The Volkswagen Virtus is one of those cars you fall in love with at first sight. However, the Virtus is more than just a beautiful sedan. For starters, it is tough as nails and has scored a full 5-star rating in the Global NCAP safety test, becoming one of the safest cars in India. Moreover, it offers an exciting performance as well as the premium ride expected of a renowned brand like Volkswagen. If you are considering buying a Volkswagen Virtus and are unsure whether to opt for a new or used one, this article will provide guidance. In this article, we explain how different a new Virtus is from an old one, and how much you can save by opting for a used one instead of a new model.
New Volkswagen Virtus: Quick Overview
As mentioned, the Volkswagen Virtus is a beautiful as well as tough mid-size sedan. Sharing its powertrains with sister model, Skoda Slavia, the Virtus offers the same engine options: a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine and a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine. While both engines offer an enjoyable performance, being larger and a 4-cylinder unit, the 1.5-litre engine is the more powerful, exciting, and refined of the two. The 1.0-litre engine is offered with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic, and the 1.5-litre engine is offered with a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DCT automatic. A key advantage of the larger engine is its Active Cylinder Deactivation (ACT) technology, which shuts down two of its four cylinders in light load conditions, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
The new Volkswagen Virtus is available in six variants: Comfortline, Highline, Highline Plus, GT Line, Topline, and GT Plus. Among these variants, only the GT Plus variant is available with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine.
As far as features are concerned, the Virtus offers automatic headlamps, automatic climate control, push-button start/stop, electrically adjustable & foldable ORVMs, a single-pane sunroof, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, front ventilated and electrically-adjustable seats, and more.
Key Updates of the New Volkswagen Virtus
The Volkswagen Virtus was launched in June 2022.
In June 2023, Volkswagen launched a 1.5 TSI manual variant. Previously, the 1.5 TSI engine was available only with a 7-speed DCT automatic.
In June 2024, Volkswagen began offering six airbags in all the variants of the Virtus.
In October 2024, Volkswagen rejigged the variant lineup of the Virtus, creating two broad trims called the Chrome and Sport. The regular variants are in the Chrome lineup, and the blacked-out ones are in the Sports lineup. As part of the rejig, the Virtus 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine became available with the GT Line variant. Moreover, Volkswagen removed the GT, GT Plus, and GT Edge variants powered by the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and replaced them with the GT Plus Sport variant. The carmaker also added a new Highline Plus mid variant.
New Volkswagen Virtus: Ex-Showroom Price
| Car Variant | Transmission | Ex-Showroom Price |
| Comfortline | 6-speed manual gearbox | Rs 11.56 lakh |
| Highline | 6-speed manual gearbox and 6-speed torque converter automatic | Rs 13.58 – 14.88 lakh |
| Highline Plus | 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic | Rs 13.88 – 14.98 lakh |
| GT Line | 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic | Rs 14.08 – 15.18 lakh |
| Topline | 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic | Rs 15.60 – 16.86 lakh |
| GT Plus | 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT automatic | Rs 17.60 – 19.40 lakh |
Note: Prices may vary slightly by location, and dealer discounts are not included.
Used Volkswagen Virtus: Quick Overview
Apart from the updates mentioned above, the Virtus has remained the same since its launch. The only difference in models produced before June 2024 is that the Topline and GT variants offer six airbags, and other variants offer two airbags.
Used Volkswagen Virtus: Price Overview
| Production Year | Transmission | Approx. Price |
| 2024 | 6-speed manual/ 6-speed torque converter automatic/ 7-speed DCT automatic | Rs 11 – 19 lakh |
| 2023 | 6-speed manual/ 6-speed torque converter automatic/ 7-speed DCT automatic | Rs 10 – 18 lakh |
| 2023 | 6-speed manual/ 6-speed torque converter automatic/ 7-speed DCT automatic | Rs 9 – 17 lakh |
| 2022 | 6-speed manual/ 6-speed torque converter automatic/ 7-speed DCT automatic | Rs 8 – 16 lakh |
The final price depends on the condition, location, and variant.
New Volkswagen Virtus vs Used Volkswagen Virtus: Financing Comparison
| New Volkswagen Virtus Topline 1.0L TSI MT | Used Volkswagen Virtus Topline 1.0L TSI MT (2024) | |
| On-Road Price | Rs 17,76,000 | Rs 12,89,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | Rs 3,55,200 | Rs 2,57,800 |
| Loan Amount | Rs 14,20,800 | Rs 10,31,200 |
| Loan Tenure | 5 years | 4 years |
| Interest Rate | 9% | 11% |
| Total Interest | ~ Rs 3,48,808 | ~ Rs 2,48,091 |
| Total Paid | Rs 14,20,800 + Rs 3,48,808 + Rs 3,55,200 = Rs 21,24,808 | Rs 10,31,200 + Rs 2,48,091 + Rs 2,57,800 = Rs 15,37,091 |
| Difference | Saves: Rs 5,87,717 |
As can be seen, a just a one-year-old Topline manual variant can be more than Rs 5.5 lakh more affordable than the same variant as a new model.
New Volkswagen Virtus vs Used Volkswagen Virtus: Insurance Comparison
Volkswagen Virtus Topline MT (2024)
- Initial Insured Declared Value (IDV): Rs 12,98,715 lakh
- First-Year Premium: Rs 11,371 (approx.)
- Total 5-Year Premium (with depreciation): Rs 50,000 (approx.)
Volkswagen Virtus Topline MT (2023)
- Initial IDV: Rs 12,22,320
- First-Year Premium: Rs 10,033 (approx.)
- Total 5-Year Premium: Rs 45,000 (approx.)
So, in terms of insurance cost, a used Volkswagen Virtus will save nearly Rs 5,000 if you choose it over a new one, and if the difference between the new model and the used model is around only 1 year.
New Volkswagen Virtus vs Used Volkswagen Virtus: Which to Choose?
If you are looking for better value for your money, a used Volkswagen Virtus will be a better pick than the new one, as it will offer the same package at a far more affordable price. As seen above, a just a one-year-old Virtus can save you over Rs 5.5 lakh. The older the model, the higher the savings. At the same time, you need to keep in mind that the base models produced before June 2024 offer two airbags, while every model produced after June 2024 offers six airbags.
FAQs about Volkswagen Virtus
Q. What does a brand-new Volkswagen Virtus offer that a used Volkswagen Virtus does not?
After the launch of the Volkswagen Virtus in June 2022, the carmaker has updated the Virtus lineup only a few times, and most of these updates have been the introduction of new variants and the replacement of some old ones. As far as features are concerned, the feature list has remained the same since its launch, except for the addition of electrically-adjustable front seats that are offered on the GT Plus Sport variant. Therefore, a brand-new Volkswagen Virtus is not too different from the old one.
Q. Is the new Volkswagen Virtus more fuel-efficient than a used Volkswagen Virtus?
No, since the Volkswagen Virtus has not seen any powertrain change since its launch in June 2022, the new Volkswagen Virtus is as fuel-efficient as the used one. The claimed fuel efficiency figures for the Volkswagen Virtus are up to 20.8 km/l (1.0L TSI) and 19.62 km/l (1.5L TSI).
Q. If I buy a used Volkswagen Virtus instead of a new one, how much will I save?
If you buy a 1-year-old model of the Volkswagen Virtus instead of a new one, you can save over Rs. 5.5 lakh.
Q. Which modern features will I get in a used Volkswagen Virtus?
In a used Volkswagen Virtus, you can get automatic headlamps, automatic climate control, push-button start/stop, electrically adjustable & foldable ORVMs, a single-pane sunroof, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, front ventilated seats, and more. For safety equipment, a used Virtus can offer ABS with EBD, ESC, electronic differential system, multi-collision brake, brake disc wiping, hill-hold assist, tyre pressure monitor, rear parking sensors, and more.
