Volkswagen cars in India (8)

autocar.india

•5m

Given your knee pain and Gurugram traffic, moving to an automatic is the right decision. The Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI DSG is a fantastic driver's car, but the DSG gearbox is not the most stress-free ownership proposition in the long term, especially in heavy stop-start traffic. If you want to stay in the same segment and not compromise on performance, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the 8-speed torque converter automatic is the best option. The 1.0 litre TSI engine will not be as peppy as your 1.5 litre Taigun, but for everyday traffic it is surprisingly good and lively enough driven at everyday speeds. You will not lose any performance in the city and the torque converter gearbox is far more robust, smoother and better suited to city traffic. It is also a genuinely enjoyable car to drive, so you are not giving up the driving experience you enjoy. If you want to save some money, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI with the same torque converter automatic is also worth considering. It is essentially the same mechanical package in a slightly smaller and more affordable body. The key point is that the torque converter automatic is the right solution for your knee and your city usage, and you do not have to compromise on performance to get it.

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda Kylaq

Volkswagen Taigun

autocar.india

•3h

If you are still holding on to your 2012 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI Highline, it is clear that driving enjoyment is a top priority. The Jetta diesel’s strong torque, solid build and planted highway manners are difficult to replace, especially in today’s market, where diesel-powered mass-market sedans are no longer available.The closest modern alternatives in terms of driving feel would be the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus with the 1.5 TSI engine. Both offer strong performance, good handling and a solid, confidence-inspiring feel on the highway. The 1.5 TSI engine is genuinely punchy, and the overall driving experience is among the better options in the segment.If moving up a segment is an option and an SUV body style is acceptable, the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron are also worth considering. Both offer a more premium experience, excellent highway manners and a strong 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. However, they are considerably larger and more expensive than the Jetta.

Volkswagen Virtus

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Tayron

autocar.india

•1d

For your requirements, the Honda City is what we would recommend. It offers the most comfortable rear seat in the segment, with excellent legroom and a well-cushioned bench that makes this Honda car ideal for chauffeur-driven city use. The ride quality is also very well judged, with the suspension absorbing potholes and speed breakers without the car feeling bouncy or unsettled. Honda’s reputation for reliability and relatively low maintenance costs further strengthens its case, and the City’s petrol engine is efficient enough for your predominantly city driving.The Hyundai Verna 1.5 MPI would be the second choice. It offers a comfortable ride and a premium cabin experience, but the rear seat is not as spacious or as comfortable as the City’s, which is a key consideration for your usage. And while the mileage is good, it's not quite as good as the City's. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both good cars, but their ride quality is firmer, and they are not as well suited to chauffeur-driven city use.Overall, the Honda City is the best fit for your requirements and budget. It delivers the right balance of comfort, ride quality, efficiency and ownership experience for a predominantly city-driven sedan.

Honda City

Hyundai Verna

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

autocar.india

•3d

Given your requirements, the Volkswagen Virtus GT is the most sensible choice. You already enjoy your Polo GT TSI, and the Virtus GT builds on that formula with a more powerful 1.5 TSI engine, a larger and more comfortable cabin, and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. It is one of the best driver's cars in the segment, and it is also well suited to long expressway runs.The back seat is a significant step up from the Polo, with good legroom and a comfortable seating position for your parents. The ride is on the firmer side, but it is well controlled at highway speeds, and the car feels stable and confidence-inspiring on long journeys.On the EV question, a 300km round trip once or twice a week is right on the edge of what most mainstream EVs can comfortably manage without charging stops in the real world. While cars like the Tata Harrier EV and XEV 9S can technically do it, you would be running the battery down to low levels, and charging infrastructure is still not consistent enough to make this a stress-free experience. The Virtus GT, on the other hand, is completely hassle-free on long highway runs.Overall, the Virtus GT strikes the best balance between driving enjoyment, rear seat comfort and long-distance usability. It is the car you are most likely to still enjoy owning after five years. If you can wait a few months, however, Volkswagen is launching a facelifted version that should get a few more features.

Volkswagen Virtus

Tata Harrier EV

Mahindra XEV 9S

autocar.india

•4d

Since you own a VW Vento, you are already familiar with VW's sales and service experience; hence, you could consider getting the Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 8AT. It is a solid mid-size SUV that is likely to feel very similar to your outgoing vehicle in terms of driving manners, but at the same time it packs in all the niceties, as well as a more powerful turbo-petrol engine with a modern 8-speed automatic. The Skoda Kushaq is also an option you could consider, which is the Taigun's mechanically identical Skoda counterpart.Alternatively, you could consider a Kia Seltos 1.5 IVT too. It is a bit larger, more spacious, comfier and better equipped than the two VW-Skoda SUVs From a long-term perspective, the Kia car mentioned above deserves serious consideration.

Volkswagen Taigun

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos