KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Volkswagen Virtus price starts at Rs. 10.90 lakhs (Current offer price)
- Scored a full 5-star GNCAP crash safety rating
- Comes with a 1.0L and a 1.5L petrol engine; No Diesel or Hybrid option
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 pushed 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
Topline - 1.0L TSI Onwards - Rs. 15.60 Lakhs
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.
Competition Check- Skoda Slavia, Hyundai Verna, and the Honda City(as an accessory with massage function) offer front seat ventilation in this segment whereas the now aging Maruti Ciaz continues without it.
2. Electric Sunroof
Virtus Topline 1.0 TSI Onwards- Rs. 15.60 lakhs
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.
Competition Check- Except for Maruti Ciaz, all the other rivaling C-segment sedans offer an electric sunroof.
3. Front Electric Seats
Virtus 1.0 TSI Onwards- Rs. 15.60 lakhs
The Virtus comes with electrically adjustable front seats, for both the driver and co-driver. This was the first time when both the seats had gone for an electrical adjustment, and then 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.
Competition Check- The Slavia offers both front seats with electric adjustment whereas the Hyundai Verna only offers a driver's electric seat adjustment. Both Honda City and Maruti Ciaz are not offering this feature at the moment.
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 Check- The Hyundai Verna and Skoda Slavia come with a fully digital instrument cluster whereas the Honda City and the Ciaz offer the classic analogues.
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5. 10.25-Inch Infotainment Touchscreen
Highline - 1.0L TSI Onwards- Rs. 13.58 lakhs
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.
Competition Check- Skoda Slavia, and Hyundai Verna continue to offer a similar-sized touchscreen, and the Ciaz again, aging quickly, offers a dated 7-inch screen. Honda City sits in the middle 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 emnage 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.
Competition Check- The Honda City and Slavia offer rain-sensing wipers whereas the Verna and the Ciaz do not get this feature.
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
Verdict
German cars have a special place in the enthusiast circle owing to their sheer driving dynamics and the longetivity, especially for the VWs. The Virtus, although sluggish at its starts, is now one of the top choices of sedan, even attracting a big chunk of cross-segemnt shoppers. Spacious cabin, 521 litres of massive boot space and a pletheora of features makes it a very hard-to-miss proposition.
