Volkswagen · 2018–present

Volkswagen Virtus

The Volkswagen Virtus is a subcompact sedan (B-segment) manufactured by the German automaker Volkswagen since 2018. It is based on the Polo Mk6 with an extended wheelbase and the same Volkswagen Group MQB A0 platform, which it also closely shares with the Taigo/Nivus and T-Cross/Taigun. It was first introduced in Brazil in November 2017, with sales starting in January 2018. From Brazil, the vehicle has been exported throughout Latin America. In March 2022, the vehicle was introduced in India to replace the Vento and uses the Volkswagen Group MQB A0 IN platform adapted for India. The Virtus is also marketed as the Volkswagen Polo Sedan in South Africa since September 2022, and as the Volkswagen Lavida XR in China since June 2023. The Škoda Slavia is a redesigned version that was introduced in India, Vietnam and the Middle East.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Volkswagen Polo Mk5

All Volkswagen Virtus data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Markets

=== Brazil === The Virtus was introduced in Brazil on 16 November 2017 as a sedan counterpart to the Polo, and slots between the smaller Voyage and the larger Jetta in VW Brazil sedan line-up. It uses the same front fascia as the Polo, including the modifications that were made to the Polo for the South American market such as redesigned bumper. It also features a longer wheelbase which stood at 2,651 mm (104.4 in), 103 mm (4.1 in) longer than the Polo. The trunk has a capacity of 521 litres, an increase of 200 litres from the Polo. In Brazil, all Virtus versions are sold as flex-fuel vehicles (petrol and ethanol). The base 1.6-litre MSI four-cylinder engine generates 130 PS (128 hp; 96 kW) with petrol and 118 PS (116 hp; 87 kW) with ethanol. The rest of the options are all equipped with the TSI engines, with 1.0-litre (116 PS (114 hp; 85 kW) gasoline, 128 PS (126 hp; 94 kW) ethanol), and 1.4-litre (150 PS (148 hp; 110 kW) with both fuels), the latter only available for the GTS version. In February 2023, the Volkswagen Virtus sold in Brazil received a restyling, which brought updates to the model. The GTS version was discontinued, being replaced by a version called Exclusive which is powered with the 1.4-litre TSI engine (150 PS (148 hp; 110 kW) with both fuels). In addition, the basic versions are powered by the 170 TSI 1.0-litre engine (109 PS (108 hp; 80 kW) gasoline, 116 PS (114 hp; 85 kW) ethanol) which replaced the base 1.6-litre MSI four-cylinder engine. The mid-range versions, the Comfortline and Highline variants retains the 200 TSI 1.0 litre engine, with 1.0-litre (116 PS (114 hp; 85 kW) gasoline, 128 PS (126 hp; 94 kW) ethanol). Powertrain. === Argentina === The Virtus was released in Argentina in February 2018 with a sole 1.6-litre MSI engined variant with a

Safety

=== Latin America === The made-in-Brazil Volkswagen Virtus was sold in Latin America with a standard safety specification of four airbags including two frontal airbags and two seat-mounted side combination torso-head airbags, i-Size approved ISOFIX anchorages, three-point seatbelts in all seats, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners. Electronic Stability Control and post-collision braking were sold in volumes high enough for a Latin NCAP 2.0 five star rating. The Virtus was tested by Latin NCAP 2.0 in 2017 and achieved five stars for both adult and child protection, performing well across all areas of assessment including the ESC test and side, front and pole impacts (the last two were carried over from the Polo based on technical evidence supplied by Volkswagen). The Virtus also received an award from Latin NCAP Advanced for its pedestrian protection. In 2020, Latin NCAP introduced a geometric evaluation for head protection airbags for rear occupants; the updated Virtus for Latin America is equipped with curtain airbags instead of the older seat-mounted combination torso-head airbags, and is fitted with rear-seat belt reminders. Higher trim levels are also sold with Autonomous Emergency Braking, which is part of Latin NCAP's 2020 assessment protocols. Latin NCAP 3.0 reassessed the facelifted Virtus for Latin America in 2022 (similar to Euro NCAP 2014), and it achieved the maximum five star safety rating. India. The Virtus is sold in India with a standard safety kit of six airbags, i-Size compatible ISOFIX anchorages, Electronic Stability Control, three-point seatbelts for all seats, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, post-collision braking and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). In April 2023, the Virtus was awarded five stars for adult and child occupant pr

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Volkswagen Virtus
Manufacturer: Volkswagen
aka: Volkswagen Polo Sedan (South Africa), Volkswagen Lavida XR (China), Škoda Slavia (India)
Production: 2018–present (Brazil), 2022–present (India), 2023–present (China)
Assembly: Brazil: São Bernardo do Campo; São José dos Pinhais (Volkswagen do Brasil), India: Chakan (Škoda VW India), China: Yizheng, Jiangsu (SAIC-VW)
Class: Subcompact car (B)
Body style: 4-door sedan
Platform: Volkswagen Group MQB A0, Volkswagen Group MQB A0 IN (Indian version)
Related: Volkswagen Polo Mk6, Volkswagen Taigo/Nivus, Volkswagen T-Cross/Taigun, Škoda Kushaq
Engine: Petrol:, 1.0 L TSI I3, 1.4 L TSI I4, 1.5 L MPI I4, 1.5 L TSI I4, 1.6 L MSI I4
Transmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, 7-speed DSG
Wheelbase: 2651 mm
Length: 4482-4561 mm
Width: 1751 mm
Height: 1461-1487 mm
Predecessor: Volkswagen Vento/Polo Sedan, Volkswagen Santana (A05) (China), Volkswagen Lavida Mk2 (China)
Designer: João Sammarco

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43706733CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_VirtusCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1372192373 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sal%C3%A3o_do_Autom%C3%B3vel_2018_(45890970041).jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: Paulo Guereta from São Paulo · retrieved 2026-10-01
Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.vw.com.br/pt/carros/virtus.htmlLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.