Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Volkswagen Virtus

One sedan to rule them all, one sedan to find them. One sedan to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them. The sedan space may have been in the dark in the Indian car market in recent times but the all-new Volkswagen Virtus has long been promising to create a renaissance for the segment here. The challenge being thrown is as much to the existing crop of mid-size sedans already available as it...

is to a near frenzied craze for SUVs of all shapes, sizes and at varying price points. But for any sedan to not just lead in its own segment but fend off rivals in other segments, it needs to strike that perfect balance between styling, features, comfort and capable drive traits - all at a price point that doesn't put off the sentiments.For <a target="_blank" href="https://auto.hindustantimes.com/new-cars/volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> in India, there have been many chapters to its sedan tale but none that has been remarkably well received. Whether it was the Ameo or the <a target="_blank" href="https://auto.hindustantimes.com/new-cars/volkswagen/vento">Vento</a> or even the far more premium Jetta and Passat - the strong intent was met only with a lackluster response. But ever so often a model comes in with a fresh breath of air and in that sense, the Volkswagen Virtus is promising more of a storm than a gentle breeze. Will the Virtus manage to prop up Volkswagen to the pedestal of a rather tiny empire called sedans? In the words of Gandalf - <i>Have patience. Go where you must go, and hope!</i>(Update: <a target="_blank" href="https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/volkswagen-virtus-sedan-launched-at-rs-11-21-lakh-declares-big-war-on-suvs-41654744818627.html">Volkswagen Virtus launched at <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>11.21 lakh</a>)But you don't have to go anywhere and definitely don't need to hope one way or another because we recently landed in Amritsar to test drive the Volkswagen VirtusThe stretch running parallel to the India-Pakistan border near Attari evoked emotions of various kinds but it is the Virtus that sought to wage the biggest war Volkswagen may have ever had to wage in the country.