2015 Volkswagen Vento facelift: Review

There’s a sense of reassurance when you drive a Volkswagen Vento — the build quality and the way it rides — very few can actually boast of the same in its segment. Volkswagen’s simple but attractive design and tank like build has helped it become one of the largest car makers around the world. But most Indian car buyers prefer a dash of bling and the German's understated design is one of the reasons it hasn't been able to garner a larger share of the market in our country yet. So, in comes the 2015 Volkswagen Vento facelift with a little bit more chrome, character and features making the sedan an even more compelling buy.

Design: rating_3.0_rating
The changes on the new Volkswagen Vento facelift are pretty subtle so don't expect a sea of changes. It gets a new bonnet with more prominent crease, accompanied by a larger grille which now has an extra chrome slat, making it look more like the new VW Jetta. The front bumper is also new and comes with some more chrome strips, a redesigned air dam and a set of new fog lamps replace the older round ones. Also new are LED turn indicators on the ORVMs and the inclusion of integrated cornering lights.

Look at it from the side, and the changes include chrome strips on the door handles. And there’s even a new set of alloy wheels to differentiate the Vento facelift from the older model. At the back, the 2015 version gets reprofiled taillight, chrome lining on the boot, all new bumper with some more chrome on it. Chrome highlight on the exhaust tip completes the external upgrade for the 2015 Volkswagen Vento facelift.

The changes are small and subdued at that, but overall the clean lines and smart proportions look great and the design tweaks make the Vento a shade more desirable. It's a car, which with time, will age gracefully.

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

Interiors and features: rating_3.5_rating
Once in, you are greeted with the usual Volkswagen's top class use of materials and craftsmanship. In the top end Highline variant, Volkswagen uses Walnut Desert beige theme on the dashboard which look a tad more premium. The other variants, like the Trendline and Comfortline, get what VW calls Cloud TitanSchwarz colour treatment.

The rest of the cabin is carried forward from the recent upgrade Volkswagen given to the Vento, including a smart flat bottom steering wheel. You can still adjust the front passenger seat from the back, and the rear seats continue to be fairly comfortable with decent head- and knee-room. The cabin now appears to be a bit more cheerful than before, but the change isn't really drastic.

Features: rating_3.0_rating

There are a little more features added to make the 2015 Volkswagen Vento facelift more attractive. This includes the introduction of Cruise Control which is a good addition if you frequent the highway. Then you get the convenient electrically folding outer rear view mirrors, a cooled glove box and a dead pedal to rest your left foot on.

Other bits are carried forward from the older car like a 2-din audio system with USB, AUX and Bluetooth connectivity, and driver and passenger airbags and ABS to protect you and your family.
It's a well built cabin but the Vento still lacks some features like a rear camera, touchscreen and push button start which the competition is already offering.

Engine: rating_3.5_rating
Volkswagen has not changed the engine options and the 2015 Volkswagen Vento still comes with a 105PS, 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel units. We drove the latter which has the unchanged power output of 105PS at 4,400rpm, and comes mated to a smooth shifting 5-speed manual transmission. This isn’t the most powerful car in its segment, especially considering the Vento’s 1200kg plus kerb weight. But thanks to the 250Nm peak torque which kicks in early in the rev range between 1500-2500rpm, the Vento never feels lethargic. The creamy torque ensures that you don’t have to shift down every time you intend to overtake.

Ride and Handling: rating_4.0_rating
The Volkswagen has always been a well sprung sedan. The ride quality is definitely one of the biggest virtues the 2015 Volkswagen Vento has inherited from its forbearer. With McPherson Strut in front the semi-independent trailing arm suspension is tuned on the firmer side, while the high profile 15-inch tyres makes the Vento marches over bad roads and practically glides over the tarmac.

Thanks to this setup and a precise and communicative steering, the 2015 Vento facelift has an absolute fun to drive dynamics. While negotiating turns it’s never fidgety, never loses it poise and is never unpredictable. This really boosts the driver’s confidence, making the Vento an obvious pick among its rivals.

Fuel Efficiency and Price: rating_3.5_rating

Now Volkswagen claims the motor has been tweaked to offer 7.5 percent better fuel efficient than before, so expect it to return another 1.5kmpl over the claimed 20kmpl of the outgoing model. We couldn't test the efficiency in this short test drive to confirm the same.

We expect the prices of the 2015 Volkswagen Vento to be hiked marginally by 1 or 2 percent, when it launched in India in June 2015. Currently, the base petrol VW Vento is priced at Rs 7.77 lakh, the diesel Highline costs Rs 10.43 lakh, while the top of the line Volkswagen Vento diesel Highline with automatic transmission (DSG) comes with a price tag of Rs Rs 11.53 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai).

Verdict: rating_3.5_rating

Over the years the Vento has established itself as a family sedan that boasts of German build quality with comfortable seating and excellent driving dynamics. Now the 2015 Volkswagen Vento facelift offers a little bit more chrome, character and features making it an even more compelling buy.