Volkswagen cars in India (9)

autocar.india

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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

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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

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Given your usage and priorities, the Volkswagen Virtus Highline Plus 1.0 TSI automatic is the better fit. Your daily running is low, and the occasional highway trips do not justify the additional size and complexity of the Tata Safari. The Virtus offers a more refined driving experience, better fuel efficiency and a more manageable ownership proposition over the long term. It is also a more comfortable car for a family of four plus a child, with a spacious rear seat and a large boot. The Safari Pure X turbo petrol manual is a good value proposition for those who need the extra space and road presence, but it is not the best choice for your usage pattern. The manual gearbox will become tiresome in traffic, and the larger size will make it less convenient to live with on a daily basis. The Virtus is the more sensible and enjoyable choice for your needs. You can expect the Volkswagen Virtus mileage to be around 9 to 12 kpl in the city and 15 to 18 kpl on the highway.

Volkswagen Virtus

Tata Safari

autocar.india

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The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid is a very sensible choice for your first automatic. It is smooth, efficient and easy to drive in the city, and the hybrid system works well in stop-start traffic. However, your concern about feeling underpowered is valid. The hybrid system is tuned for efficiency rather than outright performance, and under hard acceleration, you will feel that the engine is straining a bit. Overall, performance feels adequate, and while it will climb hills and handle mountain roads without issue, performance doesn't feel particularly strong or effortless like some turbo-petrol or diesel cars.This Toyota car is a great choice if your priority is efficiency and ease of use, but if you want more performance and better overtaking ability, a 1.5 turbo-petrol automatic powered SUV like a Kia Seltos or Skoda Kushaq/VW Taigun would be a better fit.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

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Both the Kushaq and Taigun are mechanically identical, sharing the same 1.5 TSI engine + dual-clutch automatic gearbox options and chassis, so the driving experience is essentially the same. The decision comes down to brand preference, dealership experience and minor differences in interior design and feature packaging. The Volkswagen Taigun's design and interior feel slightly more premium, but the difference is marginal. At the end, besides aesthetics, see which brand is getting you a better deal. You won't go wrong with either. The Taigun price starts at Rs 11 lakh for the base variant (ex-showroom).

Volkswagen Taigun

Skoda Kushaq