Volkswagen Vento 1.5 DSG Review

Despite the fact that the difference in petrol and diesel cost has reduced over the past one year, the demand for diesel is still unparalleled. But considering the amount of number of vehicles on the road, the need for an automatic is constantly on the rise. So far, Hyundai was the only manufacturer to offer the Verna with an automatic gearbox option, but now Volkswagen has joined the party by adding a DSG gearbox to its trusted C-segment offering, the Vento. Plus to keep costs in check and make production a lot easier, they have also downsized the engine. We take the Volkswagen Vento 1.5 DSG for a spin to find out of the changes are just right to make an impression on the sales charts.

Exterior Styling and Design: rating_3.0_rating

As far as overall styling is concerned, Volkswagen hasn’t made too many changes to the new Vento 1.5. Up front, the new Vento 1.5 gets new blackened out headlights, mildly redesigned bumper and new 15-spoke alloy wheels. Not much has changed in profile and at the back either. Now, the VW Vento thanks to its typically European design has always been one of the better looking cars in its segment to the extent that despite it being over four years old, it doesn't quite feel dated. That said, a few more changes to differentiate the it from the older models would have done it a world of good. 

Interior and Space: rating_3.5_rating

On the inside too, the story remains pretty much the same. Although the layout of the dashboard is unchanged, the Vento 1.5 gets nice matte silver outlines to centre console and the AC vents. While the change might not really be significant, it sure makes the dash pleasant to look at. That said, we preferred the old grey-beige combination as opposed to current brown-beige one. The biggest change on the inside is the flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel that gives the interiors a rather sporty appeal. Space at the back is available in abundance, but the large transmission tunnel does eat up the leg room of the third passenger. Quality of plastics on the inside is top notch. 

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Features and Equipment: rating_3.0_rating

While the Volkswagen Vento 1.5 doesn't really boast a long list of features, it does get all the necessary features. The 2-din audio system with USB, AUX and Bluetooth connectivity is easy to operate. In terms of safety, the Vento 1.5 gets two airbags for the driver and the passenger and ABS. The DSG transmission that we drove also had Electronic Stabilisation Programme and Hill Hold Control. The Vento does come equipped with all that you might need, but the fact that even some of the hatchbacks today come loaded with button start, keyless entry, reversing camera and the likes, does put it on a back foot. 

Engine and Performance: rating_4.0_rating

This is where the new Vento 1.5 is different from its predecessor. It sports the same 1.5-litre mill from the Polo, which is essentially a downsized version of the 1.6-litre unit. While this one was plonked into the Polo to make the most out of the excise duty benefits, the same has been installed on the Vento to keep the costs in check.  

The 1.5-litre oil burner pumps 105PS and 250Nm, and while it is not the most powerful car in its class, if you ignore the figures you might just feel that it is. The Vento 1.5 feels quick on its heels and ready to go. Peak torque comes lower down the rev range from 1,500-2,500rpm and but it’s in the mid-range that thee Vento feels like it has been given a dose of adrenaline. Turbo lag is evident thanks to which you have to plan your overtaking manoeuvres.  

Aside from the changes to the engine, Volkswagen has installed the new Vento 1.5 with a 7-speed DSG gearbox. It gets three driving modes – D,S and Manual. The D mode is best suited for cruising and efficiency but it’s the S and the manual that brings out the true partnership of the engine and the gearbox. The car shifts up pretty smoothly as it climbs up the revs but the downshifts could have been smoother. The Vento 1.5 DSG feels absolutely comfortable when cruising close to a ton in the seventh gear, but once you start pushing it closer to its top speed, it does get a little noisy. 

Ride and ease of Driving: rating_3.5_rating

By virtue of it being an automatic, the Vento is absolutely blissful to drive especially considering the fact that constant need to shift gears is completely eluded. The D mode is just the kind of thing that you need in a crowded city like Mumbai, with just the right balance of efficiency and gradual power delivery. That said, the absence of a dead pedal is felt especially when you driving on the highways or over long distances. Visibility all round is good but parking would have been a lot easier affair had it been installed with a reversing camera. 

Handling and Braking: rating_4.0_rating 

The Vento has always had the reputation of being a machine that takes on the curves with utmost poise and in this new avatar continues to be so. The suspension is setup slightly on the stiffer side to thanks to which it fun to push it round corners but that doesn't mean that it is a slacker when it comes to rough city roads. The steering is precise and responsive which further adds to the fun to drive quotient. Braking prowess is gradual but there is ample of bite. 

Price and Efficiency: rating_3.5_rating

Volkswagen claims the Vento 1.5 DSG to return 21.21 kilometres to a litre which is great keeping in mind that it is an automatic. Priced at Rs 11.16 lakh it sure is marginally cheaper than its competition but taking into account that it doesn't offer equal equipment, it doesn't quite make for a very sound value for money proposition. 

Verdict: rating_3.5_rating

With the Hyundai Verna being the only diesel automatic on offer so far, there wasn't much for driving enthusiasts to choose from. The equation was pretty simple; either you go for a manual transmission car or pick convenience over driving pleasure. Now, with the new Volkswagen Vento 1.5 DSG on sale, you can get the best of both worlds. Keeping that in mind the Vento 1.5 DSG sure is an extremely sensible buy to the heart, if only Volkswagen had worked a little more in the looks department and installed it with more features, the Vento would have been a product difficult to beat.