There are a couple of engine options present. The Dynamic Line gets the 1.0 L TSI with either a 6-speed manual or an automatic, while the GT variants have a 1.5 L version with a 7-speed dry clutch DCT which did quite well in our tests. The smaller one is potent enough for 115 PS (113.98 bhp) at 5000-5500 rpm and 178 Nm. While the 1.5-liter one makes a strong 150 PS (147.51 bhp) at 5000-6000 rpm and 250 Nm.

In reality, though, the 1.0 L is pretty adequate and manages the job of providing power and efficiency very well. There are owners who have gotten an excellent 18 kmpl+ on highways using the 1.0 L mill. The bigger engine also comes with ACT, which helps save fuel when loads are light.

The Virtus, with any engine, has a slight bit of lag that quickly disappears once the car starts to move. The in-gear acceleration is insane, with 40-100 kmph appearing in just seconds. The DSG also comes with paddle shifters, which makes it feel like some sort of sports car. The dry clutch has been facing some complaints about overheating, but what else can you expect in bumper-to-bumper jams?

The VW Virtus offers ARAI-certified fuel economy figures ranging from 18.45 kmpl (1.0L AT) to 20.8 kmpl (1.0L MT), with the 1.5L TSI EVO DSG achieving up to 19.62 kmpl.

Virtus’ interior persona carries the same minimalist vibe that is the highlight of its exterior styling. You get a huge dashboard divided by a thick piano black strip. In the middle, there is a touchscreen while AC vents are situated on either side with shiny chrome surrounds. Depending on the trim, you get either a 7-inch or 10-inch display.

The seats are fabric, but in Topline variants, you get leather seats with inserts and ventilation. Regardless, the seats are very comfortable and have good thigh support. The rear seats also come with a center console and armrest and can easily seat up to 3 medium-sized adults. The plastic quality is good, and the soft-touch surfaces are there on the doors and dashboard. The GT Line gets fancy red/black interior colors with red stitching along with seat ventilation and electronic adjustments.

One of the highlights here is the massive boot, which becomes large enough to store another Virtus with the split seats; heck, I think it's better than some of the SUVs!

Infotainment

There isn't much AI sort of stuff you find in other cars, but VW has made sure that the infotainment is top-notch and features are useful. The touchscreen was responsive, and the base 6-speaker sound system is good enough for most of us.
All but the base variant get wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

The sunroof is available from Highline Plus variants onwards and extends a bit further back for rear passengers to enjoy the view. Higher variants also get rain-sensing wipers along with auto ORVMs, while the 1.5-liter variants get red ambient lighting as standard.

Volkswagen's simplistic design has been one of the key selling points of the Virtus. The two-part front fascia, with a slim top grille and functional bottom half, is flanked by two headlamps on either side.

All variants get LED lights with DRLs, while the Topline and GT variants also get fog lamps. Most of the exterior decor is in chrome, but blacked-out bits are available on special editions like the GT. The side profile is equally minimalistic and does a great job of giving the Virtus a pretty imposing stance when parked. The rear is a similar story, with LED lamps on either side.

The ORVMs (Outside Rear View Mirrors) are body-colored across the lineup, but the 1.5-liter versions get GT badging front and rear, along with special design alloy wheels for the top two variants  and wider tires. The base variants get 16-inch Scimitar design wheels.

VW has been pretty impressive when it comes to safety for not only the Virtus but every car in its portfolio. The Virtus has a 5-star GNCAP rating and now has 6 airbags as standard. You also get Active TPMS, ISOFIX seats, and plenty of other safety features as standard

Virtus is in a class of its own but Honda City, Verna and Slavia are its  biggest rivals. The Slavia has more energetic styling and funky color options. The mechanicals are ditto as are the driving dynamics. Slavia also comes with “Simply Clever” stuff like a fasttag holder, deity stand and other thoughtful touches that make it feel more special.

Verna on the other hand is a bit ahead in terms of performance and its packs 160 hp but the same old dry clutch which is prone to overheating. The looks on Hyundai’s offering too are a mixed bag and are more often than not disliked by sedan enthusiasts .

Only Honda City comes close to rivalling Virtus’s driving dynamics, style, and value for money but is aimed more at comfort cruising  than sportiness. Also its 120 hp engine lacks the turbo punch which VW has in plenty.

The Virtus is a do-it-all, all-around German that pretty much excels at everything you can throw at it even if it's the base 1.0 L variant which we were surprisingly impressed with.

. Previous VW owners might complain about the lack of heft compared to older VW models in terms of build quality and engineering, but despite this, the Virtus has managed to successfully challenge brand perception and is a solid alternative to boring compact SUVs at a reasonable price

I’ve used the word “surprising” quite a bit because the Volkswagen Virtus is full of surprises. It’s almost nothing like a typical Volkswagen, yet it still embodies the brand’s essence. It feels like the perfect mix of performance and practicality for Indian conditions, with all the German engineering you expect—minus the harshness.

It’s as if Hrithik Roshan and Diane Kruger had a baby—unbelievable performance, fantastic looks, and the ability to digest spicy Indian foods without breaking a sweat.