Volkswagen Virtus

Expert Review by Maxabout

Overview

Sedans have their own allure and back in the 90s, if you heard someone buy a big automobile, it meant they bought a sedan. Purchasing a sedan showed you had made it in life. Yes, SUVs have taken over and sedans sell in tiny numbers nowadays, but to be fair, there aren't many sedans that will wow you in the inexpensive market. The Volkswagen Virtus is a little different, as it looks the part and has powerful engine options.

Volkswagen Virtus Design and Style

2023 Virtus is the most attractive, affordable sedan in the Indian market. Vento appears to have been working out hard in the gym. As a result, the Virtus not only looks good but also has the muscle to attract attention. The narrow characteristic Volkswagen grille and the elegant LED headlights make the front very appealing. Another good detail is the lower grille, which is completed in gloss black and looks extremely classy. From the back, the Virtus appears similar to the Jetta, but VW has added some sporty accents. Smoked LED tail lamps are functional, and the lower half of the rear bumper is matte black to reduce visual bulk. The Virtus' silhouette is nearly identical to that of the Skoda, which is not a negative thing. The powerful shoulder line makes it appear athletic and nicely proportional, as a three-box sedan should be. The wheel design on the new Virtus, however, differs from that of the Slavia, with the VW getting more sporty-looking 16-inch alloy wheels.

If you like a more sporty-looking Virtus, VW has created one specifically for you. Compared to the Dynamic-Line, the Performance-Line or GT model receives a slew of visual upgrades and is only available with the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. So, in the quicker GT variant, you get blacked-out wheels, mirrors, and roof, as well as GT badging on the grille, boot, and front fender, as well as red-painted front brake callipers.

Volkswagen Virtus Engine and Gearbox

Volkswagen offers the new Virtus in two petrol-run engines. The first is a smaller 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 115 HP and coupled to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The larger 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine produces 150 HP and comes with two transmission options: a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DCT. We have the 1.0-litre 6-speed automatic and the top-of-the-line 1.5-litre engine with DCT transmission on the test.

The smaller 1.0-litre engine feels lively, especially at low speeds, and driving in the city becomes a breeze thanks to the quick 6-speed automated transmission. Sure, at low speeds, this powertrain seems a little jerky as it delivers power in a rapid burst, but that is something you can get used to after some time behind the wheel. Even on the interstate, this engine has enough power to cruise at three-digit speeds with ease.

2023 Virtus GT 1.5-litre engine speeds up quickly, and the DCT is also smooth and always finds the perfect gear at the right time. It also downshifts quickly, making overtaking a breeze. This engine offers enough power for highway travel, and because of the tall gearing, it maintains a fairly pleasant rpm even at high speeds. This decreases engine stress while also increasing fuel efficiency. The 1.5-litre engine includes cylinder deactivation technology that improves highway fuel efficiency significantly. When cruising or when the engine load is low, this switches off two of the four cylinders. At low speeds, however, there isn't much of a difference between the two engines, and even the 1.0-litre has plenty of power.

So, if you want to use the Virtus primarily in the city, acquire the 1.0-litre variant to save money. However, if you are an enthusiast who does a lot of highway driving, then you should consider the GT-Line.

Volkswagen Virtus Suspension, Brakes and Tyres

2023 Virtus' ride, like the engine, is outstanding, behaving well over bumpy roads thanks to the quiet, softly damped, long-travel suspension. Volkswagen equipped the new Virtus with McPherson suspension and stabiliser bar in the front and Twist beam axle at the rear. Even on highways, despite the soft setup, the Virtus remains composed over undulating terrain and there is little body movement. As a result, long-distance travel in the Virtus seems effortless. On first inspection, the suspension setup does not feel all that different from the Slavia. 2022 Virtus has a front disc and rear drum and they outfit the 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 tyre sections and the spare tyre they offer is 195/65 R15 for the Dynamic Line and 205/55 R16 for the Performance Line.

Interior and Instrument Console of Volkswagen Virtus

The interiors of the new Virtus are as attractive as the outside. The dash design is simple, but the silver and gloss black panel adds a touch of luxury. Fit and quality are more consistent than on the Slavia, but it falls short of the segment benchmark, the Honda City. Whereas the Honda has soft-touch materials on the dashboard, the Virtus has harsh plastics.

There are also distinctions on the inside of the GT model. You receive black leather upholstery and aluminium inlays on the pedals, and if you order the new Virtus GT in red, you also get red dash panels. The ambient lighting is also red, as is the digital instrument cluster.

The infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen is outstanding. Touch responsiveness is quick, and transitions are smooth. It is extremely well-designed, and it includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, making the wireless charging pad even more helpful. The top variant additionally includes a digital driver's display. It is customizable and provides a wealth of useful information.

The 521-litre boot is large enough to hold weekend bags for four persons. The rear seat in the Virtus, like the Slavia, has 60:40 split-folding seats. As a result, unlike most other sedans, you may transport longer objects in the boot of this vehicle.

Key Features of Volkswagen Virtus

2023 Volkswagen Virtus is well-equipped in terms of features. It has a 10-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, connected car technology, ventilated front seats, digital driver display, height-adjustable front seats, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, steering tilt and telescopic adjustment, push-button engine start, a wireless charging pad, and much more. The GT additionally has dynamic red ambient lighting, while the standard car has gentle white.

Volkswagen has been emphasising Virtus' safety and based on the features list, this appears to be accurate. The Virtus comes standard with ESP, up to six airbags, a tyre pressure warning, a reverse camera with parking sensors, and Hill Hold Control. it comes with adjustable headrests and three-point seat belts for all three passengers in the back seat, and two ISOFIX child seat anchorages for your child's safety.

Top Speed and Mileage of Volkswagen Virtus

The ARAI claimed mileage of the new VW Virtus Dynamic Line (1.0L TSI) MT is 19.40 km/l and AT is 18.12 km/l, as for the Performance Line (1.5L TSI) DSG the ARAI claimed mileage is 18.67 km/l. The top speed of the 2022 Volkswagen Virtus is to be around 190km/h for both dynamic and performance lines.

Volkswagen Virtus Colour Options

Volkswagen offers 2023 Virtus in 6 different colours - Wild Cherry Red, Curcuma Yellow, Candy White, Reflex Silver, Carbon Steel Grey and Rising Blue Metallic.

Volkswagen Virtus Competitors

2023 Volkswagen Virtus rivals the likes of Skoda Slavia, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City and the Hyundai Verna.

Conclusion

The Virtus is nearly ideal overall, but there is still room for improvement and modifications. It boasts powerful engines, but its suspension is on the softer side, giving it a comfortable ride but not exciting handling. In terms of interior quality, cars like the Honda City are still a step above the VW Virtus. Let's move on to the elements that will truly impress you. The Virtus has a timeless exterior design, comfortable seats that make it a wonderful four-seater, both engine options pack a punch, and the smooth ride makes it a great all-rounder. The Volkswagen Virtus shows that our beloved sedans still have a lot of life in them.