Volkswagen Vento - A serious competitor for Maruti SX4 and Honda City

Volkswagen launched a new sedan version of its hatch Polo - the Volkswagen Vento. The sedan has been launched only in India and Russia which kind of tells the potent of the Indian automotive industry especially the segment to compete with the likes of Honda City, Maruti SX4, Hyundai Verna, and Fiat Linea. Volkswagen has beaten the total sales of Honda City which actually shook the guys at Honda.

The company aims to sell 25,000 units of Vento a year and it was launched with a starting price of Rs. 6.99 lakhs for 1.6 liter petrol engine version and for Rs. 7.99 lakhs for the diesel-powered engine variant.

As it is said that the Volkswagen Vento the sedan version of Polo, don't expect a boot to have been pasted on the Polo, for the exteriors of Venot look sophisticated and the front fascia look so modern and appealing and the C-pillar job amazes giving the car a neat profile and the longer wheel base. From the front Vento though resembles Polo there is some change in the air dam (lower); it doesn't look monstrously big but definitely oozes style and elegance. Vento's boot opens effortlessly (a button on key and a button on door trim remotely opens the boot). The electrically assisted steering helps it to adjust to the reach and rake. The stance of the Vento makes its bold on the roads. Vento comes with body colored bumper and body colored door handles and chrome grille. The zinc coated body comes with 6-year warranty for anti rust. Other features include adjustable seat in the front, remotely controlled RVMs, automatic AC with vents in the front and even in the rear and RC central locking.

You would feel the interiors to be sophisticated and you can't leave the cabin without appreciating the excellent build quality. The dash with dual tones looks beautiful. The 'name a feature and its there in the Vento' feeling leaves anyone awed. The four windows are power windows besides being anti pinch. You will experience the best audio quality in the segment (CD MP3 player with 4 speakers), but will be disappointed enough to note absence of an aux-in port or USB port.

The rear visibility isn't good and so is the comfort of seating in the rear. The seats do not provide thigh support and even support for low back. You will find the head restraints to be hard. The Vento comes with the widest arm rests in the rear and that makes brings the intentions of the German car maker clear - Vento has to be a chauffer-driven car. VW Vento comes with anti theft security alarm besides other security features including airbags (all seats) ABS with EBD, high-torsion rigid body shell and 5 SRS seatbelts.

Vento comes with petrol and diesel powered engine. The 1.6 liter petrol engine produces maximum output of 105PS @ 5250 rpm and a maximum torque of 153nm @ 3800 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission (5-speed manual in case of diesel engine). The diesel engine is also a 1.6 liter one that churns out a peak output of 105PS at 4400 rpm and a max torque of 250 nm at 1500 to 2500 rpm. Steering is super smooth and suspension is good enough for gravely road but when you take it on pothole laden road you would yell the suspension sucks. That said for the frugal drivers it's the sedan giving an impressive mileage of around 16 kmpl.



Vento comes with storage compartments; designed for keeping a liter bottle and, specialty compartment to keep sunglasses. The roof handles are foldable and there are cup holders for all seats. The rear seat has armrest for the seat in the center too.

Vento comes in choice of six colors: Candy White, Flash Red, Shadow Blue, Reflex Silver, Deep Black and Terra Beige.

Why Vento? For the stylish from outside and elegant inside looks, for packed features, for the German engineering and for the peppy and powerful 1.6 liter engine coupled with astonishing mileage.

Why not Vento? Poor visibility for rear-seat passenger and it can simply be compromised for the load of good things. What surprises me is that despite increased fan following, the company is yet to establish itself as a big player in the Indian market.