mode

Fuel & Performance

Fuel Supply System

Direct Injection
Direct Injection

E20 Compatibility

Emission Standard

Bharat Stage VI
Bharat Stage VI

Terrain Modes

Auto Start/Stop

N/A

Official Fuel Economy

18.72 kmpl
19.62 kmpl

Autocar Tested City Mileage

8.9 kmpl

Autocar Tested Highway Mileage

15.4 kmpl

Fuel Tank Capacity

50 litres
45 litres

Autocar Tested Mileage

12.15 kmpl

0-100kph

9.62 s
9.68 s

20-80kph (in third gear/ kickdown)

5.18 s
5.95 s

40-100kph (in fourth gear/ kickdown)

6.37 s
6.3 s

City Fuel Economy as Tested

9.3 kmpl

Highway Fuel Economy as Tested

15.6 kmpl

User Reported Mileage

17.63 kmpl

Suspension & Steering

Front Suspension Type

McPherson suspension
Independent, MacPherson Strut

Front Springs

Coil Springs
Coil Springs

Rear Suspension Type

Non-independent, Torsion Beam
Non-independent, Torsion Beam

Rear Springs

Coil Springs
Coil Springs

Damper Control

Ride Height Adjust

Type of Power Assist

Electric
Electric

Steering Adjust type

Manual
Manual

Steering Adjust

Tilt and Telescopic
Tilt and Telescopic

4 Wheel Steer

Front Brakes

Disc
Discs

Rear Brakes

Disc
Drums

Wheel Size

17 inches
16 inches

Front Tyre Size

205/55 R17
205/55 R16

Rear Tyre Size

205/55 R17
205/55 R16

Wheels

Alloys
Alloys

Spare Wheel

Space Saver
Full Size

Turning Radius

5.05 m

Dimensions

Length

4229 mm
4561 mm

Width

1760 mm
1752 mm

Height

1612 mm
1507 mm

Wheelbase

2651 mm
2651 mm

Ground Clearance

188 mm
179 mm

Kerb Weight

1321 - 1322 kg
1260 kg

Chassis Type

Monocoque
Monocoque

Boot Capacity

491 - 1405 litres
521-1050 litres

Doors

5
4

Comfort

Power Windows

Front and Rear
Front and Rear

Power Windows with One Touch-Down

Driver Window Only
Driver Window Only

Bottle Holder in Doors

Rear Parcel Tray

Cooled Glovebox

Bluetooth Connectivity

Cup Holders

Digital Instrument Cluster

Fully Digital
Fully Digital

Door Pockets

Driver Armrest Storage

Glove Box

Front Seatback Pockets

Vanity Mirror

Front Passenger Only
Front Passenger Only

Power Windows with One Touch-Up

Driver Window Only
Driver Window Only

Exterior Mirrors Electric Adjust

Exterior Mirrors Electric Fold

Yes with power folding
Yes with power folding

Remote Locking

Keyless Entry

Yes with proximity sensors

Push Button Start

Climate Control

1-zone

Rear AC Vents

Third Row AC Vents

Front Passenger Seat Adjust from Rear

Rear Window Sun Shades

Rear Windscreen Sun Shade

Rear Power Outlet

Sunroof

Panoramic
Single Pane

Ambient Lighting

Driving Modes

Cruise Control

Auto Parking

Launch Control

Dead Pedal

Hands-free Boot Opening

12 Volt Port

Cabin Boot Access

Electric Tailgate Release

Rear Reading Lamp

Steering Mounted Controls

Audio and Phone

Roof Grab Handles

Powered Tailgate

Headlight and Ignition on Reminder

Sunglass Holder

Interior Lamps

Cooled Storage

Safety

Crash Test Rating

5

Airbags

6
6

GNCAP Rating

5

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)

Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)

Brake Assist (BA)

Electronic Parking Brake

Traction Control

Electronic Stability Control

Hill Start Assist

Hill Descent Control

Central Locking

Speed-Sensing Auto Door Locks

Child Safety Lock

ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts

Automatic Headlamps

Automatic Wipers

Rear Washer/Wiper

Rear Defogger

Day/Night Interior Mirror

Auto
Auto

Parking Sensors

Front & Rear
Rear

Parking Camera

Rear

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

Blind Spot Monitor

Adaptive Cruise Control

NCAP Rating

5
5

Driver Airbag

Door Ajar Warning

Lane Departure Avoidance

Day Night Interior Mirror

Automatic

Dashcam

Curtain Airbag

Speed Sensing Door Lock

Rear Seatbelt Reminder

Seat Belt Warning

Side Airbag

Heads Up Display

Overspeed Warning

High Beam Assist

Emergency Brake Light Flashing

Front Collision Avoidance

Passenger Airbag

Exterior

Body Coloured Bumpers

Roof Rails

Functional

Projector Headlamps

Headlight Type

LED
LED

Daytime Running Lights

LED

Front Fog Lamps

Cornering Headlights

Follow Me Home Headlamps

ORVM turn indicators

Scuff Plates

Antenna

Shark Fin

LED DRLs

Headlight Height Adjuster

LED fog lamps

LED taillights

LED headlamps

Interior

Speedometer

Digital

Tachometer

Digital

Trip Meter

Average Fuel Consumption

Average Speed

Distance to Empty

Low Fuel Level Warning

Instantaneous Consumption

Gear Indicator

Shift Indicator

Head-up Display

Seats

Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel

Leather-wrapped Gear Knob

Driver's Seat Height Adjust

Electric Adjust for Driver's Seat

Driver's Seat Memory

Front Passenger Seat Height Adjust

Electric Adjust for Front Passenger's Seat

Front Passenger Seat Memory

Adjustable Front Headrests

Ventilated Seats

Front Only
Front Only

Heated Seats

Massage Seats

Rear Only

Front Seat Armrest

Yes with Storage

Rear Seat Armrest

Yes with Holders
Yes with Holders

Adjustable Rear Headrests

Individual Chairs at Rear

Rear Seat Backrest Recline

Rear Seat Backrest Fold

Rear Seat Backrest Split

60:40
60:40

Third Row Seats

Seat Count

5
5

Seat Material

Leatherette

Second Row Seat Adjustment

Entertainment

Audio System

Speakers

6
8

CD Player

USB Input

Bluetooth Audio Streaming

Bluetooth Telephone Function

Steering Audio Controls

Steering Phone Controls

Wireless Phone Charging

Display

10.01-inch Touchscreen
10-inch Touchscreen

Android Auto

Wireless
Wireless

Apple CarPlay

Wireless
Wireless

MirrorLink

Web Browser

Video Player

Satellite Navigation

Voice Commands

Gesture Controls

Touchpad

Rear Entertainment Screens

Branded Music System

AUX Input

Connected Car Features

Alexa Compatibility

Over the air (OTA) updates

Find My Car

Emergency Call Button

Remote Sunroof Open / Close via App

Remote AC On / Off via App

Remote Car Lock/Unlock via App

Car Light Flashing & Honking via App

Check Vehicle Status via App

SOS Button

Questions you may find useful

13w

I’m confused between the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 DSG and the Volkswagen Virtus GT 1.5 DSG. I personally prefer the Virtus for its sedan driving feel and enthusiast appeal, but the Kushaq seems more practical for long-term usage and family comfort. My main concern is: Will proper enthusiast sedans and 1.5 turbo petrol engines like the Virtus still exist 5–6 years later, or will the market fully shift towards SUVs, hybrids, and EVs? Would it make more sense to: Buy the Kushaq now and possibly move to a sedan later if the segment still exists, or Buy the Virtus now and keep it long term before enthusiast sedans become rare? Which would you recommend considering future trends, practicality, and ownership experience?

Verified
12w

We would pick the Volkswagen Virtus GT now and keep it for a while because you already prefer the sedan feel and, over the next 5-6 years, cars like this are likely to become fewer while taller cars will only get more common. The 1.5 turbo with the DSG, which is a quick-shifting automatic, gives the Virtus a lively, smooth feel that makes daily drives and highway runs special. You can expect the Volkswagen Virtus mileage to be around 9 to 12 kmpl in the city and 15 to 18 kmpl on the highway.Also, if you truly enjoy sitting low and feeling connected to the road, the Volkswagen car delivers that better than the Skoda Kushaq, so you’ll smile more every day you own it. And looking ahead, SUVs and hybrids will grow fast, but sporty petrol sedans will likely shrink in choice, not vanish overnight. So it makes sense to buy the one you really want now; the “practical” taller car will be easy to find later if your needs change. Moreover, the Virtus has plenty of ground clearance, especially for a sedan, so that should not be a worry either. Do bear in mind, though, that both the Virtus and its sister model, the Skoda Slavia, will be updated later this year, so if you can wait for just a few months, we would recommend doing so.

VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleSkoda Kushaq
16w

I am looking for an automatic transmission car that can handle a mix of 60% city, 30% highway, and 10% mountain driving. Right now, I am stuck between the Virtus and Kushaq, though I am leaning towards the Virtus.

Verified
12w

The Volkswagen Virtus is a strong fit for your driving mix, and the choice essentially comes down to whether you prefer a sedan or an SUV.The Virtus, in particular, has clear advantages. It offers a more compliant ride compared to the Skoda Kushaq, which tends to feel a bit firmer over broken roads. Its lower centre of gravity also gives it an edge in handling, especially on mountain roads, where it feels more planted and predictable. High-speed stability is another strength, making it well-suited for your highway usage.From a practicality standpoint, the Virtus also scores with a more spacious rear seat and a larger boot, which adds to its appeal as an all-rounder. The Volkswagen Virtus mileage is 20.19 kpl for the 1.0 TSI MT, 18.70 kpl for the 1.0 TSI AT, and 19.62 kpl for the 1.5 TSI DSG. These are ARAI-certified figures, and the actual mileage may vary depending on driving conditions.The Kushaq’s main advantage is its higher ground clearance and taller seating position. This makes it easier to deal with rough patches, poor roads, and tricky urban conditions, while also giving a more commanding view of the road, something many drivers prefer in city traffic.So, if your priority is driving comfort, stability, and overall dynamics, the Virtus is the better pick. If you value ease of driving in tough road conditions and an SUV stance, the Kushaq makes a case. The 1.5 TSI version with the 7-speed DSG auto transmission for both the Virtus and the Kushaq suits your usage best.

VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleSkoda Kushaq