Volkswagen Virtus vs Renault Duster

Autocar India
Volkswagen Virtus

Volkswagen Virtus

GT Plus Sport AT

19.20 lakh

Renault Duster

Renault Duster

Iconic 1.3 Turbo Petrol DCT

18.49 lakh

Engine & Transmission

Fuel Type/ Propulsion

Petrol
Petrol

Pure Electric Driving Mode

–

Engine Installation

Front
Front

Number of Cylinders

4
4

Engine Displacement

1498 cc
1333 cc

Engine Type

Turbocharged
Turbocharged

Max Engine Power

150hp at 5000-6000 rpm
163 hp at 5250 rpm

Max Engine Torque

250Nm at 1600-3500 rpm
280 Nm at 2000 - 3500 rpm

Drive Layout

Front Wheel Drive
Front Wheel Drive

Gearbox Type

DCT
DCT

Number of Gears

7
6

Lockable Differential/s

–

Sport Mode for Automatic Gearbox

–

Manual Shifts via Gear Lever on Automatic Gearbox

–

Paddle Shifters for Automatic Gearbox

Fuel & Performance

Fuel Tank Capacity

45 litres
50 litres

E20 Compatibility

Official Fuel Economy

19.62 kmpl
18.45 kmpl

Highway Fuel Economy as Tested

15.6 kmpl
–

City Fuel Economy as Tested

9.3 kmpl
–

Fuel Supply System

Direct Injection
Direct Injection

Emission Standard

Bharat Stage VI
–

Auto Start/Stop

–

User Reported Mileage

17.63 kmpl
–

0-100kph

9.68 s
11.33 s

20-80kph (in third gear/ kickdown)

5.95 s
6.07 s

40-100kph (in fourth gear/ kickdown)

6.3 s
7.6 s

Autocar Tested Mileage

–
9.97 kmpl

Autocar Tested City Mileage

–
6.47 kmpl

Autocar Tested Highway Mileage

–
13.47 kmpl

Suspension & Steering

Front Brakes

Discs
Disc

Rear Brakes

Drums
Disc

Type of Power Assist

Electric
Electric

4 Wheel Steer

–

Steering Adjust

Tilt and Telescopic
Tilt and Telescopic

Steering Adjust type

Manual
–

Turning Radius

5.05 m
–

Front Suspension Type

Independent, MacPherson Strut
MacPherson strut with lower transverse link

Front Springs

Coil Springs
Coil Springs

Rear Suspension Type

Non-independent, Torsion Beam
Semi-independent, torsion beam

Rear Springs

Coil Springs
Coil Springs

Damper Control

–

Ride Height Adjust

Wheels

Alloys
Alloys

Wheel Size

16 inches
18 inches

Front Tyre Size

205/55 R16
225/55 R18

Rear Tyre Size

205/55 R16
225/55 R18

Spare Wheel

Full Size
–

Dimensions

Length

4561 mm
4343 mm

Width

1752 mm
1815 mm

Chassis Type

Monocoque
Monocoque

Height

1507 mm
1659 mm

Wheelbase

2651 mm
2657 mm

Ground Clearance

179 mm
212 mm

Doors

4
5

Kerb Weight

1260 kg
–

Boot Capacity

521-1050 litres
518 litres

Comfort

Power Windows

Front and Rear
Front and Rear

12 Volt Port

–

Cabin Boot Access

–

Door Pockets

–

Digital Instrument Cluster

Fully Digital
–

Bottle Holder in Doors

–

Driver Armrest Storage

Vanity Mirror

Front Passenger Only
Yes with Light

Bluetooth Connectivity

–

Electric Tailgate Release

Rear Reading Lamp

–

Steering Mounted Controls

Audio and Phone
Audio Only

Roof Grab Handles

–

Powered Tailgate

–

Power Windows with One Touch-Down

Driver Window Only
–

Cup Holders

Front Seatback Pockets

–

Glove Box

–

Headlight and Ignition on Reminder

–

Sunglass Holder

–

Cooled Glovebox

–

Interior Lamps

Cooled Storage

Power Windows with One Touch-Up

Driver Window Only
–

Exterior Mirrors Electric Adjust

Exterior Mirrors Electric Fold

Yes with power folding
–

Remote Locking

Keyless Entry

Yes with proximity sensors

Push Button Start

Climate Control

1-zone
2-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

Single Pane
Panoramic

Ambient Lighting

Driving Modes

Cruise Control

Auto Parking

–

Launch Control

–

Dead Pedal

–

Hands-free Boot Opening

Rear Parcel Tray

–

Acoustic Windshield

–

Trunk Light

–

Safety

Crash Test Rating

5
–

Driver Airbag

Door Ajar Warning

–

Lane Departure Avoidance

–

Day Night Interior Mirror

Automatic
Automatic

Dashcam

–

Curtain Airbag

Speed Sensing Door Lock

–

Rear Seatbelt Reminder

–

Seat Belt Warning

–

Airbags

6
6

Side Airbag

Heads Up Display

–

Overspeed Warning

High Beam Assist

Emergency Brake Light Flashing

–

Front Collision Avoidance

–

Passenger Airbag

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)

Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)

Brake Assist (BA)

–

Electronic Parking Brake

Yes with Autohold

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
–

Parking Sensors

Rear
Front, Side and Rear

Parking Camera

Rear
360 degree

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

With Display

Blind Spot Monitor

–

Adaptive Cruise Control

NCAP Rating

5
–

Auto emergency braking (AEB)

–

Anti Theft Alarm

–

Traffic Sign Recognition

–

Driver Attention Warning

–

Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock

–

Lane Keep Assist

–

Dual Tone Horn

–

BNCAP Rating

–
5

Pretensioners & Force Limiter Seatbelts

–

Exterior

Body Coloured Bumpers

–

Cornering Headlights

–

Follow Me Home Headlamps

ORVM turn indicators

Scuff Plates

–

Antenna

Shark Fin
Shark Fin

LED DRLs

Projector Headlamps

–

Headlight Height Adjuster

–

LED fog lamps

LED taillights

LED headlamps

Headlight Type

LED
LED

Daytime Running Lights

LED
LED

Front Fog Lamps

Roof Rails

–
Functional

Wheel Arch Cladding

–

Puddle Lamps

–

Stop Lamp

–

Spoiler

–

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

–

Seat Material

Leatherette
Leatherette

Second Row Seat Adjustment

–

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

–

Front Seat Armrest

Yes with Storage
Yes with Storage

Rear Seat Armrest

Yes with Holders
–

Adjustable Rear Headrests

Individual Chairs at Rear

–

Rear Seat Backrest Recline

–

Rear Seat Backrest Fold

Rear Seat Backrest Split

60:40
–

Third Row Seats

–

Seat Count

5
5

Entertainment

Audio System

–

CD Player

–

Speakers

8
6

Branded Music System

–

USB Input

AUX Input

–

Bluetooth Audio Streaming

Bluetooth Telephone Function

Steering Audio Controls

Steering Phone Controls

Wireless Phone Charging

Display

10-inch Touchscreen
10.1-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

–

Second Row USB port

–
2 Type C

Front USB port

–
2 Type C

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

–

Navigation On Instrument Cluster

–

Questions you may find useful

•3d

I am looking to upgrade from my current car, a Hyundai Aura 1.2 Petrol, as I find it a little boring to drive. I drive around 8,000 to 10,000 km a year, out of which 1,500 to 2,000 km are road trips. My budget is under Rs 25 lakh. I have shortlisted the Volkswagen Virtus, Honda Elevate, and the Renault Duster. I wanted to know whether I should buy a car now or wait for the E20 fuel-related issues to settle. Also considering the facelifts for the Elevate and Virtus are expected soon, so I am wondering if it would be better to wait for those. One more question is should I buy one of these brand-new cars, or would it be wiser to consider a pre-owned car from a higher segment within the same budget? Thank you!

Verified
•24m

Go for the Volkswagen Virtus GT with the 1.5 TSI engine and DSG gearbox. Since you are upgrading from a Hyundai Aura 1.2 Petrol and find it boring to drive, it's clear that driving experience matters to you. Among your shortlisted cars, the Virtus is the most engaging to drive, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a genuinely enjoyable chassis.It would also be worth waiting a few months for the facelift. It is expected to bring more features, sharper look and an improved air-conditioning system.The Renault Duster is quite engaging too, while offering the practicality and ground clearance of an SUV. However, it is not spacious for its size and nor is it very fuel efficient. The Honda Elevate is the most sensible long-term ownership choice, but it is not as exciting to drive as the Virtus and is due to receive a facelift soon.As for E20 fuel, do not wait. All three cars are E20 compliant, and there is no confirmed official roadmap beyond E20 at the moment. Modern engines are designed to run on E20 fuel, and the impact is limited to lower fuel efficiency, regardless of the model.Regarding a new versus pre-owned car, your budget is sufficient to buy a top-spec Virtus or a well-equipped Duster. There is little reason to compromise on a used car. Moreover, there are not too many engaging options in the segment above that make a compelling used-car buy within your budget. Buying new gives you the full warranty, and an ownership experience that is likely to be more satisfying in the long run.

VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleRenault Duster
VehicleHonda Elevate
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