Volkswagen Virtus Key Features Explained: A Worthy Competitor?

The Volkswagen Virtus has been the go-to choice for performance-centric sedan enthusiasts and is gradually rising up to the ranks of being a household name, thanks to its German roots, timeless design philosophy, and the performance that it pushes out when red-lined. But is that all about it? The answer to that is no, as it comes with a pretty loaded-up cabin that offers modern features that a new-age buyer wants. We explain the top key feature highlights of this sedan, but before that, make sure to join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel, specifically curated for all the avid petrolheads with extensive coverage of the latest news and insights from the automotive space.

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1. Ventilated Seats

The Volkswagen Virtus comes with a seat ventilation option for the front row passengers starting from the Topline 1.0 TSI variant onwards that starts at Rs. 15.60 lakhs. However, interestingly, all the variants above in the 1.5L performance line also offer this, excluding the GT-1.5L TSI EVO, which is priced at Rs. 16.64 lakhs ex-showroom. This variant is the base model with the 1.5L engine.

Variants Available: Starts from the 1.0L Topline variant at Rs 15.60 lakhs ex-showroom.

Competition With Same Features:

• Skoda Slavia, Hyundai Verna, and the Honda City(as an accessory with massage function) offer the front seat ventilation, making it a standard in the class.

2. Electric Sunroof

The Virtus comes with a single-pane electric sunroof, one of the highly desirable features of modern purchases these days. It is introduced from the 1.0L Topline trim at Rs. 15.60 lakhs onwards. However, again, the 1.5L GT-1.5L TSI EVO misses out on the sunroof, and the higher variants again continue with an electric sunroof.

Variant Available: Virtus Topline 1.0 TSI Onwards at Rs. 15.60 lakhs ex-showroom.

Competition With Same Features:

• Honda City gets a single-pane sunroof from the VX trim onwards.
• Hyundai Verna offers the same from its SX trim onwards, where the voice control feature is available from the SX(O) variant.
• For the Skoda Slavia, it's the Signature trim from which you start getting a sunroof.

3. Front Electric Seats

The Virtus comes with electrically adjustable front seats for both the driver and co-driver. This was the first time that both the seats had gone for an electrical adjustment, and subsequently, the Skoda Slavia too offered front-powered seats. This is again true for the GT-1.5L TSI EVO to miss out on this feature and the rest of the variants offering it.

Variants Available: It is available 1.0L TSI onwards

Competition With Same Features:

• The Slavia offers both front seats with electric adjustment from Monte Carlo Edition onwards
• Hyundai Verna only offers a driver's electric seat adjustment, whereas the Honda City does not offer any.

4. Fully Digital Instrument Cluster

The Virtus sedan offers an 8-inch fully digital cockpit instrument cluster that looks futuristic and offers a sporty feel when pressing the pedal to its end. It displays all the essential drive-related stats digitally on the screen in an easy-to-comprehend manner with evenly spread-out information.

Competition With Same Features:

• The Hyundai Verna offers a digital intrument cluster from S trim onwards
• Skoda Slavia come with a fully digital instrument cluster with Monte Carlo and the Prestige trim
• Honda City comes with a digi-analogue cluster in its top-spec avatar.

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5. 10.25-Inch Infotainment Touchscreen

Multimedia consumption is channeled through the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment that operates smoothly and also supports wireless Android Auto/ Apple CarPlay. The AC vents have been separately placed below this screen with their control underneath them. Complementing the overall experience further are 8 speakers, which, from the GT Plus trim onwards, offer an amplifier and a subwoofer as well.

Variants Available: Available from the Highline - 1.0L TSI Onwards and is also the new normal in its class, but with one exception.

Competition With Same Features:

• Skoda Slavia and Hyundai Verna continue to offer a similar-sized touchscreen but Honda City sits a level down with an 8-inch real estate.

6. Rain Sensing Wipers

Virtus Topline 1.0 TSI Onwards- Rs. 15.60 lakhs

Taking the help of sensors placed on the windshield, the Virtus gets automatic wipers that automatically engage when it senses the water droplets pouring on the glass. This is a really nifty and quirky addition that adds a feel-good touch to the rainy drives.

Variant Available: It is available with the Virtus Topline 1.0 onwards at Rs. 15.60 lakhs ex-showroom and this is also something that most rivals offer.

Competition Check:

• The Honda City offers rain-sensing wipers in its top-spec ZX trim.
• Slavia offers rain-sensing wipers in its Prestige trim.
• Hyundai Verna, though very tech-forward, misses out on this one.

Some other notable features of the Virtus are

• Wireless Charging
• 6 airbags as standard
• LED Headlamps with DRLs
• Auto Headlamps
• Ambient Lighting
• Front and Rear Fog Lamps
• Paddle Shifters
• Cruise Control

Missing Features With The Volkswagen Virtus

• 360-Degree Camera: While Virtus gets a simple reverse parking camera, with a vehicle this size, a 360-degree camera should have been offered, at least with the pricier top-spec trims. While no rival currently offers this functionality, the Honda City does offer a lane watch camera, which is a nice touch.
• ADAS: Although speculated to be added with the next update of the sedan, ADAS is something that the Virtus, as well as Slavia misses out on. Honda City and Verna, both offer these driver's assitance features.

Comparison With Rivals