Volkswagen Virtus

Probably the Most Beautiful Sedan You Can Buy

How do you know the car you’re driving is something special? Is it the feeling you get behind the wheel? The comfort on offer for your passengers as you go on journeys, making memories with your four-wheeled companion chugging along? Or is it simply the way the car looks, with each crease and curve adding character and accentuating the bodylines? Perhaps it’s a combination of all these things, a ‘feeling’ or a ‘vibe’ you get each time you’re behind the wheel or park your car. And you can’t help but look back and smile. That’s the feeling the Volkswagen Virtus evokes. 

But what makes the Virtus so special? Let’s find out in our Volkswagen Virtus review.

Volkswagen Virtus Pros and Cons 

Volkswagen Virtus Exterior Design 

It’s hard to pick one aspect of the Volkswagen Virtus’ exteriors as its defining factor. Volkswagen is known for its elegant, European design language and the Virtus is the culmination of decades worth of car design experience. It’s a modern day love letter to sedans, a homage to the classic sedans of yesteryear without feeling out of place among over-designed contemporaries. There probably hasn’t been a C-segment sedan in recent years that looks so proportionate. Sure, you could tinker with the stock suspension and wheels to reduce the wheel well gap, but it’s definitely something you can live with. 

The front headlamps effortlessly blend into the sleek grille, and enthusiasts will see inspiration from the Polo and Jetta here. The bumper is sporty yet practical, cradling the two fog lamps well. The shoulder lines lend heft to the design and the roof flows down to the boot in an almost coupe-like manner. The smoked out tail lamps look stunning and from the shape of the sculpted boot to the rear bumper, it all blends together nicely. The black rims in the GT variants add an extra bit of oomph, and what you get is a car that is hard to photograph poorly, for it doesn’t have any bad angles. 

Volkswagen Virtus Interiors 

If you actually manage to stop taking pictures of the Virtus and get inside, what you’ll be met with is a functional, ergonomic cabin that is classy and understated, ensuring it ages well. The all-back seats in the GT variant exude class, and the dual-tone beige and black door and dashboard panels lend the interior an airy feel along with the sunroof. The beige seats in the 1.0 TSI variant also look excellent. There is an accented strip on the front, the colour of which depends on which variant and colour you pick, and it may not be to everyone’s taste. The leatherette seats in the higher variants feel premium and shouldn’t wear out over time. In terms of storage, there is room for bottles in all four doors, as well as two cup holders in the front and two in the rear when the arm rest is down. 

Volkswagen Virtus Comfort 

The cabin is a great place to be, simple as that. The air conditioning unit with automatic climate control will keep you cool even on the hottest days, and the rear AC vents go a long way here. The driver and co-passenger get eight-way manually adjustable seats that cocoon you in comfort. Although for a car at this price, electrically adjustable front seats, even if for just the driver, is expected and is missed. Ventilated seats in the front are welcome, especially with the tendency of leatherette seats to become scorching hot on sunny days. The driver armrest is positioned perfectly (at least for this writer’s seating position), and there are enough spaces to keep your valuables. The rear also gets two USB-C ports to charge your devices, along with another armrest when there are just two passengers in the rear. 

With a wheelbase of 2,651 mm there is ample legroom in the back with adequate under-thigh support. Given the design of the car you do sit quite low to the ground, and it may not be for everyone. The suspension is tuned to appeal to enthusiasts but does well over bumps and rough patches of road. 

Volkswagen Virtus Performance and Handling

If you’ve made it this far in the review, this is where the fun starts. The Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 TSI with 114 bph and 178 Nm is great for sedate driving within the city and will be comfortable on highways too. However, it’s the 148 bhp and 250 Nm on offer with the 1.5 TSI EVO engine in the GT that really does justice to how good the Virtus is to drive. The dual-clutch (DSG) transmission is lightning quick and the Virtus will be doing silly speeds in no time if you aren’t careful; given how planted the suspension is, even 100 km/h feels like 60 here. This is the best handling C-segment sedan on sale in India. Sure, the new Hyundai Verna Turbo churns out slightly more power, but doesn’t handle quite as well, making the Virtus the better choice for enthusiasts overall. It’s simply a hoot to drive. 

Speaking of enthusiasts, Volkswagen have listened and now offer the 1.5 with a manual transmission as well. The clutch might feel hard to some, but that’s a matter of personal preference.

Volkswagen Virtus Key Specifications

Volkswagen Virtus Safety Features

With a five star Global NCAP rating, the Virtus is the safest C-segment sedan on the market. Everything feels well-put together as is expected from the German carmaker. There are six airbags on offer, child anchor points, ABS, EBD, brake assist, ESP, and traction control among other safety features. 

Volkswagen Virtus Technology and Infotainment

The thrills and frills with the Volkswagen Virtus don’t end with how it looks, drives or how comfortable it is. To keep your road trips (and it would be a disservice to this car if you don’t do road trips in it) fun, the Virtus gets an eight speaker music system that sounds just as good as the car drives. Audiophiles may want to tinker with it, but that might be overkill. The head unit is a 10 inch, touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The steering wheel has a bunch of controls that allows you to control everything from voice commands, cruise control, and the music. 

Is the Volkswagen Virtus for you?

The Virtus is the kind of car that makes you want to drive. It makes you find excuses to pick up the keys even if it’s to go buy milk from the grocery store. Whether you’re an enthusiast looking for a thrilling and engaging drive or someone looking for a daily commuter, the Virtus can wear a suit and tie, or a punk rock outfit and pull them both off exquisitely. If you have the budget go for the 1.5 TSI—your heart will thank you for it. Whichever one you choose, one thing is certain, you’re guaranteed a lot of grins and a photo library that’s full of just car pictures.