Both the Slavia and the Virtus are based on the same platform and share the same engine options, but what’s different
Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd is trying to bring back the aura of sedans with its double onslaught – Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus. We try to list down the similarities and differences between the two sedans.
With Skoda spearheading the India 2.0 project of the conglomerate, the Slavia has already arrived in the Indian market and is on sale. Volkswagen will bring the new Virtus to the Indian market soon.
Overview
VW has unveiled the all-new Virtus based on the same platform as the Slavia
The world is moving towards SUVs, with every car maker focusing on compact and seven-seater SUVs. However, Skoda and Volkswagen still believe that the sedan category still possesses the charm and desirability of offering a larger and more premium upgrade to existing small car owners. Based on the versatile and India-spec MQB A0-IN platform, the two companies have introduced their versions of sedans – the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus.
Skoda Slavia vs Volkswagen Virtus
Both the cars are powered by the same engine options
These two new sedans have a lot of expectations riding on their shoulders. Firstly, both of them are replacing highly-successful models for their respective makers – while the Skoda Slavia has replaced Skoda’s best-selling car to date, the Rapid, the Volkswagen Virtus is all set to fill in the shoes of Vento. Secondly, both are eying on a segment with limited buyers but still witnessing tough competition with established rivals like Honda City and Hyundai Verna.
Skoda Slavia Vs VW Virtus exterior design highlights
The exterior design of both cars is the main differentiating factor between them. Both the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus wear their respective maker’s latest design languages, making them look sharper and more modern than the decade-old cars they are replacing in India.
The Skoda Slavia looks the bolder of the two with a more aggressive grille with chrome surrounds and angular and larger headlamps, which have LED projectors and daytime running LEDs. Even the fog lamp surrounds on the front bumper are garnished with chrome. On the other hand, the Volkswagen Virtus looks more elegant when viewed head-on. It has a sleeker front grille with chrome accent and slimmer headlamps, which also get LED projectors and daytime running LEDs.
The side profile of both the cars looks very similar to each other, with a couple of sharp creases flowing through its door panels and the crisp window waistline flowing upwards towards the C-pillar. Both sedans also have a chrome finish for the window waistline and door handles. The sedans here get 16-inch machined alloy wheels, with both getting separate designs of their own.
At the back, the design dissimilarities between the two cars are as clear as that at the front. While the Slavia has edgier-looking LED tail lamps with a crystalline effect, the LED tail lamps of the Virtus look bolder with their clear-lens-effect.
Unlike the Skoda Slavia, the Volkswagen Virtus will be available with GT trim for the niche 1.5-litre TSI variants. The GT trim in the Virtus adds a host of sporty visual bits like a glossy-black roof, rearview mirrors, headlamp inserts and slim boot spoiler, black alloy wheels, GT badges on front fenders, and red-coloured front brake callipers.
Skoda Slavia Vs VW Virtus interior design highlights
Like the exterior, the interior of the two sedans is in stark contrast to each other, with both of them having their style of cabin layouts. While the Skoda Slavia comes standard with a dual-tone black and beige leather upholstery, the Volkswagen Virtus has a colour-coded interior scheme combined with a dual-tone black and beige layout.
Let’s start with the driver’s cockpit first. A 7-inch full-TFT instrument console is the same in the two sedans. While the Slavia comes with a more elegant-looking two-spoke steering wheel with gloss-black and chrome accents, the Virtus has a sportier three-spoke steering wheel with contrast silver touches.
There is a difference between the layers of the dashboard in both the Slavia and Virtus. But given the different themes, it is visible that while the Slavia aims at offering a more elegant design, the Virtus’ cabin looks the sportier with the colour-coded bits. Also, while the 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system is a free-standing unit in the Slavia, it is neatly integrated into the dashboard layers of the Virtus.
The lower centre console of both the cars looks very similar to each other. Both have the same touch-sensitive panel for automatic climate control and pad for a wireless charger for smartphones.
Skoda Slavia Vs VW Virtus Features
While there are a lot of similarities in both the cars, there are a lot of differences as well
When it comes to features, both the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus evenly match each other by offering the best-in-class features list in their top-spec trims. The features which are common in both the sedans are as follows:
- LED projector headlamps with daytime running LEDs
- Cornering fog lamps
- LED tail lamps
- 16-inch machined alloy wheels
- 7-inch TFT instrument console
- Multi-functional steering wheel with audio, Bluetooth, voice commands and cruise control buttons
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto
- Wireless charger for smartphones
- Ventilated front seats
- Automatic climate control
- Rear AC vents
- Cooled glovebox
- Electric sunroof
- Push start-stop button
- Leather upholstery
- Driver seat height adjustment
Skoda Slavia Vs VW Virtus powertrains
But in the meantime the Skoda Slavia has gained immense popularity in India
It is the aspect where the similarities between the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus become more evident. There are two turbocharged petrol engine options, which are the same in both cars. The smaller 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI petrol engine is the volume driver for both sedans. Available with 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions, this engine produces 115 PS of maximum power and 178 Nm of maximum torque.
And get same transmission options as well
There is also a niche and more powerful 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol engine, which is offered with both 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission choices. Featuring cylinder deactivation technology, this engine churns out 150 PS of maximum power and 250 Nm of maximum torque.
Skoda Slavia Vs VW Virtus spec sheet
When it comes to dimensions, both the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are magically identical to each other. Both the sedans have the same length, width, height, wheelbase, ground clearance and boot space.
Skoda Slavia Vs VW Virtus Safety
Like the comfort and convenience features, the list of safety features in both the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus is the same. Following are the safety features available in both the sedans:
- Six airbags – dual front, side and curtain airbags
- ABS with EBD and brake assist
- Reverse parking sensors and camera
- Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror
- ISOFIX mounts for child seats
- Hill hold assist
- Electronic stability control
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
- Brake disc wiping
- Multi-collision braking
- Traction control
- Motor slip regulation
- Electronic Differential Locking – a segment-first
Skoda Slavia Vs VW Virtus pricing
The Skoda Slavia was launched in February 2022 in the following variants:
- Active 1.0 TSI MT – Rs 10.69 lakh
- Ambition 1.0 TSI MT – Rs 12.39 lakh
- Ambition 1.0 TSI AT – Rs 13.59 lakh
- Style 1.0 TSI MT – Rs 13.59 lakh
- Style (O) 1.0 TSI MT – Rs 13.99 lakh
- Style (O) 1.0 TSI AT – Rs 15.39 lakh
- Style (O) 1.5 TSI MT – Rs 16.19 lakh
- Style (O) 1.5 TSI AT – Rs 17.79 lakh
The only difference between the Style and Style (O) is the availability of sunroof in the latter.
While the prices of Volkswagen Virtus will be out in May 2022, expect them to be nearer to those of the Skoda Slavia. For reference, there is about a Rs 20,000 difference in the prices of the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Virtus in India.
Final Thoughts
Unlike their predecessors, Rapid and Vento, the new Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Vento are more well-differentiated in exterior and interior design. Both the cars are evenly but richly equipped and have a similar but potent engine and transmission options. Choose any of the two based on your design preferences, and you can’t go wrong with either of them.
Which one of the two appeals to you more? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Keyword: Skoda Slavia Vs Volkswagen Virtus Detailed Comparison